It’s been a while since I’ve done anything crafty or mildly creative on my blog (which is supposed to be an outlet for all my creative projects, so go figure). It’s not that I haven’t been doing anything creative, but it hasn’t exactly been blog-worthy. For a few months now I’ve been working on all new custom bedding for my sister in California which turned out to be a much bigger ordeal than I originally thought when I agreed to take it on for her (isn’t that usually the case though?). So that has completely consumed my sewing machine for a long time, working on it here and there whenever I had some free time. I’ll show pictures of the end result when she emails them to me so don’t worry. But it wasn't exactly something I wanted to document step-by-step for the blog.
And you know me, always working on a needlepoint project at the same time too, so I thought you guys would like to see my latest needlepoint project. My dad has always loved vintage criss craft boats, so for father’s day this year I found a needlepoint belt canvas of his favorite boats and completed it for him. I really enjoyed doing it and it turned out fantastic. He LOVES it and was so thrilled when he opened the package, and it’s going to look super cute on him.
Dare I say, Mr. Monogram was even a tad jealous so now I’m going to have to do another needlepoint belt for him too! Anyhow, if you’re looking for great priced belt canvases go check out Mandy’s Needlepoint Belt Canvas’ on ebay. Her prices are half the price of most belt canvases out there and she will even do custom canvases for you. In fact, she is working on a custom belt canvas for me to work on for my mom, so I highly recommend checking her out. With school starting soon I will have lots of time in the carpool pick up line so that means I'll be doubling up on my needlepoint projects because they're so portable.
UPDATE: Hopefully ya'll can enlarge this one to see the belt a little better...
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20 Comments:
I have never seen these before, but what a fantastic idea for a gift. Looks great
Amazing amazing amazing! I love it!
I would LOVE to learn how to needlepoint and make a belt for my boyfriend. How did you learn and is it very difficult to get the hang of?
Thank you, ladies!
Elise, needlepointing is SO SO SIMPLE and it's a great hobby. I love it b/c it's so portable and I can (and do!) take it literally everywhere with me. When I'm watching tv or a movie, I'm also working on needelpoint. Waiting in the Dr's office or the carpool pick up line? PERFECT. I was cross stitching at a very young age and always loved it but needelpointing is so much easier. I've just done 2 pillows I am finishing up and will post next week. I am pretty quick so I find it takes me about 3-4 weeks (tops) to do a belt. But I've also done 2 dog collars that were so adorable too! They're on my blog under preppy projects so check it out!
I am a huge needlepointer too! I especially enjoying doing pillows and belts so I need to check this site out. The last belt I did was magenta with lime green palm trees (very Lilly like). My shop was even able to back it in pink and find matching hot pink leather!
SO pretty. You've inspired me to give this a try (and for my Father as well!). But once I'm done with the canvas what next? I'm betting that the canvas doesn't come with the other necessary pieces. Can you give us a tutorial? I tried to enlarge your photos but was unable to. Darn.
Yay! This is just about the only crafty thing I can manage. ;) I was just cruising around eBay last week looking for canvases, so I'll definitely have to check Mandy's out.
Love the belt. Great job. I needlepointed one with ducks for my husband when we were in college and dating. He still has it.
Would you like to finish my Christmas stocking? I needlepointed stockings for my three kids and husband in reasonable amounts of time, but for some reason, my own just sits in the bag. Maybe I should go pull it out and stitch a little instead of reading blogs on my computer...
Head Hen: Once you finish the canvas you can either finish it yourself with d-rings and grosgrain ribbon as your backing, or you have to send it off to a professional finisher to have it turned into a sturdy leather belt w/ brass buckle. Most people use a place called "Sign of the Arrow" in St. Louis but I only use a finisher in KY (and they are half the price and MUCH quicker turn around as well).
Yes, MM, please let us know what to do after you finish the canvas- how and where do you get the belt made? I've been wanting a needlepoint belt for my husband for awhile but they are so expensive- and it can only be comical for me to make one for him! Thanks for the idea!!
Can you give us the name of the finisher in Kentucky? What do you search for so I can search locally-belt finisher?
GREAT tip. THANK you. Will you email me (or post here if you'd rather) the name of your KY finisher?
I'll send you a picture of my finished product but I'm sure it will take me much longer than your speedy 3 weeks.
Whew! Such enthusiasm for needlepoint! I love it!
For my finishing, I use Elaine Place in KY. I do not live in KY so I have to send mine there through the mail like the rest of you.
Phn #: 859-253-3343
They can do dog collars, belts, guitar straps, keychains, etc...
Okay. Last question (don't hold me to that): sizing. What's the scoop? Do I need to needlepoint a canvas the same length and width as Dad's pant size, belt size, waist size, WHAT? From a diagram that I found I'm thinking that I just needlepoint the canvas that I get (Mandy seems to have two sizes, though!!! ?????) and then the finisher will use the size I provide to get the completed item, as the leather will occupy a bit of the waistline as well.
Thanks so much for the KY number. I'll jot it down and give this a go. Darn you for putting ONE MORE THING on my full "to do" list, MM. ;)
HH: lol!
What I do about my sizing is I always buy the 40" canvas regardless. Then when I send it to my finisher I include the pants size of the person I've done the belt for (this is going ot be tricky when I send in the one for my mom!). For instance, my dad wears a 34 pant, but will often go up a size during the winter, so when I sent in his belt, I wrote on a note that he wears a size 34-36 so they can accomodate that when they finish the belt. Also, my husband wears a size 40 pant (I'm sure he'd *love* that I put that on the blog world, btw) so I made a custom canvas for him myself and made it a 42" just in case. Like you said, the leather finishing adds length to the belt. Oh! One more imprtant thing... When you buy a canvas, it should allow for 2 extra rows on top and bottom of your canvas that need to be backstitched or finished. I'll do a post about how to prepare your belt before sending it off. That should help you. But basically, the top 2 and bottom 2 rows on the canvas need to be folded over so they can put the entire belt together. This is confusing... i'll post something else about it just hang tight..
Yea! Okay, I'll be checking and waiting. THANKS!
Did you do your details first or did you do the sky/sea first (i.e. the big blue-ish bit)?
I work with a needlepoint frame (it's similar to a hoop you use when you cross-stitch or embroider)so I typically work a section at a time. For instance, i will do the boats, then I will do the background. Then I scroll it over and do the next section of boats and sky. This is something I'll put in that same post too, don't worry...
I've wanted to do one of these for a long time! Thanks, I'm going to check it out!
Hi I just stumbled upon your website and this is exactly what I am looking for! I want to make a needlepoint belt in a checkerboard pattern and I was wanting to know if you could list the steps from start to finish on how to create a needlepoint belt. I would like to attempt to create an orange and white checkerboard belt and then have that put onto a leather belt, my boyfriend is a die hard University of Tennessee fan and saw a similar belt on the Smathers and Branson website for $165.00 and I would like to attempt to create this before spending such a high amount on a belt. I have never worked with needlepoint before so any help would be much appreciated!
How much was it to get your belt finished?
Thanks!
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