How To Make A Needlepoint Bookmark

On this page we show you how to make a needlepoint bookmark, from start to finish. It's a relatively quick and easy project and the materials you need are easy to come by - you may even have them in your home already. 

If you have any questions along the way, then simply send us an email at uniquenzdesigns@earthlink.net.

Things You Will Need

• A needle.
• Thread to match the background of the bookmark.
• Fabric glue
• Backing fabric, cut 3 mm larger all the way around, than you design area. We used adhesive felt for our project as the adhesive helped secure the felt in place while we worked. This is available at craft stores. However, the adhesive is not essential as you can glue the backing to the needlepoint, so you can use scraps of ultrasuede, or anything else you think would work.
• Scissors.

Let's Get Started

Once the needlepoint bookmark has been stitched, if there is distortion of the canvas, you will need to block it, or stretch it back into shape.  If the distortion is minor, you can probably do this by dampening a cloth and laying it over the design.  Then, run an iron over the damp cloth and pull the edges of the canvas back into shape.

You are now going to trim the canvas approximately 1/3" all the way around and snip across the corners as shown in the picture.  Take care not to snip the stitches.

You will now fold the canvas "wings" back against the wrong side of the design and use the fabric glue to glue these in place. Try to catch any loose canvas threads with the glue so they sit back against the wrong side of the canvas.

Still working with the wrong side of the canvas facing up, carefully place the cut backing fabric over the design. (NB:  If your backing fabric is non-adhesive, then apply a small amount of fabric glue to the back of it, and particularly around the edges, so that it adheres itself to the needlepoint canvas when you apply it). Try to line it up so that it extends evenly all the way around.  Remember you cut the backing fabric slightly larger than the design area?  This is so that when you press it onto the needlepoint canvas it comes around the sides a little way and covers any spots of bare canvas that might otherwise show through. Press the backing fabric firmly onto the canvas so that it sits nicely. The photo shows you what you should see from the front.

Now you need to finish the edges, and a blanket stitch is the best way to do this.  Choose a thread that most closely matches the design background and/or the backing fabric. Using 3 strands of the thread, blanket stitch all the way around the bookmark.  This will give it a nice finish and will hold the edges of the backing fabric down.

To further embellish your bookmark, stitch a tassle or some beads onto the end.