Cushions add to the home decor. From seasonal decorations to personalized motifs, there are so many ways to make the cushion special. Handmade is always special and for that punch needle is a good option. Punch needle embroidery has made its name in the crafting world with more and more fiber artists joining the trend. It’s an easy-to-learn craft that lets you create beautiful textures. With a punch needle, there’s no limit to creativity. From home décor, wall hangings, and accessories such as bags to earrings to comfortable shoes, the possibilities are endless. Making a punch needle cushion is the perfect project to start with! In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know from selecting the right materials to creating your final masterpiece. Start with our guide on how to do punch needle embroidery.
Materials You’ll Need for the Punch Needle Project
Before you begin, gather the following materials:
- Punch Needle Tool - Choose a quality punch needle tool or you can try out KnitPro’s Punch Needle Sets with multiple needle sizes and accessories. The Vibrant Punch Needle Set with its rainbow-colored Symfonie wood handle and the Earthy Punch Needle Set has a warm brown wood handle that is smooth to hold and easy to work with. Both offer 4 needles in 2, 3, 4 and 5mm with attachments packed in a handy case.
- Fabric - The right fabric for your punch needle project is essential as you need a sturdy base and the right weave to hold the yarn loops securely. Monk's Cloth is made of 100% cotton fiber with a white line every five centimeters to help you position your pattern. Duck Fabric is 100% cotton with a tight weave fabric in a neutral color that has a slight fleck to it like small seeds.
- Yarn- Opt for yarns that match the needle sizes. Thicker yarns such as worsted-weight, rug or bulky yarn work well for a cushion as they provide a plush feel. If you have yarn leftover from your projects you can make use of, it in this project.
- Hoop or Frame - To keep your foundation fabric sturdy an embroidery hoop or frame makes it easier to work on.
- Accessories- Needle, thread and pins for assembling the cushion.
- Cushion Insert - Choose a cushion insert that fits the dimensions of your design or you can plan your cover according to the dimensions of the insert.
Once you’ve gathered your supplies follow these steps for your punch needle cushion.
Step 1: Plan Your Design
For this project, you can explore designs of your choice. Explore geometric patterns, floral motifs, abstract shapes, faces, names or anything. Once you’ve planned the design make sure it fits within the dimensions of your insert. If you have a cushion insert beforehand, take measurements with a measuring tape and then plan your design.
Step 2: Set Up Your Fabric and Trace the Pattern
Stretch your foundation fabric - monk’s cloth or duck fabric onto a hoop or frame. Smoothen the fabric and ensure it’s tight and wrinkle-free. The proper placement of the fabric will help achieve consistent lengths of loops and prevent sagging. You can draw directly with a fabric marker or create a paper template to trace.
Step 3: Thread Your Punch Needle
Follow the instructions for your punch needle tool to thread the yarn through the needle. Most tools have a threading mechanism to make this process simple. Make sure the yarn flows smoothly without snagging.
Step 4: Start Punching
Hold your punch needle like a pen, with the beveled side facing the direction you’re punching. Insert the needle into the fabric until it stops, then pull it back up just enough to move to the next punch. Take a look at our previous guide with 10 easy tips for punch needle embroidery.
A handy tip for neat designs is to keep your punches close together for a dense, plush texture, or space them out for a lighter look. Follow your design outline first, then fill in the sections with the desired yarn colors. If you want to experiment work with different sizes of punch needle, combining thin textures with thick loops.
Step 5: Secure the Loops
Once you’ve completed your design, check the back of the fabric to ensure the loops are secure and even. If any loops are loose, gently tug on the yarn from the front to adjust them.
Step 6: Trim and Tidy
Trim any excess yarn tails on the back of your design. If needed, apply a thin layer of fabric glue or fusible interfacing to the back to secure the loops, especially if the cushion will face heavy use.
Step 7: Assemble the Cushion
Trim your fabric to match the size of your cushion insert, leaving a 1-inch seam allowance on all sides. Sew the Pieces Together
Place the punch-needled fabric and backing fabric together, right sides facing inward. Sew along three sides, leaving one side open for inserting the cushion.
Your punch-needle cushion is now complete! Place it on your favorite chair or sofa and admire your handmade creation. The unique texture and personalized design make it a standout piece in any home.