A stitch in time

When designing your needlepoints, you'll need to add at least two outer rows all the way around for the finishing. If you'll be sewing with it, then the two outer rows--which will be hidden in the seam--can be of leftover colors. If you'll be framing it, you'll need those two extra rows in the same color as the background to go under the the lip of the frame (remember, don't cover the needlepoint with glass...it smashes the stitches). In addition, if you plan to use a bit of batting to fluff it out in the frame (a nice effect, even if only a little batting is used), you'll need an additional two rows all the way around to account for the swelling.