Interviewing Joanna of Plum Stitchery

Shannan of Bobbin and Fred is interviewing Joanna of Plum Stitchery this week.  It's a fun look at a designer who is fairly new to needlepoint.
https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2019/04/lets-meet-joanna-of-plum-stitchery.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 26, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Bobbin and Fred Interviews Tess of Pewter And Pine

Shannon of Bobbin and Fred has another fun interview on her blog, this time with Tess Nagle of Pewter and Pine Needlepoint Design.
https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2019/05/lets-meet-tess-of-pewter-pine.html

Here is Tess's website so you can explore Pewter and Pine.
https://www.pewterandpine.com

And here is The Common Thread's website.  I'd heard mention of this but had no idea they had a website.  More needlepoint, but arranged as an online exhibit using Pantone's Living Coral color as a theme.
https://ourcommonthreadco.com/living-coral

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 16, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A New Style Thimble from Clover UPDATED

Shannan at Bobbin and Fred has done a thimble review about several styles of thimbles. I don't often use thimbles in needlepoint but if you do or you want to try using one, they aren't very expensive.  They also make hand sewing much easier.  I do use them when finishing ornaments.
https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2019/04/thimble-review-and-diy-needlepoint.html

Because Shannan's in the UK, I did a search to see if the open-sided thimble is available in the US.  It is.  Remember, it comes in two sizes only.
https://www.clover-usa.com/en/thimbles/249-open-sided-thimbles.html

UPDATE:  SL says these are not actually new.  She's seen them around for quite a while here in the USA so anyone interested ought to be able to find them fairly easily.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 24, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

An Interview with Brooke of Thorn Alexander

Shannan at the Bobbin and Fred blog has been interviewing younger designers like herself, particularly needlepoint ones. Today's interview is a fun one with Brooke Thorn or Thorne Alexander.
https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2019/03/lets-meet-brooke-of-thorn-alexander.html

You can see the Thorn Alexander line on their website.
https://thornalexander.com

You can see Vogue's 73 Questions with Amy Adams here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeKBv6nR3AY

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 4, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Let's Get to Know Emily Peacock

Virginia Wolf Canvas, from Emily Peacock

The latest in Bobbin and Fred's interviews of needlepoint designers focuses on Emily Peacock who is better known in her native United Kingdom than here in the United States.  I was intrigued by what Emily says about copyright since intellectual property theft is something I am campaigning against on Facebook.  It's rampant and also shocking the number of folks who don't think selling someone else's artwork is stealing.
https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2019/04/lets-meet-emily-peacock.html

You'll have fun browsing Emily's kits.  Many of them are on 7 or 10 count Zweigart canvas, making them a fast stitch or perhaps a good choice if your eyes are currently bothering you.  She does 12 count printed designs, too.  The portrait of Virginia Wolf above is one of these printed canvases that comes in a kit with Appleton wool.
http://emilypeacock.squarespace.com/shop

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 5, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Bobbin and Fred Use Knitting Yarn for Needlepoint UPDATED

Shannan of Bobbin and Fred talks about using Stylecraft's Special DK and Chunky knitting yarns for a needlepoint project based on a friend's artwork.
https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2019/03/is-stylecraft-special-dk-good.html

I don't knit so I don't know if these brands of knitting yarn are available here in the USA, but I imagine you can use any sort of yarn you can lay your hands on for a small test project like a glasses case.

UPDATE:  Liz has a warning for those thinking about using knitting yarn for a needlepoint project.  Thanks, Liz!

Knitting yarn for needlepoint? Depends. If you are looking for a special effect of some kind, use what you need to succeed! However, for "regular" needlepoint be wary. Knitting yarn tends to be a lot stretchier than needlepoint yarn and you really have to watch your tension. These folks seem to be using 10-count, so I'm guessing they are using worsted weight so, yes, you can get a very good price, if you are going to work a very large piece! It is a false economy if you are buying a big skein of knitting yarn when all you need is a few yards of something. And they mentioned machine wash & dry, so it is probably acrylic or at least a blend which would make your needlepoint piece just about impossible to block. So, can you use knitting yarn for needlepoint? Yes, but.....

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 20, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Bobbin and Fred Interviews Anne Fisher and Emma Homent

Shannon's latest interview of young needlepoint designers for her Bobbin and Fred blog introduces us to Anne Fisher of Anne Fisher Needlepoint.
https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2019/03/lets-meet-anne-fisher-needlepoint.html

You can visit the beautiful Anne Fisher Needlepoint website here.
https://www.annefisherneedlepoint.com

The second interview Shannon's done recently is with the British designer Emma Homent of The Makers Marks.
https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2019/03/lets-meet-emma-of-makers-marks.html

Emma doesn't seem to have a website but you can follow her on Facebook or Instagram.
https://www.facebook.com/themakersmarks/

https://www.instagram.com/themakersmarks/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 14, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Make Your Own Purse Tutorial

If you would love to have a needlepoint purse but the cost of finishing on top of the hand painted canvas is daunting, why not make your own purse on 7 count plastic canvas?  Shannan will show you how in the March/April 2019 issue of Needlepoint Now magazine.  She's even doing a giveaway of an issue, in case you don't subscribe.
https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2019/04/new-pattern-millefleur-satchel.html

This article lists the materials needed.  She uses knitting yarn for the project but you can substitute regular threads you have in your stash if you like.  Even perle cotton should work nicely.  You can also use interlock canvas but it will likely be harder to find in anything larger than 10 count.  I would try using 14 count as that will increase the repeats of the pattern on the original design by two, making it easier to work out what this will look like.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 2, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Bobbin and Fred Interviews Jenny Henry and Talks Stitch Club

The younger needlepoint designers are starting to band together and stitch together, which is a great idea!  I don't know what they are doing with the Needlepoint Designers Challenge Group but that will be revealed later.  For now, let's get to know the group, starting with Jenny Henry.
https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2019/02/lets-meet-jenny-henry-designs.html

If you keep reading you'll learn about how Stitch Club started in Chicago via Instagram and is evolving as a way for needlepointers and other stitchers to meet and stitch with other folks in their geographic area.  If you are interested in seeing if there is a Stitch Club in your area, look on Instagram or email stitchclubofficial@gmail.com.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 15, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Speaking of Plastic Canvas Boxes….

Bobbin and Fred have been longing for a needlepoint belt, but since Shannan's in the UK, belt finishers are hard to find. What does a needlewoman do? Make one from plastic canvas!
https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2019/01/buckle-up-this-ones-belter.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 28, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Turkish Jewels Scissors Case, Fob and Needle Book

Bobbin and Fred has published the instructions for their needle book on their website.  The instructions for the scissors case and fob were in Needlepoint Now's November-December 2018 issue.
https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2018/11/new-pattern-turkish-jewel-scissor-pouch.html

All of the pieces of the set were sewn on 14 count plastic canvas so you can easily substitute 13 count needlepoint canvas if you prefer.  Plastic canvas is stiffer, of course, and the cut edges won't unravel.  Here's how to join pieces of plastic canvas together.
https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2018/12/how-to-join-two-pieces-of-plastic.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 16, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Day of the Dead Notebook Cover

Bobbin and Fred is making a notebook cover from plastic canvas. It's really pretty.
https://sewingwithbobbinandfred.blogspot.co.uk/2018/02/flapping-about-plastic-canvas-book.html#more

https://sewingwithbobbinandfred.blogspot.com/2018/04/its-finish-day-of-dead-tapestry.html

This isn't really a tutorial although an adventuresome stitcher could probably experiment on their own and come up with a nice book cover of their own.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 4, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Background for the T Rex Coin Purse in NP Now

Bobbin and Fred's T Rex Coin Purse which is in the March-April 2018 Needlepoint Now is featured on the Bobbin and Fred blog this week.  This is a darling beginner's project using plastic canvas.  If you have someone into the Jurassic Park movies, this is a way to teach them needlepoint.  Plus Shannan has some fascinating information about the dinosaur sounds in the movies.
https://sewingwithbobbinandfred.blogspot.com/2018/03/new-pattern-t-rex-needlepoint-purse.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 28, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

GIMP Tutorial

Bobbin and Fred have done a great tutorial on using GIMP to adjust colors in a needlepoint design when you are looking for color inspiration.  GIMP is free image manipulation software.  It's limited in what it can do but for the purposes of this tutorial, it works well.
https://sewingwithbobbinandfred.blogspot.com/2018/03/tutorial-easy-image-manipulation-for.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 6, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Bobbin and Fred Do Valentine's Day

Bobbin and Fred has a fun article up about Valentine Day gifts for stitchers.  There's something for every taste and nothing is too expensive, either. Have fun checking it all out, and perhaps making your own list of perfect Valentines for needlepointers.
https://sewingwithbobbinandfred.blogspot.com/2018/01/valentines-day-gift-guide-for.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 30, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Bobbin and Fred Plays with Rhodes Stitch UPDATED

Bobbin and Fred has a lot of fun playing with colors in Rhodes Stitch on plastic canvas.
https://sewingwithbobbinandfred.blogspot.com/2017/08/experiments-with-rhodes-stitch-on.html

UPDATE:  Shannon fixed the above link!  So now you can play with colors, too.

Plus Bobbin and Fred have a great article about using plastic canvas to make a phone case that is fabulous.  It's perfect for the beginner, too.   Hope you like it.
https://sewingwithbobbinandfred.blogspot.com/2017/07/how-to-make-needlepoint-plastic-canvas.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 19, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.