A Brief Interview with Megan Holmes (Gingham Stitchery)

Megan Holmes does it all--shop owner, designer, podcaster and Instagram Queen!  You can get to know a bit about Megan through the brief interview Needlepoint.com did when they had a trunk show of the wonderful Gingham Stitchery offerings.

https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/designer-showcase-the-gingham-stitchery

You can browse the designs that Megan is bringing to us at the Gingham Stitchery website.

https://theginghamstitchery.com/

Then wander over to the website for the Needlepoint Clubhouse, the St. Louis store than Megan runs.

https://www.needlepointclubhouse.com/

Finally, you can visit the Pointing It Out Podcast and hear Megan and her sidekick Melissa McCloud as they talk all about needlepoint.  The podcast is on hiatus right now but you can enjoy all the fun they've had before life got too crazy with their various businesses and retreats.

https://www.youtube.com/@pointingitoutpodcast

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 11, 2025 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.

Pointing It Out Interviews Maddie Sweet of Gingham Stitchery

Megan of The Pointing It Out podcast interviews Maddie Sweet of Maddie Sweet Designs, distributed by Gingham Stitchery.  You'll learn her background, how she creates needlepoint designs, and more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77Gs16lMYHs

Want to see Maddie's designs?  You can look at her section of the Gingham Stitchery website here--

https://theginghamstitchery.com/collections/maddie-sweet-designs

You can also browse her Instagram page.

https://www.instagram.com/maddiesweetdesigns/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 21, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Leather Finishers for Needlepointers

I've started compiling a list of leather finishers.  I can't always find out if the finisher accepts work directly from a stitcher but you can always ask.  These are alphabetical by company name, by the way, with any notes about the company that are pertinent.

Fennel's is a tack and belt finisher.  They are located in Kentucky.

https://www.fennells.com/np-belt-finishing.html

Hill Top Leather is known for their belts.  They are really backed up with work right now. They are north of Lexington, Kentucky.

https://hilltopleather.com/

House of Fleming is an Atlanta company that offers a variety of leathers and that folks say communicates well.  

https://houseoffleming.com/

Leather Prize is in Fort Myers, Florida.  They specialize in custom work and repairs.

https://leatherprize.com/

Pinnell Custom Leather is the high end leather finisher.  They are in rural Virginia and likely have a backlog of work.  They do everything.

https://www.pinnellcustomleather.com/

Sign of the Arrow is a shop in St. Louis known for their large stock of needlepoint belt canvases.  I don't know which finisher(s) they use but people love their work.

http://signofthearrow.com/

Always ask your local shop about leather finishing first.  They likely have experience working with leather finishers and can help through the process, which isn't straightforward.  The Pointing It Out podcast has an episode about belts to talk you through the choices you have to make.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s9_oHZ7PRY

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 18, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Melissa's and Megan's Journey

I imagine a lot of folks are like me on Halloween, without any little kids coming to my door for candy, so let's do something totally different and listen to the two Pointing It Out podcasts where the hosts, Melissa MacLeod of The Wool and The Floss, and Megan Holmes of the Needlepoint Clubhouse, interview each other.  

The first video is all about Melissa.  You can learn a bit about her career before needlepoint, how she became a shop owner, the impact of Covid on needlepoint, the re-branding Melissa has done, and the fact that despite her business background, she goes to Market without a budget.  

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

You can even tour Melissa's stitching room via this Instagram video.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-k0vToRDji/

The second video is all about Megan.  You can get to know her, learn a bit about her shop and discover how she's gone from shop owner to canvas distributor to new owner of Susan Roberts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBALTmmV_30

The websites for The Wool and The Floss and the Needlepoint Clubhouse are here--

https://woolfloss.com/

https://www.needlepointclubhouse.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 6, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Pointing It Out Interviews Danny Ravan of Fleur de Paris UPDATED

Megan of the Pointing It Out Podcast interviews Danny Ravan of Fleur de Paris, Rainbow Gallery, Kreinik and Picture This Plus Fabrics.

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

It's a fascinating interview, particularly about Fleur de Paris' history and how things are evolving today.

UPDATE:  Oz Needle and Thread visited Fleur de Paris with Last Stitch Club and posted a short video on Instagram in January 2026.

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

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

How Needlepoint Designs are Painted

NDPLT Company, Kirkland Design Studio, and Gingham Stitchery show you how needlepoint is painted in the Philippines, from the creation of a master that has to be approved, to the sketch and finally the various painters who fill in this color or that.  The design examples are from Kirkland's new "store front" series and the "Betty" designs that will be available in the fall.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/C85ui8bh4Ju/

You can see some of the storefront series (I think there are six total:  Macy's, Tiffany's, Bloomingdale's, Bergdorf's, Dior, and Saks) here--

https://theginghamstitchery.com/collections/kirkland-design-studios?sort_by=best-selling&filter.v.availability=1&filter.v.price.gte=&filter.v.price.lte=

To continue the series, NDPLT shows how a master is created.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C87_-jJhPf7/

Here is Spellbound Stitchery's new Fisherman canvas.

https://spellboundstitchery.com/collections/maritime-magic

If you are fascinated by all this like I am, visit the Pointing It Out podcast where Megan interviews Heidi of NDPLT who owns a painting company in the Philippines.  You'll learn much more and get into all the steps that are involved from the creation of a design to having it painted and then shipping it to your favorite shop.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9FCxByNZJM/?g=5&img_index=1

You can also see what Paige of Blue Ridge Stitchery shows about how she creates her designs on her Instagram in an abbreviated form.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-Ie3AQRpjd/?g=5&img_index=1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 2, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Meeting Laura Love Designs

Melissa of the Wool and the Floss shop and the Pointing It Out Podcast interviews Laura of Laura Love Designs.  Learn a bit about Laura, her language skills and her background and jobs, plus why her mom gets a gold star.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjrM9gBYvKE

Laura is based in London now.  You can visit her designs at her website.  

https://www.lauralovedesigns.com/

Here's the Love You to the Moon and Back garland she mentions.

https://www.lauralovedesigns.com/garland-designs?pgid=lrgo1uu73-aed30c86-491d-4b4e-b732-a59537d228f5

Here is the Safari garland.  The ornament versions are on the ornament page.

https://www.lauralovedesigns.com/garland-designs?pgid=lrgo1uu73-260d81fc-9383-4a33-8354-c2c6df6312df

Here are some of her botanicals.  More are in the stockings area.

https://www.lauralovedesigns.com/pillows-and-large-canvases

Here are the seed packets.

https://www.lauralovedesigns.com/seed-packets

Here are the cookies.

https://www.lauralovedesigns.com/sweet-treats

Here is the white Joy ornament.

https://www.lauralovedesigns.com/ornaments-and-inserts?pgid=lrgl5lly-04c57ab7-91bd-43d6-a6bf-6a4f64f11ae1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Meeting Jeni Sandberg Needlepoint

Megan Holmes of The Needlepoint Clubhouse in St. Louis interviews Jeni Sandberg about her designs in the latest Pointing It Out Podcast.  It's a fun ride hearing about how Jeni came to do what she does today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lZvfyHvwK8

Jeni Sandberg Needlepoint creates lots of classic designs, particularly for bags and clutches, pillows and key fobs.  You can explore her work on her website, including her acrylic purse handles in various colors and charted alphabets.

https://jenisandbergneedlepoint.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 4, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Meeting the Pointer Sisters

This week's podcast from Melissa of the Pointing It Out podcast team is an interview with Timmy Schultz and Jan Dedrick, otherwise known as the Pointer Sisters.  You'll get to know both of them and learn a bit about their books, including their third book which is in progress (out this fall?).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pr_F7oAOzk

You probably remember their book, Pretty Stitches.  Their latest book is called We've Got Your Back Ground Stitches.  If your favorite shop doesn't carry the books, you can always order from Timmy's website.

https://www.atpneedlepoint.com/shop/p/pretty-stitches-by-the-pointer-sisters-stitch-guide-mh8ff

If you want to see the Labors of Love pieces that Timmy and Jan showed, here is the Halloween page of their website--

https://www.laborsofloveneedlepoint.com/halloween.html

...and here is the Easter section.

https://www.laborsofloveneedlepoint.com/easter.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 21, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Manage Larger Projects

The Pointing It Out Podcast talks ways to manage bigger projects.  If you are traveling with a bigger project, working a Christmas stocking, or just need ideas about how to manage a bigger project you are thinking you might buy, this is a must read.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI-6yt_mvrU

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Finishing From the Shop Owner's Perspective

The latest Pointing It Out Podcast talks about finishing from a shop owner's perspective.  It's fascinating to learn all the steps finishing goes through between the time a finished piece arrives at a shop until it returns to the stitcher made into something fabulous.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BvyQ87gxXI

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Visiting Rainbow Gallery and Fleur de Paris

In early February 2024, Megan Holmes of The Needlepoint Clubhouse in St. Louis and co-hostess of the Pointing It Out podcast visited the headquarters of Fleur de Paris and Rainbow Gallery in Burbank, California.  Fleur de Paris has an open house for California shops each year which is why you see other shop owners browsing the canvases other designers sell during the tour.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2f_Mfl4URZM

In the video you'll see the amazing variety of things that Fleur de Paris distributes and watch Rainbow Gallery threads being made.  Now that Kreinik is part of the Fleur de Paris family and Kreinik braid making machines are now living here, this is a particularly pertinent tour.

UPDATE:  Angel City Stitchery took the tour and saw all sorts of wonderful things!  Who knew Bella Lusso was skeined by hand?!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DTj0P2yk7xI/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 19, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Colors of Praise Team

Melissa from the Wool and the Floss interviewed Marie Barber and her daughter Malin who are Colors of Praise at the Spring 2024 trade show in Charlotte, NC for her shop Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C46f9PprpI3/

Here are the Anna clutches--

https://colorsofpraiseneedlepoint.com/products/anna-clutches

Here's the Pointing It Out podcast interview Melissa mentioned so you can get to know Marie and her daughter better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIw0kHGyxQQ

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Getting to Know Merry L

The latest Pointing It Out podcast interviews Ellen Davis, the co-owner of Merry L Needlework Accessories.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD8mKdzJh34

If you have a Facebook account, you can see more of Merry L's products here.

https://www.facebook.com/merrylneedleworkaccessorirs

Here are some of the fabrics the collapsable ort holders come in.

https://woolfloss.com/products/collapsible-fabric-ort-catcher?_pos=2&_sid=6ad098ffc&_ss=r&variant=44245829320924

Here's more about the needle cozies.

https://nuts-about-needlepoint.com/merry-l-needle-cozies-product-review/

Here's the triangular frame weight.

https://www.stitchersgardenil.com/shop/c/p/Frame-Weight-x68824157.htm

Wooden laying tools with beaded tassels.

https://www.stitchersgardenil.com/shop/c/p/Wood-Laying-tools-with-beaded-tassel-x68824174.htm

Japanese pen scissors with beaded tassels.

https://www.stitchersgardenil.com/shop/c/p/Japanese-Pen-style-Scissors-with-Beaded-tassel-x68824215.htm

Felted ball scissor fobs.

https://woolfloss.com/products/needle-threader-fob-with-felted-balls-and-flowers

Of course your favorite shop may stock these tools already.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Getting to Know ThreadworX

Melissa of the Pointing It Out podcast interviews Tony Carter of ThreadworX.  It's interesting to hear how this business got started, the threads they offer and their plans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4Ytb2mXhOE

If you aren't a threadaholic you may not have heard of ThreadworX.  Browse all the goodies here.

https://www.threadworx.com/

Here are the colors in Bradley's Balloons.  This example happens to be perle cotton but it's available in floss, Vineyard Silk, Au Ver A Soie, Bella Lusso and Kreinik.

https://www.threadworx.com/productDetails.php?prd_id=326

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 26, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Getting to Know Kristine Kingston

Megan at the Pointing It Out Podcast interviews Kristine Kingston.  You'll learn how Kristine got into the business of needlepoint design, 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbjB4dgyxjg

You can see more of Kristine's work here.  

https://stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/publishers.php?category=Kristine%20Kingston

Here is the turkey belt.

https://www.needlepointclubhouse.com/products/copy-of-evil-eye-belt-1?_pos=1&_sid=36bef0c94&_ss=r

This is one of Kristine's geometric clutches.

https://www.needlepointclubhouse.com/products/blue-and-green-chevron-rectangle?_pos=1&_sid=e2ad19930&_ss=r

This is the issue of Needlepoint Now with Kristine's Spooky Bats canvas on the back side.

https://www.needlepointnow.com/product/september-october-2023/

https://woolfloss.com/products/spooky-kksg24-18m

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

The holiday sweater series.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/2023/04/new-holiday-sweater-club/

This is the Maryland crab design using gray because you can't paint white on a white canvas.

https://www.stitchingfox.com/collections/kristine-kingston/products/kristine-kingston-maryland-state-flag-crab-stitching-fox

She's distributed by Chris Lewis Distributing if you want to ask your favorite shop to order something for you.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 10, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Managing Large Needlepoint Projects

Megan and Melissa talk about the various ways to handle large needlepoint projects on their Pointing It Out podcast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI-6yt_mvrU

They talk about rolled up, in hand pieces.  Here are the items they discuss:

Press and Seal

https://www.glad.com/food-protection/food-wraps/press-n-seal/

key chain needle cases which I think are long enough to also hold a Snag-Nab It (second link below)

https://www.needlepointclubhouse.com/products/artisan-wood-needle-case?_pos=1&_sid=a346b894c&_ss=r

https://www.needlepointclubhouse.com/products/snag-nab-it?_pos=1&_psq=snag-nab-i&_ss=e&_v=1.0

artists tape

https://woolfloss.com/products/white-artists-tape-1-60-yards?_pos=1&_sid=f07be1404&_ss=r

stretcher bars, both regular and thinner Minis

https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/collections/stretcher-bars

scroll frame

https://needlepointus.com/proddetail.asp?prod=KCSF

Wonder Clips

https://www.joann.com/search/?q=wonder+clips&lang=default

System Four stands

https://www.needleworksystem4.com/

Stick With And More velcro like product

https://www.needlepointclubhouse.com/products/stick-with-more-preorder

K's Creations Tri Knob Set (also available from System Four but not on their website)

http://www.kscreations.com/acc_knobs.htm

https://www.stitchers-paradise.com/Stands/KsCreations.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 29, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Interviewing Kate Woodward of Gingham Stitchery

Melissa of the Pointing It Out Podcast interviews Kate Woodward, one of the designers with Gingham Stitchery.  It's a fun interview. You'll learn why she won't design needlepoint shoes, her fear of the needlepoint belt curse, etc.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRu-SdKdZbA

You can view some of Kate's designs on the Gingham Stitchery website...

https://theginghamstitchery.com/

...and their Instagram account.

https://www.instagram.com/theginghamstitchery/

Here is the tobacco leaf clutch that started it all.

https://theginghamstitchery.com/products/tobacco-leaf-clutch?_pos=7&_fid=2cfa53fe1&_ss=c

This is the poinsettia frame.

https://theginghamstitchery.com/products/poinsettia-frame?_pos=2&_fid=2cfa53fe1&_ss=c

This is the Coronation Emblem for those Anglophiles.

https://theginghamstitchery.com/products/coronation-round?_pos=1&_fid=2cfa53fe1&_ss=c

This is the George Washington portrait.

https://theginghamstitchery.com/products/george-washington-ornament?_pos=8&_fid=2cfa53fe1&_ss=c

Pepper Pot "Parfait"

https://theflyingneedles.com/collections/pepper-pot/products/pepper-pot-silk-228-parfait

Pepper Pot "Limoge"

https://theflyingneedles.com/products/pepper-pot-silk-105-limoge?_pos=185&_sid=44d85b7b8&_ss=r

Vineyard Silk "Misty"

https://theflyingneedles.com/products/vineyard-silk-076-misty

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 23, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Meeting Lucy of Mopsey Designs

Megan of the Pointing It Out podcast interviews Lucy of Mopsey Designs.  You'll learn Lucy's background, her needlepoint heritage, and the rambling path she took to become a needlepoint designer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jibrz1xcpWc

Here's Mopsey's website so you can explore.

https://mopseydesigns.com/

Here's her "High Class Place" sign.

https://mopseydesigns.com/products/high-class-place-hand-painted-needlepoint-canvas?_pos=1&_psq=high%20c&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Here is The Louisa sign.

https://mopseydesigns.com/collections/frontpage/products/the-louisa

This is the Bargello piece that was actually created by her grandmother.

https://mopseydesigns.com/collections/beginner-projects/products/you-do-you-boo-needlepoint-kit

This is the "I Told My Therapist About You" design.

https://mopseydesigns.com/collections/frontpage/products/the-ali

Here are the mandala pieces.

https://mopseydesigns.com/search?q=mandalas&options%5Bprefix%5D=last

This is the poppies glasses case.

https://mopseydesigns.com/products/poppies-glasses-case?_pos=2&_psq=poppy&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Here are the colorful mini stockings.

https://mopseydesigns.com/search?q=mini+stockings&options%5Bprefix%5D=last

Here are the charity charts.

https://mopseydesigns.com/collections/charts

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 12, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.