How to make a punch needle wall hanging

Things You’ll Need:

unbleached muslin
wool crewl thread in various colors
punch needle
punch needle threader
basic drawing supplies
stretcher bars
adhesive for backing

Inspiration isn't that what we all want as Artists? What to draw that is simple but works well with your home decor? Try looking at children's coloring books for simple images like stars, flowers, farm animals or anything that doesn't have a lot of details.

Once you have chosen a design (I have chosen flowers ) draw it out over a light box or in front of a sunny window and trace it in pencil. Keeping in mind you want the basic shape with not a lot of details because it will be lost in the actual needle punch process. Once you get more advanced in your technique you can add more details with your picture so that you can add depth and contrast to your design.

Once you have traced out your design it is time to put it in a small embroidery hoop and tighten the tension of the hoop so it will make a drum sound when you plunk it with your fingers. The design that I have is displayed is on a antique frame that I adore, since I can cover a large area of punches without moving my hoop to different locations. But believe you me, I have done this craft many years with just a small 3" hoop and it worked out wonderfully!

Thread your punch needle with the wool thread. Be aware that some punch needles have the ability for you to install a spool holder for your thread so that you don't have to keep re-threading your pieces of wool threw the needle. That is something that you have to buy extra for that extension.

To do the punch needle process, you need to punch the needle down into the fabric and gently pull back on the needle slowly to form the loop on the "wrong side" of the fabric. The "wrong side" is actually the right side of the fabric where the finished design will be. Always making sure that you do not pull the loop completely out of the fabric. Move to the next location forward to make another punch and then apply pressure for the next punch with the needle, make sure you do not pull out the first loop that you just placed in the fabric. Continue to make consecutive loops until you fill in the pattern.

After you fill in your pattern with the thread, to make sure that all that hard work does not come out, I like to spread a thin layer of glue on the area that is finished and let dry. That way all of the loops that you punched are permanently placed into the fabric. Once that it is all dry, take the work off the frame and place it on the stretcher bars and staple the piece to it. Making sure that the piece is stapled on straight to the frame. Then you have a completed piece of artwork to share with everyone in your home .

Tips & Warnings

• Try handspun wool to give the work some course texture within the piece.
• Be careful not to puncture yourself with the needle when you are making the loops because it could really be painful.