Saturday, January 3, 2015

How to do Punch Needle Embroidery

For those who know me, I am more of a wood worker, entrepreneur and inventor than a hand quilter, rug hooker or punch needle artist.  However I do listen to my customers requests and obsess over each design I make.  It took about 4 years of tinkering with various frame designs to come up with the frame pictured below.  It started with another frame I was making for cross stitch and customer contacted me with some concerns.  After a few trial designs and a lot of thought, I came up with this little frame.  Hoops or this 6" x 6" gripper frame can be installed and switched out, depending on the type of project you are working on.   

 
The customer requests were straight forward.  Make a small gripper frame or hoop on a frame that can easily flip over.  In punch needle you are always checking the backside/bottom loops of yarn.  Sounds easy at first but trust me it wasn't.  This frame here is a variation of the "Diane's Special" Flip-Up Frame that I make for cross stitch.    To purchase this little frame, go to http://stores.laptophoops.com/barnetts-laptop-hoops-6-x-6-punch-needle-gripper-frame-with-howard-brush-eh5-strips/   Note:  I have changed up the little curved arm to a straight arm for better clearance when flipping the frame.

For those of you who are new to punch needle, I copied and pasted the following as I couldn't explain it any better:
Punch needle is a craft or art technique of looping yarn, floss or ribbon in the format of a pattern through fabric. The looping gives the pattern a rug like appearance. The origins of needle punching are debatable. Some claim it has been in existence since the ancient Egyptians began making needles out of hollow bird bones, others claim needle punching originated from the Old Believers in Russia, while others trace its origins back to Germany or England. Needle punching is used to embroider items, create wall hanging, ornaments, pillows, rugs and other decorations and crafts. Needle punching is done as a hobby and commercially. Before creating your own item you will need to know how to needle punch.   Read more at  http://www.wikihow.com/Needle-Punch