Fiber Talk Interviews the Finishing Fairy

This week Fiber Talk interviews Amanda, The Finishing Fairy.  You'll learn how Amanda became the Finishing Fairy, how she finishes and teaches finishing, and learn tips on ways to insure quality finishing while you are stitching a project, such as use stretcher bars if you are using metallic (metallic threads don't stretch well so they don't block well) and stitch a few extra rows all around the edge, particularly if you have beads close to the edge of the design.

https://wetalkfiber.com/2026/05/17/the-finishing-fairy-helps-you-learn-to-finish-needlepoint/

You can visit the Finishing Fairy website, or...

https://finishingfairy.com/

...visit Amanda at the social media you prefer.

https://www.instagram.com/finishingfairy

https://www.facebook.com/p/Needlepoint-Finishing-Fairy-61557206324056/

https://www.tiktok.com/@finishingfairy

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

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com 

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 18, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitch and Finishing Tutorials by The Needlepointer

The Needlepointer is starting to post video tutorials for stitches...

https://theneedlepointer.com/pages/video-gallery?se_activity_id=173136314610&syclid=d7s889520gnc73dq0id0&utm_campaign=Learn+Needlepoint+Techniques+Here_173136314610&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

...and for finishing techniques.

https://theneedlepointer.com/pages/finishing-tutorial?se_activity_id=173136314610&syclid=d7s889jmdvgc73bjv2j0&utm_campaign=Learn+Needlepoint+Techniques+Here_173136314610&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 4, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Fun Birthday Finish

Cara at Waste Knot Want Knot Finishing has turned a birthday cake canvas into a darling sigh for the back of the birthday boy or girl's chair.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DVZqbayjzbv/?img_index=1

Clever!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 7, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Chuck Pinnell Leather Bags Are Worth The Money UPDATED

This is why you scrimp and save to send your needlepoint to Chuck Pinnell Leather for finishing.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DX2FKMEOLdb/

The canvas design is from Zoe Pischke, who I think is Julie Pischke's daughter.  Julie designed some fabulous carpet bags for needlepoint back in the day.  Looks like Zoe has inherited her eye for what works on large bags.

UPDATE:  This bag is an Initial K Studio design, made up into the South Beach Cobalt Zag bag.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ-ByGxuOlX/

UPDATE #2:  Chuck is on a roll with this Jeni Sandberg canvas.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DaK5D5qOXG5/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 3, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: Marlene's Changes Their Name

Marlene's Custom Pillows LLC just announced on Facebook they are changing their name to Need To Point LLC.  Their contact information remains (415) 346-8112.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063738603772

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 31, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Gail Stafford Bargello Tissue Box

Melita stitched two versions of a Gail Stafford Bargello sampler (the design came from the September-October 2022 issue of ANG's Needle Pointers), one in stranded threads and one in sparkly threads, and turned the two pieces into a tissue box.  She describes how she finished it at the bottom of this summary of her stitching in 2025.  It looks great!

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/01/01/2025-year-in-review-a-look-forward-bargello-sampler-tissue-box/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 2, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Essential Finishing Tools and Materials

Ari shows us her favorite and most used finishing items.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSGiJCtjX2X/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 16, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Unique Finishing Idea from Lynn Mason

Lynn Mason, when she's not coming up with great designs for Needlepoint by Sharese, is busy coming up with great finishing ideas.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/25265493413101145/

Basically she has finished these three ornaments with fronts like traditional ornaments, glues them to decorative plate centers with E300 glue, then trims.  Since not everyone has a Facebook account, here is one of Lynn's finished plates.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1826473020/cardinal-bells-ornament?ref=shop_home_active_1&sca=1&sts=1&logging_key=5dd8743f2a4078b04fd53ac98ddcaf6d99db6153%3A1826473020

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 12, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Floral Fantasy Finishing Tips

Melita has stitched a nice little piece called "Floral Fantasy" and made it up into the front of a box of tissue.  Sadly, she doesn't know the designer but she has some interesting finishing tips in case you'd like to try the same sort of finishing.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/10/19/floral-fantasy-tissue-box/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 3, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Finishing A Thousand Ways

Ok, maybe the links below don't have a thousand different ways to finish a needlepoint project, but EyeCandy shows off a lot of options for her geometric designs, from a box to what I think is a Kindle cover and more.

https://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2025/05/eyecandy-geometric-designs-in-fabulous.html

Ruth Schmuff shows off four framed versions of one of her mystery classes.  All four are framed but all are very different!

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2025/05/framed-finish-with-flair/

There are endless ways to finish your needle art, so pick something that expresses your personality and showcases your style.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 8, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Lani's Morning Glories (with Finishing)

Melita is going to take a finishing class from Sue Parsons of West Coast Finishing so she dug around in her stash and found a three inch round ornament by Lani of flowers.  She had a little trouble identifying all the elements of the design but with Lani's help, she found it was morning glories and buds.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/07/07/morning-glories-by-lani/

It looks like this design is discontinued but you'll have fun browsing Lani's website anyway.

https://www.lanisneedlepoint.com/default.asp

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 8, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Guide to Finishing Fabrics

Abigail Cecile has added a very useful guide to finishing fabrics on her website.

https://www.abigailcecile.com/blogs/how-to-guides/guide-to-finishing-fabrics?omnisendContactID=61d4f71be5b2120022be7c19&utm_campaign=campaign%3A+New+website+and+fabric+announcement+%28683f5fcee56fa4d6eca89577%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend

She sells finishing supplies, so this promotes what she carries, but she has also added tips about the use, weight and issues you'll run into when using the cotton Liberty lawn, the Dupioni silks or the hand dyed velvets she carries.  It's great information for those who finish their own needlework, or even for those who are looking for something special for the finishing a shop is arranging for them.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 8, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Melita Has Plans for Susan Portra's Cabochons Series

Melita plans to stitch all of Susan Portra's Cabochons series.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/02/13/the-cabochons-series-by-susan-portra/

She is missing #11 and #12 and is seeking information on them.  Please check your stash!

Melita started with Love from the Cabochon series since it was kitted already.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/03/27/love-from-the-cabochons-series-by-susan-portra/

And it's done!  

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/03/30/backgrounds-beads-and-cabochons-for-love-from-the-cabochons-series-by-susan-portra/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/05/29/love-from-the-cabochons-series-by-susan-portra-finished-ornament/

Now she worked Joy, which is also finished (and very pretty).

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/06/09/joy-from-the-cabochons-series-by-susan-portra/

Next up is Charity, which turned out to be a great teaching project.  It's also a lovely design.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/07/27/learing-and-sharing-tips-thanks-to-charity-from-the-cabochon-series-by-susan-portra/

Charity is done and made up into an ornament.  You'll enjoy reading the finishing tips, Melita added.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/10/18/finally-finished-charity-from-the-cabochon-series-by-susan-portra/

Peace is next.  Melita thinks the thread colors will temper All That Pink.  I like pink myself, but what I noticed was the nice arrangement of the boxes on this one.  Very jazzy!

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/10/26/peace-from-the-cabochons-series-by-susan-portra-begins/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/11/23/peace-from-the-cabochon-series-by-susan-portra-progress/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/12/22/peace-from-the-cabochon-series-by-susan-portra-another-annoying-thread/

Peace was a fast stitch, helped along by a snowstorm.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/01/21/peace-from-the-cabochon-series-by-susan-portra-finished/

Hope is very pretty in lavender.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/02/01/hope-from-the-cabochons-series-by-susan-portra-moving-along/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/05/21/hope-from-the-cabochons-series-by-susan-portra-background/

Now Melita is starting Faith.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/05/25/faith-from-the-cabochons-series-by-susan-portra-begins/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 14, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Book-Themed Canvas Finishing Ideas

The Book Canvas shows off finishing ideas for book-themed canvases.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DFOE14SytIP/

By the way, The Book Canvas designs are distributed by Mopsey, just in case you want to stitch for a reader....

https://mopseydesigns.com/collections/the-book-canvas

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 25, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Three Way Design

One thing I always find fascinating is seeing the same design finished differently, so I was thrilled when Ada Hayden of Eye Candy posted photos of her famous "Candy Land Christmas Trees" design finished as a pillow, framed, and as a standup.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2025/01/one-design-three-finishes.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com 

© Copyright January 25, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Amy Speaks (and Designs and Finishes)

Amy Bunger just posted about two original designs she created and finished as presents on her Amy's Golden Strand Facebook page.  (Look for her January 21, 2025 postings.)

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057451930024

The finishing instructions are very clear so why not try this?  Amy's designs were six inches square.  I wouldn't go much smaller for your first try.  It's easier to finish big than little because your fingers get in the way of sewing or gluing things together when you are working with small items.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 23, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint Magnets

Saturnalia Stitching has a great idea--finish your smaller needlepoint as a magnet!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DChpUB1P9pz/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 20, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Bead An Ornament Edge: The Movie

Dr. Jessica Grimm, an expert in historical embroidery, demonstrates how to bead the edge of a tiny sampler motif needle minder.  This will work quite well on needlepoint ornaments, too.

https://vimeo.com/984199501?share=copy

For the best look, you will need a thread color that matches your stitching.   I think she's right that a very long length of thread is the best way to go. Starting in the middle of a side is fairly important but if your ornament is round, just start at the bottom middle.  These appear to be size 11 beads (occasionally she calls them pearls but Dr. Grimm isn't a native English speaker) but you can use smaller size 14 or 15 beads for the second row for a more dainty effect.

If you are curious about making the needle minder, here is her tutorial.

https://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/tutorial-sampler-motif-needle-minders-with-a-beaded-edge

UPDATE:  Here is Mary Corbet's latest explanation on her way of doing a beaded edge.

https://www.needlenthread.com/2025/12/twinkle-twinkle-7-the-decorative-beaded-edge-finished.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Learning Pillow Finishing Language with Fire and Iris

Fire and Iris have a great article about the different types of pillow finishing available (with pictures!) that will help you understand the lingo and know exactly what to ask for.

https://fireandirisdesigns.com/blogs/news/needlepoint-pillow-finishing-lingo

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 31, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Beth Gantz Self Finishing Round Wooden Frames

Needlepoint.com demonstrates how to add a ribbon hanger to the Beth Gantz round wooden ornament frames, then how to cut, fold and insert your 3.75 inch design into the four inch frame. The second link below shows you Beth's wooden frames, which come in a variety of sizes and shapes.  Your favorite shop can order from Beth for you.

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

https://bethgantzdesigns.com/products/self-finishing-products

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 8, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.