Acrylic for Needlepoint Finishing Part 2: Pre-Made Options

comparing options built for just needlepoint + tips for adapting mass-market items

In part two of the acrylic for needlepoint finishing series, we’ll talk about pre-made for needlepoint and adapting mass-market acrylic items. You can read part 1 below.

Acrylic for Needlepoint Finishing: Part 1

In the next post in the series we’ll talk about custom fabrication. Finally, we’ll wrap this series with a few items for paid subscribers.

• Tutorial: Detailed process tutorial on how to finish a flat for an acrylic tray

• Specifications sheet: Downloadable guide to getting your measurements right

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Your acrylic options built for just needlepoint

The needlepoint is finished as a flat and is typically either slid into the object, encased in the acrylic using magnetic closures, or encased between two snug pieces of acrylic.

Pros

• You know the needlepoint is going to fit. This is not always the case with adapting a mass-market option (especially when it comes to depth)

• The needlepoint is generally protected more than a mass-market option

• They come in common canvas sizes and are generally available through LNSes and online providers

• If finished correctly with a snug fit, any canvas can look custom

Cons

• You pay needlepoint tax. These are often pricey!

• Some options can appear bulky or show their magnetic hardware, which I think detracts from the overall look vs. a custom fabricated option

• Compared to custom, you’re limited to size and format for a snug fit.

• Quality can vary. Take for example these two pieces, both sourced from LNSes. One has significantly more bubbles in the seam.

  

  Comparing the quality of two acrylic coasters

I finish a lot of inserts for these three types of products mentioned above (magnetic, slide-in, and snap-in), but for the purposes of this article, I’ll focus on the slide-in products.

Some slide-in product options

All of these slide-in options great job at protecting your needlepoint in most cases, a high compliment coming from a mom of two boys. Therefore, my hesitation around this category is the expense, not necessarily the protection factor.

Slide-in acrylic options for needlepoint

Sources

• The most prevalent slide-in options are trays, coaster sets, and individual coasters. This large acrylic tray seems to be one of the most affordable options for the size (get 15% off as a new customer fyi!).

• This acrylic frame is stocked by the Wool and the Floss (exclusive?) and I saw this box also on their website

• I also love this acrylic box with sliding drawer developed by Spruce St. Studio stocked by KC Needlepoint but its expensive

• And I’ve long had my eye on one of these candy boxes stocked by Stitch by Stitch and other needlepoint shops

Keep an eye out for shops running a full shop sale this holiday season.

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Adapting a mass-market acrylic for needlepoint

Pros

• Generally the most affordable

• Readily available

• Different formats than what’s available specific to needlepoint

Cons

• Often the needlepoint is not fully encased or protected

• Though many sizes are available, you may need to adapt your stitching to fit the acrylic

• Be *really* mindful of the product depth to make sure a finished needlepoint project will fit in it

Acrylic Boxes

These boxes are one of my favorite needlepoint finishes because they are very affordable and they make cute candy boxes or keepsake boxes.

Stitched and finished by me

It holds together even with the weight of the needlepoint, but if there’s pressure inside of a too-thick insert, it will slip apart.

Tip: These are *not quite* 1/2” deep. For a good fit, use one layer of batting maximum and thinner cording (e.g. 8 strands of DMC).

Sources

• Acrylic Box for 5" x 7" Needlepoint Insert (Bargello Needlepoint)

• Acrylic Box for 4” x 6” Photo or 5” x 7” (Amazon)

Acrylic Clutch

These are super popular and are available at many LNS shops or even Amazon making them one of the most inexpensive needlepoint finishes.

Photo Via Unwind Studio

Tons of canvases are now available in box clutch sizing. Look for 6.25 X 4” designs. (I like this I just hope both teams have fun canvas I’ve been eyeing from Solo Daughter Stitchery).

Unwind Studio offers a finishing video tutorial using a binding stitch and glue, Lita of Nashville Needlepointer also has this one, or you can also follow the tutorial I’ll release as part of this series.

Sources

• Acrylic Box Clutch (Amazon)

• Acrylic Box Clutch (Stitching Chicks, but many LNSes stock)

Acrylic Trays

These are super prevalent online and you can often find a size that works for your canvas online. The needlepoint typically sits within the tray walls and is typically covered with plexiglass to help protect it, but it’s not sealed in.

As an example, I just adore this tiger acrylic tray that Paige Skrickus @skrickstitches on Instagram) recently finished and had to absolutely spotlight this cuteness.

Credit: Paige Skrickus

Process

• Paige shares some helpful info on the self-finishing process in her caption

My DIY tiger acrylic tray has been getting a lot of love, and it was not very hard! I bought an acrylic tray on Amazon in a size similar to the canvas (11” x 14” - this baby is huge!), cut matboard about 10.5” x 13.5”, wrapped the canvas, laced it, and dropped it in! I am planning to have a piece of acrylic cut at Michael’s to fit on top to protect the needlepoint 🧡🐯

• Get a piece of plexicut through your local frame shop, Michaels as Paige mentioned, or purchase plexi online and cut with an Xacto knife

Sources

• Acrylic Tray

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Scouring the internet for a dupe

I’ll start by saying I really love Paige’s approach.

But like many finishers and stitchers, I’ve searched high and low for mass-market alternatives to go a little further to protect the needlepoint under the tray surface.

This is super hard to find. My flops include this tray (or any designed for paper) and this scallop tray with magnets, and these coasters. You could definitely still get plexi cut to cover a needlepoint piece within the interior well on the trays at least.

Tip: look for an opening 1/2” deep or more to accommodate your project.

Please dish if you find something mass-market that works for you. I’d love to see how you made it your own.

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Finishing tips

For finishers & self-finishers

My biggest tip for finishing pre-made options is measuring properly for a snug fit and a more custom look. Order yourself some digital calipers to take accurate inside measurements because 4 inches surprisingly doesn’t always equal 4 inches. I’ll cover this in more detail in the tutorial coming up so make sure you’re subscribed.

Working with a finisher

Here are my 5 tips for working with a finisher on your acrylic.

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How about you?

Have you tried any mass-market options? Do you have any other slide-in product options? What do you think the market needs?