Finally, we come to needlepoint. What is needlepoint? Needlepoint, as I stated earlier is a form of embroidery. Remember, embroidery was commonly referred to as "canvas work" before the 19th century. Today, canvas work is called needlepoint. While embroidery is worked on either cloth or canvas, needlepoint is worked primarily on canvas. Woolen yarns are used for stitching needlepoint projects. Needlepoint stitches are "patterned" stitches. That is to say, stitches that have pre-determined counted patterns. There are literally hundreds of needlepoint stitches. Many of these stitches started out as embroidery stitches and have been adjusted for needlepoint canvas. Some of the more common needlepoint stitches are: cross stitch, bargello, gobelin stitch, basketweave, tent stitch, continental stitch, back stitch, chain stitch, and diagonal stitch. These are just a few of the many needlepoint stitches available today. For a more comprehensive list of these stitches, with instructions and diagrams, visit Stitchopedia…an encyclopedia of needlepoint stitches…(http://www.stitchopedia.com)

These are the definitions of tapestry, embroidery and needlepoint in the most simple of terms. Basically, tapestry is the art of weaving the design into a fabric, thus becoming the fabric itself. Embroidery is the art of embellishing and decorating an existing fabric. Needlepoint is the art of working the design into canvas. Whichever type of needlework you choose to engage in, all have the capacity to give many hours of creative pleasure to you.

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