The following are basic needleroll finishing instructions
in the style of Shepherd's Bush needlerolls.
Click on an image to enlarge.
Copyright Jill Robinson©

Count outward from your stitching 24 threads. Completely remove the next three threads. This will be the row in which you insert your ribbon, so you may need to remove additional threads if your ribbon is wider than 1/8 inch. Repeat for the other end.

Count outward 24 threads from the pulled area and completely remove the next two threads. This will be the row in which you hemstitch. Repeat for the other end.

Even up the ends of the needleroll by removing any horizontal threads that don't run completely from one side to the other. Trim away the vertical threads.

With wrong sides together, fold the needleroll in half lengthwise and sew a 1/8 inch seam along the outer raw edges from end to end. Turn needleroll inside out so that now the right sides are together. Press seam along folded edge.

With right sides still together, again fold the needleroll in half lengthwise and sew a second 1/8 inch seam along the outer folded edge from end to end. You have now made a French seam! Press seam to one side.

You are now ready to make a rolled hem. With the wrong side still facing you, fold the end of the needleroll halfway between the raw edge and the outer withdrawn area. Finger press.

Fold the end of the needleroll again so that the first fold touches the outer withdrawn area. Finger press.

The wrong side will still be facing you as you hemstitch. There are several options you have here. You may use threadthat matches the fabric or thread that contrasts with the fabric, depending on the effect that you want. Hemstitching, though, is generally used to show the effect of the stitching (the pulled stitches), not the stitching itself.

Hemstitch as shown, being sure to catch the fold with the second step of the hemstitch. As shown here, two threads are being gathered in the pulled area...

...and two threads are caught in the fold. For a lacier effect, try gathering three or four threads in the pulled area (still catching two threads in the fold). Hemstitching is stitched from left to right.

Now turn the needleroll right side out. Beginning at the center front, thread ribbon through one ribbon row, weaving over two threads, under two threads, and so on all the way around the needleroll. Tie a bow. Stuff firmly with polyfil, and repeat threading the ribbon on the opposite end. Tie another bow. Voila! Pat yourself on the back! You've completed a needleroll!