Do I need to know how to punch already to be able to make the projects in this book?

No, you don’t need to know how to punch before picking up this book! This book is absolutely accessible to beginners, and in the early chapters, I give a full overview of punch needle rug hooking from understanding the supplies and threading your needle to basic punch needle technique.

That said, knowing how to create a durable and beautiful punch needle textile is an important first step in creating beautiful wearables! If you’d like to brush up on your punch needle skills before tackling some of the larger projects in this book I invite you to check out my Punch Like a Pro Foundation Course. If you’re a total newbie and want to understand more about the difference between punch needle rug hooking and punch needle embroidery, I recommend downloading my Getting Started Guide first!

Do I need to know how to sew already to be able to make the projects in this book?

While you don’t need to be a sewing master before picking up this book, basic sewing skills (especially hand sewing) will be useful in completing these projects with ease! Because of the thick nature of the punch needle textile it is most effective to sew it together by hand, and mastering this skill will allow you to create the widest variety of wearables and accessories. This book outlines the exact construction and stitch techniques that I use to put pieces together, but will be easiest to understand if you have a little familiarity with a needle and thread.

Where can I find supplies to make these projects?

All 15 projects in this book were created using Punch Needle World’s 20” Gripper Frame & Cover, 72” Monkscloth, and the Oxford Punch Needles in size 14 Fine and 10 Regular with the corresponding Punch Needle World Fine or Regular Rug Yarn.

For additional supplies such as scissors, upholstery thread, and other good yarn and punch needle options that would work well for Punch Needle Fashion, I’ve put together a comprehensive list of Recommended Suppliers which you’ll be able to find through the Resources link at the top of this page once the book is released in June.

Where can I find the patterns for the projects in this book?

In this book, project patterns are referred to as “Slopers”, and will be available to download through the Resources link at the top of this page once the book is released in June.

Why slopers instead of patterns? In fashion and patternmaking, a sloper (also known as a "pattern block") is a foundational pattern that serves as a template for creating various garments, without seam allowances or design details. Because the pieces for punch needle fashion are created without seam allowance, we use slopers instead of patterns! 

Is the pattern for your punch needle coat in this book?

No, you won’t find a pattern for my punch needle coat in this book. It was important to me to create a guide that was as accessible as possible, and setting-in sleeves to a punch needle coat is beyond what I can teach to beginners. That said — if you’ve learned how to punch, you’ve learned how to sew, and you’ve successfully mastered the skills and projects in this book, I’m willing to bet that you’d be able to figure out how to create your own punch needle coat! 😉

Do you teach in-person punch needle classes?

Yes! I teach beginner punch needle classes at my studio in Los Angeles, California. A list of upcoming classes can be found here on the Punch Needle World website.

If you’re located elsewhere in the world or prefer to learn from home, consider my online course instead.