Geometric Needlepoint Coaster

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare your canvas

   Cut a 15 cm square of 14-mesh canvas for each coaster. Tape all four edges with masking tape to prevent fraying. Mark the centre of the canvas lightly with a pencil. Count out a 10 cm × 10 cm stitching area (140 × 140 mesh holes) and mark the corners. This is your stitching boundary.

2. 2

   Plan your geometric design

   Choose one of three designs: (A) Chevron — alternating V-shapes in two colours, each V is 7 stitches wide and 7 stitches tall; (B) Diamond grid — a diagonal grid of diamonds in two colours, each diamond is 10 stitches across; (C) Triangle halves — the canvas divided diagonally into two triangles in contrasting colours. Sketch your design lightly on the canvas with pencil before stitching.

3. 3

   Stitch the first colour

   Thread your needle with about 45 cm of thread — longer than this and the thread frays and tangles. Start in the upper right corner of your design. Work tent stitches in diagonal rows (basketweave method) to fill the first colour area. Always work from upper right to lower left on downward rows, and lower left to upper right on upward rows. This keeps the canvas from distorting.

4. 4

   Add the second colour

   Join the second colour and fill the remaining area. Keep your tension consistent — stitches should lie flat and even, not pulled tight or looping loosely. If you're working the chevron or diamond design, count carefully at the colour boundaries to keep the lines crisp and straight.

5. 5

   Finish and back the coasters

   When stitching is complete, remove the masking tape. Block the canvas by dampening it and pinning it square on a foam mat — needlepoint canvas often distorts slightly during stitching and blocking corrects this. Let it dry completely. Cut a piece of felt to the same size as the stitched area and glue or hand-sew it to the back. Trim any excess canvas to within 1 cm of the stitching.