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Needlepoint Tapestry
Needlepoint is often referred to as tapestry but it is in fact a form of counted thread embroidery. It differs from true tapestry, which is woven on a vertical loom rather than stitched on-canvas mesh. Yarn is stitched through a stiff open weave canvas and most needlepoint designs completely cover the canvas, but not all.
Most needlepoint designs use the simple tent stitch, which is a small diagonal embroidery stitch that crosses over the needlepoint campus, forming a slanted stitch at a 45° angle. But needlepoint can be worked in a variety of stitches, such as cross stitch where the thread is passed back over the first at a 45° angle to that. The design comes together with subtle colour changes and can look very lifelike and very real indeed. Sometimes needlepoint is so intricate, it can be mistaken for a painting.
The degree of detail in needlepoint really depends on the thread count of the canvas or mesh fabric that is used at the beginning. If the holes are larger, then larger yarns should be used to avoid gaps appearing in your work. Needlepoint worked on a very fine canvas is known as 'petit point'. This is very tiny stitching and comes from the French language, meaning 'small point.'
Needlepoint can make the design very stiff so common uses are pillows, wall hangings or upholstery, purses or eyeglass cases. It can also be used for holiday decorations, which stand the test of time. Needlepoint lace is also an old term for 'needle lace.'
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