Even though it's been around since the 17th century, Punchneedle is still very new to most needlework artists. Even after a class, it's not unusual to have questions.
No problem. I've made a list of common problems encountered by new 'punchers' and offer a solutions below. Just click on the link.
(click for full view)
Table of Contents
- I can't remember how to thread the needle!
- After I punch, there's nothing on the other side. What am I doing wrong?
- Why are my loops irregular?
- If I am not pleased with a section, can I re-do it?
- Can I reuse the thread?
- I've worn a hole in my fabric! What can I do?
- Why does my finished project curl up?
- Why do I have snags of thread on the finished side?
- Nothing is happening when I punch. Is my needle defective?
- How do I print the patterns from the DVD?
I can't remember how to thread the needle!
This is a common problem. Here's how you thread your needle: insert the twisted end of the threader through the tip of the needle and out the handle. Insert about 1-2 inches of the thread into the opening of the threader. Pull the thread back through the shaft of the needle out the tip. Thread the eye of the needle from the bevel side out.
Back to Top
After I punch, there's nothing on the other side. What am I doing wrong?
Make sure your needle is threaded properly (see no. 1). If your needle is threaded properly, the most common reason for no thread output is restricting the thread. I recommend letting the thread drape over your hand so it can 'feed' freely into the handle of the needle; and if it gets hung up, you can see it. Remember, if your thread isn't flowing freely into the needle, it won't go into the fabric.
Back to Top
Why are my loops irregular?
Four things can cause this.
1. Lifting the needle off the fabric as you stitch. When you pull up, you will drag the tip of the needle across the fabric and take your next stitch. Lifting the needle too high can cause irregular loops.
2. Punching too shallow. Make sure that you punch down until the gauge contacts the fabric. The gauge is your stopper.
3. Forgetting to hold the needle perpendicular (or nearly perpendicular) to the fabric can also cause irregular loops.
4. Twisting the bevel. You need to stitch with the bevel of the needle leading the stitch. Think of the bevel of the needle as the steering wheel of the needle.
Back to Top
If I am not pleased with a section, can I re-do it?
Yes. One of the great things about punchneedle is that it is very forgiving. If you change your mind about color, or have irregular loops, just re-do it. Pull out the re-do section using the free end of floss. To get the weave back in to place, just rub the fabric with your finger. Caution: re-do areas can get fragile. You will need to go a little slower to get past a worn area. And, two is about the limit on re-do's.
Back to Top
Can I reuse the thread?
No. If you have removed thread from the fabric, it is too kinked to properly pass through the needle.
Back to Top
I've worn a hole in my fabric! What can I do?
No problem. Clip a small piece of the weavers cloth to 'patch' the area. Hold it in place with your finger and punch through both layers of fabric.
Back to Top
Why does my finished project curl up?
'Over-punching' causes the project to curl. There needs to be at least a needle's-width between your rows. You can iron the fabric around the project, but don't iron the punched project itself.
Back to Top
Why do I have snags of thread on the finished side?
'Over-punching' causes this. If you snag a thread, just cut it off even with the pile depth and forget it was even there.
Nothing is happening when I punch. Is my needle defective?
If your needle is threaded properly, and there is no restriction to your thread as you punch, it is possible that your needle has a problem. We have seen some 3-strand needles where the thread is drawing unevenly; it may have a shaft that is slightly too narrow. Remove the thread and use two strands of floss instead of three. Contact the shop where you purchased the needles.
Occasionally you will get a skein of floss that has a lot of sizing. This can also cause the thread to draw unevenly. Try using a different brand of floss. Stripping the floss one strand at a time can also correct this problem. When you separate the floss it allows the floss to lose some of the sizing. Place the amount of strands needed back together.
Back to Top
How Do I print the patterns from your DVD?
Windows users can access the printable files two ways:
1/ Easy way...
- Place the DVD into your computer's DVD drive
- Go to My Computer
- Right-Click on the drive (the one that the DVD is in)
- When the shortcut menu appears, click on Open
- Click on the folder called Printables
- Click on the file that you want to open
2/ Almost as easy...
- Place the DVD into your computer's DVD drive
- If you get a dialog box that says, "What do you want Windows to do?"
Click on Open folder to view files using Windows Explorer.
- Click on the folder that says Printables
- Click on the file that you want to open
Adobe Acrobat Reader starts automatically for you to open and print the files. If you don't have it, it is a free download from the Adobe site. (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html)
Note: If your computer automatically starts to play the video, stop it and go to My Computer above.