Designs with larger blocks of color will be easier than intricate fine lines. To make your life easier, consider using a symmetrical design, so it doesn’t matter which side is the front or back.
As an alternative, you can also use denim or a poly-cotton twill, but they won’t work as well as weavers cloth. Monk’s cloth is another good option for this type of project. [2] X Expert Source Sarah StearnsDIY Specialist Expert Interview. 4 October 2021. If you use a cotton fabric like muslin, the fibers might tear when you try to punch needle. [3] X Research source
If you prefer to have the loops on the back of your fabric, you can draw your design normally, not in reverse. If you chose a symmetrical design, it won’t matter whether you draw it in reverse or not.
If you want the loops to be on the back of your design, trace the printed image face up instead of face down.
You may have to loosen the screw, adjust the fabric, and tighten the screw again a few times until the fabric is evenly taut across the hoop.
You can use cotton or wool embroidery floss.
Push the threader all the way down so that the end sticks out the back of your punch needle.
Remember to use the color of floss that you want to stitch first in your design.
If the threader didn’t bring the floss with it, try again with a longer tail.
It might take you a few tries to get the metal threader through the small eye. Working under a bright light should help if you’re struggling with this step.
The floss will continue to unspool as you needle punch, so you don’t need to cut a specific length of floss at this stage.
You can also check the instructions that come with your specific punch needle to see what loop length they recommend. Keep in mind that the longer loops you have, the more floss you will use, which can add up in cost if you do a lot of needle punching.
As you stitch, you’ll have to keep rotating the pen so that it faces the direction you’re stitching.
For an extra-clean look, punch the stitches in your row so that they line up with the middle of the stitches in the previous row. [17] X Research source
You’ll trim this tail at the end of the project, so don’t worry about it now. Each stitch creates a loop of yarn that’s held in place by the tension in the foundation fabric. [19] X Expert Source Sarah StearnsDIY Specialist Expert Interview. 4 October 2021.
It’s important to be gentle, because if you tug backwards on the floss, all your stitches will unravel. If you’re using monk’s cloth, skip about 2-3 holes before making your next stitch. [21] X Expert Source Sarah StearnsDIY Specialist Expert Interview. 4 October 2021.
If you don’t like how it looks, you can also pull out the stitches easily.
If you want, you can push the end of the floss out through the other side of the fabric using your metal threader, so that the floss pokes out onto the loop side.
If you don’t like the embroidery hoop you used for the needle punching, you could paint it or buy a prettier frame.
Your measurements don’t have to be exact – you just want enough fabric to be able to glue down the back.
Adjust the fabrics until they are smooth and taut across the hoop.
Wait a few minutes for the glue to dry. You can hang your mounted design on the wall or give it as a gift. [27] X Research source
Patches can also make cool homemade gifts.
Make sure to iron it down well around the edges. The steam setting on your iron should be off.
Don’t use normal scissors, because they will be too dull to cut your fabric.
You can iron your patch on to a jacket, a tote bag, a pair of jeans, or whatever you want.
