Blank Canvas Arts and Crafts

Stitch Embroidery

What’s the difference (if any) between embroidery/cross-stitch/tapestry/needlepoint?

I figure some of these might be sub-categories of another, but it’s all so confusing to me.
embroidery,cross-stitch, tapestry, and needlepoint

Embroidery involves working designs on cloth with laid or stitched threads. Any cloth may be used and any thread may be used.

Cross-stitch is a sub-category of embroidery. All cross-stitch embroidery creates designs using threads applied in crossed (x) stitches. There are two basic forms: cross-stitch using printed patterns and cross-stitch done on even-weave fabric. Generally, the fabric used is linen or cotton or a synthetic fiber that looks like linen or cotton. Generally, the floss used for the stitches is silk, cotton, or synthetic fiber with a gloss or sheen to it.

Crewel is a sub-category of embroidery that uses wool (or synthetic) yarn to apply (usually) traditional designs as decoration on linen or sometimes cotton fabric. Crewel was popular in the 1700s and enjoyed a revival in the 1960s-1980s in the US.

Needlepoint involves working a design in wool yarn or silk thread on open-weave canvas. When completed, the design and background completely fill the canvas that is used as a base. Completed needlepoint pieces may be used as pillow tops, as seat covers, as bell pulls or other wall hanging, or framed as a picture.

Plastic canvas needlepoint uses some of the same techniques as needlepoint, but the base is an open-mesh plastic. The yarn used may be wool or a wool blend, but is most often acrylic. Pieces completed in needlepoint on plastic canvas are most often used as coasters, tree ornaments, table decor (such as napkin rings), or other home decor (such as tissue box covers).

Tapestry is a heavy fabric with a design woven into it. The designs are usually complex, and may vary from a repetitious pattern on uphostery fabric to a scene woven into a wall hanging that covers a large–say 30′ x 14′–wall. Needlepoint on canvas was designed to simulate tapestry for furniture upholstery and other home-decoration fabrics.

Edited to add sources for further reading about the various forms of needlework:

the two most basic embroidery stitches

Antique DMC hand Embroidery and cross stitch Alphabet patterns on CD $9.99

SESAME STREET COOKIE MONSTER BABY BIB 68-56 CROSS STITCH KIT EMBROIDERY NEW $4.99

Set of 4 Embroidery Stitching Scissors Sharp Blades $14.98

HUGE LOT OF KITS,BOOKS, MAGS,CREWEL,CROSS STITCH EMBROIDERY,PILLOW CASES $13.72

2 X Cotton Samplers Cross Stitch Embroidery A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed $4.73

OESD Embroidery Machine Designs CD CUT N STITCH LETTERS $39.99

Large Lot Cross Stitch Embroidery Needle Point Kit $24.99

Gothic Alphabet Machine Embroidery Design with Sampler in Cross Stitch 5″x7″hoop $9.90

Cross Stitch Embroidery Stainless Steel Scissors Black $3.27

Daffodil ribbon embroidery + cross stitch cover kit $1.56

New Clover Embroidery Stitching Tool $1.99

Set of 4 – Flower Placemats- Stamped for Embroidery & Cross Stitch $3.99

72 ASSORTED SKEINS 72s – EMBROIDERY – CROSS STITCH – THREAD – MIX LOT – DUCHESS $14.30

CRAFT PATTERNS FOR SWEATSHIRTS / DECOR FELT EMBELISHMENTS W/ EMBROIDERY STITCHES $6.99

Cross Stitch Flower Heart Embroidery Patch Applique $1.39

Tobin Rhapsody Stamped Oblong Tablecloth for Embroidery $21.71 Tablecloth-Rhapsody. Package contains: 1 stamped tablecloth 50″ x 70″ of 50% polyester/50% cotton. Color: white….

Caron Ultimate Sweater Machine Row Counter $17.49 The Ultimate Knitting Machine Row Counter automatically keeps track of the number of rows you have knitted (up to row 999), assisting knitters in determining length of garment or afghan. Never lose count of your rows with the counter! Dial can be reset at any time and fits easily on the back of your Ultimate Sweater Knitting Machine (sold separately). Color: Black. Instructions included. Measureme…

DII Vintage X-Stitch Embroidered Days-of-Week Floursack Dishtowel, Set of 7 $21.43 Old fashioned detail with modern functionality! Great Shower Gift! DII Vintage X-Stitch Embroidered Days-of-Week Floursack Dishtowel Set of 7 includes one towel designed for each day of the week….

Aunt Martha’s Iron On Transfer Patterns for Stitching, Embroidery or Fabric Painting, Patterns for Tea Towels/Kitchen Decor, Set of 5 $1.50 Insert bills this as “the world’s first ever Queen shaped picture CD featuring a Brian May interview.”…

Bucilla New Stitches: Quick and Easy Silk Ribbon Embroidery: Intermediate Level $2.67 Bucilla “new stitches” 100% silk ribbon embroidery. Quick and easy. Step by step instructions. Intermediate level. Take your silk ribbon embroidery projects to the next level with this exciting “how to” video….

Learn to Embroider – Materials and Techniques $34.95 There are many beautiful and fascinating styles of embroidery practiced throughout the world. Now you can learn the techniques to embroider your own inspired creations with this easy-to-follow film. Learn to Embroider will familiarize you with the materials needed to begin a project – from fabric to threads and needles. You’ll learn the many basic embroidery stitches used to create original handcr…

Martha Pullen’s Fancywork: Vintage Clothing Care and Repair, Most Beloved Embroidery Stitches, Padded Satin Stitch by Machine $9.98 Vintage Clothing: Martha Pullen shares vintage clothing and lines (restoration, preservation, reproduction, and dying). Hand Embroidery: Margaret Boyles teaches the most beloved heirloom embroidery stitches by hand. Padded Satin Stitch: Claudia Newton teaches a “brand new” technique for heirloom padded satin stitch by machine….

DMC Color Variations Motif Floss Pack $10.70 Color Variations Motif Floss Pack. Pack contains one each of Variations floss colors: 4110, 4200, 4210, 4130, 4140, 4150, 4070, 4080, 4090, 4010, 4230 and 4030. Also included are ninety exclusive cross stitch motifs….

Pace Big Eye Ultra Thin Needle $4.80 This Big Eye Needle is for use with threads and yarns of all sizes! Don?t fumble with needle threaders. This unique needle features a large split down the center that can accommodate the thickest or the finest thread. Simply insert thread or yarn and tug to securely lock in place! Great for sewing, embroidery, crewel, cross stitch, beading and more. Ultra-thin needle is 2-1/4 inches long. Though m…

DMC Color Variations Floral Floss Pack $17.99 Color Variations Floral Floss Pack. This floss pack features twelve color variations and ten exclusive floral cross stitch designs. Color varies gently ever few stitches colorfast fade resistant 100% guaranteed DMC color consistency made from the finest quality Egyptian cotton and is quick and easy to stitch! Pack contains one each of 8.7yd/8m Variations floss colors: 4160, 4170, 4180, 4190, 4120,…