An Interview with Sandy Higgins, The Queen of Finishing

Fiber Talk has a fun interview with Sandy Higgins up.

https://wetalkfiber.com/2020/10/25/fiber-talk-with-sandy-higgins/

You can order Sandy's book on finishing through her website.

https://sites.google.com/site/sandysfinishingtouches/my-book

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 25, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Let's Talk Finishing Books UPDATED

Marianne at New Needlepoint asked about finishing books at the Needlepoint Group on Facebook as she was considering whether to add Pat Mazu's finishing book to her online bookstore.   Apparently it was a good choice as she has been selling them like hotcakes!  Marianne stocks the classic Sandy Higgins finishing book as well as an out of print finishing book by Katharine Ireyss.
http://www.newneedlepoint.com/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_description=&keywords=finishing

UPDATE:   Michele at Bristly Thistle added in the Comments below that although Amazon.com stocks Sandy Higgins' Sandy's Finishing Touches:  A Step-by-Step Guide to Finishing Needlework, they have the 2008 edition.  Most needlework shops have the later 2010 edition.  Thanks, Michele!

I have used Summer Louise's finishing tips which makes me think her books would be very helpful.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2012_10_09_archive.html

I've also used The Needlepoint Doctor for finishing ideas for odder items.  This is an out of print book so you'll have to use Marianne or other used book sellers to find it.
http://www.newneedlepoint.com/content-product_info/product_id-2435/the_needlework_doctor_by_mary_kay_davis.html

Pat's book can also be found at Stitches from the Heart who also sell her charts.  Sandy's Finishing Touches from Mrs. Higgins used to be available from her website which is gone but you can find it a lot of places now, from Nordic Needle to Marianne's shop to Amazon.com.
http://stitches-heart.com/needlepoint/pat-mazu-designs/

Anyone know of any other good finishing books, either out of print or new?

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

Missed the Finishing Deadline?

If you missed the finishing deadline to have things ready for Christmas, you can always stitch them together yourself.  Here's what Michelle of Bristly Thistle says about self-finishing.
http://bristlythistle.wordpress.com/2012/09/21/sandys-finishing-touches-2010-edition/

I do a lot of my own finishing, particularly ornaments.  I don't enjoy it since being patient is a big requirement (and I'm not!) but it sure saves a lot of money!  I don't own any finishing books, but I have used Summer Louise's tutorial to finish a mini sock and it turned out very well!
http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2008/11/learn-to-finish-miniature-christmas.html

Summer's book on needlepoint finishing (and other books) are available here as paperbacks, eBooks, and PDF downloads.  I've not seen any of her books but I found the tutorial above very helpful.
http://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?contributorId=636550

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

While I Futz With Luna's Hair

While I test stitch hair stitches to see which plays nice with Luna's cloak lining stitches, here are some things of interest for Blog readers.

First up, here's a review of Sandy Higgins' finishing book, which has been in print for many years because it is a classic.  If you are interesting in finishing your own needlepoint, you'll want to consider buying a copy.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/02/sandys-finishing-touches.html

Needlepoint Tool Time has the new small colorful sequins in stock.  Tisha had a little accident when taking a photo of some of the available colors. I had to laugh at Robin's comment that Tisha has created the Assortment Color Pack by dropping the camera!
http://stitchplaywithneedlepointtooltime.blogspot.com/2011/02/sequins.html

Are you curious about how to use sequins in NP?  Check out what Denise did with a lovely Raymond Crawford ornament.
http://nystitchingsisters.blogspot.com/2011/02/linda-has-decided-that-it.html

Finally, if you just want a little eye candy to enjoy with your morning cuppa, Stitch By Stitch has a lovely gallery of finished pieces to enjoy.
http://stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/photogallery.html

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

Books and Projects and TNNA Reports

Remember the review of the Royal School of Needlework's crewel book?  Here's another review, this time on their blackwork volume.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2011/01/book-review-rsn-essential-stitch-guide-for-blackwork.html

Speaking of crewel (which we really weren't), I found a place that sells miniature crewel kits. You can read about them and find the link to the seller's website here.
http://tudordollhouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/miniature-crewel-work-kits.html

And speaking of book reviews (which we were),  Sandy Higgins' finishing book is out in a new edition.  Here is a review.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/sandys-finishing-touches-book-review

It's not often I see unusual uses of needlepoint but Rittenhouse is showing off clock faces in NP which are amazing.  The designs are by Zecca and Rittenhouse is going to do a class on them.
http://rittenhouseneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2011/01/needlepoint-clocks.html

Anyone on the fence about signing up for Fabulous Firs club at Pocket Full of Stitches will want to see the models all finished as standups.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/01/our-finished-fabulous-forest.html

DMC has posted about TNNA on their blog.
http://dmc-threads.com/tnna-recap/

Needle Works has posted their TNNA newsletter on their website.  It's all photos of their favorite painted canvases and threads.
http://theneedleworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2011marketnewsletter.pdf

Finally, the new gal at Needle Works reports on her first TNNA show.  I love seeing what fresh eyes to the NP world see and especially how dede Odgen's new seahorse canvas's illusion was done.
http://theneedleworks.typepad.com/the_needle_works/2011/01/my-first-market-adventure.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

Sandy Higgins Gives Me Standup Tips

Yesterday I got an email from Sandy Higgins full of tips for finishing stand ups. Yes, THAT Sandy Higgings--who wrote one of the most popular and enduring finishing books! I was thrilled to speak to a giant in the finishing field!! And Sandy says I can share her wisdom about finishing standups with you! Here's what she said:

"Dear Jane, Your Wizard is great. May I offer a few suggestions to help with your finishing? I use loose polyester fiber fill by Fairfield Processing Co for stuffing, packing it in as tight as you can. The more stuffing you pack in will help eliminate the dents on the sides of the figure. To make the base more stable cut an oval shape from heavy mat board to fit the size of the base area. Cover the board with the backing fabric (I use fabric glue stick on the board to adhere the fabric to the board) and then hand sew it to the bottom edge of the figure. For a weight I made a pouch from muslin and fill it with buck shot that can be purchased at Wal-Mart. I often mix the buck shot with poly pellets by Fairfiled. I think you can get the poly pellets at Jo-Ann's or Michaels.

Cheers, Sandy Higgins

Sandy's Finishing Touches "

This is all great information. I think I'm going to use a glue stick for my next finishing project and I'll remember the tip for cardboard to stabilize the base of standups. The next time Jo Ann's or Michael's (a sewing store and crafts emporium respectively) has a sale, I'll look for the poly pellets. Thank you, Sandy!

Anyone who hasn't seen Sandy's book or who can't buy it at their local shop can see the book or order it from Sandy Higgins' website.

http://pages.prodigy.net/herbieh/SFT.HTM

I grabbed a photo of the cover from A-Z Needlepoint who sell the book, naturally. I think it might also be available from Amazon.com.

http://www.a-z-needlepoint.com/products/sandysfinish.shtml

Thanks, Sandy! I appreciate your taking the time to help me out here.

Jane/Chilly Hollow
Main blog at http://blog.360.yahoo.com/chillyhollow