What Items you will need to Begin a Punch Needle Project:

• A Punch Needle Tool  (several types and prices found in the CozyThreads Store)

 

• A Punch Needle Threader – simple wire tool that is like a wire to used to thread a sewing machine needle .. only this one is much longer.

 

• A non-slip Embroidery Hoop- A good quality non slip hoop such as Morgan Hoops

 

• Cloth that your design is either printed on or you have drawn or copied on… Weavers Cloth is the fabric of choice… however You can use almost any fabric that will hold the loops. However, a 50% cotton 50% polyester won't let you down. Try linens, cottons and Damasks, but avoid denim and stretchy fabrics.

 

• Your Design on Fabric – on the weavers cloth

 

• Embroidery Threads – Most designs show the DMC Embroidery thread numbers. There are conversion charts on the Web to convert this color to another such as Madeira

 

• One pair of small, sharp scissors- I like the Havels Snip Eze but any small sharp scissors will do

 

 

Want to Use Multi-Stranded Threads?

If you are using multi stranded threads, for an extra-small or small needle you will only need one strand. So separate the strands first.
Carefully pull one end of the six strands, and wind onto a floss bobbin. If the remaining strands tangle, don't worry as they will untangle when the single strand hs been removed.
Repeat this process with all the remaining strands, winding them on to the same bobbin.

Please Note:
If you are using a medium sized needle, then you can use two strands. A large needle will take three to six strands. You can also use much thicker threads with the large needle.

 

Single-Stranded Threads

I often use threads from DMC or Anchor range of threads. There will be an ever growing range of threads appearing in my shop.
Soon I hope to have an amazing range of threads and yarns available.
Remember, if it'll go through the eye of your needle, you can use it!

 

Transferring Your Design From Paper To Fabric

• Select your fabric, the design, some carbon paper, and tracing paper.

 

• Trace your chosen design onto the tracing paper.

 

• Pin the traced design to RIGHT side of the fabric.

 

• Place the carbon paper 'inky' side facing the WRONG side of the fabric.

 

• Finally, draw over the design on the tracing paper. The design will be on the WRONG side of the fabric.

 

 

How To Thread Your Needle

• Hold the long needle threader close to its tip between thumb and index finger.

 

• Insert the threader through hollow steel tip of the needle and push it all the way until it appears through the top of the holder.
  If your needle has an eye then insert the threader into the eye from the front of the needle. Gently push the threader through the hollow needle until it appears through the top of the holder.

 

• Depending on the thread you are using, thread about 2cm (almost an inch) through the tip, or loop of the threader, and slowly withdraw the needle threader, and thread down through the hollow needle, and out through either the tip of the needle, or the eye of the needle.

 

• If the eye of the needle is too small to be able to pull the threader, and the thread through together, simply pull the thread through as though there wasn't an eye.
  Next insert a needle threader through the back of the needle eye and pull the thread through leaving about 1cm of thread hanging from the eye of the needle.

 

 

 

Let's Begin

• Having transferred your design to the fabric, stretch your fabric over your hoop/frame. A non-slip hoop is good, a square frame as used in bunka is preferable as your fabric needs to be held drum tight.

 

• Hold the needle with index, middle finger, and thumb, as you would a pencil.

 

• Face the front of the needle in the stitch direction, and keep it vertical.

 

 

How to Punch

• Punch the needle into the fabric up to the handle.
• Lift the needle to the SURFACE of the fabric, not above otherwise you will pull the yarn out.

 

• Moving the needle just ONE NEEDLE WIDTH, and punch again.

 

• Repeat until you have completed your row. Don't rush, do this SLOWLY until you become familiar with the movement.

 

• For the second row, make sure that the ROUNDED side of the NEEDLE TIP is NEXT to the row you have just punched and the inverted side is facing the UNPUNCHED area.
• And away you go on your second row. This time you will be punching in the OPPOSITE DIRECTION of your first row. When you've finished that row,
• Keep punching like this until the area of design you are working on is completely filled in.
• Your stitches, each one of them, should be the length of ONE NEEDLE WIDTH regardless of which size needle you are using. A small needle, will mean your stitches will automatically be smaller, and a bigger needle will mean bigger stitches.

A NOTE ABOUT PUNCHING

Never punch a row of stitches, and then give up! What you see is NOT punch embroidery! It is only a small punched sample. The yarn (take a look under a light) has fibers that protrude from it. As the yarn is punched into the fabric the yarn fibers will begin locking onto one another. When the design is finished just rub your hand over the front FINISHED side of the design to lock the design even more.
Always practice the stitches before beginning a first project - on 50% COTTON 50% POLYESTER. Use the practice fabric that came with your needle. When finished pull the stitches out from the backside then scrape the fabric with your fingernail to close the weave in the fabric and punch again if you like.

 

To Finish Stitching

• To finish, hold the last stitch with your finger.

 

• Gently lift the needle out of the fabric and cut the thread close to the fabric.

 

• Trim any uneven loops, and loose ends on the finished side of your work design so that all appears even.

 

Enjoy!