How to Finish a Needlepoint Project: Connecting Two Cookies
You made your cookies, now let's put them together! If you've been wondering how to turn two finished cookies into a coaster, ornament, or sign, this tutorial is for you. Once you get the hang of this, you'll be finishing everything.
What You'll Need
Two finished cookies
Invisible thread
Cording
Scissors
Sewing clips
Sewing needle
Step 1: Clip Your Cookies Together
Using your sewing clips, clip your two cookies together, right sides out. This holds everything in place while you work.
Step 2: Anchor Your Thread
Tie a knot in your invisible thread and anchor it into one side of the cookie. I like to double up my thread so I can pull the cookies really tight together. Start in a corner if you can, it's the easiest place to hide the knot!
Step 3: Connect with a Running Stitch
This is called a running stitch, and it's the same motion as a continental stitch. Weave your needle under the outermost stitches on one cookie, then loop back into the other cookie. Repeat this back-and-forth every 2-3 stitches. Just make sure you don't pierce the matte board inside!
Pull tight as you go. I like to do a lot of stitches on each side to keep it secure, but the frequency is up to you. We'll be doing another pass with the cording anyway.
Don't worry if a little canvas is showing once you finish a side. The cording will cover that up.
Step 4: Leave an Opening for the Cording
As you come back around to the corner you started on, leave about an inch opening so we can place the cording inside.
Step 5: Add Your Cording
Now for the cording! As you're laying it in, choose your preferred tightness. I like to twist as I go to keep it nice and uniform.
This is where the pins come in. As you're twisting your cording into place, slide a pin in to hold it. They should slip right in between the cookies. Don't force it!
Step 6: Finish the Cording Ends
When you're approaching the end, you'll need to weave your cording together. I like to tuck the ending behind the beginning. The goal is to make the transition as seamless as possible, but anything handmade is going to have a little personal touch.
Step 7: Secure Everything with a Final Pass
From the top you might notice some gapping, but don't worry. We're going to fix that.
With another doubled up invisible thread, anchor into the cording. Once anchored, wrap the invisible thread around the cording, making sure to catch both cookies on each pass. Follow the grooves of the cording as you wrap. This helps everything look more professional and clean.
At the joint where the cording overlaps, if you pull nice and tight as you go, it almost disappears. Continue all the way around, making sure you always catch both cookies! Anchor the ending just like you did at the beginning.
You're Done!
And that's it! Enjoy your finished ornament. Once you get comfortable with this technique, you can finish coasters, signs, and ornaments of all shapes and sizes.
Ready to try it yourself? Shop kspringerdesigns.com for beginner-friendly canvases that are perfect for practicing your finishing skills!
