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This delightful needlecase is stitched in one piece. The 4 way pattern and background is stitched on the right hand side of the canvas. The background stitch is the same Florentine pattern without color changes. The background stitch is continued on the left hand side of the canvas, which when folded over, becomes the back of the needlecase. Palestrina knots combined with cross stitches finishes the edges of the needlecase.

LEVEL OF PROFICIENCY ­ Intermediate

DESIGN SIZE ­ Assembled Needlecase: 4" x 4"
68 threads x 138 threads
(72 threads x 142 threads with edging stitch)

MATERIALS

8" x 12" 18 count mono canvas
24 tapestry needle
8" x 12" stretcher bars
Basting Thread
Tacks

THREADS

1 skein Watercolours Abalone
3 skeins Impressions #7027
1 skein Impressions #7024
1 skein Impressions #7022
1 skein Soie Cristale #1091
1 skein Soie Cristale #1092

MATERIALS FOR FINISHING

5" x 9" lining material
2 pieces of felt 3 3/ 4 " x 7"
16" of 1/ 4 " ribbon cut in half
Sewing thread to match background

CANVAS PREPARATION

Locate and baste the horizontal and vertical center of the canvas. Baste the outside borders according to the thread count (68 x 138). Secure edges and mount on stretcher bars with tacks.

REMINDERS BEFORE STARTING

Separate and regroup threads using the number of plies indicated. Care should be taken when using more than one strand or ply of a thread, to make sure the threads lay parallel and are not twisting on each other. Use a laying tool (rug needle, collar stay, bodkin, tekobari, etc.) for this purpose

It is necessary to attach the canvas to stretcher bars to keep the canvas taut. Using a frame weight or clamp will allow both hands free for laying threads.

This is a four way pattern meaning that the design is repeated in each quadrant at the miter line. Turn the canvas as necessary to work each quadrant of the design.

Each line on the charts represents one canvas thread. When counting from one area to another, count canvas threads, not holes.

Many of the stitch patterns used in this design consist of straight stitches. Begin at the bottom of each stitch and end at the top.

The Florentine pattern used in this design has a series of upright stitches worked in diagonal rows. It is beneficial to cover the back of the work evenly with stitching threads. This can be achieved by working diagonal rows in alternate directions (If the first row is stitched from left to right then stitch the next row right to left.)

STEP 1 - SATIN DIAMOND STITCHES
5 plies Soie Cristale #1091
5 plies Soie Cristale #1092

From the vertical and horizontal center of the canvas, count 35 threads to the right. The valley to the right of this canvas thread is the center of the 4 way motif on the front of the needlecase. Stitch the Satin Diamonds as indicated on the chart.

STEP 2 - DIAMOND RHODES STITCHES
5 plies Soie Cristale #1092

In each of the four quadrants, stitch a Diamond Rhodes as indicated by the chart.

STEP 3 - BACKSTITCHES
1 strand Impressions #7022

Backstitch between each Satin Diamond and Diamond Rhodes stitch.

STEP 4 - SATIN STITCHES
2 strands Impressions #7022

In each of the four quadrants, stitch the Satin stitches over 4 canvas threads as indicated by the chart.

STEP 5 - FLORENTINE PATTERN
2 strands Impressions #7027

2 plies Watercolours #051
2 strands Impressions #7024
2 strands Impressions #7022
5 plies Soie Cristale #1092
5 plies Soie Cristale #1091

In each of the 4 quadrants, stitch the Florentine pattern as indicated by the chart. The stitches will cover either 2 or 6 canvas threads.

STEP 6 - SATIN STITCHES
2 strands Impressions #7022

In each of the four quadrants, stitch the Satin stitches over 4 or 2 canvas threads as indicated by the chart.

STEP 7 - DIAMOND RHODES STITCHES
5 plies Soie Cristale #1092
1 strand Impressions #7022

In each of the four quadrants, stitch a Diamond Rhodes as indicated by the chart. Using 1 strand of Impressions, backstitch only the bottom of each diamond.

STEP 8 - BACKGROUND AREAS 1, 2 & 3
2 strands Impressions #7027

Following the same sequence set up by the Florentine pattern, continue stitching the background, compensating at the edges. Work in diagonal rows until each of the quadrants has been completed.

 

STEP 9 - BACKGROUND AREA 4 AND BACK OF NEEDLECASE
2 strands Impressions #7027

Following the same sequence set up by the Florentine pattern, continue stitching in diagonal rows, reversing the direction at the horizontal center. Note the center stitch covers 6 canvas threads. The entire back of the needlecase is stitched in this pattern without a change in color or pattern.

STEP 10 - EDGING
2 strands Impressions #7027

Begin at the lower right edge, alternate cross stitches with Palestrina knots. Work right to left, turning the canvas for each side.

FINISHING
Remove the finished needlework from the stretcher bars. Trim sides to 1/ 2 ".
Fold along the edging stitches.

Turn and press the raw edges of the lining piece so that it is the same size as the finished canvas piece.

Attach the ribbons on each side.
Blind stitch the canvas piece and lining with wrong sides together.

Fold in half and press lightly using a pressing cloth.

Place the two pieces of felt inside the needlecase to make "pages." Tack in place along the inside fold.

Fill with needles and enjoy!