The Garden of Nan Lian Pagoda Needlepoint Canvas by Seg de Paris SE929.636

Stitch The Garden of Nan Lian, a printed needlepoint canvas by Seg de Paris: a golden pagoda and a red bridge over a lake in the Nan Lian garden, among green trees.

A little stitcher's folklore: in Chinese gardens every pavilion, bridge and stone is placed to frame a view, so the garden changes with every step. Needlepoint on printed canvas grew out of the great French tapestry tradition, and half stitch is the same stitch used on many antique chair seats and cushions.

Why this canvas: the full-colour print shows exactly where each shade goes, so there is no chart to count and you can simply relax and stitch; it is printed on genuine Zweigart canvas in France, so the mesh stays square and the colours stay crisp from the first stitch to the last; and buying the threads yourself means you choose the look: Colbert wool for a classic tapestry finish, or Mouliné and Pearl cotton for a finer sheen.

Canvas includes: one Zweigart 10-count canvas (100% cotton, 40 holes per 10 cm), designed and printed in France with the design in full colour, and a thread list naming the DMC Mouliné, Colbert wool, Retors and Pearl cotton shades to buy. Stitch used: half stitch. Not included: threads, needle and frame, which are sold separately.

Match each printed colour to the thread list, then cover the canvas in half stitch, working the main shapes first and the background last. Mounting the canvas on stretcher bars or a frame keeps it square, and a tapestry needle size 20 to 22 suits the 10-count mesh.

Canvas size: 45×60 cm (17.7×23.6 in). A generous size for a framed tapestry picture above a sofa, bed or mantel. It looks at home in a study, a living room or a reading nook, and makes a thoughtful gift for travelers and lovers of Asian gardens.