The Nitty Gritty of Needlepoint

The enjoyment of embroiderers creating beautiful designs in needlepoint dates back to the 16th century. Back in the Renaissance, tent stitches adorned pouches, wall hangings, table carpets, cushions and other household furnishings, either created by professional embroiderers or produced by the women of the household.

As the years went on, more stitches were added to the range of canvaswork embroidery styles now known as needlepoint. Embroidery, especially needlepoint, grew in popularity as part of the education of schoolgirls. Various forms of needlepoint were fashionable for different sorts of accessories, such as the colorful Berlin wool work that was considered especially stylish for slippers and purses in the first half of the 19th century.

Needlepoint enjoys a current surge of popularity. Many interior designers feature needlepoint cushions on sofas, providing inspiration for those who want their own custom work in this style. Needlepoint canvases are available to suit a variety of tastes, from modern styles with humorous sayings to quaint designs with traditional floral motifs. The advent of the internet allows embroiderers to find needlepoint canvases that are otherwise unavailable at their corner needlework shops, as well as finding inspiration for unique needlepoint projects. As more people engage in the do-it-yourself movement, needlepoint enjoys a rediscovery as a simple technique for creating unique accents for the home.