For our Summer Stitch Along we're making a Needlepoint Purse! This season's hottest bags are all about personality - weaving, beading, fringe. What could be more fashion-forward than a hand-stitched handbag? Fendi, who? This is a Benzie original.
We'll share a live video on Instagram each week demonstrating the steps to stitch and construct your needlepoint purse. In addition to live videos, we'll update this post weekly with photos and written steps so you can stitch at your own pace or join in at any point!
Additional Tools:
Needlepoint Patterns - Available below under weekly subheadings
Scissors
Wonder Clips
Frixion Pen
Ruler
Sewing Machine - optional, but recommended
Week 1: Introduction, Needlepoint - Vertical Long Stitches, Cutting Canvas
SIDE and BASE Patterns - Week 1 (click to download)
This pattern is designed to fit onto one 10 ½ x 13 ½“ sheet of 10 count plastic canvas. Because SIDE pieces and BASE piece fit very close together, it is important to begin stitching with SIDE 1 at the very bottom left corner of plastic canvas as shown below.
1. Download and print SIDE and BASE Patterns above. The stitches used in this portion of the pattern are long vertical stitches in DMC Capri (7036), Mustard (7484) and ECRU.
LONG VERTICAL STITCHES -
- Cut length of tapestry wool (3 or 4’ long) and tie a knot in one end. Thread tapestry needle with other end of tapestry wool.
- Bring needle up from the back of canvas at bottom (1) of first stitch.
- Take needle back down at top (2) of first stitch.
- Start second stitch by coming up from bottom as before (3) and back down through canvas at top (4) of stitch.
- Repeat for remaining stitches.
*Diagram shows technique for Long Vertical Stitch - not placement on pattern.
It is important to count (and recount) SIDE 1 carefully so that stitches and spaces match the pattern.
2. At end of column (or when length runs out), knot tapestry wool at the back and thread a small bit of tail through stitching. Cut.
3. Use pattern and careful counting to finish column or find next column in the same color. Begin stitching in same manner as before.
4. Do not cut plastic canvas until Side 1 – Week 1 stitching is complete. Note that there are blank spaces above and below the stitching required in Week 1. Those must be accounted for before you cut the canvas! Follow diagram below to see where canvas should be cut after stitching.
5. Once canvas is cut, use SIDE Pattern to stitch Side 2 onto the larger cut piece of canvas. Begin at bottom left corner as before. There will be excess canvas on Side 2 that can be cut after Week 1 or left until all stitching is complete, since it in not excessive or cumbersome.
6. Use BASE Pattern to stitch Base onto small, narrow cut piece of canvas. Orient canvas horizontally and begin stitching at bottom left corner. There will be excess canvas on Base that can be cut after Week 1 or left until all stitching is complete.
Finished components of Week 1 should look like the picture below.
Week 2: Needlepoint - Horizontal Long and Diagonal Tent Stitches
SIDE and BASE Patterns - Week 2 (click to download)
7. Download and print SIDE and BASE Patterns above. The stitches used in this portion of the pattern are long horizontal stitches in DMC Flamingo (7605) and diagonal tent stitches in DMC Veridian (7860) and Persimmon (7850).
LONG HORIZONTAL STITCHES -
- Cut length of tapestry wool (3 or 4' long) and tie knot in one end. Thread tapestry needle with other end of tapestry wool.
- Bring needle up from the back of canvas at left side (1) of first stitch.
- Take needle back down at right side (2) of first stitch.
- Start second stitch by coming up from left side as before (3) and back down through canvas at right side (4) of stitch.
- Repeat for remaining stitches.
*Diagram shows technique for Long Horizontal Stitch - not placement on pattern.
DIAGONAL TENT STITCHES -
- Cut length of tapestry wool (2 or 3' long) and tie knot in one end. Thread tapestry needle with other end of tapestry wool.
- Bring needle up from the back of canvas at bottom right corner (1) of first stitch.
- Take needle back down at a diagonal at top (2) of first stitch.
- Start second stitch by coming up from top of second stitch (3) and back down through canvas at a diagonal at bottom (4) of second stitch.
- Continue adding stitches at a diagonal, alternating working from bottom to top and top to bottom.
*Diagram shows technique for Diagonal Tent Stitch - not placement on pattern.
8. It is important to note that most stitches added this week will be going through holes in canvas already occupied by other threads. Because of this layering effect, begin with horizontal long stitches and complete fully before moving on to diagonal tent stitches.
9. At end of row (or when length runs out), knot tapestry wool at the back and thread a small bit of tail through stitching. Cut.
10. Use SIDE Pattern - Week 2 to stitch both sides of canvas. Use BASE Pattern - Week 2 to add new stitches to canvas base.
Finished components of Week 2 should look like the picture below.
Week 3: Needlepoint - Long Horizontal Top Stitches and Whip Stitching Edge
SIDE and BASE Patterns - Week 3 (click to download)
11. Download and print SIDE and BASE Patterns above. The stitches used in this portion of the pattern are long horizontal top stitches and whip stitches in DMC Peach (7171.) There are no whip stitch markings on the Week 3 pattern, but the technique and placement are detailed below.
LONG HORIZONTAL TOP STITCHES -
- Cut length of tapestry wool (3 or 4' long) and tie a knot in one end. Thread tapestry needle with other end of tapestry wool.
- Bring needle up from the back of canvas at left side (1) of first stitch underneath vertical (A) stitch.
- Cross designated rows over vertical stitches and take needle back down at right side (2) of first stitch underneath vertical (B) stitch.
- Start second stitch by coming up from left side as before (3) and back down through canvas at right side (4) of stitch.
- Move to next section of top stitches and repeat.
12. At end of row (or when length runs out), knot tapestry wool at the back and thread a small bit of tail through stitching. Cut.
13. Use SIDE Pattern - Week 3 to stitch both sides of canvas. Use BASE Pattern - Week 3 to add new stitches to canvas base.
WHIP STITCH -
- Cut length of tapestry wool (4' or longer) and tie a knot in one end. Thread tapestry needle with other end of tapestry wool.
- Bring needle up from the back of canvas at right side (1) of first stitch.
- Loop tapestry wool around outer edge (2) and around to the back of canvas.
- Start second stitch by coming up from the right side as before (3) and around (4) to the back.
- Continue adding stitches to create a succession of angled stitches around perimeter.
When whip stitching beside long vertical or horizontal stitches, angle needle to bring stitch up underneath existing stitches.
14. Orient canvas pieces as shown below. Use DMC Peach to begin whipstitching at bottom left hand corner (A) of Side 1. Follow directional arrows on diagram. At turn B, align edges of Side 1 and Base and whipstitch together.
At turn C, align edges of Base and Side 2 and whipstitch together. Continue following directional arrows and finish at point D.
15. At Point D (or as length runs out), thread tapestry wool through existing stitches on back of canvas. Knot and cut.
16. Cut another length of DMC 7171 and whip stitch along remaining exposed edge of Base in the same manner.
Finished and joined compenents of Week 3 should look like the picture below.
Week 4: Assembly - Attaching Handles
17. Orient canvas vertically. Center one handle over second row of stitching from the top. To attach, vertical long stitches in DMC Mustard (7484), Capri (7036) and ECRU need to be made over existing stitches. Stitching to be added is outlined below.
18. Cut a length of Mustard tapesty wool (3' long) and tie a double knot in one end. Thread tapestry needle with other end of tapestry wool. Bring needle up from the back of canvas in same location as start of Mustard long vertical stitches.
19. Make long vertical stitches in same manner as before going over front of canvas and bottom of handle. Continue moving along row until selection of Mustard stitches is complete. Knot tapestry wool at the back and thread a small bit of tail through stitching. Cut.
20. Repeat Steps 18 and 19 for Ecru and Capri tapestry wool. Note that Peach long horizontal top stitches will not be restitched.
21. Rotate canvas 180° and attach second handle in same manner.
Week 5: Assembly - Sewing and Attaching Lining
LINING Pattern (click to download)
22. Download and print LINING Pattern above. Trim Cerulean felt sheet to 8 x 15 ¼”. Trace Side pattern pieces onto excess felt. Cut out.
23. Orient one Side ½” down from top corner of body of lining as shown below. Pin in place.
24. Use sewing machine and Cerulean thread to attach Sides to body of lining with a ¼” seam allowance. At corners of Side, rotate both pieces of felt and continue sewing along both edges in one motion. Keep sewing along perimeter of body of lining (including top edges) and add second Side ½” below opposite top corner. Diagrams show initial placement of Side pieces, not completed stitching.
Finished lining should look like the pictures below.
25. Clip sewn lining inside plastic canvas.
26. Use embroidery needle and Cerulean thread to hand stitch lining to canvas. Begin at top of one vertical side. Knot end of thread and bring needle up from inside felt lining. Bring needle out underneath existing tapestry wool. Take needle back down through canvas and lining out through machine stitching. This technique will allow hand stitching to virtually disappear within the design!
27. Once side is complete, continue stitching across top edge of canvas, hiding outer stitches within tapestry wool and inner stitches within machine stitching. Manipulate canvas to stitch behind handles.
28. After perimeter of lining has been fully attached, bring needle back inside felt lining. Knot and cut thread.
BONUS: Purse Charm
Additional Supplies: Felted Sardines
29. Cut a 20" length of leftover tapestry wool. Select two felt Sardines to add to your bag.
30. Thread tapestry needle with wool. Put needle through middle of one sardine and out end of tail. Pull until tapestry wool has disappeared inside body of sardine.
31. Wrap wool around center of tail three times. After the third wrap, pull needle out through end of tail.
32. Put needle through end of other sardine tail. Slide second sardine until ends are 7" apart.
33. Wrap tail in same manner as first sardine. After three wraps, push needle down through end of tail and out through body of sardine. Pull taut and clip extra tapestry wool.
34. Loop around handle of purse for a little extra charm!
