Stitch Strategy Interview

Fiber Talk's just interviewed Hayley and Madeline of Stitch Strategy, a marketing company focused on the world of needlepoint designers and shops.  It's fun to hear their perspective on the growth of needlepoint, the sorts of services they offer, and how younger stitchers are shaking up the world of needlepoint.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5DIRTr0JnU

https://thestitchstrategy.com/

https://thestitchstrategy.substack.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright Marh 9, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Handcrafted Needlework Tools

If you love wooden needlework tools, you'll want to check out what Mary Corbet is selling.  There are crochet hooks, seam ripper/stilettos, and keychain needle cases.  She also has some lovely enameled needle minders that are not like anything else on the market.

https://www.needlenthread.com/2026/01/tools-today-theyre-beautiful-and-theyre-here.html

As I write this, some of the items are already sold out but they may be restocked by the time this publishes.  

https://shop.needlenthread.com/products

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 29, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Self Finishing Match Box

House of Cartonnage in Paris has a new product--the self finishing matchbox!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSz7e4VjKkr/?img_index=1

Tariffs are impacting the business (which sells boxes, clutches and classes on how to make your own box) somewhat so we'll have to see how Sabrine manages her unique business for those of us not in the Netherlands or the EU.  

https://www.houseofcartonnage.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 18, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Fun Birthday Finish

Cara at Waste Knot Want Knot Finishing has turned a birthday cake canvas into a darling sigh for the back of the birthday boy or girl's chair.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DVZqbayjzbv/?img_index=1

Clever!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Threadaholic Alert: DMC Met Retors Cotton

Pam asked the members of Needlepoint Nation about DMC's Met Retors Cotton.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/25982994091351070/

I'll summarize the discussion here for those without a Facebook account--this thread is fairly cheap ($1.31-1.59 for a ten meter skein) and is a sort of cotton tapestry thread.  You don't ply it, just use it as it comes off the skein although some folks have plied it and say it is thicker than one ply of regular DMC cotton floss.  Folks really like it on 13 count, but a few have used it on 18 count.  It's a little tender so shorter lengths are recommended.  Some compare it to Very Velvet as it has a matte look.  It makes great cording.  

Cathe Ray (owner of Needle in a Haystack and a thread expert) says that mat cotton (retors) has been around for 50 years but it fell out of favor due to the stale color selection.  She's happy that it is now available again with new colors in the line.  

You can see it on the DMC website here.  There are 230 colors available.

https://www.dmc.com/US/en/products/retors-mat-cotton

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 5, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.