Needlepoint Belt

I had a few requests to do a blog post on the needlepoint belt I just finished for Ben. I've made 3 other belts in the past, and I always start out all jazzed about it then burn out and put it aside for a long time. I've been working on this one off and on since like September. For those of you who have not done needlepoint before, it is super easy, just time consuming. About a million little diagonal stitches. In and out, in and out....gets old. 

For newbies, I would suggest you find a needlepoint shop near you and go in to chat and get a quick lesson. The hardest part of the belt making in the binding stitch (the part that folds the extra canvas over to the back and adds the finished edge). I hadn't done a belt in like 3 years, so I had to call over to M's Canvas House here in Lex and ask them how to start that stitch again. They also have youtube tutorials that were super helpful.

{Woobie modeling his first needlepoint belt circa 2006! Isn't he the cutest?! Just a baby here, 24!}

{This was his triathlon belt}

Basically, once you finish the actual needlepoint, you take that into the store and they add the leather and buckle to it. The total cost of a belt is about $150. It also depends on if you want a custom painted canvas or you purchase a pre-made one. I have done 3 custom and one pre-made. They can also add a monogram/initials to a pre-made canvas.

If you don't have a local place, you can order the canvas and thread online (I'm not sure where you would get it leathered though!) The first belt I did for Ben, I had M's paint and it took like 6 weeks to get the canvas made and was pretty pricey. This time I ordered from Needle Paint online. The price was better, but not the quality. It did only take about a week to get in, so that was nice. They don't paint the canvases by hand, so you don't get the precision you get if you take the other route. I would suggest you shell out a bit more and have your canvas hand painted if you want custom.

{This one was his favorite "Lexington" things....or really just some of his fave things...hunting, running, golf, bourbon, UK. My manly man ;) }

{what the backside looks like after the needlepoint is finished}

{the canvas folded over from the binding stitch}

And here is a belt that I started for myself in, ohhh I think... 2007, that has sat unfinished for a good 5 years. Too bad KJT won't be my initials much longer!

Below you can see what the unfinished canvas (without the thread) looks like as opposed to after it has been finished. 

So, hope this help! If you have any questions, feel free to leave me a comment or shoot me an email!