---
title: "Needlepoint"
description: "Needlepoint is embroidery worked on a stiff open-mesh canvas, with stitches covering the canvas completely."
type: Glossary
url: https://teazle.art/glossary/needlepoint
published: 2026-10-14
updated: 2026-10-14
author: "The Teazle editors"
---

# Needlepoint

*Needlepoint is embroidery worked on a stiff open-mesh canvas, with stitches covering the canvas completely.*

Needlepoint, or canvas work, covers every thread of the canvas with stitches, most often tent stitch, in wool or silk. The result is dense and hard-wearing, suited to upholstery, cushions, bags and slippers. It is often loosely called “tapestry”, though true [tapestry](https://teazle.art/glossary/tapestry.md) is woven.


## Sources

1. [Needlepoint (AAT 300061985)](http://vocab.getty.edu/page/aat/300061985). Getty Art & Architecture Thesaurus
2. [Needlepoint (Q17103354)](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17103354). Wikidata

Canonical: https://teazle.art/glossary/needlepoint