Amanda Lawford Needlepoint Pillow Finished...

Floral hand-painted canvas from Amanda Lawford.  Stitched and finished by Summer Truswell. November 2013-March 2014. 

I Love this graphic woven fabric.  

Silk, rayon, wool, & cotton fibers on cotton canvas.  Glass beads. 

Flower Needlepoint Pillow Stitched and Finished.

This is another pillow for me.  I purchased this canvas at a guild meeting years and years ago.  I have been slowly working my way through all my unfinished projects and am down to only a few. The tag says "From the Collection of the Women's Educational & Industrial Union.  Boston, Massachusetts, Est. 1877".  I believe they used to sell needlepoint yarn and canvases but am not sure if the design is from a reproduction in their collection (which is what I was told when I bought it) or if they used to sell other designer's canvases.  Either way, it's a lovely piece.  If you happen to know who the designer is please let me know!


I knew I wanted this for a pillow so I used basketweave throughout.  I stitched all the background in cream wool (Appleton, with one ply of the four pulled out so it wasn't too tight) and then all the flowers and ribbons are stitched in silk fibers from my stash.

I used a bronze ribbon, striped ribbon, and two trims around the edge.  I love these colors!  It's a pretty good size - maybe 22" across?  The backing is a heavy woven dot that I used on another pillow (the standing lion pillow).

Finished a needlepoint pillow - Amanda Lawford floral.

This was stitched in 2013.  It is a hand-painted canvas from Amanda Lawford.  I stitched it in silk threads, mostly Vineyard Silks with basketweave.  The purple flowers I worked in Au Ver a Soie with silk shading.  The gold is a Kreinik Vintage Braid.  

I picked up the backing fabric at Tina's in Madison Park.  It's a fun shop to visit with lots of really beautiful fabrics and trims.  I added three ribbons around the piece and more roses at each corner.  It has pinch-pleat corners as well. This photo is a little light to show detail - they are a solid black in life.  It's a stunner.  

More true to life on colors.

Now I'm working on a double wedding ring quilt.  It's never going to be done.  

Two needlepoint pillows finished...

I actually *finished* some needlepoint projects!

This handpainted canvas was stitched in 2013.  I used metallic-blend (or Kreinik) threads for all the ornaments and silk/wool blend (I think it was Impressions) for the ornament ribbons and background.  I really love how it turned out.  I don't know the canvas artist - let me know if you know who painted it!  It might be Needlepoint of Back Bay?

This canvas was painted by Michael Wilhoite of Needlepoint of Back Bay.  I stitched it all in silk fibers and basketweave.  

As it is a gift for Travis, I tried to make the finishing masculine but also youthful.  (He's 7.)

Pinch pleat edge on the corners with twisted cording edge. 

A recent finish...

to add to the album.

I stitched this for my mother-in-law for Christmas this year.  It's done in silks and cottons and I did all the finishing in silks with a purchased tassel trim.

Rose Needlepoint Pillow

This needlepoint design is finished as a pillow.  

• Fabric-framed front
• Self-welted cording
• Chenille upholstery fabric
• Zippered back

Finished in April 2010.

Pillows - Fish and Duck

These needlepoint pillows are finished with green linen fabric with zippered backs.  Both have a knife edge finish.  The fish pillow has self-welted cording.  The duck pillow uses a purchased brown twisted cording edge.  

Box Cushion - Jaguar

This Candace Bahouth design is finished as a large boxed cushion.  It has self-welted cording with a side gusset to create a box shape.  A custom down insert was made.  Zippered back.  The green linen was sent by the client.  

Pillows - Silk Asian Set

This Asian-Inspired pillow pair features:

• Fabric-framed fronts to enlarge the front
• Silk dupioni fabric was requested for finishing as the pillows are stitched in silk threads
• Self-welted cording with small gimp insert
• Boxed shape with side gussets
• Down inserts
• Zippered backs

Finished March 2010.

Pillow - Floral Pair #2

These two needlepoint pillows are both finished with a narrow fabric frame to accent the design.  Both are finished with velveteen fabric in colors to match the design.  The pillow on the top uses twisted cording and the pillow on the bottom uses self-welted cording. 

  

Pillow - Hearts Gone Wild

This canvaswork design was finished as a fabric framed pillow.  Silk dupioni in purple, lilac, and dark rose perfectly match the design.  The backing is a glazed metallic cotton fabric.  The twisted cording and beading trim accent the design, as does the hand stitched purple cording. 

  

Pillow - Textured Chenille

This canvaswork design was framed with mitered corner fabric frames.  The first and third frames are green velveteen.  The second frame is a wonderful textured chenille.  The twisted cording matches both the design and the fabrics.  Design by LEE.

Pillow - Flower Tree

 

This needlepoint pillow is finished with a blue suede backing and a blue twisted cording.  The cording is slightly variegated with both matte and shiny threads.  Design by Candace Bahouth.  

Pillow - Blue Crab

This canvaswork design is finished into a fancy silk pillow.  The 6" design is framed in three different colors of silk and trimmed in an exquisite tassel trim.  (This is what $35 a yard trim looks like.)  The back of the pillow is zippered.  Design by Debbie Forney.

Pillow - Craftsmen Animal

This needlepoint design was finished with a mitered corner framed fabric front and self-welted cording.  Linen green fabric was supplied by the customer.

Pillow - Pheasant

This needlepoint design is finished into a knife-edge pillow with brown velvet backing.  The purchased twisted cording is looped at the corners for added detail.

Pillow - Vegetables

These needlepoint designs were finishing into a tri-panel front with a mitered corner fabric frame.  The pillow is finished into a boxed cushion with a 2" gusset and double self-welted cording.  The cream twill fabric was supplied by the customer.

Hanging Pillow - Blackbird

This hanging pillow has a pocket on the back for a envelope sachet.  The fabric is printed cotton and burgundy velveteen.  The buttons are fabric covered with the same fabrics.  Twisted cording edge, hanger, and button loop.  Design by Blackbird Designs.

Pillow - Popcorn Tree

This flanged pillow has a contrasting lining with a turned down corner for a fun, decorative look.  The interior of the pillow is firmly stuffed.  An early design of mine.

Pillow - Unicorn

Tis needlepoint design was blocked and then sewn into a cushion with a mitered fabric front, zippered opening, and fringe trim.  The fabric is a heavy upholstery fabric which suits the design perfectly.  Design by Candace Bahouth.