DIY Acrylic Finishing

DIY Acrylic Finishing

I’ve recently been experimenting with using ready-made acrylic items for needlepoint finishing. This is a low-cost and quick way to display your stitching in a useful item. If you try any of these ideas, tag me on Instagram @lastitcheria!

Finishing Details

  • The typical way to finish needlepoint for acrylics is like a flat back ornament (without a loop for hanging). I won’t cover those details here, but might in the future! Check out my Instagram reels for a journey in ornament finishing.

  • Using ready-made acrylics works best with canvases you can adapt the dimensions. You may have difficulty finding acrylic items in specific sizes.

  • Choose acrylic items that leave 1/2” to 1” of space for the thickness of your needlepoint.

  • If you are using cording to finish your needlepoint, reduce the stitched area by 1/2” in height and width from the interior dimensions of the acrylic.

    • Example: If the interior of the tray is 6” wide and 4” high, then the stitched area of your canvas should be 5.5” wide and 3.5”high. This leaves extra room for 1/4” thick cording.

  • If you don’t plan to use cording, then reduce your stitched area by 1/4” from the interior dimensions of the acrylic.

  • If you’re sending your needlepoint to a finisher, double check with them on how big your stitching area should be. They may need extra rows.

  • Due to the way some acrylics are manufactured, there may be a small but visible dimple in the bottom center of acrylic items.

Products

Here are a few products I’ve chosen for my own DIY acrylic projects. If you find something new you like, share with me and I’ll add it to the list!

Trays

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These trays slightly nest, so even though they have taller edges, there is about 1” of space for the needlepoint once they are stacked. I’m using this as a cracker tray.

 

These trays stack right on top of each other. I like that there is only 1/2” for the needlepoint, so it all fits snugly. The top edge of the tray rim is painted silver, which isn’t obvious in the photos. I’m using this as a bedside tray.

 

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This is an option for displaying needlepoint without a protective covering. I’m thinking of stitching a fun or motivating phrase in the bigger section, and using the slotted section for fountain pens.

 

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I’m still deciding how to use this one. I’m thinking of stitching a chocolate-themed canvas and displaying chocolate truffles for guests. The dividers are adjustable, and the tray leaves about 1” for your needlepoint. This is stacked over a regular tray.

 

Drawers

This set from Target looks like it would work well with a needlepoint piece in the top drawer since it’s shallow. 

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