Mary's Open Background Stitch Tip

Mary of Whimsical Stitch is doing background stitch postings this month on her blog as she's promoting her new book all about background stitches (Mary's Whimsical Stitches Volume 5: Backgrounds).  It's not out yet but Ruth Schmuff has a preview--

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/product/marys-whimsical-stitches-5/

In Mary's first posting about background stitches she mentions something important about open background stitches--if you don't like the look, don't worry.  You can still use them and have those holes muted if your finisher or framer puts a thin fabric behind your canvas.  

https://www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2026/07/01

Heck, you can even put a thin fabric OVER your stitches.  I've done that to protect a purse that had embellished stitches I wanted to protect from snags.  I've even put a gauzy fabric over the background section of a canvas only to give it a misty look.  Just because you don't like open stitches, doesn't mean you can't use them.  Add a bead or a cross stitch or tent stitch in the open areas, put fabric behind the stitching, or simply step away from your canvas and give it a look.  Often all it takes to make you like open stitches is the normal viewing distance.

How many of us have people over who look at our stitching as closely as we do when we are creating a piece?  The answer is none. (Unless you invite me, of course.  I am dying to see the clever things you did up close and personal.)

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 2, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Star Spangled Santa (Janet Z. Casey)

The Sun City Stitcher is about to start work on Janet Zickler Casey's "Star Spangled Santa."

https://www.suncitystitcher.com/2026/04/tin-toppers-star-spangled-santa.html

I don't think this design is still available but you'll still have fun browsing Janet's designs on her website.

http://www.jzcdesigns.com/index.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 1, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Easy Sparkle

Morgan Julia shows off a customer's fabulous use of sequins on this lovely New York landscape.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1798349508123349

It looks like flat, slightly irridescent sequins were attached at very regular intervals all over the design.  I think something like these 4mm sequins were used.

https://www.ccartwright.com/collections/4mm-flat-iridescent-sequins

Happy 4th of July, NYC!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 28, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Embroidery Stitches for Embellished Needlepoint

Poppy Monk Needlepoint has started an interesting series on using embroidery stitches to embellish your needlepoint projects.  The first stitch is chain stitch, great for outlines, curves and drawing attention to sections of your design you want to highlight.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/using-embroidery-stitches-in-needlepoint-part-1-the-chain-stitch

The second article in the series talks about how many fancy stitches versus plain ones to use.  You don't want to go overboard (unless you are stitching a portrait of Dolly Parton--then too much is a good thing!) and you need to consider just how durable your want your stitching to be.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/decorative-needlepoint-stitches-how-many-is-too-many

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 22, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Pick Threads for Your Canvas

Third Coast Stitches has written a nice essay that helps you choose threads for your canvas.

https://thirdcoaststitches.com/blogs/news/how-to-kit-a-canvas-fiber-selection

I have my own ideas about how to choose threads.  First up, if you don't like using a thread, don't buy it unless there's nothing else that will give you the effect you want.  

Secondly, perle cottons are a great option for backgrounds as they cover well, come in a wide range of colors, are easy to stitch with (unless you are doing basketweave where they show flaws easily), and are cheap so you can buy lots of it for a big background without breaking the bank.  Cotton floss is also a good choice for main elements due the wide range of colors and the relatively low cost.  Save the expensive silks and metallics for special touches here and there.

Thirdly, you can change colors, but be cautious here.  I've stitched with pale green and pale lavender for a background and had them blend together so you could barely tell the difference.  The skeins looked very different sitting on the table but stitch with them and Color Magic happened--the differences disappeared.  A good rule is to pick a light and dark color or perhaps a light and medium, instead of two lights, two darks or two mediums.  Learn to take a black and white photo to check for color contrast.  If two colors appear gray in your phone photo, they will blend together in Real Life.  

Fourthly, don't be afraid to rip.  Sometimes it is the only way forward.  It's not a disaster, just a learning experience. If you don't make mistakes stitching, you aren't getting better.  My best stitching has happened when I had to adjust for an error.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 28, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.