Abigail Cecile Does Custom Bridal Ornaments

Just in time for the June bride (or the July or December one) is this new service from Abigail Cecile—custom bridal ornaments using the bride's initials, her colors and bouquet flowers.  One version has room for the date as well as a monogram or you can order a monogram only version or one that just features the bridal bouquet flowers.  They will take 6-8 weeks as they are individually designed and hand painted based on the bouquet photo you submit to the designer.
https://www.abigailcecile.com/collections/custom-canvases?mc_cid=c9045b2e1c&mc_eid=491e343c64

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 19, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Judyann Needlepoint is on Etsy Now!

I've been a big fan of Judyann for a long time, especially her Asian pieces.  I have her Graceful Bird kimono in my stash, waiting for some spare time.  So I was excited to see that she has an Etsy store now! In it she has some darling strawberry shapes that are new.  Love the Toucan Strawberry and the Madonna Egg.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/JudyannNeedlepoint?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=667449234

Of course you can shop on her website as well.  It tends to have a wider range of items but not the newest things.  Judyann does something unique—she prints each canvas and then hand paints the printed version, making it a little cheaper but still easy to stitch.
https://www.judyanndesigns.com

A little bird told me someone is doing a stitch guide for the Judyann "Midnight Nativity."  Stay tuned!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 18, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Another Free Design from DebBee's Designs (Harlequin Dance Redux)

Debbie Rowley has had such a great response to her free charts that she is starting a third posting, this time about Harlequin Dance Redux.  If you are interested in trying charts and raiding your stash to use up threads in your favorite colors, this is your chance.
https://debbeesdesigns.com/2020/06/09/stitch-along-monday-and-a-little-promo/

https://debbeesdesigns.com/2020/06/17/stitch-along-harlequin-dance-redux/

https://debbeesdesigns.com/2020/06/22/stitch-along-monday-rhodes-stitches/

https://debbeesdesigns.com/2020/06/30/stitch-along-monday-reverse-waffle-stitch/

https://debbeesdesigns.com/2020/07/07/stitch-along-monday-rhodes-and-scotch-stitches/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 17, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Do I Need Extra Rows for Finishing?

"Do I need to add rows for the finisher?" is a very common question but there's no right answer except "Ask the finisher" because it all depends on a number of things. Needlepoint.com gives you tips to guide you in making a decision if asking your finisher isn't an option.
https://hrd2q41d1reazftb-25567316.shopifypreview.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/knowing-when-to-add-extra-rows-to-an-ornament

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 16, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wisdom from Amy: Compensation Trick

Steph has shared a great tip from Amy Bunger about compensation on her blog.  Genius!
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2020/06/tricks-i-learned-from-amy-bunger.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 15, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Hello Bargello

If you are charmed by Bargello designs and want to try one for yourself, Hello Bargello has some nice tips videos and sells kits and patterns to download.   
https://hellobargello.com

Click on Learn Bargello to find the video tips.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 11, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Artdiva Designs Goes Halloween

If you are a fan of Halloween, you'll love browsing the Artdiva Designs website.  Her Halloween Chicken cracks me up!
https://artdivawebsite.wixsite.com/home?fbclid=IwAR21hbX69vZW_f0-jHWPWxu9LETJEUXKdZK4gq8mWGitL4YzI31FkRvKfu0

Susan Berger has some really darling witches and I like her take on owls, too, but that's not all she does.  Her seahorse is a classic and I think her gingerbread houses canvas would be darling stitched and embellished.  Pour yourself your favorite beverage and have a fun browse through Susan's world….

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 9, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Traveling with Needlepoint: The Movie

Needlepoint.com's latest video has tips for traveling with needlepoint. All the tools they mention they sell, but the advise is still very good, even if it is advertising.
https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/tips-for-travelling-with-needlepoint

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 9, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

This Month's Smart Cookie Award Goes To….

This month's Smart Cookie Award goes to Vikki who is using a veterinary needle to rip out.  It has a handle that makes it easy to hold and a tiny point to get that floss unstitched. Clever!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/3035797786497359/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 8, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Stitch with Straw Silk: The Movie

Needlepoint.com's latest little video is about using Straw Silk.
https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/all-about-straw-silk-fibers

It's pretty basic information so I'll just add that Straw Silk can be split right down the middle if you want to use it for tent stitches on 18 count.  It is very similar to The Thread Gatherer's Sea Grass (link below) except Straw Silk has more of a sheen and it is a tad wider than Sea Grass which looks more like the paper used to weave baskets.
https://threadgatherer.com/collections/sea-grass

Both threads make fantastic leaves and tree bark, realistic woven baskets, and fun decorative stitches for borders.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 26, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Interviewing Doolittle and Hello Tess

Needlepoint.com has a fun interview up on their blog with Elizabeth Nagel of Doolittle Stitchery and her daughter Tess Kvale of Hello Tess.  Needlepoint is a family business!
https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/interview-with-the-mother-daughter-needlepoint-duo

AND they have a trunk show from both designers.  Have fun browsing!
https://needlepoint.com/collections/doolittle-hello-tess-trunk-shows?goal=0_6eed0b10d5-15ce2325bc-579725333&mc_cid=15ce2325bc&mc_eid=3a360cb48b

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 6, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Summer 2020 Mystery Class from Ruth Schmuff (Blissful Alignment)

Ruth Schmuff is going to do her summer mystery class at Bedecked and Beadazzled using David Galchutt's "Blissful Alighment."  Details are here.  I'll update this article as Ruth posts progress reports on each lesson.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2020/06/blissful-alignment/

First up, the sun gets blackwork swirls, satin stitch and - bling! (I know, this is Ruth, you aren't surprised by bling.)
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2020/07/swirls/

We have Bling.  (I know, you are surprised, right?  LOL)
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2020/08/the-bling-begins/

Ruth tackles the coins next.  And there's a video (second link below).
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2020/08/coins/

https://www.facebook.com/ruth.schmuff/posts/4798584300155563

More coins!  Or are they bubbles or flowers?  No idea but I love them.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2020/09/many-coins/

More coins!  And we are nearly done!

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2020/10/almost-there/

The finished piece is quite sparkly.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2024/01/worth-another-look/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 3, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: Ridgewood Needlepoint Has a New Owner

Congratulations to the new owner of Ridgewood Needlepoint!
https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/2020/06/special-news-about-ridgewood-needlepoint/?fbclid=IwAR0RImT97r9ZRyLzv0JH21eN8f86WR6KvL4e94hXzppF7rwpOZlPdQwwJqc

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/2020/05/a-note-from-ridgewood-needlepoint/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 18, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Pointing It Out Interviews the Lynch Clan

This week's interview at the Pointing It Out is with another family in the needlepoint business—Don Lynch of Associated Talents and his daughters Preston and Grace Lynch of Two Sisters Needlepoint.  (Guess who owns 37 needlepoint belts—and stitched 36 of them…?)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxkDvdnBL2I

If you want to have fun exploring, here is the Associated Talents' website, starting with stitched examples.
http://atneedlepoint.com/CanvasLookup.asp?Category=Stitched

And here is the Two Sisters website, also their stitched examples.
https://www.2sistersneedlepoint.com/finished-models

P.S.  Here are the Stitch in Time Designs' little foreign people mentioned in the interview.
http://www.needlepoint-knitting.com/shop/Canvas/A-Stitch-In-Time-Designs.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 6, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How To Read Stitch Diagrams

If you are new to needlepoint, stitch diagrams may be a puzzle.  How exactly do you put something like mosaic stitch (first diagram in the link below) on needlepoint canvas?
https://napaneedlepoint.com/about-needlepoint/2016/08/13/mosaic-stitch/

An experienced needlepointer knows exactly how to proceed but if you have no experience, you are a bit at sea.  But not to worry!  Us old-timers have several tips for you.  The first tip is to look for a diagram that is numbered, like this one for mosaic stitch.
https://needlepoint-for-fun.com/pages/the-mosaic-stitch-in-needleoint-and-different-ways-to-use-it

The second tip is to tell you the standard numbering system needlepointers use in diagrams:  Take the needle up from the back at odd numbers (1, 3, 5, etc.) and put the needle down from the front into the canvas at even numbers (2, 4, 6…)

Up at odd numbers, down at even.  Easy to remember.  And it makes a numbered stitch diagram for things like mosaic stitch a lot easier to master.

The American Needlepoint Guild has some really good diagrams of basic stitches on their website that are available for anyone to refer to.
https://www.needlepoint.org/page/SOTM

StitchGuild has animated stitch diagrams which folks find very useful.  You have to set up an account and give them an email address but you won't get emails from them.
http://stitchguild.com

Needlepoint for Fun has some good diagrams in their stitch library, too.
https://needlepoint-for-fun.com/pages/needlepoint-stitch-library

Occasionally you'll find stitch diagrams marked with directional arrows, like this—just bring your needle up at the base of the arrow and go down at the tip.
https://www.sheenasstitches.com/paw-prints-heart/

Jean Hilton's ScottLee

If you fall in love with geometric designs from people like Jean Hilton (see above), Kurdy Biggs, Jim Wurth, or Kathy Rees, then invest in the two volume Twisty Stitches by Carole Lake.  These two books explain the stitches based on string art extremely well, show how each is done with tips like which stitches go on top and which go under previous stitches and include bonus diagrams for the variations on them, too.
https://stitchplay.com/books-for-needlepoint/

As you gain experience, you can explore other online resources for stitches.  I have a list of them called "Stitch Diagrams and Resources" down at the very bottom of the home page here at Blog.

Basically, experiment in the margins of your canvas.  The more you do this, the easier it gets.

As always, email me at chilly hollow at hot mail dot com for help if you get really stuck.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 5, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Megan and Melissa Interview Anne Fischer

The first interview that Megan and Melissa did on their new Point It Out podcast (available on Instagram and Youtube) was with Anne of Anne Fisher Needlepoint.  It's fun to get to know Anne and discover a few little secrets about her work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3btqX09TjY

If you haven't seen Anne's work, here is her website.
https://www.annefisherneedlepoint.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 4, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Kreinik's Back — And Fighting the Coronavirus!

Kreinik's factory is back working—and they've retooled a machine to make soft elastic for masks!  They are also trying to restock, so please be patient as they try and make as much metallic thread as possible.
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2020/06/new-supersoft-elastic-for-making-masks.html

Go Kreinik!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 4, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: In Stitches Closing

A friend just confirmed the sad news—Portland's shop In Stitches is closing next week.
https://www.facebook.com/InStitchesPortland/

It's the end of an era.  I wish the current owner and all their customers well during this difficult time.
https://www.institchespdx.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 15, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Playing with A Color Change

Colour Complements is showing off their threads by stitching a chart from Needlepoint Now in various overdyed threads.  This version is pastels with dots of dark purple and dark green.
https://colourcomplements.com/2020/05/iris-needlepoint-stitch-sample.html

This version is purple and lime paired with a border of a grayed blue with overdyed Kreinik.
https://colourcomplements.com/2020/06/iris-2-summer-collection-colours-hand-dyed.html

The third version adds overdyed Kreinik to add a pop of color to the pastels with the gray-blue border threads and darker center squares.
https://colourcomplements.com/2020/06/iris-3-needlepoint-hand-dyed-threads.html

The fourth version plays with the placement of the overdyed Kreinik and the purple and lime.
https://colourcomplements.com/2020/06/iris-4-needlepoint-hand-dyed-threads.html

It's always fun to see the same chart done in different colors!  In the last link, scroll down and compare all four versions to see how changing the same threads to different positions changes the look—and these are all mostly greens.  The changes would be even more dramatic if you were using blues and yellows and reds and blacks, for example.

If you are charmed, Lorraine can get you the threads you want.  She's in Canada but she ships to the USA a lot.  The design is available in the January-February 2020 issue of Needlepoint Now magazine which you can buy on their website still. It's on sale for $4 for the month of May.  It is by Diane Grant. Diane's original version is in purples with yellow accents.
https://www.needlepointnow.com/product/january-february-2020/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 27, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

And Now For Something New from Hook and Harbor

Hook and Harbor is a new designer who sells her work on Etsy.  Recently I mentioned her Harry Potter canvas.  It's not on the shop right now but I did notice she's doing something new—a mystery ornament of the month based on a theme and a thread of the month. UPDATE:  When I wrote this 10 days ago there were no Harry Potter themed canvases but they are back, including a new chocolate frog canvas, and there's a Hogwarts mystery club, too.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/HookandHarborCo?

Here is what Hook and Harbor says about the Monthly Mystery Ornament Club:

"Join us for a monthly mystery club where each month you will receive an exclusive ornament canvas that corresponds to the theme for that month! These designs will be exclusive to club members until after a full calendar year when they will be added to the shop. So whether you want to increase your ornament stash or just gift yourself some happy mail, this is the club for you!

The theme will be announced prior to the start of each month and orders will be open until the first 7th of that month. Ornaments will be shipped out during the third week of the month. Ornament design size and canvas mesh will vary based on theme/design."

The thread of the month choices are a custom dyed thread that looks like the inspiration photo posted.  The photo is posted before the first of the month and orders are taken from the first until the 7th of the month.  Thread club orders are also shipped in the third week of the month.

It's a different approach and an interesting one.  Good luck with this, Kate!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 4, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Interviewing Kate Dickerson

The latest interview the Pointing It Out podcast has done with Kate Dickerson. It's a fun one and reveals that Kate's a Francophile and a lover of Lily Pulitzer—and her idea for a new French Nativity set based on the santons ("little saints") of Provence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTkQJsi7aZo

Not familiar with Kate Dickerson's line?  Here's her website.
https://www.katedickerson.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 5, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Elizabeth Bradley Sells Large Acrylic Trays

Elizabeth Bradley now sells acrylic trays that are 16 inches square.  They allow you to change out designs with the seasons.
https://americas.elizabethbradley.com/products/large-acrylic-tray?fbclid=IwAR1eVK0WhdaSudiWr4-3uwNlVqFWINCPeQ0ID78BK-et3zW7XMumJehLXEA

Elizabeth Bradley obviously had their 16 inch square kits in mind for these trays.
https://americas.elizabethbradley.com/collections/16-inch-needlepoint-kits

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 18, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Mary Corbet Advocates for Blunt-Tipped Laying Tools

The amazing Mary Corbet has done a lovely article about blunt laying tools and why you need them.
https://www.needlenthread.com/2020/06/the-dull-tool-why-you-need-one.html

The one she uses is the Coleshill Collection's Stiletto Pewter Laying Tool, seen here.
http://www.coleshillcollection.com/accessories/stitching-aids/stilleto-pewter-laying-tool.html

Their Victorian Ring Laying Tool also looks blunt tipped.  It is similar to our trolley needle here in the States, so if you love trolley needles (I do but a lot of folks are afraid they will poke their eye since you wear them on a finger or thumb), check this out.
http://www.coleshillcollection.com/accessories/stitching-aids/victorian-ring-laying-tool.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 1, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Turkeywork Tutorial Movie

Does turkeywork scare you to death? Not to worry, Meredith Willet of M's Canvashouse/Elizabeth Turner/Meredith Collection in conjunction with The Crewelwork Company has posted a video tutorial on YouTube.  In this demo she's working on linen but this stitch works on needlepoint canvas, too.  Just remember to work from the left to right.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vnLVHHGkyY&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR2p_LWuYPu6fLr7iKFveLrRaxuOUb0bG3po8aB0X3TuggV-PDZljPsJdPA

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 30, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: Lani Closes Her Store

Lani Silver just announced on her Facebook page she is closing her physical store the end of June 2020.  She will have a sale in the shop over the next two weeks only, then move her business to a studio on her property where she'll continue to design and do occasional classes.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/68707819576/permalink/10158554043864577/

I don't know if the sale prices are available for mail order customers but if there is something you love, give Lani a call.
http://www.lanisneedlepoint.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 7, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

NAN Needs Teachers for 2022

The National Academy of Needlearts (NAN) is soliciting proposals for their 2022 seminar.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/3002959559781182/

FYI

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 25, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

An Interview with the Royal School of Needlework Staff

Fiber Talk's most recent podcast as I type this is with Susan Kay-Williams and Kelley Aldridge of the Royal School of Needlework.  The interview is all about the challenges the Royal School is facing with the coronavirus disrupting classes.  If you want to explore more about the Royal School, follow the links on the Fiber Talk web page.
https://wetalkfiber.com/2020/05/24/fiber-talk-with-susan-kay-williams-and-kelley-aldridge/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 24, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tapestry is *In* in the UK

Tapestry (which is what we Americans call needlepoint) is popular in the UK these days, for the reasons you'd expect.
https://www.tatler.com/article/tapestry-diy-embroidery-trend?fbclid=IwAR3PGCgdZdy125KT8PWDpHpShEGYBe0EbkwczQ3ytd1gInbqy2UpvQjCU1U

Thanks for the link, Tara!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 22, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A New Podcast from The Wool and the Floss

The Wool and the Floss has started a podcast.  It's called Pointing It Out! and it is available on YouTube.  Here's the first video I found, an interview with Mary Legallet, famous needlepoint teacher and author of Mary's Whimsical Stitches.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUI0pZvmaYc

Here is the Wool and the Floss's YouTube channel so you can watch more of their videos, which include interviews with needlepoint designers Kate Dickerson and Anne Fisher.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy_j6EACao1N0fxgpk5GKgQ

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 21, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: Amy Bunger Closing Shop in 2021

The latest newsletter from Amy Bunger is out and it has big news—Amy is closing her shop in Memphis next year (2021).  We don't know yet what this means beyond the fact that the shop will no longer be there.  It sounds as if Amy plans to still do Home Study classes and stitch guides.  We'll have to wait and see how things unfold.  
https://www.amysgoldenstrand.com/uploads/7/2/3/6/72364657/0620.pdf

Everything changes and of course Amy may want to retire to have time to smell the roses—and stitch all the fun things around!  Whatever happens, we wish Amy the best.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 2, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Fiber Talk Interviews Brett of K's Creations

If you have been needlepointing a while, you are familiar with the floor and table frames that K's Creations makes.  This week Fiber Talk interviews Brett Schulle of K's, which is a family firm named after his mother Kay whose need for a better way to stitch was the reason the first K's frame was made.
https://wetalkfiber.com/2020/05/17/fiber-talk-with-brett-schulle/

If you are a new stitcher or don't come into contact with other stitchers who use frames, you can browse K's products here.  They don't sell directly but
http://kscreations.com

Full disclosure:  I own one of the K's metal floor frames and I absolutely adore it!  Their customer service is superb, too.  If an owner of one of their products has a problem or question and they mention it on Needlepoint Nation, Brett is there to solve their problem immediately.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 18, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

What the Heck is a Broche? UPDATED

People who are intrigued by needlework tools and those who do goldwork will be fascinated by Jessica Grimm's article on the goldwork spindle known as a broche in French.  (In Dutch it is called a brodse; Germans call it a Bretsche.)  Basically, it is a spool for goldwork threads so that you can protect them from tarnishing by not touching them once they are rolled onto the spindle.   Jessica has a nice video demonstrating how these are used in her article and a lot of history of this specialty tool.  If you are familiar with the koma used in Japanese embroidery, you'll understand how these are used instantly.
https://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/the-brochebrodsebretsche

Jessica has arranged to have a local craftsman reproduce these.  Keep an eye on her webstore if you want one.
https://www.jessicagrimm.com/store/c1/Afgebeelde_producten.html

UPDATE:  Here's more about a broche in a new film about their history and use.
https://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/the-brochebrodsebretsche-part-ii

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 18, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.