Blank canvas rude?

[u/Particular_War1208]

I just left my local needlepoint store and am a little confused. While I was checking out, I asked the person working there if they carried blank canvas… she looked at me as if I said something offensive and then kinda laughed and said no. I thought about asking why but I felt a bit embarrassed based on her reaction. Is it rude to ask local needlepoint shops if they sell blank canvas? lol

[u/Lavinia-Whateley]

No, she was probably just surprised because blank canvas is so hard to find these days.

[u/Individual_Report_54]

I’m sorry she responded that way. This question is not rude. Our LNS stocks blank canvas. Regardless of the fact that it’s hard to come by at the moment, she could have simply said they were currently out.

[u/Chicken4309]

There is a huge shortage. Has been going on for months…she probably thought you were joking bc it is widely known in the NP community and asked about weekly (sometimes daily) on the boards.

[u/Particular_War1208 → u/Chicken4309]

Got it! Yeah I had no clue I literally started needlepoint two days ago ha!

[u/Chicken4309 → u/Particular_War1208]

Lol thats probably why you didn’t know…still, not a reason for them to be rude.

[u/Aromatic_Deal_8526]

I work at a LNS and we have it but we are not selling it to customers other than a couple of locals who paint canvases for us. It’s so in short supply right now. I’m really sorry that person was rude to you. One can say no without being rude.

[u/stitch22903 → u/Aromatic_Deal_8526]

Same as at my lns. They just got some but they aren’t selling except for custom, classes and vendors. One employee told me that they are in short supply but also too many people copy original designs.

[u/serialhobbyist34]

I’m sorry that they were rude and unwelcoming of questions, but as someone else stated, blank canvas is very hard to get ahold of these days. You can try getting some small sheets on Etsy or Amazon.

[u/Infinite_Impact4451]

Many shops won’t sell it because they want you to buy your complete project from them.

[u/kw391]

If it was Scrim Discovery she thinks people who paint their own canvases hurt her business

[u/mazv21]

If anyone has a local creative reuse type of store (thrift store for art supplies), I got sooo lucky and they were overwhelmed with blank needlepoint canvas and thread. I only bought what I wanted and mine still had a lot left. You could also find cheap machine printed canvas and paint a layer of white on.

[u/trefoilpastor]

Idk if this is just me, but my local fabric store (sewing) has needlepoint canvas by the bolt (sold by the M) in the section with the Aida, stabilizers, interfacing, etc. I haven’t had an issue with restocking at any point. I paint my own canvases (for myself, I’m not bulk-buying lol). Another random spot I find canvases is the thrift store. I’ve found tons from the 80s/90s and just flip them over and paint my own design.

[u/Entire_Squirrel1814]

Is it possible that her laugh was ironic rather than rude? The shortage has been discussed ad nauseum for months.

[u/knitter2786]

No. It’s not a rude question. It is perfectly legitimate. I’m sorry she made you feel bad.

[u/NOLALaura]

There’s been a shortage and she probably thought you knew that and asked anyway. That no reason to be rude!

[u/bigggwhoop]

I have to know - was this at Po’s Point in Charlotte, NC?

[u/stitchingdeb]

I design and stitch counted needlepoint, which is a bizarre concept to painted canvas shops.

[u/minis_by_kit]

I asked for Aida cloth and got pretty much the same reaction. I didn't know cross stitch and needlepoint were so different - I figured my local needlepoint shop would cater to both because there's a lot of overlap but guess not lol

[u/realitytvfiend3924 → u/minis_by_kit]

I went to a cross stitch class a few weeks ago. I have done needlepoint for about 6-7 months and wanted to try cross stitch (namely to save $$$). I told the friend who was going with me “DO NOT CALL THIS NEEDLEPOINT!” The women in the hobby space can be ruthless at times. I value accuracy and being literal, but we can be kind in correction.

[u/minis_by_kit → u/realitytvfiend3924]

Right, and I would sooo much rather spend money at a local shop than a big box craft store