Behind the Finish with Megan Antol of Williamsburg Needlepoint
Williamsburg is getting a needlepoint shop—and the online doors open today, July 10
Megan Antol, the finisher behind @williamsburgneedlepoint on IG , is launching a full online needlepoint store this month, with a storefront opening in Williamsburg, VA this fall. Williamsburg Needlepoint will offer canvases, threads, tools, accessories, and finishing classes. Stitch nights and even some mahjong classes are also in the works. It’s a big step—and a pretty incredible one considering Megan only picked up needlepoint for the first time in 2023.
What got you into needlepoint?
“I started needlepoint in 2023. I was a mom to a toddler and a new baby and was looking for something I could do with what little free time I had,” she shared. “At that time, I really was needing something for just myself that didn’t involve work, kids, cleaning/cooking, etc. Enter needlepoint!”
Like most of us, Megan was hooked from the very beginning. “I think I only put a few rows of stitches in before I was completely hooked! I started with basketweaving with Silk and Ivory on a 13 mesh canvas and loved the repetitive motion and how I could sort of just turn my brain off.”
After finishing her first few projects, Megan sent them off to be professionally finished. But while she waited, her “to-be-finished” pile kept growing. So in 2024, she decided to try self-finishing. She posted a few photos online, and friends started encouraging her to offer her services more widely.
“So (after a lot of practice and studying tutorials) I started off finishing for a few friends and then opened my form to everyone on my Instagram… and because of how big of a need there is for finishing, it wasn’t long before that took off.”
That leap into finishing opened up more than just a business.
“Working with clients through finishing really allowed me to connect with so many wonderful people in this community and gave me the confidence to start building a needlepoint community in my area.” That’s when she launched 757StitchClub, a local stitching group that’s already brought together friends, retreats, and a whole new kind of connection.
The Idea Behind the Shop
The shop idea came naturally after that. “The idea of Williamsburg Needlepoint came about because there is no LNS within an hour+ of our area. I get messages on Instagram often along the lines of ‘I see you live in Williamsburg, is there an LNS anywhere close?’”
Megan is excited about building something that brings people together in person.
“The idea of being in a shop everyday and around other people that share the same interest and passion for needlepoint is really exciting to me!”
And yes—she truly loves the behind-the-scenes work, too. “I also really enjoyed the business side of my finishing business—invoicing, bookkeeping, social media, etc.—and am looking forward to doing all of that on a bigger scale with Williamsburg Needlepoint.”
For now, Megan is running the business solo—though she’s had help from her husband, who’s been taping canvases late into the night to get everything photographed for the site. “I do hope to hire help when the storefront opens.”
She’s also dipping into new territory, collaborating with designers on exclusive canvases for the shop. “That part has been really fun because I have never been on the canvas designer side of things before.”
What’s a recent favorite finish that you’ve done?
“I just finished a special ballet bunny hanging sign for my daughter that I gifted to her on the morning of her first ballet recital. Obviously it is special because of what it commemorates, but I am also really proud of myself for stepping outside of my needlepoint comfort zone and trying out new stitches and threads. I feel like I really got to express some creativity working on that piece.”
This year, she’s hoping to tackle a bigger finish. “I’m really itching to start a big project this year… brick cover, big pillow, stocking, etc. I’m eyeing the Elizabeth Crane Swartz brick cover. I find so much joy in working on projects with so much color.”
What inspires you the most?
“I have two toddlers that are everything to my husband and I, and they are the reason for everything we do,” she said. “It has also been fun to let my daughter (4 years old) help out in little ways. She loves to point out canvases she likes for the store, helps me count inventory when it comes in, etc.”
Her husband is all-in too. “He is also working hard to learn the ins and outs of the needlepoint world, all the lingo, etc so that he can support me in any way.”
“It feels really special to me to be starting a business with a young family because of the time we’ll get to have growing this business from scratch together. I also hope this will be a good example to my kids that it is never too late to change careers and try something new.”
Love that!
What’s your biggest piece of advice to new finishers?
“Practice makes perfect!! As a finisher myself, I can tell you (and I know Amanda knows this as well) that ANYONE can be a really great finisher with enough time and practice. I had no prior experience that would give me a leg up in the finishing game. I just thoroughly studied tutorials, really took my time, and practiced A LOT. I also was not afraid to take something apart and try again to get it as perfect as I could when I was still learning.”
Huge thanks to Megan for sharing her story—and for the heart and hustle she’s pouring into the needlepoint world. Watching Williamsburg Needlepoint come to life has been such a joy, and we can’t wait to see what she creates next. Go show her some love, follow along, and maybe treat yourself to a canvas or two at the shop. 💗
You can follow Megan at @williamsburgneedlepoint, and shop the store TODAY at williamsburgneedlepoint.com and use code LAUNCHDAY to save 20% off!
If you’re local, stay tuned—her store will be open this fall!