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Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Breaking News: YLI Shimmer Floss Discontinued

Stitchin Time in Louisville, Kentucky says YLI is being sold and the new owner is going to discontinue Shimmer ribbon floss.  I can't find any confirmation of this online except some shops are showing various Shimmer colors as "Discontinued."

Ribbon floss currently is available in plain rayon, metallic and Shimmer which is the plain rayon with a bit of metallic woven in.  It's a favorite of mine so luckily I have a nice little stash of my favorite colors.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

From Sheep to Appletons Wool: The Movies

Appletons Wool has posted two videos on their Instagram account showing how sheep are sheered, the wool processed into thread and then dyed to make Appleton tapestry and crewel wools.



Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 18, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Fly Stitch: The Movie

Want to learn a versatile stitch?  Needlepoint.com demonstrates fly stitch on their Instagram account. 

One fly stitch makes a great foot for a bird.  It also looks good as a tiny leaf or bud.  Stack fly stitches and you have a lovely bigger leaf.  It can also stand upright as a bush or make a nice dragon scale.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 18, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, November 11, 2024

Raised Stitches: The Movies

Today's Raised Stitch Day!  I have two videos featuring Ruth Schmuff of Bedecked and Beadazzled demonstrating raised closed herringbone stitch (perfect for leaves and feathers) and...

...Heidi of Chaparral Needle Needlepoint showing you how to make detached buttonhole for baskets and bags.

These stitches are easier than you would think.  Practice in the margins of your current piece and you'll soon get the hang of it.  (Tip:  Practice with perle cotton as it's easy to handle when you are trying to master new stitches.)

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 17, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Felt Right Tiles for Organization

Francie of francieneedlepoints on Instagram has a great organization idea:  she uses Felt Right tiles on her closet wall to pin up her ornaments instead of storing them flat.

I have questions about the two types of adhesives they use (either commercial grade or removable) but this might be the perfect storage idea for you.  Check out their website for more information.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 21, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, November 9, 2024

NJNA Speaks

The latest e-newsletter from the members of ANG's New Jersey Needle Artists Chapter is out.

As usual, it is full of ANG news, plus interesting tweezers, new clubs, kits, designs, a trunk show, a glow-in-the-dark thread, and more.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 4, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Echoes of Elizabeth Needle Case

Donna's finished her Gay Ann Rogers' needle case.  This is called "Echoes of Elizabeth" and uses some of the motifs from Gay Ann's Elizabeth 1 designs.

It is beautiful!  Lovely work, Donna.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 15, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

The Rumor Mill Speaks UPDATED

The rumor mill says that eventually Kreinik metallics will be sold on the cards Rainbow Gallery uses.  That makes sense as Rainbow Gallery and Kreinik are owned by the same company, Fleur de Paris, and eventually Fleur will want to have all their threads wound on the same item.  

We'll see if this happens.  Stay tuned!  

UPDATE:  This is what Kreinik says--card Kreinik is quicker so ask your shop to order Kreinik Cards from Rainbow Gallery or Wichert Imports.  If you prefer spools, ask your local shop to order Kreinik Spools from Fleur de Paris.  

UPDATE #2: Here is size 16 braid on cards.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 11, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

How To Make A Shop Love You

How do you make shops love you if you are a designer?  Easy!  You include a color key to a thread line with your canvas, like Elizabeth Crane Swartz did for this lovely geometric in a trunk show at Needlenook of La Jolla.

It's not something I've heard of designers doing but I bet shops would love it if a designer's most popular designs came with something like this.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 7, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, November 4, 2024

FrancieNeedlepoints House Tour

FrancieNeedlepoints on Instagram moved to a new house on the coast last winter and has been busy decorating.  She invites us on a needlepoint tour and what fun it was to see all sorts of needlepoint goodies livening up the place.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 8, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, November 3, 2024

Beginning and Ending Threads Securely

Louise's Needlework has a nice short article on starting and ending threads securely.  Use the right side arrow to see all the pages.  They use inline and away waste knots, the pin stitch, the L stitch, T stitch and Bargello tuck to start or end threads securely and have diagrammed each for you.  

I should add that Louise's Needlework has a very informative "Tips and Techniques" page on their website.  It's worth bookmarking for the next time you need expert advice.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 8, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, November 2, 2024

Threadaholic Alert: Soft Matte Cotton Thread

Yesterday I visited my local Michael's craft store as I wanted some DMC cotton floss in a color I didn't have in the stash.  It took me a bit to find the cotton floss as the store had rearranged the aisles to make more room for a new DMC product--Soft Matte Cotton Thread.  

Soft Matte Cotton is a thick, non-divisible thread that looks a bit like a soft cord.  I'm guessing it is about the diameter of size 3 perle cotton.  The texture and lack of shine reminds me of the loops that we used to weave potholders when I was a kid. Michael's had probably 30 colors on display but there are over 125 available on the DMC website above.

Is it something you'd use for needlepoint?  Probably not.  It looks suitable for 10 or 12 count canvas but if you are doing a rug, you'd want a more durable thread, like wool.  It would work on plastic canvas if you are teaching someone to stitch, though.  The DMC website mentions weaving and I'd think that this might be a good product if you are learning to weave.  It comes almost eleven yards to a skein and is fairly inexpensive.  I think it might make an interesting trim but it's not something I bothered to buy for my stash despite the deep, rich colors.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 11, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, November 1, 2024

Beth Gantz Self Finishing Round Wooden Frames

Needlepoint.com demonstrates how to add a ribbon hanger to the Beth Gantz round wooden ornament frames, then how to cut, fold and insert your 3.75 inch design into the four inch frame. The second link below shows you Beth's wooden frames, which come in a variety of sizes and shapes.  Your favorite shop can order from Beth for you.


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 8, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.