(pronounced "pe-tee poynt")
For a bit of history regarding petit point, visit www.tapisseriedefrance.com
For a few on-line instructions, visit www.gittas.com/FreeStuff/Instructions/Petit_Point.htm
The stitch is explained on www.jeanmcintosh.com/needlework.html
Our wonderful petit point artist, Carol Herter, gives us a little insight into her craft:
"I start each piece by finding the middle of the silk gauze to be worked. I stretch the gauze either on stiff cardboard, small wooden frames, or the larger pieces on a wooden stand. This keeps the work tight and wrinkle free while working. I like to work from the center of the piece, to the right side, up to the top, down the left, and across the bottom. There is no set order to do the stitching but because each stitch is counted from a chart, the work needs to progress from one spot. The background is usually not done except on scenes, so it is important not to carry threads across areas where no stitches will be. Thread is carried across the back of the picture, no knots when starting each color. All petit point is worked on silk gauze. Larger pictures, where the background is completed, are worked on heavier product called cordova. These pictures are all hand stitched and each stitch is counted from a chart.
It is important to keep the tension even to make a smooth picture. Details come about from using color nuances. This adds richness to the picture.
Framing: Never fold the canvas, it will leave creases that might not come out when framed. Treat the picture with care: it could become a priceless treasure. I recommend using double mats. This brings the glass further from the stitches and highlights the picture better. Choose matting that complements the picture, not your home décor (they could be one and the same but don’t detract from the picture to match a wall). You can choose regular glass, non-glare glass, or portrait glass. Regular glass is, of course, the cheapest. Non-glare glass will make the stitches look fuzzy but if you want to eliminate glare, this is the way to go. I used to frame everything in non-glare but have since used portrait glass and even regular glass. If you are hanging the picture where there is not a lot of window glare coming in, it really doesn’t matter.
Protect your investment. I prefer to have my pictures professionally framed as I consider them works of art and want them displayed in the best possible way.
Pictures must be stretched before framing, so that the small holes are in a straight line. If it is not done properly, your picture will end up being lop-sided.
Sorry, but I do not sell the patterns for my pictures. It would be a violation of copyright laws. Most of my pictures are made from patterns that I have purchased from catalogues from the various companies, some are stitched from cross-stitch patterns that I have adapted, some are obtained from the internet, some have been ordered from Germany, but all are available from some source. If there is a particular one you are interested in, I could perhaps put you on to the source of the pattern. Let me know if I can be of further assistance. Glad to help.
People have asked what kind of machine I use to produce my petit point projects. I just hold up my 2 hands.
Enjoy!!"
Carol
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Q: Are the Petit Point pictures 2 thread or 3 thread? Are they stretched ready for framing or are they already framed?
A: All the pictures on my site are done in 3 thread Petit Point. The pictures are not stretched, mounted, or framed. When I am working on a piece, I keep it stretched so when I am finished, they are just about ready for framing. Most just need a little additional stretching to make sure the lines of the gauze are straight. I am fairly fussy when framing so when I take a picture to be framed, my framer makes sure they are square. He usually does not charge me for stretching, as it is not much of a job.
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People constantly ask Carol Herter, our wonderful petit point artist, "Why, after putting so much time and effort into creating these beautiful works of art, would you part with them?" Carol replies that she loves her craft very much and finds it a great way to "relax." After 30 years of "relaxing," she is running out of room to display her treasures and would now like to share her talents with the world. We will post the "hours of relaxation" Carol put in, for a few of her larger projects.
For petit point pictures available, please click on one of the Galleries, below.
Galleries
Petit Point - Gallery 4
Petit Point - Gallery 3
Petit Point - Gallery 2
Petit Point - Gallery 1
Click here to read about our wonderful petit point artist, Carol Herter.
051227/1717-060715/4048-061115/5231