Pansy Pin

The PieceWork team has put together some fabulous accessories to spark your creativity and give you enjoyment throughout the year. We hope find this year’s selection of accessories both charming and satisfying to make. Pick up your tools and get ready to have a fun and productive year!

Make a sweet needlepoint pansy for a boutonniere that never fades.

Pansy detail.

[PAYWALL]

Materials

• Wichelt Imports Deluxe Mono Canvas (100% cotton), 14-ct: White, 1 piece 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" (8.9 x 8.9 cm)
• Brown Sheep Waverly Wool (100% wool; 8 yd/hank): W5032 medium green, W5092 dark green, W2072 red, W2042 dark red, W2041 maroon, W2021 dark maroon, W2074 light pink, and W5074 yellow, 1 hank of each
• Coordinating backing fabric: 1 piece 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" (5.6 x 5.6 cm) (Angela used dark green Ultrasuede)
• Sewing thread, to match fabric
• Tapestry needle, size 20 or 22
• Sewing needle and thimble
• 3/4" or 1" pin back
• Scissors
Finished size: 1 3/4" x 1 3/4" (4.4 x 4.4 cm).

Stitching
Zigzag, serge, or whipstitch the edges of the canvas to prevent raveling.

Waverly Wool is three strands of 2-ply yarn. For all needlepoint stitches, cut a 24"–30" (60–75 cm) length of yarn and separate into 2-ply strands. Work needlepoint stitches with a single strand.

Centering the design on the canvas, stitch the design using continental stitch (tent stitch).

Finishing and Assembly
Fold each corner of the unstitched canvas to the back at the corner of the stitched design and finger-press. Fold the unstitched canvas to the back along each edge of the stitched design. Using strong sewing thread, whipstitch the mitered corners of the canvas.

Fold the edges of the coordinating backing fabric to the back to make a 1 3/4" x 1 3/4" (4.4 x 4.4 cm) square, or size to match the finished needlepoint piece. Place the backing fabric square on the back of the needlepoint square. Using coordinating color thread and whipstitch, sew the backing to the needlepoint on all four edges. Stitch through the edge row of needlepoint to ensure the canvas is completely covered at the edges.

Stitch a pin back to the back of the finished piece, catching some of the canvas under the backing fabric.

Customize your pansy by choosing different colors. This yellow version uses two shades of yellow for the main color, two shades of purple for the accent colors, and a different highlight color and center colors for contrast.

Try an alternate colorway to match your wardrobe.

Angela K. Schneider is the project editor for Long Thread Media and is enthusiastic about all the things you can do with yarn.