Red Hot Book Review - Needlepoint Trade Secrets

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Needlepoint Trade Secrets

Written by Editor
Friday, 14 September 2007
Lauren Smith: Why did you write this book? Needlepoint Trade Secrets Janet M. Perry: I've been needlepointing for over 35 years, since I was a teenager, and continually learn new things and great ideas to make my stitching easier and better. Several years ago I started collecting these tips and the book is the result. Lauren Smith: People seem to take needlepoint for granted, what are some things about this that would surprise readers? Janet M. Perry: That needlepoint is a fantastic creative outlet, more adventurous than any other fiber art. Because needlepoint has been around for so long, people tend to dismiss it as "something my grandmother did" or "paint by numbers." But the reality is so much different. Needlepoint uses a broader range of threads and stitches than almost any other form of needlework. You can needlepoint with virtually any fiber (I have) and you can incorporate all kinds of found objects and other things into your stitching. Because of the broad range of needlepoint stitches, you can mimic any texture in needlepoint. And because the open grid of the canvas underlies all needlepoint, even people who can't draw at all can make gorgeous works of art. When I've been around fiber artists they often tend to dismiss needlepoint because of their preconceived notions, but then they are blown away by the variety I have in what I consider a fairly restrained piece. Needlepoint has more room for creative expression than other needlearts and is so easy even a beginning stitcher can make pieces that are astonishingly beautiful. Lauren Smith: Can you tell us about some of the most historic needlepoint projects? (I'm referring to perhaps museum pieces, or other notable projects, etc.) Janet M. Perry: Many of the most notable needlepoint projects are collaborative projects, where many stitchers work together for a common goal. In England, there is the Overlord Tapestry (in Portsmouth I think), which is a huge needlepoint commemorating D Day. In the IS, at the Stennis Space Center, there are needlepoint patches for each of NASA's manned space flights. The flight patches are enlarged and rendered in needlepoint. There are also many fine needlepoint pieces in museums. Religious needlepoint is also a popular theme for these collaborative projects. In all kinds of churches in the US you will find needlepoint kneelers. The biggest collection of these is in the National Cathedral in Washington, DC which has a different theme for every chapel. In England, many churches and most cathedrals have needlepoint hassocks (their term for kneelers), usually stitched by members of the congregation. Other churches have magnificent needlepoint banners and other items. They are inspiring lessons in design. Lauren Smith: How long have you been working with needlepoint? Janet M. Perry: I learned to needlepoint in 1970, when I was almost 14 because I saw a kit in a magazine. My mom is an artist and my grandmother a couturier-quality seamstress. I did not inherit their talents, but I took to needlepoint like a duck to water and have been stitching, and mostly designing my own projects ever since. Lauren Smith: Do you feel it's a bit of a lost art? Janet M. Perry: Needlepoint was extremely popular during the 1970's and has dropped off since then, although many stitchers who learned in the Seventies still stitch. In the last few years I have seen a real rise in the popularity of needlepoint, I think because there is so much room for creativity. With so many exciting threads and new designers out there, I think the interest will grow and grow. Lauren Smith: What do you hope your book does for readers? Janet M. Perry: I'd like it to accomplish two things. First, I'd like people to be intrigued by needlepoint and try it. Because many of the tips in the book make it easier to stitch, I think people who try it will love it. Second, I'd like people who do needlepoint to find new ideas, new ways to organize their materials, and new tips for making their stitching easier, better, and more beautiful. Lauren Smith: What's next for you? What's your next project? Janet M. Perry: I'm working on a few new books, which should be out in the next 6-8 months. One, and I'd love to get submissions for it, will be a collection of stories from stitchers about their stitching – how they learned, a great (or horrible) project, why they stitch, etc. I am also just about finished with a book about Bargello, an old form of needlepoint, which has only one book about it currently in print. It's one of my favorite kinds of needlepoint and is very easy to do with great results. This book has 30 projects in it and is a complete text on the technique. I'm most proud that it covers many aspects of Bargello that have never been discussed in other books. Finally I'm working on a comprehensive text about using multi-colored threads (which are very popular) in needlepoint. I've developed some great techniques and am teaching them in the book. So these books and my regular design work are keeping me pretty busy.
Last Updated ( Friday, 14 September 2007 )