Canvas: The Fiber Talk Needlepoint Series

Canvas #9: Prep is Key for Red Rocks Bright Sun Success

In show #9 of our Canvas Series, Cindy and Beth discuss how they prepared to stitch Wendy Moore’s Red Rocks Bright Sun design. The show is sponsored by Cyberpointers (cyberpointers.org) and Avlea Folk Embroidery (avleafolkembroidery.com). Red Rocks Bright Sun is an advanced design that presents several stitching challenges. In the video we talk about many of those hurdles and how Cindy is working through them and Beth plans to handle them when she starts the project. We hope this discussion will help you approach any new project, particularly counted-canvas designs that present stitching challenges. As always, leave your thoughts and questions in the comment section. Below are all of the necessary links so you can explore Wendy’s designs.

Links:

  • Fiber Talk show with Wendy Moore https://wetalkfiber.com/2025/12/14/wendy-moores-counted-canvas-artwork//
  • Contact Wendy Moore at [email protected]
  • Jackie Du Plessis Start/Stop threads technique is demonstrated at the 12-min. mark

    Canvas #8: Starting a New Needlepoint Project

    The June Canvas video focuses on the various things Beth, Cindy, and Gary do when starting a new needlepoint project. This is a very long video that covers a number of topics. Below is a timeline so you can jump around to listen to the topics that interest you. As always, leave your thoughts and suggestions for future topics in the comments section.–Beth, Cindy, and Gary
    Timeline:
    –2:30: Kits
    –23:00: Canvas
    –34:00: Instructions
    –45:00: Tools and “infrastructure”
    –48:00: Insurance (we welcome your thoughts on this one)
    –57:00: Stitching stands
    –1:07:00: Stretcher bars
    –1:20:00: Cindy’s painted canvas

    Canvas #7: Match Master Painter Threads with Master Painter Designs

    Kick Back and Stitch Cassatt, stitched by Robin Rossignol.
    Kick Back and Stitch Matisse, stitched by Robin Rossignol.
    After listening to our show with Jane Garrison of Threadnuts/The Painter’s Threads Collection (https://wetalkfiber.com/2023/08/19/fiber-talk-with-jane-garrison/), Robin Rossignol was inspired to purchase some of those threads and match them with some of the Kick Back and Stitch designs she owned. In this video, we talk about 10 of those pieces and explore the threads and design features. Robin’s work is an excellent example of how you can try counted-canvas needlepoint by stitching a small, inexpensive, design using stash threads or by making a small investment in new threads. See the links below for sources.—Robin & Gary

    Links:

    • Kick Back and Stitch designs can be purchased from your LNS, but here’s a good online source: https://store.apneedlearts.com/kickbackstitch.html
    • Robin frequently refers to the book, “Twisty Stitches.” There are actually two volumes of “Twisty Stitches.” They were written by Carole Lake and Michael Boren. Their website is: https://stitchplay.com. You’ll have to purchase the books from a LNS or an online book seller as they’re no longer sold on the Stitch Play Designs website.
    • CyberPointers: https://www.cyberpointers.org/
    • American Needlepoint Guild: https://www.needlepoint.org/default.aspx

    Fiber Talk Canvas #6: Getting Picky About Perle

    As anyone who has stitched with perle cotton knows, there are some nuances to using the versatile thread, particularly the tendency to twist and untwist. In Canvas #6, we spend a few minutes talking about those nuances. We hope this helps less-experienced stitchers and, as always, there might be a tip or forgotten thing for veterans. Post your thoughts in the comments section.–Beth, Cindy, and Gary

    Links:

    Fiber Talk Canvas #5: When Hefty Threads Need Storing

    In the fifth installation of our Canvas series, we talk about different ways to store thick threads such as perle #5 and Watercolours. A lot of our focus is on the excellent products produced by Jenny White of Lucky Jonquil at luckyjonquil.com. We hope our suggestions help and invite you to share how you store your thicker threads in the comments.—Beth, Cindy, and Gary

    Links:

    Fiber Talk Canvas #4: Needles: Why You Care What You Use

    In Canvas episode #4, we talk about needles, needle sizes, quality, and the role your needle plays in stitching and protecting your threads as you stitch. When buying, purchase top quality needles and several sizes in your arsenal so you can use the best option for your thread and ground cloth. As always, leave your questions/thoughts in the comment section.–Beth, Cindy, and Gary

    Note from Gary: After recording, I actually measured the needles I use for needlepoint projects. Turns out I’m using size 22, the proper size for Perle #5 and Watercolors. While my memory may be faulty, I still know how to select the correct needle size.–Beth, Cindy, and Gary

    Links:

    Canvas #3: Congress Cloth Pros and Cons

    Canvas show #3 focuses on Congress Cloth. We’ve made a change and are now presenting shows by topic rather than including several topics in one show. This should make it easier to choose what you want to watch. In episode #3 we talk about Congress Cloth, its pros and cons, and how it differs from 18-ct. canvas. As always, leave questions/thoughts in the comment section.–Beth, Cindy, and Gary

    Links:

    Canvas #2: Reading Charts and Using Laying Tools

    It’s time for our second Fiber Talk Canvas show. It’s a long one. This month we talk about canvas supply and thread costs. Don’t blame your LNS owner. Then, at the 20-min. mark, we have an extended discussion about how to read charts for those stitches that look so complicated but aren’t. At the 1-hr. point, thanks to listener requests, we do an extended segment about laying tools and how to use them. As always, leave your thoughts and suggestions for future topics in the comment section.—Cindy and Gary

    Cindy’s laying tools:

    Links to items discussed in this show:

    Canvas: Thanks to Donna Gotts for Offering Stretcher Bar Fine Points

    An email from listener Donna Gotts prompted this second stretcher-bar video. This time we cover some of the finer points of using stretcher bars that can make stitching life more pleasant. If you have other suggestions, please leave them in the comments.–Gary
    Links to items mentioned in this show:
    EverTite stretcher bars, Frame Lock corner devices, and tacks: http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/Accessories/StretcherBars.html
    Adjust-A-Frame stretcher bars: Download price list at wetalkfiber.com/canvas

    Mounting Canvas on Stretcher Bars

    Mounting needlepoint canvas on stretcher bars the first time can be a bit intimidating. In this video, we take you through the process using standard stretcher bars. Once you’ve done it, you’ll see that it’s a rather simple process. If you’re using Ever-Tite or Adjust-A-Frame bars, the process is the same. But don’t tack the corners so the bars will be free to expand. Leave questions if you need help or comments if you want to share tips.

    Adjust-a-Frame Stretcher Bars

    Download the price list for Adjust-a-Frame stretcher bars at wetalkfiber.com/downloads/adjustaframe.pdf

    In our first Fiber Talk Canvas show, we talked about Adjust-A-Frame stretcher bars but weren’t sure if they are still being manufactured. I heard from the folks who produce them and they definitely are still making them. Click on this link to download the price list so you can order them: https://www.wetalkfiber.com/downloads/adjustaframe.pdf.

    Introducing Fiber Talk Canvas,
    A New Needlepoint Series

    This is the first of a new needlepoint series we’re calling Fiber Talk Canvas. The purpose of this video series (there will be a new video on the third Wednesday of each month) is to help people have success with needlepoint. To accomplish this, our focus will be on counted-canvas needlepoint. In our first show we talk about what we hope to accomplish with the series, stretcher bars and getting a canvas ready for stitching, and the projects we are working on as part of the series. All of the projects we are doing are available for free or can be purchased through some retail outlet, i.e., you don’t need to take a class to do them. We hope you’ll find this series informative and that it will prompt you to give needlepoint a try. Please let us know in the comment section if you have questions, suggestions for future shows, and/or ideas for topics you want covered.—Beth, Cindy, and Gary

    Links to items discussed in this show: