Why You Should Sign and Date Your Needlepoint

Quail Run makes a compelling case for adding your name and the date to a piece after you finish it.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1296752679146800&set=a.635108881977853

For those who don't have a Facebook account, I'm going to quote Quail Run in full--

"Should I add my initials to my projects?

Whether or not to add your initials and a date to your needlepoint projects is a personal choice. Here are some good reasons to add this to your project.

- It turns your piece into a documented heirloom — in 50–100 years, people will know exactly who made it and when.
- It’s a long-standing tradition in samplers and fine needlework (think 18th- and 19th-century schoolgirl samplers — almost all are signed).
- If the piece is a gift (baby blanket, wedding pillow, Christmas stocking, etc.), future generations often treasure knowing “Great-Grandma Jane made this in 2025.”
- It gives you a little pride-of-ownership “I DID THIS” moment every time you look at it.
- On the back or in an inconspicuous spot, it doesn’t affect the design at all but still marks it as yours.

**Popular compromises people use:**
- Stitch initials + year very small on the front, often in a corner or worked into the border so it looks intentional.
- Stitch them on waste canvas and attach he’d to back when finishing.
- Add a tiny stitched label on the back when the piece is made into a pillow or framed.
- Use a monogram that’s part of the original chart (many designers now include optional alphabet charts).

Personal take from years of seeing thousands of finished needlepoints: 90 % of the pieces that become cherished family treasures are the ones that are signed and dated. The unsigned ones often end up with notes like “We think Aunt Susan stitched this… maybe in the 90s?”

So unless the design really fights against it, most experienced stitchers say: sign it (even tiny and discreet). You worked too hard not to!"

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com 

nd at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 7, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thread Conversion Charts

With so many threads becoming unavailable, it's a good time to post a link to this website that maintains an extension list of thread conversion charts.

https://www.needlepointers.com/main/ShowArticles.aspx?NavID=3980

Of course folks who work mostly counted canvaswork are used to switching brands but all of us need to figure out substitutions occasionally.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 10, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: RIver Silks is Moving to Virginia

I've just read in the March 2026 newsletter from NJNA that River Silks' founder, Jean Krynicki, is retiring. Her three daughters are taking over the business and as part of that process, moving the company to Virginia.  River Silks stopped taking orders in January and will concentrate on getting everything packed up and moved from Washington State.  Stay tuned, in other words.

https://www.riversilks.com/

I'm a huge fan of River Silks (it's beautiful and durable stuff and available in many widths) so I am thrilled to hear the business will continue even after Jean retires.  Good luck with the move, folks.  We eagerly await your rebirth in Virginia!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 8, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Daylight's Anita Lamp

Barbara's Needlepoint shows off the Anita Lamp from Daylight in this Facebook unboxing video.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1436804947788439

For those who don't have a Facebook account, I found the Anita table lamp here.  There is a floor lamp version, too.  Both have Daylight bulbs, so that the colors are true.  There appears to be a tray to hold your threads (I don't know if it comes with the lamp or costs extra) and the lamp itself is adjustable.  The magnifier is also somewhat adjustable and you can change the smart phone clamp to view the screen horizontally or vertically.  It doesn't look like the clamp itself adjusts enought to hold anything other than a phone, however.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpiS6ZpF2Ec

Many thanks to Barbara's Needlepoint for alerting us to this lamp.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 8, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadaholic Alert: ColorSpun

The Needlepointer is selling a thread new to me called ColorSpun.  It comes on cards with 10 yards.  Some of the threads seem to be a polyester metallic while others are all silk.  I believe it is made in China.  

https://theneedlepointer.com/collections/colorspun-threads?se_activity_id=169757933810&syclid=d5f5b2dum0as73eac510&utm_campaign=Don%27t+Miss+Out+on+Our+Hidden+Fiber+Treasures%21_169757933810&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email&page=1#e19de7cd4f6baf9aa2285ae72cc5bb1c

It looks like the company sells a wide range of thread types in a lot of colors.  Their website sells knitting and crochet yarns and cotton floss.

https://colourspun.com/shop/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 7, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.