Punch needle embroidery is back!
It's a simple technique inspired by rug hooking that involves nothing more than a punch needle - it's like a normal sewing needle, but with a handle and the eye of the needle at the stabbing end! It can be used on any loose-weave fabric using either yarn, fabric strips or embroidery thread/floss, and creates a textured, raised finish that's soft to the touch and beautiful to look at.
The easy-to-learn technique and repetitive action makes this the perfect, mindful pursuit, and projects from wall hangings and cushions to children's toys, bags and purses can be worked up quickly and easily with minimal effort.
Author Lucy Davidson's imaginative designs are stunning, and will appeal to anyone with an eye for clean, modern design. All the techniques you need are described at the start of the book, with information on how to hold the needle, how to start and finish a thread and how to achieve a variety of interesting textures and colour combinations. There are then 12 projects to try, all accompanied by charts, written instructions, a full-size template and beautiful photographs of the finished pieces.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Materials & Tools
- Punch needles
- Equipment
- Yarn & threads
- Fabrics
- Frames
Techniques
- Transferring patterns to fabric
- Framing your fabric
- Punch needle 101
- Adding texture
- Finishing off
- Making tassels
Inspiration & design
Projects
- Simple Pillow
- Hoop Art
- Plant-Pot Covers
- Wall Hanging
- Glasses Case
- Lion Toy
- Lemon Purse
- Shell Pillow
- Punched Jacket Patch
- Rug
- Rainbow Day Bag
- Moon Bunting
Acknowledgements & Edition Notice
About the Author :
Lucy Davidson is a freelance graphic designer who teaches punch needle, weaving and macrame in workshops across the UK and in Europe. She also runs her own craft and lifestyle blog, Peas & Needles, which has led to her writing tutorials for numerous craft and interiors magazines - from Mollie Makes and 91 Magazine to Elle Decoration and KOEL. Lucy was featured on Kirstie's Handmade Christmas, teaching Kirstie how to create natural dyes, and in 2018 published 40 Knots and How to Tie Them (Pavilion).
Lucy lives in West Sussex with her husband and baby daughter.
Find her on Instagram (@peasandneedles) and Facebook (@peasandneedlesblog). For more of Lucy's work visit www.peasandneedles.co.uk.
Review :
I had a basic Needlepunch kit for Christmas but it was more like a Websters punch and very short on explanatory information and a bit of a disappointment. This book however is PERFECT at explaining what needle punching is all about and has given me confidence to get stuck in with much thicker yarns.
I sent for some Oxford needle punches as they feel far more comfortable in my hand than the slimline 'webster' like punch needles. I imagine that's as much a personal choice as well as dependant on what thickness yarn you want to work with.
This book is really well laid out, bright, colourful, cheerfully presented and easy to read with excellent pictures that accompany the explanations. I particularly like that it stretches you abit, fully explaining how to achieve different loop heights and extended stitches, so you can play with adding texture and definition to pieces as you progress. The finishing off section is helpful too, as it never occurred to me to glue the backing! Duhhh
The 12 different projects are well chosen too and the moon bunting has proven to be the family favourite! I have made 2 sets in black and white, gifted them... and now am awaiting more yarn for a third set! I am dreading the grandkids asking for the whole set of planets but think it's likely, as they are all space/solar system crazy!
Working with different textiles has always been interesting to me and punch needle embroidery has been quite a fascination. I love the difference between the back and front of the work and the effect of the final piece.
This book covers everything you need to know about the craft, including how to make your own wooden frame. From beginners to advanced crafters this book is filled with inspiration and beautiful projects. There is a huge double page template sheet and the projects range from a simple pillow to decorating your own clothes.
If you have never tried punch needle embroidery then this book will guide you and teach you everything you need to know as well as give you inspiration and the chance to create your own designs.
I had never tried punch needle before getting a review copy of this book but I can see myself getting addicted. Really good introduction to materials to use, from fabric to needles. I loved the packet of patterns tucked inside as it can be difficult tracing from pages inside a book. There will be several projects from the book gracing my home.
