Acrylic for Needlepoint Finishing Part 3: Custom Fabrication
custom fab three ways + some inspiration
This is the third post in the acrylic series. Read part one and part two, and stay tuned for next week: I’ll drop the full tutorial for a best-fit finish in any acrylic product & a helpful calculator.
Custom Fabrication
If you have a canvas with special dimensions, you want a specific finish, or you want your needlepoint fully encased, custom fabrication may be right for you.
Pros:
Access to shapes, formats, color options, and more
Your project can be fully encased in acrylic
Fun finishes like game boards, tables, and more
Cons:
It can be pricey, depending on your provider and your finish
Sometimes I do see finishes that aren’t as snug as they could be, even though they’re custom
As a stitcher, you have essentially three process options:
Work with a needlepoint shop
Work with a finisher
Work directly with an acrylic manufacturer
Work with a needlepoint shop
This is a great option if you have a longer lead time, want something highly custom, want to interface in person, or have a bigger budget.
After you’re done stitching, send or bring it to a shop to have acrylic custom made for your specific stitched canvas dimensions. The shop will finish the flat and then measure the final specifications. They will send these specifications to their vendor acrylic manufacturer for fabrication. Once they receive the project they’ll marry it up and return it to you.
Pros
If you work with an experienced needlepoint shop, you benefit from their knowledge of how needlepoint and acrylic need to work together (depth, any cutouts to get the project in and out easier, etc)
Creative ideas
Cons
The lead time can be super long because it’s a two step process (finish the flat then send it to the manufacturer)
Can be quite expensive
Examples
My friend Charlotte and her mom created this stunningly beautiful Monopoly board for her brother as a wedding gift. Finishing by The Wool and the Floss.
Work with a finisher who offers acrylic
After you’re done stitching, send it to an independent finisher who offers acrylic (I’m currently testing two acrylic partners and am excited to offer this beginning in 2025!)
She’ll finish the flat and then either carefully measure and send along the specs required by her acrylic manufacturer or send your acrylic to the manufacturer to be encased in the acrylic or simply measured.
Pros
You benefit from their knowledge of acrylic needlepoint objects
Your finisher would ensure the quality of the final product and work with the manufacturer to resolve any issues on your behalf
The lead time is shorter than working with a shop
Often costs less than working with a shop but you get the same quality outcome
Cons
Lead time can be longer than working directly since they’re juggling other clients
May be limited in colors or thickness based on their fabricator partners
Work directly with a fabricator
Process
After you’re done stitching, have your project finished or self-finish it (tutorial coming up next week).
Take precise measurements and send specifications or the object itself to your selected acrylic fabricator if they require it.
Pros
Custom fabricators are able to fully encase your needlepoint if you want
Access to special shapes, colors, or formats
Cons
Some acrylic fabricators won’t offer a ‘white glove’ service like an LNS or an independent finisher might
They may not be familiar with needlepoint requirements or your vision if they haven’t worked with needlepoint before
Examples
Jessica Eiland (@StitchingwithJessica on Instagram) was one of the first to do custom fabricated coasters and they’re so darn cute. She did a set of four and a tower to store them.
Laura Seig (@lseigstitches on Instagram) has done a few projects with custom acrylic including this gorgeous tray.
At the time of publishing, I cannot find a photo, but I know some needlepointers have gotten different shapes like the Morgan Julia Chill Pill done in acrylic, so custom is a good option if you’re looking to finish a unique shape as well.
Tips on working with an acrylic fabricator
I’m pretty early on in my process of working with two fabricators to test for my finishing services, so I’ll report back on quality, timing, and full process once I get them returned.
These two shops both asked similar questions upfront, so give these some thought:
What format do you want? Tray, Coaster, Backgammon Tray, Box with Lid, Other?
Do you want your needlepoint encased or removable?
Do you want handles and on what side?
Color or clear acrylic?
For backgammon trays, do you want chip trays on one side or both sides?
For coasters, do you want to add on an optional coaster holder? (as seen in Jessica’s example above)
Both of the fabricators I’m testing have have standard 3/8” thick sides. They have standardized the tray height for common needlepoint requests, but these are customizable so don’t be shy.
When sourcing an acrylic fabricator, I recommend asking them if they’ve dealt with needlepoint before. Provide them photos, drawings, or examples where possible. Finally, ensure a proof step is part of the process so you can double check you are getting what you want before it goes into production.
Tune in next week for part three, including a demo of finishing a flat and a calculator for your best fit regardless if your object is pre-made or custom.
Thank you so much for the info! How would you even go about looking for a fabricator?
So much helpful information! Thank you so much!