Other things you will need for this needlepoint bookmark project are:

• A needle. For 18 mesh canvas, a size 22 needle should do the trick.
• Fabric glue
• Backing fabric, cut 3 mm larger all the way around than your design area. We used adhesive felt for our project as the adhesive helped secure the felt in place while we worked. This is available at craft stores. However, the adhesive is not essential as you can glue the backing to the needlepoint, so use scraps of ultrasuede, or any other heavy fabric that matches your design.
• Scissors.

Needlepoint Bookmark - Instructions

The first thing you will do is stitch the needlepoint bookmark canvas. Click the link for instructions on how to needlepoint.

Once the needlepoint bookmark has been stitched, if there is distortion of the canvas you will need to block the needlepoint, or stretch it back into shape. If the distortion is minor, you can probably do this by dampening a cloth and laying it over the design. Then, run an iron over the damp cloth and pull the edges of the canvas back into shape. Don't burn your fingers! If this does not work then see how to block needlepoint.

So, you now have a stitched, rectangular needlepoint bookmark. Trim the canvas approximately 1/3" all the way around and snip the corners as shown in the picture. Take care not to snip the stitches.

 

Fold the canvas "wings" back against the wrong side of the design and use the fabric glue to glue these in place.

Try to catch any loose canvas threads with the glue so they sit back against the canvas.
Still working with the wrong side of the canvas facing up, carefully place the cut backing fabric over the design (wrong side to wrong side).

NB: If your backing fabric is non-adhesive, then apply a small amount of fabric glue to the back of it, and particularly around the edges, so that it adheres itself to the needlepoint canvas when you apply it.

Line it up so that it extends evenly all the way around. Remember you cut the backing fabric slightly larger than the design area? This is so that when you press it onto the needlepoint canvas it comes around the sides a little way and covers any spots of bare canvas that might otherwise show through. Press the backing fabric firmly onto the canvas so that it sits nicely. The photo shows you what you should see from the front.

 

 

Now you need to finish the edges of your needlepoint bookmark, and a blanket stitch is the best way to do this.

Choose one of the threads you used for the design (it is best to use one that most closely matches the design background and/or the backing fabric). Using 3 strands of the thread, blanket stitch all the way around the bookmark. This will give it a nice finish and will hold the edges of the backing fabric down.

Voila! You are done. You can also finish off your needlepoint bookmark nicely by sewing on a tassle or some beads. Be creative.

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