Frey Check Tidbit

Rittenhouse posted a short message on Facebook about Frey Check which is used to keep threads from unraveling.  I knew Frey Check dries clear but not that you can remove it with rubbing alcohol.  Interesting!

https://www.facebook.com/rittenhouse.needlepoint/posts/pfbid0sxGbCTc5gtnTuMzaH3a9ohCYFNo89NhGRfLstencugaw4fam9vi72DfVNQZdYV41l

If you want to use Frey Check, shop around.  The price varies a lot for the standard 3/4 ounce bottle.

https://www.joann.com/prym-dritz-fray-check-sealant/1052851.html

You can use other items instead of Frey Check that you might own already.  This article mentions several although it is geared toward machine sewing.

https://sewingiscool.com/fray-check-alternative/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 18, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Hummingbird Needle Threader

Mary Corbet has a review of the Hummingbird Needle Threader.  It combines a needle threader capable of threading a size 28 needle with a tiny thread cutter in the body of a blue plastic bird that you can wear on a chain or dangle from a scissors fob.
https://www.needlenthread.com/2020/02/hummingbird-needle-threader.html

It's made by Dritz and is available in a lot of fabrics and crafts stores.  It appears to also come in green.  Note that 123Stitch says it is too large for threading beading needles.
https://www.123stitch.com/item/Dritz-Hummingbird-Needle-Threader/DRITZ-270

If you aren't in the USA, this video shows a different packaging that might help you track it down as it is distributed by N. Jefferson, Ltd. in Canada.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SlDyAN4VGY

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 12, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Snag Nab-It Revisited (and a Give-away) UPDATE

Snag Nab-Its

Back before Thanksgiving I mentioned the Snag Nab-It which is used to pull stray thread tails back to the rear of a canvas.  This is essentially a long needle with a pointed end and a roughed up end that is supposed to pull a stray thread to the back side of your canvas.  You insert the pointed needle in the hole that has a thread tail sticking out, then gently pull the Snag Nab-It through.  The rough end catches the thread and pulls it to the back side along with the needle.
http://www.123stitch.com/item/Dritz-Snag-Nab-It/DRITZ-618

When I wrote that post I heard from Jane B. that her local JoAnn's Fabrics carries them in three separate sizes.  I had no idea that they varied in diameter, but this is important since the Fiber Talk podcast just mentioned that a Snag Nab-it can tear your ground fabric if you are not careful.  This is less likely to be a problem with needlepoint canvas than linen but you still want to be careful.  I managed to find two different lengths of the Snag Nab-It pictured online here.
https://www.shop.com/Crafts/dritz+snag+nab+it

Jane sent me an assortment of Snag Nab-Its in three diameters.  They are all about the same length but you can easily see that some of the needles are thicker than others.  With her help and encouragement I am offering one of the Snag Nab-Its as a giveaway.   Post a comment here (or email me at chilly hollow at hot mail dot com if Google won't let you use Comments) and I will do a random drawing in a week's time, on February 28.  The winner will need to mail me a stamped, self-addressed envelope and will receive the single Snag Nab-It in the package in the photo above as a present from Jane.

Thanks for all your help, Jane!

UPDATE:  The contest is over and Jane's about to draw the winner, to be announced on March 1st.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 7, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Dag Nab It

I meant to title this "Snag Nab It" as that's the tool I wanted to mention today but I flubbed the title and it's so funny, I left it.  The Snag Nab It is a needle with a spiral at the point end that carries loose threads from the front of a knitted fabric to the back.  The original use was to fix snags but we stitchers use it to carry loose thread ends to the back side.  The first section shows the needle in close up and how it is used on clothing.  Shop around as the prices vary.
http://thriftylittlemom.com/2014/01/10/diy-fashion-repair-secrets-from-retailors/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 23, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.