Bargello needlepoint is usually worked on mono or single weave canvas, a natural needlepoint ground fabric made of cotton or linen that has been stiffened with sizing. Any type of even weave fabric can be used for needlepoint, but canvas is specifically crafted to be used for bargello embroidery. Here are a few tips to use when choosing canvas for your next bargello needlepoint project.
Tips
- Use white canvas if your project has light colors; ecru or a darker canvas shades if you are planning to stitch with dark colored threads to avoid the canvas showing through the stitching.
- Invest in quality. When purchasing canvas, check for flaws or knots before you buy it. The canvas should feel stiff because of the sizing. Don’t worry; it will soften as you stitch.
- Allow for an additional two to three inches of blank canvas around your finished design.
- Bargello needlepoint canvas comes in a variety of sizes-from very fine 30 mesh (number of holes per inch/centimeter) to rug canvas at 3 mesh.
- Use single mono canvas with interlocking threads for your bargello needlepoint project. This is the perfect ground fabric especially for beginners.
The following video tutorial gives you tips on how to choose a painted canvas design for your bargello needlepoint project:
For even more tips on how to choose needlepoint canvas that’s right for your project, read this article.
[...] been told that a good rule of thumb is that the finer the needlepoint canvas, the shorter the strand should be. Since a lot of bargello needlepoint designs are stitched on #10 [...]