[Nfb-krafters-korner] for plastic canvas folks

[Blindhands at aol.com]

I did some researching on the net so folks can get more information on  
plastic canvas.  First plastic canvas is a form of needle point.  Many  of the 
needle point stitches can be used to create interesting textures and  
designs.
 
Here is a book that sounded good as it not only has diagrams of the  
stitches, but it has the verbal descriptions, too.
 
A-Z of Needlepoint by Country Bumpkin  is not the most comprehensive 
needlepoint book in terms of the number of  stitches it covers, but it is an 
excellent guide to approximately 65 different  stitches, including many common 
stitches. Where this book excels, as with all  the other A-Z stitch books by 
this publisher, is in the clear, step-by-step  photographs with written 
directions that illustrate how to execute all steps of  a stitch, rather than 
assume a single diagram is enough. For me, a litmus test  of how clearly a book 
explains how to do a stitch is the explanation of the  turkey work stitch 
(in this book called "Rya Stitch", although it is  cross-referenced in the 
index under the name Turkey Work). This book has an  excellent illustration of 
this as well as many other popular stitches. Designed  to lie open flat 
during use, we highly recommend this book.  
A-Z of Needlepoint (2005, 128 pages, wirebound paperback)  $35.00
 
 
 
 
There are other resources such as: American  Needlepoint Guild 
 
 
Terry has taught barjello plastic canvas in the past  here.  This is a 
description of what type of work Terry does on her  coasters, tissue boxes, etc.
 
 
Bargello is a type of _needlepoint_ 
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Needlepoint)  _embroidery_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embroidery)   consisting of 
upright flat stitches laid in a mathematical pattern to create  motifs. The 
name originates from a series of chairs found in the _Bargello palace_ 
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bargello_palace)  in _Florence_ 
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence) , which  have a "flame stitch" pattern. 
Traditionally, Bargello was stitched in wool on canvas. Embroidery done 
this  way is remarkably durable. It is well suited for use on pillows, 
upholstery and  even carpets, but not for clothing. In most traditional pieces, all 
stitches are  vertical with stitches going over two or more threads. 
Barjello takes counting to establish the first few rows to create the  
design. 
I use to do Barjello way back when I had my yarn shop, as I felt the plain  
type of needle point was boring.  There are needle point canvases that have 
 the color design already done and all you need to do is the background.   
Depending on if you want to make a chair cover or just a picture there are 2 
 basic types of stitches that are used.   
1.  half-cross stitch,  is usually is used if you are doing a  picture to 
fill in the background.  It uses less yarn and makes a lighter  weight 
finished items. 
2.  Continental stitch : This stitch covers the front and back of  the 
canvas equally well and is used for chairs and foot stools, piano  benches.  It 
does take more yarn to do this, but it is a sturdy  stitch.  It does distort 
the canvas a bit and you need to dampen it and  stretch it out and let it 
dry to finish it. 
Continental stitch 
 

_Needlepoint basket weave stitch_ 
(http://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/basketweave-stitch.htm)  is the 'Holy Grail' of basic  needlepoint stitches. It 
allows good coverage of the canvas with the least  distortion. 
You should use needlepoint basket weave stitch whenever there is  a 
larg(ish) area to be stitched. It is named for the basket weave pattern it  forms 
on the "wrong" side of the canvas. Work this stitch diagonally, starting  at 
the top right hand corner of the area. 
 
Then there are a lot more design stitches and patterns that you  can do on 
plastic canvas beside Barjello.





Joyce  Kane
_www.KraftersKorner.org_ (http://www.krafterskorner.org/) 
Blindhands at AOL.com