Behind The Canvas: The Perennial Stitcher
Meet Margaret Gaskins
Meet Margaret Gaskins! View our in-depth Q&A with Margaret below.
General Needlepoint
I cross stitched and did other kinds of embroidery for about twelve years before taking up needlepoint during the pandemic. Once I realized how restful it was to not have to count stitches, I was hooked on needlepoint and haven’t looked back. I actually can’t remember what my first project was…probably because I always have at least 3 projects going at the same time.
Basketweave is my favorite tent stitch, and Nobuko is my favorite decorative stitch. I just bought the first volume of Mary’s Whimsical Stitches and can’t wait to try some of them. Every time I ask someone what the name of their really neat stitch is, it’s always from one of Mary’s books.
For 18 mesh I like Pepper Pot and Vineyard Silk. For 13 mesh I prefer Silk and Ivory.
About Your Designs
I’ve done art since childhood and have always loved painting in particular. As an adult, I gravitated towards fiber arts as both a creative outlet and a way to help manage my anxiety and ADHD using repetitive motion. Designing my own canvases felt like a natural combination of all the ways I love to create.
Lovely, joyful, and cheeky.
Nature, my garden, everything vintage, pop culture, travel, and my own personal style. I also love doing designs that can be personalized and customized.
My favorite design I’ve done has been turning a 19th century Charles Dana Gibson illustration into a needlepoint canvas. My favorite canvas to do the actual painting on is a geometric picture frame I designed for my cousin’s new baby.
I loved stitching my Antique Locket canvas. It’s a quick stitch that doesn’t feel too basic and has a lot of easy self-finishing options. I used mine as an insert in a self-finishing leather travel jewelry box.
Don’t buy expensive paintbrushes. Needlepoint canvas absolutely destroys paintbrush bristles. The cheapest brushes usually aren’t precise enough for me, so I like to use mid-range brushes of decent enough quality.
About You
In my cozy armchair, tucked under a blanket with my heating pad.
Working as a litigator, vegetable gardening, cooking, playing on my Nintendo Switch, reading, and spending time with my daughter.
At least three needle pullers, a folding Bohin seam ripper, and a pair of sharp scissors.
Obi-Wan Kenobi, reruns of the Great British Bake Off, and whatever my kid has on tv (Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol, etc.)
Noble Blood, a history podcast about royalty.
I self-finish a lot of my pieces, so I love the self-finishing tutorials @nashvilleneedlepointer posts. I also enjoy the free decorative stitch diagrams posted by @whimsicalstitch and shopping vintage finds from @thrillsofthehunt.
All of the big Christmas projects: a tree skirt, stockings for the whole family, and a full nativity. Also an ottoman. And a set of huge matching pillows for the living room. Basically, I’d needlepoint anything in my house that would sit still long enough.
Follow Up
Pennylinndesigns.com and your LNS!
@theperennialstitcher - My canvas designs, other needlepoint projects I’m working on from my immense canvas stash, and the occasional update on my garden.
