CRAFT PROFILE: Contemporary Needlepoint

In the next installment of UK Handmade's craft profile series, Verity Warne of Made by Loulabelle unpicks the contemporary needlepoint scene...

My prize-possession is a piece of needlepoint stitched by my mum in the 70s. Twenty years and a long stint in the attic later, it came my way and has been the first thing to go up on the walls wherever I’ve lived since. What I love most about my wall-hanging – apart from its heirloom status – are the bold colours, abstract design and strokable texture. I’ve been looking for its design twin for ages, but until recently I’d only found pastoral scenes or heraldic designs – beautiful and delicate as those designs are, they’re just not my style. But now, there’s a new wave of designer-stitchers and needlepoint has never been more contemporary.

History

Needlepoint is a form of counted thread embroidery where yarn is stitched onto canvas - in most cases, completely covering the underlying fabric. Many people refer to needlepoint as “tapestry” but genuine tapestry is woven on a loom and therefore counts as a “textile art”, not needlework. While the origins of needlepoint go back to ancient Egyptians, the technique we know now emerged in the 16th century. As upholstered furniture became popular, needlepoint became the perfect technique for creating durable and decorative textiles. Throughout the centuries, different styles and motif conventions developed. For example, Bargello, a 17th century form of needlepoint (massively popular in the 1970s), features repeating geometric patterns worked in long stitch. However, although a wide range of stitches can be used, most patterns use a variant of tent stitch or cross stitch.

The Experts

For Emily Peacock, needlepoint is not just about the end result: “I truly believe that to lead a balanced life we all need to have a space in which to be creative. Creativity can quieten our minds and working with our hands puts us back in touch with ourselves”. Featured in the latest series of Kirstie’s Homemade Home, her Kiss and Hug designs are great examples of her style: “My inspirations vary from the landscape around me to my love of typography. I think what ties my designs together is a love of the dramatic and uplifting themes.”

Kiss and Hug by Emily Peacock

Think Happy Thoughts by Emily Peacock

Felicity Hall’s range of on-trend designs are specifically developed with interiors in mind. In a recent interview for Craft Focus, she comments: “the vintage eclectic look is really popular at the moment, and stitched items work well with this look”. The moodboards on Felicity’s website demonstrate how well her designs can be incorporated into the modern home and a quick look at her press page speaks to the popularity of her designs.

Silhouettes Needlepoint Kit by Felicity Hall

Vintage needlepoint kit by Felicity Hall

The influence of bright colours and bold silhouettes are also evident in the work of Jacquie Pearce, the designer behind Granny Knits. Inspired by her Grandma Dora, Jacquie’s ethos is that “you can discover and try old school crafts whatever your level of creativity”.

Campervan stripe by Granny Knits

Alphabet Sampler by Granny Knits

Stitch-up Designs’ range is inspired by pop culture trends and includes skulls, graffiti and union jack pieces. Claire explains "The needlepoint kits came about as a necessity to provide something more up-to-date than the traditional chintzy floral designs or kittens in baskets - needlepoint is a relaxing hobby and is quite therapeutic but if you don't like the end product, it's a bit of a waste of time."

Skull by Stitch Up Designs

Graffiti Home Sweet Home by Stitch Up Designs

Sarah Fordham of MaMagasin has an equally contemporary but rather more out-there approach. Her interest in using traditional craft methods to depict taboo imagery developed while studying fine art. In an interview for Etsy, she explains: “I wanted to use everyday, mundane objects — something the viewer wouldn't find shocking in any way at all, and then mix it up with the taboo idea. Somehow it occurred to me that I could sew onto a boring kitchen sieve, as it has a mesh-like quality similar to tapestry canvas. And so the sieve boob was born.” Sarah’s boobs are available for sale alongside other quirky, but less breast-related pieces including buttons, hair pins and rings.

Embroidered Sieve Boobs by Mamagasin

Cross-Stitch Platinum Plated Blue Tit and Flowers Ring by Mamagasin

Methods

The basics of needlepoint can be picked up in the time it takes to make a sandwich. Designs are available in printed canvas - where the crafter simply stitches directly over the design – or chart form where the design is supplied on a grid. Check out Felicity Hall’s website for a quick introduction to tent stitch.

Tools and Materials

Most kits include everything you need – canvas, chart and wool. Some stitchers prefer to use a tapestry frame but this is not essential.

Featured crafters

Emily Peacock: http://www.emilypeacock.com

Felicity Hall: http://www.felicityhall.co.uk

Granny Knits: http://www.grannyknits.co.uk

Mamagasin: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MaMagasin  

Stitch-up designs: http://stitchupdesigns.co.uk