BREAKING NEWS! Straw Silk is Returning!

Homestead Needle Arts says that Straw Silk is returning.  The owner of Silk Road Fibers is rolling it out slowly as there is illness in the family so don't expect it to be widely available just yet.  Be patient.  Small businesses (which most of needlepoint is) can't turn on a dime like Walmart or Amazon.

If you aren't familiar with this thread, Needlepoint.com explains all here.

https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/all-about-straw-silk-fibers

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 25, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A New Trend in Finishing: Cartonnage

I've started to notice a new trend in finishing--cartonnage.  Cartonnage is a French-derived word for cardboard craft.  In other words, making boxes from cardboard, usually covered in fabric.  House of Cartonnage in Paris was the first company I became aware of that does this sort of thing.  

https://www.houseofcartonnage.com/

https://www.instagram.com/houseofcartonnage/

They sell self-finishing boxes and matchboxes, available at some US needlepoint stores.

https://stitch-stash.com/collections/house-of-cartonnage-boxes

House of Cartonnage also teaches the craft.  Here is their tips page if you aren't going to be in Paris to take a class.  (Note that there is a video on how to finish your needlepoint before adding it to your box.)

https://www.houseofcartonnage.com/tips

Petal Box Studio is in the US.  They make boxes of all sizes and types:  matchboxes, card boxes, regular boxes, plus they also finish the small Funda Scully boxes.  Their work is all custom.  

https://www.petal-box-studio.com/

https://www.instagram.com/petalbox_studio/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 4, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

EGA Interviews Tricia Nguyen

The Embroiders Guild of America has interviewed Tricia Nguyen of Thistle Threads.  

https://egausa.org/interview-with-tricia-wilson-nguyen-uncovering-historical-needlework-traditions/

If you aren't interested in 17th Century embroidery (such as those amazing stumpwork caskets), or the revival of historial threads that Tricia has brought back, or how engineering helps inform the study of our embroidery history, you can skip this.  But I urge you to read it all.  Tricia is doing everything possible to understand our stitching ancestors and make the threads they used routinely available again.  Follow the links embedded in the article to learn more about Tricia and her findings.

Indeed, there is nothing like the real thing to make your needlework come alive.  And don't we all deserve the best products available as we spend our precious free hours with our needle?

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

New Stitch Monday Talks Leaf Stitches

With spring on the way (currently a few brave daffodils are blooming in Chilly Hollow), Stephanie talks stitches for leaves and bushes on her regular New Stitch Monday posting.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/new-stitch-monday-205/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 16, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Making 3-D Bubbles: The Movie

Gabrielle.ndlpt over at Instagrm just posted a video tutorial on how to create very dimensional bubbles on your canvas.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DaVe3rYRCf1/

Works for boobs, too!  And the little bobbles on the tip of gnome hats.  They can also be cut in half with sharp scissors if the round balls are too wobbly for you.

(You'll need wool felt balls, the smaller the better in most cases.  A pack of assorted sizes you can share with your stitching buddies might work well.)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/226743734/1cm-wool-felt-balls-colorful-pom-poms?ls=a&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=small+felt+craft+balls&ref=sc_gallery-1-16&plkey=Euhmd62EOlBVe2q3zGBjjcpq5Kb8%3ALT44c07e7dabd905a5bfe78adb20ef9a98e9de1873

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 3, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.