Needlepoint Stitches for Patriotic Projects

I can hardly believe July is here, but with a long weekend ahead and one of my favorite holidays around the corner, I’m leaning into the red, white, and blue stitching. In the spirit of Independence Day, I had a little fun with a recent patriotic project by creating an on theme background stitch. While I usually stick to simple, open stitches, this time I played around with a stars-and-stripes motif that added just the right touch of festive flair. Today, I’m sharing the chart for that pattern, plus two variations to try, and a few tips on how to make background stitches pop in your own projects. Let’s get a little creative before the fireworks start!