The Needlepoint Finishing Club

The Needlepoint Finishing Club

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The Needlepoint Finishing Club
The Needlepoint Finishing Club
Finish a Flat for an Acrylic Tray

Finish a Flat for an Acrylic Tray

step-by-step instructions, video, and calculator inside

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Needlepoint Finishing Fairy
Nov 22, 2024
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The Needlepoint Finishing Club
The Needlepoint Finishing Club
Finish a Flat for an Acrylic Tray
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In the last article in the acrylic series, we’ll wrap with a tutorial of an insert for an acrylic tray. The biggest two differences between finishing an ornament and finishing an acrylic tray are: the cording join (no loop to hide those tails) and measuring properly for a snug fit.

I have seen stitchers simply pop an ornament in a tray so that’s absolutely an option too! What I’ll cover here is some finer points for seamless cording and accurate measurements.

In today’s post, you’ll find:

  • A detailed step-by-step process video

  • Written instructions

  • And a calculator for cutting your matboard to the right size without too much math

Degree of Difficulty

2/5 🪡🪡

Added one point for math and another for cording joining.

Prerequisites

You don’t really need any prerequisites for this project, but it may be helpful to see other examples of key concepts that this project uses.

New guide: How to finish a needlepoint ornament

New guide: How to finish a needlepoint ornament

Amanda M, Finishing Fairy
·
August 21, 2024
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Ask a Finisher: How to make custom cording using the Lacis

Ask a Finisher: How to make custom cording using the Lacis

Amanda M, Finishing Fairy
·
September 26, 2024
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Troubleshooting: Cutting Canvas with Confidence

Troubleshooting: Cutting Canvas with Confidence

Amanda M, Finishing Fairy
·
October 10, 2024
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How to join twisted cording on needlepoint projects

How to join twisted cording on needlepoint projects

Amanda M, Finishing Fairy
·
August 22, 2024
Read full story

Materials

  • Tray (View some pre-made suggestions in my previous post here. I’m using a magnetic tray).

  • Needlepoint, stitched and blocked (mine is by CBK artist Liora Manne and is originally 10x10 on 13 Mesh, source here)

  • the hero of this project, digital calipers

  • Acid-free 4 ply matboard

  • Scrap paper and pencil

  • Batting

  • Cording: I used DMC Pearle, created with the Lacis cording maker

  • Fabric lined with a fusible mid-weight fusible interfacing. Some fabric recommendations here. In the demo, I used an Ultrasuede that I did not line with interfacing.

  • Wonderclips

  • Pins

  • Scissors

  • Blocking board

  • Blocking combs

  • Iron or steamer

  • For lacing: DMC pearle cotton for lacing and tapestry needle

  • For attaching the cording: Invisible Thread or Fishing Line and a sharp, thin needle

  • Leather thimble

You can find a full list of recommended finishing materials here.

Detailed Process Video

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