Learn How To Finish Needlepoint

Folks with good sewing skills might be interested in learning to finish their own needlepoint ornaments, pillows, stockings and stand ups.

Luckily there are some very good books to help you.  Sandy Higgin's book Sandy's Finishing Touches is a classic.
http://www.newneedlepoint.com/content-product_info/product_id-2220/sandy_s_finishing_touches_revised_2010_edition_by_sandy_higgins.html

Marcia Brown's book Distinctive Presentations is highly praised.  I haven't seen it but she is a professional finisher and for a while sold an extensive (and expensive) series of videotapes on finishing.

http://bindingstitch.com/bindingstitchnews.html

Marcia also teaching finishing in a series of courses taught on Cape Cod.
http://bindingstitch.com/completefinishingcourses.html

I've heard that Pat Mazu's book Finishing 101 is also excellent although it only covers basic finishing techniques.
http://www.newneedlepoint.com/content-product_info/product_id-2883/finishing_101_by_patricia_m_mazu.html

It is worth scouring used bookstores for Katharine Ireys' book, Finishing and Mounting Your Needlepoint Pieces.  I borrowed this book from the library eons ago and seem to remember it had things like finishing rugs and needlepoint golf club covers in it.
http://www.newneedlepoint.com/content-product_info/product_id-2382/finishing_and_mounting_your_needlepoint_pieces_by_katharine_ireyss.html

I also read Hope Hanley's Needlepoint Rugs in the 1990s and found her explanation of how to finish rugs very good.  This is a good book for rug lovers to hunt down.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/177218587/needlepoint-rugs-hardback-book-by-hope?ref=shop_home_active_21

Summer Louise Truswell's finishing book (available in several formats) has good general instructions for finishing.
http://www.lulu.com/shop/summer-louise-truswell/needlework-from-stitch-to-finish/ebook/product-17501291.html

I find her free tutorial for stocking finishing to be fabulous!
http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2008/11/learn-to-finish-miniature-christmas.html

Sue Dulles is a finisher who has posted two nice articles on Finishing Square or Rectangular Ornaments...
https://sudukc.wordpress.com/2016/03/10/finishing-ornaments-2-square-or-rectangle/

… and Finishing Shaped Ornaments with Stuffing on her blog.
https://sudukc.wordpress.com/2016/03/23/finishing-ornaments-3-soft-ornaments/

Anna Marie Winter has several nice tutorials on her website.  Here's how to use foam core in finishing an ornament.  She also has a nice explanation of how to float mount pieces, plus advice on steam blocking (second link below).
http://www.annamariewinter.com/pdf/FinishOrnFoamCore.pdf

http://www.annamariewinter.com/tips.htm

Kristen's online tutorials for finishing a Christmas stocking (first link) and an ornament (second link) are helpful, too.
http://www.kristenrettig.com/2017/11/needlepoint-christmas-stocking-tutorial.html

http://www.kristenrettig.com/2013/08/mr-bunny.html

Very Basic Ornament Finishing, from Needlepoint For Fun
http://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/how-to-finish-a-needlepoint-ornament.htm

Though not strictly for needlepoint, Carol Andrews' Making Needlework Accessories might be of interest. All these books are currently listed on NewNeedlepoint.com currently.  I know the shop owner but have no financial interest in her sales.
http://www.newneedlepoint.com/content-product_info/product_id-3150/making_needlework_accessories_by_carol_andrews.html

Want to frame something yourself? You'll need to lace the stitching to a board of some sort.  Opus Anglicanum has a clear tutorial here.
https://opusanglicanum.wordpress.com/2018/03/25/mounting-on-a-board/

I have not covered online free videos about finishing but there is one I want to mention, The Twister Stitcher's video on how to make a Christmas stocking.  Vonna Pfieffer is a well known finisher in the counted thread world but her technique is superb and applicable to needlepoint stockings as well as ones on linen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXoxNEkvlQU&feature=youtu.be

This is a good video on open topped lined ornaments and mini sock finishing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbhM76LfWPM&feature=youtu.be


If you want to make your own easels, these are easy and cute to display flat backed pieces.
https://thecopperfox.blogspot.com/2017/08/how-to-make-your-own-display-stands.html?m=1