Girl with a Pearl Earring

Needlepoint has its own quiet language — mesh counts, stitches, fibers, and finishing terms that describe how a design comes to life.

We’ve simplified the essentials: what “mesh” means, how to read canvas markings, and why “blocking” matters after you’ve finished stitching.

Think of this as your translator — the terms you’ll hear often, explained simply, so you can focus on the fun part: stitching.

Threads define the look and feel of every piece. Some are matte, some glossy; some glide smoothly, others add texture and depth.

At Le Fil, we work with premium fibers — silk, cotton, wool, and blends — each selected for performance and beauty.

Understanding thread weight, ply, and sheen will help you choose the right material for your project. Start with what feels good in your hands, and let your canvas guide you from there.

Every stitch builds on the next. Tent, half-cross, continental, and basketweave — the foundations that create structure, texture, and flow.

Each has its own rhythm: tent for simplicity, half-cross for speed, continental for control, and basketweave for longevity.

Once you learn these, you can stitch anything.