How to Measure & Make a Needlepoint Footstool

A footstool is a satisfying needlepoint project, suitable for a beginner or an experienced stitchery artist. Most available footstool frames are wooden. Stitchery artists in North America most frequently choose mono-weave canvas. Woven from cotton fibers, it is available in a variety of mesh sizes from five, for rugs, to 18, which is the most popular. When the stitching project is complete, mono-canvas blocks nicely, because the woven mesh can move to adjust to its original shape. Once blocked, the canvas will hold that shape. For a footstool, you can choose a pre-painted canvas, or a blank canvas to apply your own design.

Things You'll Need

• Wooden footstool frame
• Cloth measuring tape
• Scissors
• Pattern paper
• Cotton needlepoint canvas
• Acrylic craft paint (optional)
• Acrylic paint brush (optional)
• Fine point permanent marker
• Colored woolen yarns
• Needlepoint needle
• Blocking board
• T-pins or nails
• Staple gun

Instructions

Measuring and Cutting

1. Remove the cushion board from the footstool frame. Package the screws and attach to the underside of the frame with tape.

2. Measure the cushion board with the cloth measuring tape, and record the dimensions. The dimensions increase according to the "puffiness" of the cushion. Add a minimum of 1/2 inch to the cushion's dimensions, draw a rectangle on a piece of paper and cut it out. Lay out the canvas with the salvage edges on the sides.

3. Draw a second outer rectangle 2 inches beyond the working area on all sides. This will be your cut line for the canvas. Cut out your canvas and apply masking tape to all four sides to prevent raveling. Make a copy of your stitchery rectangle on a piece of paper to use when blocking the finished piece.

Making and Finishing

1. Complete the needlepoint stitchery in the working area of the canvas, using your selected color or colors and a needlepoint needle.

2. Center your completed needlepoint design on the paper copy of your original rectangle. If necessary, block the completed stitchery canvas so the rectangles are the same size. If the yarns are colorfast, lightly dampen the piece with clear water before blocking. To block, stretch the canvas on a blocking board, using T-pins or nails along the edge of your design, close to the stitchery. Work from the centers out to the sides, and alternate sides across from each other on a diagonal, so the piece gradually stretches to align with the original rectangle. Allow to air dry completely before removing from board.

3. Center the canvas on the cushion board. Stretch the canvas evenly and staple in place with a staple gun. Work back and forth on a diagonal from the centers toward the corners. Screw the cushion board into place on the frame with the screws you taped to the back of the frame at the beginning. Your needlepoint footstool is ready to show off and enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• You can sew binding tape around the perimeter of the canvas instead of using masking tape.

• Cover the blocking board with checkered fabric to help keep lines even, and place the T-pins.

• Steaming with an iron can speed up the blocking process, if the yarns are colorfast.

References

• About Needlepoint: Measuring and Making a Needlepoint Footstool
• About Needlepoint: How to Do Needlepoint, Preparing the Canvas
• American Needlepoint Guild, Inc.:Stitching Tips, How Do I Block A Canvas?

Resources

• Nuts About Needlepoint: An Encyclopedia of Needlepoint and Thread Information