Needlepoint for Kids and Beginners Quiz

Answer: canvas with visible holes between the threads

Needlepoint fabric must have a grid. For a beginner, 18 count canvas, which means 18 threads or holes to the inch is the smallest suitable grid. 14 count is another, easier option. Note that some museum-quality specimens do not have an obvious grid and are worked on other fabrics. These are exciting for an experienced worker but not advisable for a beginner.

Answer: No

There are many other stitches, and this variety is one of the most interesting aspects of needlepoint. Kylie needed to get a book from the library to see the possible stitches and how they are worked.

Answer: copy a museum piece

A museum piece is probably in the museum because it is the outstanding of an experienced worker.
A small kit contains all the equipment needed and usually the instructions, and it can be a good start. Soon, with only a little experience, a worker can invent a design and that is much more satisfying than re-working something someone else has already done.
It is always a good idea to collect a sampler of stitches as a reference. That can be an interesting show piece if the stitches are worked into simple shapes.
If the outline is simple - and after all, Aunt Jemima is there to vet it - a coloring book is an ideal way of finding suitable shapes, and by using one Kylie will know that her design is all her own work.

Answer: any smooth thread fine enough to go through the mesh

Embroidery thread must go through the canvas and cover the woven threads so it must be smooth enough to slip through easily and thick enough to almost fill the hole, remembering that eventually at least two threads will pass through each hole.

Answer: Tent stitch, Gobelin, cushion, cashmere stitch

In embroidery there is always an exception that proves the rule. Experienced workers will happily borrow stitches from one style to use in another, or combine stitches to create a new pattern, but a beginner would be wise to keep to the traditional ones. Any good book about needlepoint will show a selection of suitable stitches with instructions on how to work them.

Answer: Florentine

Florentine embroidery, also known as Bargello work, is made on canvas. None of the others are, although they are all beautiful and a pleasure to work.
Florentine is worked by fitting identical rows of stitches in carefully graded colors below each other. The result is like embroidered flames.

Answer: Blunt ended with a large hole

A sharp point will split the threads of the fabric instead of sliding through the holes. As the working thread has to be quite substantial to cover the threads of the fabric, a large eyelet for threading is important.

Answer: Unpick and start again with fresh thread

Everybody makes mistakes quite frequently. To be able to take a pride in her work, Kylie must replace the wrong stitches. They must be unpicked very carefully, without damaging the other stitches or the fabric. A stitch ripper is a tool that helps lift one thread at a time.
Every time a thread is sewn it loses some of its surface. It is really best to use fresh thread each time.

Answer: fill them with slanting stitches over one cross each

This problem does not arise in a kit, but often arises in self-drawn designs. An experienced worker can work half or part stitches to fill the gaps, but a beginner will find it easier to use tent stitch which covers only one cross made by two fabric threads.

Answer: some more, similar pieces

Hopefully Kylie has enjoyed herself and is proud of what she has done. She is probably thinking "I could have done better." The old saying that art teachers use is "The first try copies the teacher, the second experiments and the third is the one worth keeping." Actually they are all worth keeping to look back upon, but the saying does hold a lot of truth.

So Kylie is now at the start of a hobby she will be able to enjoy
all through her life.