Needlepoint Like A Pro
Tips I Wish I Knew When I Started
When I first picked up needlepoint, I had no idea what I was doing — just vibes, a canvas, and a lot of enthusiasm. Over time, I picked up little habits and small tricks that made stitching so much easier (and a lot more fun). These are the tips I wish someone had told me on day one, and the ones I still use every single time I stitch.
Think of this as a quick cheat sheet to make your projects smoother, cleaner, and way less stressful. Let’s get into it:
Start with the background.
It moves quickly, builds momentum, and makes everything else on the canvas feel so much easier to finish.
Trim your threads shorter than you think.
Long strands tangle easily and cause unnecessary knots (and frustration). Shorter pieces = smoother stitching.
Stitch lighter colors first.
Darker threads can sometimes bleed or shadow into lighter ones — starting with light shades keeps everything crisp.
Be extra careful with white or pale canvases.
They show everything. Wash your hands, avoid lotion, and keep drinks or pens far away while you stitch.
Use a project bag to stay organized.
Keeping your canvas and skeins together in a cute project bag makes stitching feel more elevated and way less chaotic. (P.S. You can add a CBC Project Bag to your order!)
Check the back occasionally.
Threads love to snag or loop when you’re not paying attention. A quick peek every so often keeps things clean and smooth.
Save your skein tags until the end.
Thread chicken is real — and nobody wants to guess which color they ran out of halfway through a project.
Organize leftover thread — it will save you money.
Kitting adds up, especially with high-quality threads from your LNS. I keep all my extras in this thread organizer so I can reuse colors later.
Needlepoint doesn’t have to be intimidating — sometimes it’s these tiny habits that make stitching feel smoother and more enjoyable. If you try any of these tips, let me know what helps the most. Happy stitching!
