How to Make a Needle Punching

Supplies

Finding the right fabric and needle are the hardest parts of this craft. You can find a link to the needle I use here and an article on the different types of fabric that work here. I have only used monk's cloth, but hear good things about linens as well.


Preparing the Frame

Disessemble the canvas
Wrap fabric around frame, hold with binder clips
Staple down

Making a Design

Sketch what you'd like to create on the canvas or freehand if you want to live on the edge


Start punching!

Thread the needle, then find your starting point
Press the needle into the fabric
Pull the tail through to the back
Holding the tail, lift the needle back up and move about one inch forward
Press the needle back into the fabric
Lift the needle again, this time making a loop on the backside
Continue working in and out of the fabric. Once you have finished a line (which happens often since you're only working through the front), press the needle into the fabric and cut the loop from the back.

Finishing a Piece

When finishing a piece, though unnecessary, I like to trim the excess string on the back. I find that this helps keep things in place as there aren't as many loose ends.