AboutHenry Babcock Expertise I learned needlepoint from my grandmother over 30 years ago. I can answer most questions on the subject. I know about producing needlepoint as well as cleaning, repairing and restoring.
Question QUESTION: I am making a small pillow, my own design (for this much work it might as
well be my dog I'm putting on a pillow!). For a standard 10x10 pillow, how
much extra canvas would you leave for the pillow finishers? Do you have to
needlepoint extra background that will be turned under? thank you
ANSWER: Judy,
You want to leave at least two inches all around the finished part. So, a 10x10 canvas should be cut at least 14x14. The excess will be trimmed off when they make the pillow.
If it's a solid background, just add a couple of rows on all sides (maybe 1/4 inch) for turning under. Just let the finishers know that you added a few extra rows for that.
Hope this helps,
Henry Babcock
AllExperts Needlepoint Expert
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Such a basic question...my old needlepoint canvas, stored for years, was
stained so I am buying it new and now , after having made two or three
pillows I realize I don't know if I should be using mono, penelope or
interlock????
thanks
(don't need penelope for the several sizes of stitches but other advantages?)
thank you
Answer Judy,
If you don't need the varying sizes that penelope allows, just stick with mono. Interlock is more stable that mono, but is more expensive, not as strong, and can wear the wool faster during, and after, stitching.
