Printed versus Hand Painted Needlepoint Canvas

Oz Needle and Thread talks about the costs of printed needlepoint canvases versus hand painted needlepoint canvases.  

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

If the topic of the business of needlepoint fascinates you, this article by Atlantic Blue Canvas explaining their needlepoint canvas painting business might be of interest.

https://www.atlanticbluecanvas.com/blogs/blogs/needlepoint-painted-canvases-explained-what-they-are-why-they-matter-and-how-designers-can-scale-smarter

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 19, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint Treasure Trees

NeedlePaint has something new in their line of printed designs--a dimensional Christmas tree that opens up to show a hidden surprise!  The trees come in two sizes and Peggy explains how she assembled them in this interesting article.  

https://www.needlepaint.com/blog/2024/01/29/needlepoint-treasure-trees/

If you want to try this, the larger tree will be easier to assemble.  Smaller items are harder because our fingers get in the way!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 30, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Finish Small Ornaments with Hoops

If you want to try finishing small round ornaments yourself, NeedlePaint has a nice tutorial on their blog about finishing their Twelve Days of Christmas designs into small hoops.
https://www.needlepaint.com/blog/2019/06/27/hoop-them-up-needlepaints-diy-christmas-ornaments/

Karen advises you to buy all your hoops at the same time from the same manufacturer.
https://www.needlepaint.com/blog/2019/08/05/thinking-of-christmas/

Joann's Fabrics carries three inch wooden embroidery hoops.
https://www.joann.com/wood-hoop-3in/1043868.html

Michael's has colorful plastic four inch embroidery hoops.
https://www.michaels.com/susan-bates-hoop-la-embroidery-hoop-4in/10337140.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 27, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Belt Frames: F. A. Edmunds

Needle Paint shows off the F. A. Edmunds belt scroll frame and how a belt is stitched with it.
https://www.needlepaint.com/blog/2019/02/27/how-to-stitch-a-needlepoint-belt-canvas/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 27, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Finish a Yarmulke

Needle Paint has a fun article on their blog that explains how to finish a yarmulke.  I'm not Jewish but I bet this idea could be adapted for a little needlepoint cap for a teddy bear.  It's also just interesting to see how the round cap is created out of a flat needlepoint canvas.  I particularly like the idea of using bias tape around the edge to create a smooth finish that won't catch hair when worn.
https://www.needlepaint.com/blog/2018/08/22/finishing-a-needlepoint-yarmulke/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 23, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Custom Needlepoint Slippers

Needle Paint has made some needlepoint slipper designs for customers recently and shows them off on their blog.
https://www.needlepaint.com/blog/2018/02/22/needlepoint-slippers-and-loafers/

It's not inexpensive to have the canvas designed and I expect the finishing will be at least two-three times what the canvas costs.  But it will certainly be a one-of-a-kind item!
https://www.needlepaint.com/needlepoint-kits/custom-slipper-needlepoint-canvas--1125

Needle Paint's customer recommended George Cleverly in London for finishing.  I didn't see any examples of needlepoint slippers on their website.
https://www.georgecleverley.com

Bowhill and Elliott in Norwich (also the UK) were also mentioned as slipper finishers by Needle Paint.    Check under "Slippers" to see examples of their work.
https://www.bowhillandelliott.co.uk

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright  February 24, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitching for the June Wedding

June is a traditional wedding month so Needle Paint just showcased some of the original designs they created for wedding ring bearer pillows and wedding memorial framing.
http://www.needlepaint.com/blog/2017/05/03/glamorous-needlepoint-wedding-gifts/

Happy wedding whenever your wedding stitching happens!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 3, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Custom Yarlmulkes

Needle Paint does lots of custom pet portraits, wedding ring bearer pillows and belts but this posting on their blog is something new--custom yarlmulke and kippah designs!   This is a great way to customize a head covering that has religious meaning for someone special in your life.  
http://www.needlepaint.com/blog/2015/02/19/custom-kippah-yarlmulke-needlepoint-canvases/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 22, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

What Is a Cipher and What's a Monogram? UPDATED

It never occurred to me that monograms were not just letters of the alphabet on a design until I read Mary Corbet's very helpful article on monographs, ciphers and initials. 
http://www.needlenthread.com/2014/08/initials-ciphers-monograms.html

UPDATE:  Needle Paint which creates a lot of custom belts with various styles of monograms talks about their favorite styles with lots of photo examples.
http://www.needlepaint.com/blog/2014/10/09/needlepoint-belt-monogram-ideas/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 14, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Custom Flag Ornaments

Needle Paint has a customer who requested small flags from the countries their family has visited. What a great idea!   There are several designers who do country-themed ornaments (Trubey, Painted Pony, etc.) but if your trips are off the beaten path, a flag might be a good idea.
http://www.needlepaint.com/blog/2014/07/30/needlepoint-flags-for-christmas-ornament-tradition/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 31, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Measure a Needlepoint Belt

Needle Paint explains how to measure a needlepoint belt.  The exact calculation is meant for their custom belt canvases but it probably will help you figure out belt sizes if you don't have a shop nearby.
http://blog.needlepaint.com/2013/06/19/how-to-measure-a-needlepoint-belt/

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.

Tips on Turning Photographs into Needlepoint Canvases

Needle Paint is a company that specializes in custom canvases, especially those created from a customer's photograph. They posted some interesting tips on choosing a photograph to be printed on needlepoint on their blog this morning.  If you are considering doing this, you will want to read the article.
http://blog.needlepaint.com/2013/06/12/needlepoint-photo-portraits/

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.

White Elephants

It's turning to summer here in Chilly Hollow (summer here equals heat, humidity, mosquitoes and drunken tourists) so as an antidote to this--plus an excuse to stay inside and stitch--I present Needle Paint's White Elephant belt.  Doesn't this just make you smile?
http://blog.needlepaint.com/2013/05/22/white-elephant-needlepoint-belt/

Needle Paint does custom pieces as well as lots of belt and wedding designs.  Click on kits to see the range of their offerings.  I've not used their services myself but I've heard from people who were very happy to have the belt or dog portrait they've wanted for years.
http://www.needlepaint.com

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.

The Rumor Mill - Smathers and Branson

Ridgewood Needlepoint's latest e-newsletter says that Smathers and Branson have discontinued their needlepoint canvases as of now and are selling off their inventory. They are not reducing prices, however. Ridgewood also says that the company is still doing finishing for now.
http://www.smathersandbranson.com/web/catalog.aspx?group=0

I am interpreting this to mean that Smathers and Branson are discontinuing any non-stitched canvases.  I assume they are still selling the finished pieces (especially belts) that is the main part of their business.  I don't know if this means they are discontinuing the custom design business.  I am sure that you can check with Ridgewood if you want clarification.
http://www.ridgewoodneedlepoint.com

Since I mentioned belts this morning, here's a gorgeous one, stitched by a NeedlePaint customer for her son.  Nice!
http://blog.needlepaint.com/2013/05/29/kids-needlepoint-belt/

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.

Needle Paint and the Old Fashioned Santa

Needle Paint shows off one of their Vintage Santa canvases and provides a link to their Etsy shop.  Needle Paint started out as a photo to needlepoint service but they offer much more now and at a lower price than a hand painted canvas.  It's fun to look at their Etsy canvases and wonder how some of my favorite family photos would look transferred to needlepoint....
http://designneedlepointkits.com/2012/09/03/vintage-christmas-needlepoint-kit/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com