Cosmo Updated

I am a huge fan of Cosmo, which is a Japanese six ply cotton floss, available in hundreds of colors and even in about thirty overdyes. Trish Burr is working with Cosmo's manufacturer in Japan to package color ranges for sale.  If you've ever despaired about finding 5-7 shades of a color for a design, Cosmo has what you need.  

https://trishburr.com/2023/01/27/cosmo-floss/

If you don't want to do mail order or Trish runs out of these limited edition packs, check with quilt shops in your area.  Many carry Cosmo.  I love stitching with it.  Of all the cotton flosses available, Cosmo is my favorite by far due to the huge color range, the silky feel as you stitch with it, and the quality of the cotton thread itself.

UPDATE:  Rittenhouse just posted that they stock Cosmo.  There are tons of shades!

https://www.facebook.com/rittenhouse.needlepoint/photos/a.640836352697490/5802869793160761/

Here is their website ordering page in case you can't resist.

https://myneedlepoint.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Cosmo+6+stranded+embroidery+floss

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 27, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ergonomic Tips from Trish Burr

You may not be familiar with Trish Burr's embroidery but I bet you've seen some of her fabulous needle painted birds and flowers.  Regardless, you will find her tips on ergonomics helpful.

https://trishburr.com/2022/08/20/your-questions-answered/

Here are her stunning pieces of needle art.  You can buy kits to do this yourself and she even has items suitable for beginners.

https://trishbembroidery.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 20, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Copyright Theft of Trish Burr Embroidery

Trish Burr is being hit by copyright thieves again.

https://trishburr.com/2021/06/26/copyright-infringement/

It is a lot of trouble and expense to stop the thieves and they just shut down if someone takes their shop down, change their name, and pop up again.  If you are a fan of Trish Burr, don't buy her designs from anyone except her or Inspirations Magazine.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 26, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thread Conversions from Trish Burr and Stitch Palettes

Trish Burr, in collaboration with Stitch Palettes, has created online thread conversion charts for the main brands of threads she uses.  This makes it easy to find a thread company you have available in your part of the world if you cab't get the thread Trish used for a chart.

https://trishburr.com/2021/04/15/colour-charts-conversions/

It's a great tool!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 15, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Trish Burr's Free Needle Painting Stitch-A-Long

Trish Burr, who is famous for her classes and books on exquisite needle painting, is doing a free stitch-a-long for folks subscribed to her blog.  Even if you aren't interested in trying needle painting yourself, the instructions from a master of this technique are worth reading.  There are lots of tips that are interesting, even if this is being stitched on linen instead of needlepoint canvas.

https://trishburr.com/2020/09/15/project-12-mini-journal/

https://trishburr.com/2020/09/15/stitch-along-clarification/

https://trishburr.com/2020/09/18/stitch-along-part-one/

https://trishburr.com/2020/09/25/stitch-along-part-two/

https://trishburr.com/2020/09/28/mini-journal-layout/

https://trishburr.com/2020/10/02/stitch-along-part-three/

https://trishburr.com/2020/10/09/stitch-along-part-four/

https://trishburr.com/2020/10/28/o-christmas-tree/

https://trishburr.com/2020/12/06/construction-of-mini-journal/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

A Free Lesson on Needle Painting from Trish Burr

Trish Burr has given us a lovely gift this holiday season!  She has turned one of her old video lessons about needle painting into a free video which is posted on YouTube.  If you are not familiar with Trish's books, classes and work, explore the website a bit before you go to the video link.
https://trishbembroidery.com/pages/the-long-the-short-of-it-dvd

It's called "The Long and Short of It," which is another term for needle painting.  The quality isn't fabulous but this hour and a quarter lesson has many tips for creating wonderful realistic birds, flowers and animals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTr7bD8KYXU&feature=youtu.be

Thank you, Trish!  Merry Christmas!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 22, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Copyright Violations Strike Again

Counterfeit Trish Burr Embroidery kits are apparently a big problem.  This impacts the creator of the designs since it is costing Trish sales.
https://trishburr.com/2018/11/04/counterfeit-kits/

It also impacts us, the stitchers.  What if Trish was so hurt and upset that she stopping creating new designs?  This happens more than you would think.  I was told the author of Creating Contemporary Bargello was so upset by the plagiarism of her book that she refuses to have it reprinted and will not write another.
https://trishburr.com/2018/11/05/copyright/

So think before you copy a stitch guide or chart for your friends.  You may be doing them a favor but you are stabbing all the creators out there in the back (or to the heart) with your action.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 5, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Velcro Your Stretcher Bars

Trish Burr has a nice tutorial on her website on how to use stretcher bars and double-sided tape to attach fabric to the bars before stitching.  
https://trishburr.com/2018/09/10/stretcher-frames/

I am not sure that needlepoint canvas will be held by double-sided tape but stick on Velcro will probably work, plus And More sells their own brand of Velcro that works the same way.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 10, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Emboiderer's Choice Needles

Trish Burr, known for her needle painting designs, books and classes, has recently tried out a variety of needles to find the brand that works best for her.  Of course Trish is doing embroidery on linen in a hoop most of the time, so her needs are different than a needlepoint's, but I thought this was interesting all the same.
https://trishburr.com/2018/05/09/which-needles/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 9, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New Website for Trish Burr

The new website for Trish Burr is open!  You can now buy her needle painting (or whitework) kits or patterns or books or classes, watch videos and read her tutorials—all in one place.
https://trishbembroidery.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 12, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Learn Long and Short Shading

Trish Burr has made a series of video tutorials to help folks learn long and short shading, sometimes called needle painting here in the U.S.   She also has a video on padded satin stitch, which you may also find useful.
https://trishburr.com/tutorials/

Thank you, Trish!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 14, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Cotton Drawstring Project Storage Bags.

Trish Burr has designed cotton project bags that might be very useful for smaller needlepoint designs. They are large enough to hold a 10 inch diameter hoop, so any 8x8 (or maybe even a 9x9) canvas on stretcher bars should be able to fit inside the drawstring opening.
https://trishburr.com/2016/06/03/cotton-project-bags/

You can purchase these from Trish's Etsy store.  Trish is in South Africa but she will ship anywhere if you are patient.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/398657725/cotton-project-bag?ref=shop_home_active_1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 3, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needle Painting Book: With Information and Problem Solutions

Although Trish Burr's newest book covers both whitework and needle painting, it is a handbook with lots of information on needle painting and tips to solve needle painting problems that I thought you'd like to know about it.  It's travel-sized, not an encyclopedia, but as Trish is a master of needle painting, this might be something you'd like to indulge in.
https://trishburr.com/2016/05/17/new-kits-3/

If you really want in-depth instruction, Trish's DVD might be more useful.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/111760369/dvd-the-long-the-short-of-it?ref=shop_home_active_1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 18, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Trish Tutorials: Needle Painting

Trish Burr, the South African teacher and writer best known for her embroidery classes and kits, is going to post a series of tutorials on her website. The first one is available and it is on needle painting, the technique by which you create realistic animals and plants with a single ply of (usually) cotton floss.  Of course we needlepointers use a readily countable ground, i.e., needlepoint canvas, but if you switch to a sharp needle you can put your stitches anywhere you wish, even through one of those underlying canvas threads.  We don't use hoops or typically wash our work after the stitching is done, though.  Still, with a few modifications, needle painting is very useful for needlepointers.
http://trishburr.com/tutorials/

Trish also reminds us she has free designs on her website to use to practice what you have learned.
http://trishburr.com/south-africa/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 2, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Trish Burr at the Royal School

Trish Burr was invited to teach a needle painting course at the Royal School of Needlework in Hampton Palace and once she got home to Australia, she reported in with a nice long essay about the experience and what she saw there. Luckily her daughter is a talented photographer, so this is a very fun report on teaching embroidery in a historical palace. 
http://trishburr.com/2015/07/15/royal-school-of-needlework/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 15, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Miniature Needle Painting Embroidery: A Review

Mary Corbet reviews Trish Burr's latest book here.  Trish is a master of needle painting, which is the realistic creation of plants and animals using long and short stitch. This particular book concentrates on creating very small projects but still creating amazing shading in a small space.  If the technique intrigues you, Mary is very clear about what you can expect in this little instruction book.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2015/02/miniature-needle-painting-embroidery-book-review.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 10, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ten Ways to Improve Satin Stitch

Trish Burr has written an article with ten ways to improve your satin stitches.   More tips are promised so I will update this as Trish publishes further articles.
http://trishburr.com/2014/07/31/concerns-about-satin-stitch/

Some of the tips only apply to embroidery (such as #2 Using the Correct Fabric) but it is worth reading and thinking about if you want to make your satin stitches smoother and better looking.

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.

All About Outlines

Needlepoint doesn't use outlining stitches nearly as much as cross stitch does. Many cross stitch designs have back stitching as the final step to highlight design elements.   Since I am not that familiar with the technique and have some outlining to do on my current Top Secret project, I was thrilled to find Trish Burr's article on outlines on her blog.  Read it to find out how and why she outlines.
http://trishburr.com/2014/05/02/outlines/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 2, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Frixon Magic Pens

Trish Burr has found a pen that is erased by heat.  It's the Frixon Magic pen by Pilot, manufactured in Japan.
http://trishburr.com/2014/04/16/magic-pens-whitework/

I was concerned that Trish's find might not be available in the United States but I see them for sale on Amazon. Here is a bit more about them from the Pilot pen website.  Trish used the Frixion Point.
http://pilotpen.us/brands/frixion/

I would proceed with caution but these might be just what you are looking for if you transfer a lot of patterns to canvas and linen.  But beware, put your piece in the freezer and the lines reappear!
http://trishburr.com/2014/04/17/frixion-pens-follow-up/

How many of us put our work in the freezer if we aren't trying to get creases out of linen by dampening it and freezing it briefly?

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 16, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Learn Needle Painting By Mail

Trish Burr has announced her newest classes--learning to needle paint by mail! The lesson is available at her Etsy shop. All you have to do is buy the lesson and learn. Trish is available for help if you get stuck via email. It's a great way to learn from a master of this technique!
http://trishburr.com/2014/03/05/new-needle-painting-lessons/

If you are interested, follow the links to the Etsy shop.  The lesson is available as a kit or digital download.  Pretty soon a thread pack will be available, too.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 5, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.