Welcome Beginners!
We are so happy to have you here. No matter how you discovered us, we hope you'll find this hobby to be part of your life for a long time! Below you'll find some beginner-friendly tips and advice for mastering the art of needlepoint. As always, if you have any questions not answered here, we would love to hear from you! Send us a note at hello@thirdcoaststitches.com
The Tools
There are some basic tools you need to get started with needlepoint. These are the core items needed to complete a project, there are more fun accessories we'll discuss but for now make sure you pick up these items to create your beautiful project!
The Canvas
Find your first canvas here! Some tips to pick out the right canvas:
- 4 or fewer colors
- Not too large - you don't want to overwhelm yourself! Think: keyfobs, ornaments, clutches.
- A 13 mesh canvas. There are 2 types of mesh - 13 and 18 mesh. The number represents the number of stitches per inch. 13 is less than 18, so less stitches per inch, which means it'll be easier to tackle!
Check out some beginner favorites below:
Find your first canvas
Shop our collection of canvases that have been popular with previous beginners
2 keyfobs designed by one of our very own (Devon Graham Designs) that are perfect for a beginner!
The Fibers
You can't stitch without some fiber! Since we recommend 13 mesh canvases to get started, the fibers you'll want to use are Silk & Ivory or DMC. When ordering a canvas, you can select to kit the canvas, and the TCS team will make sure you have enough fiber to complete the project!
Get Stitching
You picked out your canvas and fibers, now it's time to work on your project! There are a few ways you can learn to stitch, see below!
Pick up a beginner card. This comes as an auto download - add it to your cart and check out, and you'll receive an email with the PDF attached. If you include it as part of an order, we'll add a physical card for. youto have on hand!
Check out the blog posts
Our blog has several posts diving deeper into all aspects of needlepoint. Here are some recommended posts to get started:
join a class
If you're local to Chicago, come by the Third Coast Store for a beginner class! We offer several each month, we'd love to see you!
Finishing time!
While working on a project is the most fun part of needlepoint, getting your project finished might be the most exciting. Doing this brings your work to life and creates an heirloom for you to have for years to come! Check out our blog posts to learn a little more. Since finishing is custom to each project, feel free to reach out to hello@thirdcoaststitches.com for more information!
Bonus: Accessories
A fun bonus of needlepoint is the pretty, fun accessories you can add to your collection to make the experience feel extra special. Take a look below to see what we have to offer!
Scissors
Scissors are a necessary part of needlepointing - you will at some point have to cut your fibers after all! Any pair of scissors will do, but we offer some beautiful pieces you can add to your collection.
Project bags
Needlepointers love to hold their fibers, canvases, and accessories in project bags so they can easily access all the pieces they need in one place. Any small bag you own will fulfill this purpose, or you can pick up a needlepoint specific one in our shop!
Needleminders
Needleminders are decorative magnets you can attach to your canvas to ensure you don't lose your needle. They're a fun way to ensure you don't end up stepping on a stray needle that may have rolled away!