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That needlepoint project I was telling you about is up on CRAFT today! There's a free needlepoint pattern and also a how-to for constructing the bag!
They asked me to contribute an idea that uses yarn and I narrowed it down to needlepoint (because, really, yarn is such a fun material to work with, there are so many ideas!). The plan is that I'll be contributing more original how-to's on CRAFT in the future and I'm really excited about that. They have been fabulous to work with so far.
If you haven't tried needlepoint, this is a great get-your-feet-wet project. In fact the needlepoint was the easiest part. I finished this purse from start to finish in about a week or so. The two stitches I used in the design are very easy for beginners.
The color palette I used for this bag is very springy, but you could choose a palette that's appropriate for all the seasons. The sky's the limit on color. This project is also a great yarn stash buster.
This purse turned into quite the complex project! But no fear, I put together a very thorough step-by-step on how to construct the bag from beginning to end. This was one of the most fun projects I've worked on in a while. I can't wait to come up with some more ways to use needlepoint.
I put together some tips on starting and ending your yarn when you're stitching your needlepoint panel. (these are not included in the CRAFT post)
Here's an example of what to do when you need to start a new color in the middle of your design:
I'm pretty wary of carelessly starting or ending threads. I'm so paranoid that threads are going to come loose, so that is why I make sure to pull the thread through those previous stitches 3 or 4 times before I start stitching. This will ensure that your project will last many, many years (decades!) without having stitches come loose.
Here's an example of ending a length of yarn. When you're doing those large "Crossed Corners Cushion Stitches" it can be tricky when you have to end a thread with no previously created stitches nearby. The long diagonal stitches of these Cushion Stitches are a bit loose since they're traveling over many "threads" of your plastic canvas. Here's what I do when I only have those diagonal stitches to anchor my yarn (and this will happen often, because these Cushion Stitches use LOTS of yarn... your length of yarn will end in the middle of this motif often, no matter how long it is):
Again, I would go back through 3 or 4 times to make sure it's secure.
A book I used as a resource (no I was not paid to say this!) is Stitch Step by Step. I highly recommend this book if you'd like to try needlepoint. Half the book is also about surface embroidery, so if you've been wanting to try that, too, this is a double whammy. ; )
Remember, you can find the free needlepoint pattern and purse construction how-to here on CRAFT!
Great...Now I won't be able to turn away from all that plastic canvas I see it at thrift stores like I have been for years! Thanks a lot, Danielle :/
Just kidding!
Posted by: Katrina | February 07, 2012 at 12:53 PM
Oh my gosh Danielle, seriously that can't be any cuter! I love your DIY stuff, this one just takes the cake!!
Posted by: Tania Shaw | February 07, 2012 at 01:35 PM
Wow this came out beautiful!! I love the colors!
Posted by: ana | February 07, 2012 at 04:14 PM
how gorgeous danielle!!!!
Posted by: Cathy | February 07, 2012 at 04:21 PM
Oh my gosh. That is so so darling. xo, rv
http://aneclecticheap.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Rae Veda | February 07, 2012 at 05:06 PM
cute!! those colors are so you - you need to copyright them as you official brand colors haha like reflex blue/kodak yellow i want to see danielle thompson mustard etc. and needlepoint is the next big thing: i've got some patterns in the works! maybe i need to get you to work them up for me :D
Posted by: pilgrim | February 07, 2012 at 07:54 PM
This purse is unbelievably beautiful!
Posted by: Lisa Gutierrez | February 07, 2012 at 09:13 PM
So so so good.
Posted by: Erin Wilson | February 07, 2012 at 09:56 PM
Danielle! You've really outdid yourself! This bag is fantastic! The colors are so so good (as usual). Congrats on the CRAFT: gig!
Posted by: robbie. | February 07, 2012 at 09:56 PM
OMG. OMG. I think I just fell in love with you. I love plastic canvas so much, and this is one of the prettiest modern designs I've seen anywhere. Awesome use of the medium, great colors, and those covered buttons are a gorgeous touch. This project makes me all kinds of happy.
Posted by: Sister Diane | February 08, 2012 at 07:05 AM
Wow! Absolutely beautiful! If I saw this in a shop, I'd be all over it. Can't wait to see what other crafts you come up with for CRAFT.
Posted by: Eartha Kitsch | February 08, 2012 at 09:35 AM
This is amazing! I want to try it out!
Posted by: Jene' | February 08, 2012 at 10:10 AM
Adore this, Danielle. And so does my daughter...maybe a fun Easter gift for her :) Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Erica | February 08, 2012 at 11:33 AM
Wow, great design and I love the colors!
Posted by: AngieK | February 08, 2012 at 08:18 PM
oh my.......i love this!! thx for sharing link + tips!!
I thrifted for myself the most amazing bag with bamboo handles + the bag was made out of a teatowel that has the most amazing embroidery patterns sewn up each colour of the teatowel.
Posted by: Rach | February 09, 2012 at 03:27 PM
Wow. This is so cool. What a great bag. The colors are fantastic. I featured it on my blog today for My Favorite Things Thursday. Come by and check it out and grab a button if you like! http://www.missloviecreations.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-favorite-things-thursday.html
Posted by: Allie | February 09, 2012 at 06:40 PM
I cannot get over how clever and striking this is! Wonderful :D <33
Posted by: Kailey | February 10, 2012 at 12:16 AM
ACK! I can't stop looking at this purse! It's so beautiful, and I absolutely cannot wait to make it. Great job!!
Posted by: Sophie | February 10, 2012 at 07:04 AM
You are amazing! The colors are so lovely. Love, love, love!
Posted by: emily b | February 10, 2012 at 03:56 PM
I saw this on LoveElycia, it's so cute!
Posted by: chloe | February 10, 2012 at 07:49 PM
This is the most awesome thing I've seen around blogland in a while, Danielle! :) Your color choices are amazing - and I love the texture of the yarn!!
Posted by: Michelle Clement | February 10, 2012 at 09:06 PM
Wow, great idea!! I have a bunch of that plastic stuff and I had no idea what to do with it. Took it into my classroom figuring we'd make coasters or something. Never would have thought to make a bag out of it! Great idea.
Posted by: SewTara | February 11, 2012 at 01:50 PM
This is awesome, I'm in awe! I'd love to make something like this.
Posted by: Natalia | February 11, 2012 at 02:47 PM
That is absolutely stunning. The colours, the patterns, the textures. So pretty! Just perfect!
Posted by: Lorna | February 12, 2012 at 01:22 PM
Danielle I absolutely love this! Fantastic design, I'll definately be trying this one out nearer to summer ;) thanks!
Jessie, xo
Posted by: Jessie @ MessyJesse | February 13, 2012 at 08:44 AM