How To Back Punch Needle Projects with Industrial Felt

Hiya! I’m Katie Berman - textile artist based out of Durham, NC (USA) - and I’m here to share my favorite way of backing my punch needle artwork!

When I discovered that I could back my punch needle art in felt, it was a game changer! With a felt backing I could make my art any size or shape that I desired and could still get a nice clean finish. Plus, it keeps my artwork nice and lightweight. Wins all around!

Backing your punch needle project with felt could not be easier. In fact, it can be done in a few simple steps. Grab your project and some of The Felt Store’s SAE Industrial Felt and let’s get to it!

Materials:

• Industrial Felt at ⅛” thickness (I like to use the F-26 Industrial Felt)
• Punch needle project you want to back
• Matching yarn
• Tapestry needle (preferably metal)
• Tailor’s chalk
• Rotary blade and self-healing cutting mat (or scissors)
• Snips

Steps:
Trace and Cut:
Begin by cutting out your finished punch needle project, leaving about 2 inches (5 cm) of foundation cloth around the edge.

** Pro Tip: if your foundation cloth seems to be fraying a lot on the cut edge, use masking tape to seal it up!

Lay your project onto the felt that you’ll be using for your backing. Tuck the excess foundation cloth toward the back of your project sandwiched between your project and the felt.

Using chalk, trace around the edge of your project onto the felt. Once traced, cut out the shape. I like to use a rotary cutter on a seal-healing cutting mat to cut out the shape. If you don’t have a rotary cutter, a pair of sharp scissors will do just fine!

Stitch Backing to Artwork:
Lay your project right side up onto the felt backing, taking care that the edges of your project and felt backing line up nicely.

Using a tapestry needle and yarn, whip stitch around the entire edge of your project making sure that you are stitching through all layers.

Thinking to Yourself:
What’s a whip stitch?? Here’s a quick breakdown of whip stitching.

Thread a tapestry needle. I like to leave my yarn doubled up.

Insert needle into your project from front to back. Make sure your needle and yarn is going through all layers!

When beginning with a new length of yarn, tuck the tails of your yarn in between the layers to secure and hide them.

Continue inserting the needle from front to back, placing stitches right next to each other to ensure that the raw edges of your project are completely sealed under the yarn. Repeat around the entire project. Don’t forget to tuck your tails as you go!

Once finished, admire your work! Well done!

Let’s keep in touch!
Here are some places to find me:

Website: www.katiebermantextiles.com
Instagram: @katiebermantextiles
Pinterest: @ktberman