A needlepoint eyeglass case can easily be transformed into a precious little pillow! This case once belonged to Mummy. I had it inset within a border of pretty Scalamandre striped silk fabric so that it would continue to be a sweet memory for me in the living room at Fox Hall. It is such a darling accent pillow. You can finesse the canvas size for a pillow by adding fabric around it!
Do you know how to needlepoint? With fall in our near future, summer is a grand time to commence a needlepoint project and happily stitch your way into the next season. And with that in mind, if you are a fast and seasoned stitcher, consider having a bespoke pillow made with your creation just in time for the holidays to either give yourself or to a loved one as a meaningful gift.
Needlepoint pillows are a timeless staple in classic, preppy interiors as well as in noble residences, especially when they are made by a member of the household. The design you choose can pique a conversation around the story of what inspired you to create it. They can also provide a touch of whimsy in a room. I devoted an entire chapter to needlepoint pillows in my first book, The Pretty and Proper Living Room, because I adore them that much!
Fortunately, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law are superb needlepointers. Because I tend to start a canvas and then cannot stop, continuing through the night like a sleepless addict, I am beholden to them for having kindly finished a few canvases when my schedule was too demanding. Their stellar needlepoint abilities far outshine mine, so my work suddenly becomes a masterpiece because of their savvy skills. What a benefit that is!
My talented sister-in-law, Jessie, made an adorable needlepoint belt with Jack Russell terriers for me. When I outgrew the belt, I had it cut in half, inserted into some bubblegum pink ultra-suede, and made into two kidney pillows for the telly room.
A house with a few handmade needlepoint pillows is like a crystal ball, signifying a truly charming home. Every needlepointer I have ever known has been clever, intelligent, talented, well-traveled, and gracious. Now, that is a big statement! From Princess Grace to Barbara Bush and even Marie Antoniette, they are all part of the distinguished needlepoint community. And now more than ever, needlepoint is chic with millennials too!
Just down the street from Fox Hall is the former home of Anna Roosevelt Cowles, the older sister to President Theodore Roosevelt. Her daughter-in-law was an avid and very accomplished needlepointer. A few of her needlepoint pillow creations still adorn the Cowles' house, along with a breathtaking carpet that she stitched, featuring the design of the Chippendale front gate that graces their historic home. Can you imagine needlepointing a carpet? Talk about being a devotee to needlepoint!
Lovingly made, these three pillows each have a story behind them, which I find to be a simply enchanting aspect of handmade needlepoint items.
I hope you will be inspired to take up needlepoint if you haven’t already. It does not have to be a pillow or a carpet, and it can be as simple as a petite Christmas ornament. If you are not inclined to needlepoint, you can embellish your house with the needlepoint pillows offered at Scully and Scully. Their pink floral needlepoint pillows, the fox, or blue and white pillows are perfectly charming.
Grandmillennial Tip:
Have a zipper enclosure inserted along the bottom edge of your pillow so that you can easily remove the cover and have it dry-cleaned.
Forbidden Faux Pas:
No-no: To have a pillow insert made of foam rubber. The needlepoint pillow is traditionally filled with down feather inserts.
No-no: To place too many pillows on a chair or sofa. You want to have your guests comfortably seated!
Needlepointing can create a sense of calm, a quiet time to savor. And the best part? There is a present at the end of your efforts with distinct memories of when and why you created your piece, along with a sense of accomplishment. All of which should keep you in stitches, right?!
Xx
Holly