The Julie Pischke Conch House Purse

Here's another custom leather purse, finished at Pinnel Custom Leather.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/DZKoGk-O7T0/

Worth every penny!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 6, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Chuck Pinnell Leather Bags Are Worth The Money UPDATED

This is why you scrimp and save to send your needlepoint to Chuck Pinnell Leather for finishing.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DX2FKMEOLdb/

The canvas design is from Zoe Pischke, who I think is Julie Pischke's daughter.  Julie designed some fabulous carpet bags for needlepoint back in the day.  Looks like Zoe has inherited her eye for what works on large bags.

UPDATE:  This bag is an Initial K Studio design, made up into the South Beach Cobalt Zag bag.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ-ByGxuOlX/

UPDATE #2:  Chuck is on a roll with this Jeni Sandberg canvas.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DaK5D5qOXG5/

UPDATE #3:  How about this Alice Peterson canvas?

https://www.instagram.com/p/Db6hyskvh2X/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Donna's Horrified. UPDATE

Donna is horrified by this Fendi purse embroidery kit--and I don't blame her!

http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2021/05/my-goodness.html

Here's the direct link--

https://www.fendi.com/au/baguette-bag-with-embroidery-kit-for-adding-a-personal-touch/p-8br600afirf0vph

For that price you could have Chuck Pinnell Leather make you a bag from your finished needlepoint and it would be a stunner.

https://www.pinnellcustomleather.com/needlepoint-accessories

UPDATE:  However, What's the Stitch Needlepoint is thrilled.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPM8rMVjWOY/

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPM8rMVjWOY/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 9, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Horse Country Chic Talks Handbags

If you want a real statement needlepoint piece, stitch a handbag.  Horse Country Chic has a lovely posting up with great photos of various handbag styles.
https://horsecountrychic.blogspot.com/2020/08/creating-needlepoint-handbag.html

I'm partial to Melissa Shirley's purse designs which are usually based on the natural world and to…
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/galsearch/?searchstring=purses&Search=Search&dosearch=

...the big carpet bag styles from Julie Pischke Designs.
https://juliepischkedesigns.com/product-category/carpet-bags/

All these are best done in tent stitches in my opinion.  Otherwise your beautiful stitching will snag as you carry these.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 14, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ok, Now That I've Stitched This, What Do I Do With It?

The traditional uses of needlepoint were wall hangings, table covers and upholstry. These days we mostly make pillows and pictures, but that's far from the only thing you can have needlepoint finished into.  Needlepoint Now magazine has some great ideas for using your finished needlepoint projects.
https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/creative-finishing-ideas-to-make-your-project-your-own

If you have plenty of cash, how about a needlepoint purse or belt from Chuck Pinnell?  It will take a while but you'll have a heirloom to use for a very very long time.
https://www.pinnellcustomleather.com/needlepoint-accessories

Not made of money?  Hilltop Leather will do a fabulous belt or keychain for you that won't cost the earth.
https://hilltopleather.com

Want to do the finishing yourself?  This online store has a great variety of leather goods that are self finishing.  You can make a box, wallet, credit card holder, tissue box, purse, luggage tag, key chain, coasters, cosmetic bag, jewelry container, ornaments, and much much more.  Stitch your canvas, trim it close to the stitching and pop it into the item!
https://needlepoint.com/collections/leather-products-self-finishing

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

The Details Make the Bag (or Belt)

Horse County Chic was at Chuck Pinnell's store recently and shows off photos of the purses and belts he makes.  I didn't realize his purses had bumper feet to protect them and I've never seen the rolled leather edge he gave to one of his belts.  Check out the oval needlepoint inserts on other belts.  That's also new to me.  This is the best belt and purse maker around!
https://horsecountrychic.blogspot.com/2018/07/attention-to-detail.html

If you want to see more, browse the Pinnell Custom Leather website.  You'll pay a lot for these but they will last and last and are beautiful to boot.
http://www.pinnellcustomleather.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 3, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The High End of Leather/Needlepoint Handbags

Horse Country Chic just visited Chuck Pinnell Leather, the home of the most beautiful leather goods you can imagine.  While she was there, she got to see a custom needlepoint handbag Chuck just made for a customer.  It's gorgeous!
http://horsecountrychic.blogspot.com/2018/01/custom-needlepoint-handbags.html

These won't be cheap but they will last a lifetime and look good always.

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

Chuck Pinnell: Leatherwork Divine

Horse Country Chic has been to see Chuck Pinnell recently.  You may have come across mention of his leatherwork in Martha Stewart Living.  His work is amazing.  It is expensive but you'll have a top quality needlepoint belt or purse that will last forever.
http://horsecountrychic.blogspot.com/2016/11/last-week-i-ventured-over-to-crozet.html

I've often thought a briefcase with a needlepoint insert or a wallet with the same would be a present to remember....
http://www.pinnellcustomleather.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 10, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

When I Win the Lottery UPDATED

When I win the lottery I plan to stitch a needlepoint belt and ask Chuck Pinnell to make the belt up.  Maybe I'll buy a horse and he can make me a saddle or boots to match?  (Or maybe I'll just ask him to finish a needlepoint purse for me to carry.  Purses don't have to be fed, groomed and ridden.)
http://horsecountrychic.blogspot.com/2011/06/chuck-pinnell-leather.html

Many thanks to Horse Country Chic for reporting on Chuck and his lovely leather goods.

UPDATE:  I didn't know that Lee Tougas used Chuck for his camera bag strap and belt finishing.  If you aren't familiar with Lee's designs, he does custom NP canvases (which he usually stitches, too) for camera bag straps.  They are gorgeous!
https://www.facebook.com/lee.tougas

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.