Thursday, May 28, 2009

Punchneedle Fun!


I have been having the best time teaching myself Punchneedle Embroidery. It is so much fun and easy to do.


I have had it on my list of things I want to learn for years and I finally bought the supplies and a great book a few weeks ago. I had some time to sit down and read it this weekend, and I was punching away at my design within about an hour.

I would describe it as a cross between embroidery and rug hooking. I am having so much fun.

I got all of my supplies online at http://www.joanns.com/ . I think the supplies and the project book I found on amazon.com cost me about $40 including shipping.

Here is the book, Punchneedle Fun that I highly recommend...



I found the book to have better directions in the introduction about Punchneedle than the instructions included with the kit or the punchneedles themselves. I highly recommend getting it too if you want to try this craft. :)

http://www.joanns.com/ has everything you need to get started and they always seem to have a coupon code on the home page that you can use at checkout. I saved 50% off of the most expensive item when I bought mine.


All you will need to get started is a


I chose a retro flower design kit for my first project. The image was already stamped on the fabric and is only about 3" x 4" . The perfect size to learn and get hooked as the feedback is fast and fun as the little loops fill up the space as you punch.

I think it is so neat that you are working on the back of the piece and the loops form on the front. You actually flip over your project to see what you are creating!



Here is my design inside the locking 7" hoop. I have begun to fill in the light yellow section.

This is what you see when you are working which is the back and...



Here is what is forming on the front. Look at all the cute little loops!




As you can see, I am having fun as I did all of this in just a couple of hours or so.


I am following the chart to see what sections get punched with the thread colors the kit provides.


Here is the front of the project so far and soon it will look like this...



I just bought 2 more kits and some blank weavers cloth to make my own designs and the projects in the book I showed you.

I think I see some punchneedle pugs in my future. :)

Please let me know if you try this fun art. I would love to see what you make!

19 comments:

Manon said...

Hey Melissa! It must be that Colorado air that gives you so much energy to do all these things! Could you bottle some of that up and ship it to Ohio?

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

WOW!

Mom's heading is spinning with things from her past: embroidery AND rug hooking!

Furry nice!

I wonder if one needs opposable thumbs to do that?

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Sue said...

Hi Melissa,
You're a girl after my own heart!
I just bought a punchneedle kit to learn how to do it too! It's a sweet little bird just perfect for a beginner. It is fun - I just hate reloading the needle! Last summer I tried primitive rug hooking, using strips of cloth instead of yarn. Although I like the results I didn't like the process enough to keep doing it. Would like to try regular rug hooking though. I do what you do - buy the kit to learn the process and then design my own. I can definitly see some pug designs done in punchneedle - that's the first thing I though of when I saw what you were doing. I think that's a perfect application!
xoxo
Sue & Roscoe

Kelly said...

Wow Melissa! I love the way that looks!

Laura said...

As I was reading this, I was thinking in my head that "she will be making these of pugs in no time"! I used to do hook rugs back in college - it was addicting! Have fun!

Nevis said...

Very cool. I remember that craft from years ago! I think I may have done it a long time ago...? It looks framiliar...

Unknown said...

oh that is cool!!! I love it and the texture...I guess you could create your own work in this method too....that would be cool....

Great piece Melissa!!!! you are always finding new and cool projects!!!!

Love it!!!

Hugs
Diana

GAIL said...

I can hardly wait to see your punchneedle pugs!

Molly the Airedale said...

Mom has done rug hooking and embroidery but never punchneedle! This looks like fun and your project is turning out so pretty!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Unknown said...

That is really cool! (not that I need another hobby!) I saw something like this on HGTV today, they were doing this and felting. Looks great!

Pearl says "hi" she's doing great.:)

Puglette said...

hi melissa, punchneedle looks like a lot of fun...but i am kind of confused. is the printed side the back when you are complete? also, june over at planetjune.com has been experimenting with punchneedle too. she has some cute results and some really cute new crochet patterns!
hugs,
puglette
:o)

Joan Princing Art said...

Simply Wonderful!!!! You really have to use one of your pug designs for this - that would be totally awesome! For example, a small pillow 5" x 5"??? Framed in a small frame??? The possibilities are endless!
Joan & Skippy

marianne said...

Just lovely!!!!
Thanks for introducing me to something I didn't know it excisted!

Anonymous said...

That is so cool!!! I do some of the rug hooking and make pillows of the designs.
I think I like the look of punch needling better!

Phyllis Dobbs said...

Melissa, I love the needlepunch you are doing. You got the hang of it very quickly and I'm sure you will be needlepunching pugs before you know it. I saw a needlepunch kit I liked this week and didn't get it because I don't have time, but now think that I will go back and get it, thanksto you!

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Hi Melissa
That looks like a lot of fun.
Mom would like to do it- she said she needs to go be put in solitary confinement with some crafts to do, and not go to work!
Can't wait to see what you will be dreaming up soon!
love
tweedles

The Itsy Bitsy Spill said...

I love what you are doing! It's coming out so beautifully!
Thanks for dropping by my blog!!

The Devil Dog said...

Punchneedle pugs sound very cool.
Mom polyurethaned her bookcases this weekend and then spent today putting her books in them and arrangeing them. Phew!

Roxy

Poppy said...

Ooooh so cool I will have to look into this. I can see this being used for a ton of things. Thanks for sharing!

Jill in Florida