Sanibel Island Needlepoint Canvas

by: Jo

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Sanibel Island is one of our favorite beach vacations in Florida, and I wanted to commemorate it with a needlepoint ornament. I was so happy when I found the perfect Sanibel needlepoint canvas!

Sanibel Needlepoint Canvas

This charming Sanibel Island, Florida Needlepoint 4" Ornament comes from Bluegrass Needleworks on Etsy, and it perfectly captures the island feel. It features recognizable elements like the old Bailey's shopping plaza, sea shells, and the iconic lighthouse.

This came as an 18-count printed canvas with a 72×72 stitch grid that finishes to a 4" round, making it the perfect for a Christmas ornament.

Ideas for Using Your Needlepoint Canvas

Traditionally, 4-inch rounds are used to make Christmas tree ornaments. That's how I finished this canvas that I stitched, and I added it to my collection of travel-themed needlepoint ornaments.

I also stitched a second canvas (ins lightly different colors) and used it as an insert in this round wicker purse purse.

Supplies We Use to Make Needlepoint Ornaments

Creating needlepoint ornaments takes a few extra supplies beyond the basic needlepoint supplies, so I've pulled together a list below. You can find these in our handy Needlepoint Shopping Guide on Amazon.

Supplies for Painting Your Canvas:

Your reference pattern, stitch guide, or sketch of a design
18 mesh mono needlepoint canvas (cut to size but be sure to leave an extra border of 3-4 inches all around)
Acrylic paint (you can use craft paint or artist-quality paint)
Fine-tip paintbrushes
Dark colored paper (put it under your canvas while painting to make it easier to see the canvas grid)

Supplies for Stitching the Canvas:

Tapestry needle (size 22 or 24)
Embroidery scissors (choose a pair that comes with a cover)
Clover needle threader (this one works really well with thicker threads)
Thread in your choice of cotton, silk, or wool (I prefer DMC Perle Cotton 5 for my ornaments)
Needle minder (optional but helpful)
Snag Nab-It Tool (great for fixing any little snag mistakes)

Supplies for Self-Finishing the Ornament:

Backing fabric (vinyl, felt, leather, or patterned cotton)
Cording or extra thread to make your own (we use DMC Perle Cotton 5)
Mat board
Clear thread (for attaching your cording and sewing your cookies together)
Lineco Neutral PH Adhesive (for small items, I glue my canvas and backing to make the cookies instead of sewing them)
Quilt batting
Clover Wonder Clips (to hold canvas and backing fabric to the quilt batting and mat board while you sew or glue it, and to hold finished cookies together while sewing)
Ball head straight pins (to attach cording around the cookies while sewing it on)
Portable steamer (for loosening canvas before blocking)
Blocking pins
Blocking boards
Photo-safe permanent tape (for taping the ends of the cord so it doesn't unravel