Behind the Canvas - Grandin Lane Needlepoint
Your name/where you're from:
Claire - Cincinnati, OH
Claire - Cincinnati, OH
GENERAL NEEDLEPOINT
How did you learn to needlepoint? What was your first needlepoint project?
I learned at my LNS in Cincinnati - Absolutely Needlepoint! My first project was a needlepoint belt that I had a painter in the shop custom paint for me. After inspecting the canvas and studying the way designs are painted, I painted the canvas for the next belt I made myself!
I learned at my LNS in Cincinnati - Absolutely Needlepoint! My first project was a needlepoint belt that I had a painter in the shop custom paint for me. After inspecting the canvas and studying the way designs are painted, I painted the canvas for the next belt I made myself!
What is your favorite stitch? What stitch are you hoping to learn/do next?
I am basketweave girly! My goal for this year is to add a few more stitches to my arsenal - I’m open to recommendations!
I am basketweave girly! My goal for this year is to add a few more stitches to my arsenal - I’m open to recommendations!
What are your favorite threads to use?
I’ve always been a bit boring when it comes to threads - I learned to stitch with DMC pearl cotton and never looked back. Another one of my needlepoint goals for this year is to try a project in Silk & Ivory.
I’ve always been a bit boring when it comes to threads - I learned to stitch with DMC pearl cotton and never looked back. Another one of my needlepoint goals for this year is to try a project in Silk & Ivory.
ABOUT YOUR DESIGNS
What made you want to paint your own pieces?
I’ve always been a crafty person, and there was something about studying painted canvases while stitching that made me want to try it myself. I worked in a paint your own pottery studio all through high school so I had experience in detailed painting with small brushes, and needlepoint canvases felt like a fun challenge! I also have always been a huge fan of pop culture, and I had so many ideas bopping around in my brain of pop culture inspired canvases, so I decided to give it a go!
I’ve always been a crafty person, and there was something about studying painted canvases while stitching that made me want to try it myself. I worked in a paint your own pottery studio all through high school so I had experience in detailed painting with small brushes, and needlepoint canvases felt like a fun challenge! I also have always been a huge fan of pop culture, and I had so many ideas bopping around in my brain of pop culture inspired canvases, so I decided to give it a go!
Describe your canvases in three(ish) words:
Pop culture, fun, nostalgia
Pop culture, fun, nostalgia
What inspires you most when creating new designs?
Almost all of my designs are inspired by pop culture, so I love tapping into things that make stitchers say “oh wow, she gets me”. I get so excited whenever a stitcher reaches out after seeing my designs to say that we love all the same shows or movies.
Almost all of my designs are inspired by pop culture, so I love tapping into things that make stitchers say “oh wow, she gets me”. I get so excited whenever a stitcher reaches out after seeing my designs to say that we love all the same shows or movies.
What has been your favorite canvas to paint?
Painting the Eras Tour friendship bracelet was the most fun I’ve had while painting - the Swiftie in me lived for picking the exact right color to represent each album era on each bead. I also love any time I get to paint with silver and gold sparkly paints!
Painting the Eras Tour friendship bracelet was the most fun I’ve had while painting - the Swiftie in me lived for picking the exact right color to represent each album era on each bead. I also love any time I get to paint with silver and gold sparkly paints!
What has been your favorite canvas to stitch?
My Ted Lasso Believe canvas - that was the first canvas that really took off for me in my shop so I had a lot of pride in stitching it and thinking about all of the people all over the country who were also stitching my design.
My Ted Lasso Believe canvas - that was the first canvas that really took off for me in my shop so I had a lot of pride in stitching it and thinking about all of the people all over the country who were also stitching my design.
What is one piece of advice for painting your own canvas?
If you are just painting for yourself, don’t sweat how perfect or precise it looks on the canvas. As long as you can tell what colors go where, you should be set! If I am painting just for myself to stitch, I just paint dots on the cross sections! If you are painting for others, my biggest piece of advice is to stock up on fine tip brushes! The more you use them, the faster they fray and become unpredictable!
If you are just painting for yourself, don’t sweat how perfect or precise it looks on the canvas. As long as you can tell what colors go where, you should be set! If I am painting just for myself to stitch, I just paint dots on the cross sections! If you are painting for others, my biggest piece of advice is to stock up on fine tip brushes! The more you use them, the faster they fray and become unpredictable!
ABOUT YOU
Where is your favorite place to stitch?
On the couch while watching a comfort show, like Gilmore Girls or Parks and Recreation.
On the couch while watching a comfort show, like Gilmore Girls or Parks and Recreation.
If you're not needlepointing you're…
Going to concerts or obsessing over my dog.
Going to concerts or obsessing over my dog.
What three items do you always have in your project bag?
Good scissors, extra needles and an extra canvas in case I get bored of the one I’m already stitching and want to switch it up!
Good scissors, extra needles and an extra canvas in case I get bored of the one I’m already stitching and want to switch it up!
What shows are you currently watching?
Young Sheldon is bringing me so much joy - I’ve crushed 5 seasons in the past couple months.
Young Sheldon is bringing me so much joy - I’ve crushed 5 seasons in the past couple months.
What is your favorite podcast?
I love the music review podcast Every Single Album, especially when they cover Taylor Swift!
I love the music review podcast Every Single Album, especially when they cover Taylor Swift!
Who is your favorite needlepoint or non-needlepoint follow on Instagram right now?
For anything needlepoint related, my go to is always @nashvilleneedlepointer - for non-needlepoint, I am obsessed with @KateKennedy, the pop culture commentator behind the Be There In Five brand and podcast!
For anything needlepoint related, my go to is always @nashvilleneedlepointer - for non-needlepoint, I am obsessed with @KateKennedy, the pop culture commentator behind the Be There In Five brand and podcast!
If time and money were no issue, what type of needlepoint project would you want to do?
Christmas stockings for everyone in my house! I dream of designing and stitching them myself one day.
Christmas stockings for everyone in my house! I dream of designing and stitching them myself one day.
Where can people follow you on social? - @grandinlaneneedlepoint
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