How to Needlepoint Names
Many cross stitch patterns from Christmas stockings to samplers incorporate stitched letters into the design. Whether you are following a pattern or creating your own cross stitch design, adding custom lettering is a simple way to personalize your finished piece. Practice your needlework lettering on a scrap piece of fabric first and then dive into your project.
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Instructions
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Lightly draw the name you would like to stitch onto your diagram. Determine the middle letter of the name and align it with the middle of the area on the diagram where you want to stitch. If you do not have a diagram, pencil the letters directly onto the cross stitch fabric.
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Thread 2 strands of floss in the color you want the letters onto your needle. Take the un-threaded end of the floss and wrap it around the needle 3 times. Hold the loops in place while pulling the needle through to form a small knot at the end of the floss.
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Bring your threaded needle up through the bottom left hole of the first letter in your word or sentence. Pull the thread all the way through until the knot catches in the back of the fabric. Bring the needle through the next hole on the letter and pull through to form your first stitch.
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Insert the needle up through the third hole on the letter outline and pull through. Push the needle back down through the second hole to join the two stitches together into a continuous line.
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Continue stitching along the letter outline by alternating forward and backward stitches until you have completed all letters in your design. Bring the needle through the the final hole and run it through several stitches on the back of the fabric to secure in place. Trim the excess thread leaving a half inch tail.
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Tips & Warnings
Print your name in different fonts with black ink and trace it onto the fabric.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit cross stitch embroidery image by vnlit from Fotolia.com
