Let's Talk Tent

Now that my ANG Auction project of the two little Asian girls is almost finished, let's talk about What's Next. I have some finishing to do and I'll post photographs of that, but my next project is going back to our roots in the 1940s-1960s when needlepoint was done for chair seats in all wool using the tent stitch family--basketweave, continential and tent stitches.

Even today if you plan to stitch a needlepoint rug, you will probably use wool and either something from the tent family of stitches or cross stitch or Victorian cross stitch. Wool in these stitches is very durable, perfect for rugs, upholstry or other similar NP that will get hard usage. But today's needlepointer tends to choose charts or painted canvas designs and tries to use all sorts of fancy threads and stitches. So why would I want to return to 1956?

Because good design will include something from the tent stitch family in almost every piece of needlepoint to allow the eye to rest. Tent stitches are perfect for that small area where you need coverage and for places where nothing else works. And tent stitches are the perfect stitch for practicing how to start/end off threads, how to choose the right size of needle, how to handle multiple colors and how to learn to control stitch tension. There are some really gorgeous designs available which won't look good with fancy stitches. If you aren't familiar with Kaffe Fassett, check out his website, then head over to Ehrman Tapestry to see the best of English design in regular old tent stitches. The photo above is a Kaffee Fassett design on the front of an old Ehrman Tapestry catalogue. Isn't it gorgeous?!

http://www.kaffefassett.com/needlepoint.htm

http://www.ehrmantapestry.com/

Ever go to an exhibit of needlepoint and see two identical renditions of the same design? Almost always one looks better than the other even if they are the same right down to the threads and colors chosen and even if they are in a similar frame. The reason one piece looks better is due to that stitcher having mastered starting/ending threads, switching colors and knowing how to keep their tension consistent.

I'd like to propose that we learn better stitching technique using Lani's Autumn Leaves piece with simple tent stitches. (You'll see the bare painted canvas under my Current Project listing on the right side of this page.) I'll gussy up the lessons by using some fancy new threads. Don't assume I know everything there is to know about tent stitches, by the way. We'll be learning the best way to do some things together. I'll tell you what I've learned about basic needlepoint techniques and you will share your tips with me and everyone else.

So stay tuned as we talk tent!

Main blog at http://blog.360.yahoo.com/chillyhollow