Punchneedle Embroidery patterns and tutorials from Planet June – what a fabulous thing – June has researched this little known technique and written up an e-book along with patterns and a free tutorial.
punchneedle: the next big thing?
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This technique was all the rage in the US when I was growing up. They even had infomercials showing it off. I’m not sure I’d call it the next big thing. I’d err on the side of calling it daggy craft.
I have a lot of fun with punchneedle. I prefer to make my own patterns. It’s a no brainer and I don’t lose my place as with counted cross-stitch. There aren’t a lot of patterns out there though but you can use about any kind of drawing or photograph and make your own. Check my blog to see some samples:
http://mselscl.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive.html
Punch needles were the next big thing in the 70s.
Thanks, Kath, for posting this! To the commenters who call punchneedle daggy or old-fashioned: the point of my original post was that it was the lack of inspiring patterns that caused punchneedle to fall out of fashion, not that the technique itself is uncool.
I’ve been making embellished totes, coffee sleeves and wallhangings from my new designs and I don’t think there’s anything ‘daggy’ about them! (You can see them here http://www.planetjune.com/blog/category/punchneedle/ if you’d like to form your own opinion.)
Remember that just a few years ago, crochet was viewed as totally uncool and a ‘granny craft’ (no disrespect to grannies intended) and it’s seen a complete resurgence in popularity. I’m trying to do the same for punchneedle – it’s fast and fun and, as long as you stay away from the not-exactly-cutting-edge-of-cool kit designs which are all you can find in craft stores, you can get some really stunning results.
I really think that punchneedle has the potential be the next craft to enjoy a new popularity with a modern slant on an old craft. I hope people will be open-minded enough not to reject it without even considering the possibilities…
I remember seeing an infomercial for this when I was younger, and I wanted one sooooooooooooooo badly!
I agree with Planetjune. Any craft could be considered outdated by a variety of folks but all it takes is a bit of creativity to bring it up to date. Punch needle seems like an easy first craft for kids just starting out. And knitting and crochet were granny crafts when I was growing up! Hmph!!!
I have clients that love Punchneedle, they find it an easy way to embroider. I have seen some Amazing textures from this technique. I carry different colored threads, yarns and silk ribbons through various sized punchneedles.
If you need anything please check out my website It is new so I don’t have my entire inventory listed, so if you don’t see something your looking for contact me I probably have it here at my shop
Thanks for making me not feel “daggy.” Whatever the heck that means! I guess I fall into the “granny” category since I don’t have a clue what daggy means.