Tips for Tackling Large Projects

Ready to tackle a large project?  KC Needlepoint has simple tips to make a big piece less daunting.

https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/blogs/news/ready-to-tackle-a-big-project-read-all-our-tips

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 4, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

NJNA News for February 2025

NJNA's newsletter is back, full of ANG news, information about new designs, retreats, The Woodlawn show, workshops, ANG's Stitch of the Month program, shop news, and word that Kreinik's new machinery has arrived so they are starting to catch up on their metallic thread orders.  It's been a very busy couple of weeks!

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2025/02/22/whats-happening-at-njna-2-22-25/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 24, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Looking Back at 2024's Projects

I don't look back at my past year's stitching but many stitchers do.  It's always fun to see what they have accomplished.  Here is Brenda's listing for Brenda's Needlepoint Studio.

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2025/01/2024-year-in-review-1225.html

Melita Glavin has been really productive, too!

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/01/01/2024-year-in-review-a-look-forward/

And The Needleart Nut has gotten a lot done.

http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/2025/01/last-year.html

Congratulations, ladies!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 3, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Howdy Honey Needlepoint Find

The Howdy Honey Needlepoint shop in Texas found this cute clip on lamp at Target.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DGVsTnfO2M7/

It's rechargeable and has a LED bulb.  I don't know how wide a table edge it can clip on.  You may have to mail order.  My local Target's sold out already.

https://www.target.com/p/scalloped-brass-clip-light-includes-led-light-bulb-hearth-38-hand-8482-with-magnolia/-/A-91127715#lnk=sametab

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 22, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Binding Canvas Edges: The Movie

The Nashville Needlepointer talks briefly about binding the edges of needlepoint canvas in this Instagram video.  She explains why it is done and shows the various types of materials that cover the edge and keep it from unraveling or catching your threads.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9h4xj4ROhj/

If you don't have a sewing machine or access to bias tape at a fabric store the quickest and easiest way to cover those raw edges is with artists tape.  That is what needlepoint shops use.  It's thicker and smoother and holds longer than masking tape.  Look for rolls that are an inch wide or even wider.

https://www.dickblick.com/products/artist-tape/

Lori of Waste Knot shows you how to tape your edges with artist tape.  

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

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 24, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Beaded Star Tutorial

Beverly's woven bead stars were created by watching a tutorial by Seed Bead Bliss on YouTube.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10162175421711397&set=a.89824131396

Seed Bead Bliss has a lot of interesting shaped bead tutorials.  Have fun exploring!

https://www.youtube.com/@SeedBeadBliss/videos

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 15, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Make a Bullion Knot: The Movie

We have another tutorial today, this one The Wool and the Floss's take on how to make bullion knots.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DEC219kRClM/

The Wool and the Floss sells both long and short bullion needles in packages of four.  Do shop around.  Tulip needles vary in cost as well as size.  This is the slightly shorter and skinnier Tulip bullion needle.

https://woolfloss.com/products/tulip-bullion-needles-short?_pos=3&_sid=44ddcfd36&_ss=r

This is the longer, fatter bullion needle from Tulip.

https://woolfloss.com/products/tulip-bullion-needles?_pos=4&_sid=44ddcfd36&_ss=r

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 27, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Making Flowers Using a Sewing Machine Bobbin: The Movie

The ever inventive Ruth Schmuff shows us how to use a sewing machine bobbin to make a perfectly round fluffy flower on her YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYE_1tGR1pA

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 27, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ai Fraud Comes for Handwork

I stumbled across this article about Ai-generated craft books today.

https://www.404media.co/bobbin-tatting-lace-ai-generated-books/

The focus of the article is on bobbin lace but I've heard there are stumpwork books that are Ai rip-offs now.  It's only a matter of time before this hits needlepoint.

Why is this a problem?  It's two-fold.  Most of these books are geared toward beginners who are given bad information.  And the people selling these books are unscrupulous; they are pretending to have knowledge they do not have.  They are using Ai to throw together books that often violate copyright to make cash without any thought for the person buying a book that's a fraud.

These Ai-generated books do a disservice to us all.  Keep an eye out for them and warn your stitching buddies when you stumble across one. Use social media and needlepoint websites and your favorite shop to find good books through personal recommendations from actual needlepointers.

Together we can keep this sort of thing at a minimum.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow 

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 27, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Key Needlepoint Tips and Techniques

Melita Glavin gave a lecture on important tips and techniques for needlepoint to a local needlework guild and summarized it for us all on her blog.  She plans to update this as things occur to her, too, making this a nice learning tool.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/09/19/key-needlepoint-tips-and-technique-issues/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 20, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Playing Cards and Business Cards

Melita has created several self-finishing items for cards in 2024.  First, she stitched this Stitch and Zip case from Alice Peterson to hold a friend's business cards.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/12/20/stitch-zip-sewing-card-case/

Then she stitched this charming Lee/Colonial Needle case to hold playing cards for her husband's magic tricks using a chart that looks like playing card suits. 

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/12/21/ang-2024-seminar-in-kansas-city-mo-and-grab-n-go-lee-credit-card-case/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/12/27/lee-credit-card-case-a-magical-finish/

Very clever use of self-finishing items!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 22, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Poppy Monk Talks Balloon Stitch

Poppy Monk Needlepoint's latest blog post is all about the balloon stitch, a very useful background stitch.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/spotlight-on-the-needlepoint-balloon-stitch

It's one of my favorites but I use a smaller scale version from Brenda Hart.  You can omit the horizontal stitches under each balloon stitch element but it's very pretty if you do the main stitch in silk and the horizontals in a coordinating metallic.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 13,  2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Rainbow Gallery's Very Velvet Line

Needlepoint.com's latest video is all about Rainbow Gallery's Very Velvet and Petite Very Velvet.

https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/thread-talks-all-about-very-velvet?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&utm_campaign=2024_12_21%20Gift%20Cards&utm_klaviyo_id=01EY909FHC6PR7KJ94JR0X7ZVR&_kx=spGqMUEEs3Pe26tF9Jkghd_FvizqCNqZrcu-EtTsuNa-X-jY5kdJAFI_-tT2BvST.TxAVmM

I recommend you use a larger eyed needle than usual and a short tail as the needle eye will wear through the thread to expose the cord.  You can just cut that bit off but using a larger needle delays the wear.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 22, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

NJNA News

The New Jersey Needle Artists Chapter of ANG has put out their bi-monthly newsletter, which is full of ANG news, plus tidbits about new designers, the dates of the upcoming trade shows, new products and more.

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2025/02/08/whats-happening-at-njna-2-8-25/

The big news for me is that Pam of the Edwardian Needle is feeling better, but if you visit the shop, please wear a mask as Pam needs to stay away from germs right now.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 9, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Take Care of Those Hands!

Tricia Nguyễn of Thistle Threads injured her hands again.   She's much better but she wants you to pay attention to your hands and use some of her tips to care for that essential item you need to stitch.

http://thistle-threads.blogspot.com/2024/12/take-care-of-your-hands.html

Thanks for the reminder, Tricia!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 11, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A New Shop in Houston Heights, TX!

Thanks to Lauren, I know there's a new shop in Houston, Texas--Howdy Honey Needlepoint!

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10100627018537416&set=gm.8814112318665848&idorvanity=108537025890131

Howdy Honey is located in the Houston Heights neighborhood, 746 W 18th St, Houston, TX 77008.  They have an Instagram page...

https://www.instagram.com/howdyhoneyneedlepoint/

...and have a website, too.

https://howdyhoneyneedlepoint.com

Tell everyone hi from me when you visit to shake those winter blues.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 14, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Winter Solstice (Eleanor Grosch and Ruth Schmuff)

Ruth Schmuff shows off her latest class piece, Eleanor Grosch's "Winter Solstice."

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2024/12/most-elegant/

As always, you can get the canvas and Ruth's guide from her shop, Bedecked and Beadazzled.  Just follow the links.  But as a bonus, Ruth has posted directions for her clever version of padded satin stitch on her YouTube channel and also shows you how to use a pair of koma when you are laying pairs of metallics for couching like her passing thread.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOaWq4_ckXE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V71ZRppCmpA

Thanks, Ruth!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 10, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Fiber Talk Interviews Jeannette Tombaugh of Mountain Peak Studio

Fiber Talk interviews Jeannette Tombaugh of Mountain Peak Studio.

https://wetalkfiber.com/2024/12/08/fiber-talk-with-jeannette-tombaugh/

Here is her website for a little fun exploration.

https://mtnpeaksstudio.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 8, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Gift Ideas for Your Stitching Friends

Gay Ann Rogers posted ideas for great gifts for stitching friends on her website last December. Nothing was terribly expensive but everything was a gift that any stitcher would enjoy.

She suggested that stitching friends trade off designs that have areas to be ripped.  It's a lot easier to take out stitches for someone else's project than your own--you don't sit there kicking yourself for messing up!  By the way, Gay Ann likes the Bohin folding seam ripper.  Shop around as prices vary.  I choose this link because it shows various colors and how they fold and unfold well.  I have one and they are well made and sharp.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1605321535/bohin-folding-seam-ripper-assorted?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_-craft_supplies_and_tools-non_domestic_high&utm_custom1=_k_e5bc0666939217d471516132ce7cddba_k_&utm_content=bing_412372913_1302921576741207_81432662493160_pla-4585032213878099:pla-4585032213878099_c__1605321535&utm_custom2=412372913&msclkid=e5bc0666939217d471516132ce7cddba

Gay Ann also suggests trading off sections of your project.  She says during her teaching days friends would often switch pieces so that one who was really good a cutwork could do that on both designs while their buddy would do lovely satin stitches.  You'll always have good memories about that section that was a bear because your friend did it for you!

By the way, the Pointing It Out podcast, with Megan and Melissa, discusses their gift guide for Christmas 2024.  It's no longer Christmas but hey, gifts are appropriate all through the year!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7-ZOZhjLNA

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 7, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Merry L's Seam-Fix

Thanks to BeStitched, I learned Merry L has a new tool called the Seam-Fix.

https://bestitchedneedlepointshop.com/products/scissors-japanese-pen-style-with-flower-beads?inf_contact_key=053d4c85dcec1acf76a5c968a47ea2ac

It comes in two sizes with a silicon "eraser" tip on the cover that conceals a ripping tool.  Rip out a mistake with the ripper, then put the tip back on and use the silicon top to pick up the fuzzies left behind.

https://bestitchedneedlepointshop.com/blogs/bestitched/needlepoint-hack-by-lauren-kessler

Your local shop can order one for you if they don't have them in stock.  Shop around if you order online as prices vary slightly.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 10, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Pleated Wings from Jenny Adin-Christie

I am in awe of Jenny Adin-Christie's talent, so I follow her on Instagram where I found this tutorial on making pleated ribbon wing edges.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C814FWfo9hF/

It's so easy!  Couch the ribbon down with a matching color of thread, do a second stitch in the middle of the ribbon to secure it, bend the ribbon up (or down), and repeat all along the edge of your wing.  The video is rather long but worth watching to the end to see how Jenny secures the end, that she used a waxed thread, and how she started and ended threads and ended her ribbon.  She is stitching on felt mounted on gauze so needlepointers can just take the end of their ribbon down through a hole and secure it on the back side instead of using another row of pleated ribbon to cover the end.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 1, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Compensation Tips

The Wool and The Floss has posted tips to make compensation easier on their Instagram account.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DA1yOTwsl9b/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 8, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Revisiting Old Projects

Jan is wandering down memory lane and looking at old projects over at her Stitch Lady blog.  The first piece is a Joan Thomasson class she took.

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2024/09/05/down-memory-lane/

If you'd like to try one of Joan's wonderful larger class pieces, you can order from her website.

https://www.stitchinstuff.com/shop?page=4

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 5, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint Angels Seek "Grandma's Kitchen"

Needlepoint Angels* is asking folks to search their stash for Sandra Gilmore's "Grandma's Kitchen."  If you have this in your stash and are willing to donate it to a stitch who lost their stash in the California fires, contact them ASAP.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFo4bwNx1eO/

*Needlepoint Angels tries to help stitchers in need.  You can sign up to volunteer here-https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeM0SAr1ImOLIYk-vJ7CsmL5tixHSPNK_dCjxuuY85siS4X1Q/viewform

If you need help, sign up here.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSevkgidRTac78xM_DteJIJgP6Fczu07PQv4nUdCzO4EKCXaGA/viewform?pli=1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 5, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: Wallace & Company Needlepoint Opens at New Location

It's good news for people in East Tennessee--Wallace & Company Needlepoint is opening at their new location (101 Forest Court, Knoxville, TN) next Saturday, February 8!  Their hours are 10-3 p.m.

You can always visit their website or...

https://www.wallace-and-company.com/needlepoint

...their Instagram page to join in the fun from a distance.

https://www.instagram.com/wallaceneedlepoint/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 5, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Why I Stitch

Poppy Monk muses over why she needlepoints in this thought-provoking essay.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/why-i-stitch-the-unexpected-beauty-of-needlepoint

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 1, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: Stitch By Stitch Larchmont Temporarily Closed

Last Saturday around 2:30 a.m. the Stitch by Stitch store in Larchmont, NY was hit by a car.  

https://www.facebook.com/stitchbystitchlarchmont/posts/pfbid038P4YuASSQNrrZQjdySuyWjWQh84ovMQmWFKv6i2Lh3414Qz4WriyCa35tJzmz9S1l

Most of the damage was to Estelle Gourmet in the same area but the needlepoint shop had some damage to the front window, door, planter and bench.  They can't reopen until an engineer certifies the building is safe.  That will likely happen by Thursday, Feb. 6.  Call the shop before you go over, however, just in case.  The shop website is open for business, though.

https://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/

We are all glad it was in the middle of the night and no one was hurt!  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 4, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Diamonds, Triangles and More (Debbie Rowley)

Melita took a class from Debbie Rowley of DebBee's Designs called "Diamonds, Triangles and More."  She has posted the finished project here.  I find it quite interesting.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/11/27/diamonds-triangles-and-more-a-geometric-from-explore-and-design-with-debbie-rowley/

I think this would look very different with a color canvas in the background or with heavier weight threads.  Debbie Rowley always surprises!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 28, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tightening Stretcher Bars the Easy Way (Mopsey Designs)

This short video explains how to tighten canvases on stretcher bars without having to take the design off the bars.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DC2P_qdP5rX/

Clever!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 27, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Exclusives from Needlepoint Junction

Are you looking for something unique that not everyone and their brother-in-law are stitching?  Look no further than the shop exclusive page on Needlepoint Junction's website.

https://shopneedlepointjunction.com/collections/exclusives

I'm particularly found of the Gingerbread Dreams Mini Sock on 13 count (I've seen it stitched with both the pink background and a deep blue) but there is plenty to love and enjoy here like the birdhouse and cardinal or the napkin ring canvases with Beth Gantz napkin ring frames.  Gayla Elliott fans will swoon over her Autumn canvas!

Then there are the Nordic mini socks and sweater designs....

Not to mention the leather self-finishing frames from Jenny Henry!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 27, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Review of Laying Tools

Melita is trying to organize her stash, getting rid of things that are duplicates or that she doesn't use.  In the process she found all her laying tools and showed them to us.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/11/24/laying-tools/

Personally, I love my trolley needle for stranded threads.  I wear it on my left thumb and like Melita, I've never stabbed myself with it.  Wooden laying tools (I like the shorter, fatter ones since I have little hands) seem to work better for cotton threads.  I adore my tekobari for silk flosses; nothing tames them better!  I also have a bone laying tool I almost never use and a nut pick from my nutcracker set that is fabulous for taming silk ribbons.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 25, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.