Featherlight Frames' Stretcher Bars Review

Oz Needle and Thread does a quick video review of Featherlight Frames' stretcher bars.  Bottom line:  she finds them light plus easy to hold and store.  These are wider than traditional stretcher bars so they may be easier to hold if you have hand issues.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DZIqS5CBn7Z/

It looks like you buy these in sets of four.  You can order custom sizes, too, as long as they are at least 6 inches up to 16 inches.  

https://featherlight-frames.myshopify.com/products/featherlight-frames

https://featherlight-frames.myshopify.com/products/rectangle-featherlight-frames

I don't know if these can be taken apart so you can mix and match sizes the way you do with traditional stretcher bars.  They won't slot together with the traditional bars, though.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 8, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint Snark

Design by Elm Tree Needlepoint*

Gosh, I feel old!  I had no idea there was a subReddit for needlepoint snark!

https://www.instagram.com/reels/DYNFFmBkjPo/

Of course, I only use Reddit to find technical information about Beloved's complicated and finicky PC.  Looks like I've been missing the fun!

https://www.reddit.com/r/NeedlepointSnark/?rdt=33484

*You can find the above canvas here-

https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/products/if-you-dont-have-anything-sit-by-me-canvas

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Rose Lane Stitchery Goes to Paris

Rose Lane Stitchery went to Paris and Florence and of course she went to all the needlepoint shops she could find! First stop is Tapisseries de la Bucherie, which is right across the bridge from Notre Dame.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DYVQY8EogS8/

Next she visited Florence, Italy where she shopped at Ricamo & Cucito.

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

https://www.instagram.com/p/DY5AZuboSv9/

Back in Paris, she went to Saint-Ouen Flea Market (particularly Marché Vernaison) where she shopped and learned about Textile Tours of Paris.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DY21pHclSxb/?img_index=1

Next, Masion Sajou!  It's across the street and down a litte alley from Versailles.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DYgF-Y7IL86/

Annie's Bouquet (a ten minute walk from the Louvre) was the next stop.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DYn1Ek3o7PP/

What a fun trip, Rose Lane Stitchery took us on!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com 

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 1, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Padded Satin Stitch: The Movie

Want to learn padded satin stitch?  KatiePeoples makes it look easy with her video tutorial on Instagram.  It appears she is using wool thread for the padding and a flat ribbon like thread such as Neon Rays+ for the top layer.  Note she uses a laying tool to make the flat ribbon thread lie flat.

https://www.instagram.com/reels/DY0eVUdxbxU/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 27, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Unusual Finishing for a Fireplace

Seaside Needlepoint shows off an unusual finishing--hang your framed piece in front of your firescreen.  It can be removed when you want to have a fire.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUZM93gjizK/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Non-Needlepoint Items Used for Needlepoint

The most frequent non-traditional item I use for my needlepoint is the nut pick from my nutcracker set:  it's perfect as a laying tool for flat ribbon-like threads.  But I'm an amateur compared to Stitched with Ellen who uses all sorts of interesting things for her stitching--a kitchen cabinet from Wayfair, a geode rock stand for her 4 inch ornament, a picture frame holder, fishing line, a rolling cart, jewelry bags to hold threads, fun tacks, a small jewelry case used for orts, a needle puller, a tackle box, lights, 

https://www.instagram.com/p/DansOZ-z-af/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DbXDdJvz0pZ/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DbHUpRLTg8-/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Da2ontjTwHx/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Da0CBcczm7W/

If you are intriqued, you can find most of these at Ellen's Amazon storefront.  (Note if you buy, she gets a small commission.  Just FYI)

https://www.amazon.com/shop/ellenaustin?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_39YRY0PFESWQGECFEERZ&ccs_id=2a9b3fc9-2b1b-439e-8975-f323c5a9423e

By the way, if you find a kitchen cabinet you like on Wayfair, read the reviews and if you can pay to have it assembled, it might be worth it.  We've bought from Wayfair over the years and find the instructions for assembly are often not clear and sometimes are outright wrong.  Study the pictures and read the description for hints on build quality, too.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Wrapped Chain Stitch Tutorial

Lynndlpt over at Instagram has posted a video tutorial on using wrapped chain stitch for lettering.

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

The chain stitch is worked in Petite Very Velvet for the narrower part of the letters and regular Very Velvet for the wider parts.  The wraps over the underlying chain stitch are worked with Neon Rays.

Note that Lynndlpt used a flat iron (the kind for hair but buy a cheap one to use just for threads--no hair product on your threads, please!) to smooth the Neon Rays, a laying tool to help the Neon Rays lay flat, and Fray Check to protect the Neon Rays once they are stitched.  

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.

How Long Does It Take to Paint A Canvas?

Clare at Oz Needle and Thread explains how long it takes her to paint some of her canvases.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DX9sZWvPBNb/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 17, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved

Let Me Introduce You to Jenny Henry

Have you met Jenny Henry?  If not, you can read about her decades (Yikes!  Has it been that long?!) as a needlepoint designer here.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DXcHtBhkVo4/?img_index=1

If you already know Jenny, go visit her website.  She does lovely ornaments (that Bookshop is a keeper), stockings both large and small, frames, 3-D mini ornament houses, fabulous animals (the sheep and tiger are sold out but the swan's still available), and geometrics and more.  The newest designs are posted on her Instagram page (second link below).

https://www.jennyhenrydesigns.com/

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

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.

Oz Goes to Florida

Clare of Oz Needle and Thread went to the Spring trade show in Orlando and had a blast!  If you are curious about what goes on at the trade shows, she talks about what she saw and did in these short Instagram videos.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DXgAa0gDIKP/

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

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

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

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 25, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadaholic Alert: Starry and Soie Tissee Metal

Stitch-Stash shows off a new thread called Starry on their Instagram.

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

Patti says Starry is an overdyed wool with a touch of silver mixed in that is for 13 count needlepoint canvas.  The label says it is 75% super washed Merino wool, 20% nylon, and 5% silver.  There are 43 yards in a skein.  The thread is from Moondrake Company, which is a knitting fiber distributor.  You can see the available colors and a closeup of the thread on the Stitch-Stash website.

https://stitch-stash.com/collections/fibers

Emily's Stitchery shows off Silk Road Fiber's brand new Soie Tissee Metal.  It's so new, it isn't even on the Silk Road Fiber's website yet.  Apparently it is silk with a strand of gold, silver or white metallic woven in.

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

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 29, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved. 

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.

"Snow; Strong, Silent, Beautiful"

This isn't needlepoint, but Jenny Adin-Christie's winter bear piece is stunning.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DV_PUQCjE59/?img_index=1

Make sure you use the right side arrow to see more detail of this wonderful embroidery.  

Jenny's website is here--

https://jennyadin-christieembroidery.com/?v=0b3b97fa6688

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

How to Anchor Thread Without a Knot

Want to learn the easy way to anchor threads without a knot?  Watch the video gabrielle.ndlpt did for her Instagram account.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DVOf2BGES2R/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 27, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Secure Thread When Doing Long Stitches

Patricia Sone has posted a short video on her Instagram account showing us how to use a pin stitch (I call these Locking L stitches because of their shape) to secure a thread before you work a series of long stitches.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DVMji6DDgP0/

It's really pretty easy.  This is a technique used in Japanese embroidery and it does hold well.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 26, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Compensation Tip

Her Heartland Soul has an interesting compensation tip for working background around lettering.

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

Basically, she works the outside of the background stitch in columns to help keep her place as she works around the cursive letters in her saying.  Clever!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow 

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 17, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

About Needlepoint Trade Shows (and Much More)

Clare of Oz Needle and Thread talks about the two main wholesale trade shows for needlepoint in this interesting video.  I thought you might like to know a bit more about these shows since the Orlando show is in a couple of days.   Note that these are not open to the public.  Only shop owners, designers and tool/thread makers are allowed to go.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWEvgnDD0X2/

Here is what it costs a designer to go to the Orlando, Florida show.  

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

Here is how you put your canvases and stitched samples on display at the shows.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DW1gSksj5eb/

If you enjoyed the above, you might like to listen to the interview Fiber Talk just did with Claire.

https://wetalkfiber.com/2026/04/19/talking-needlepoint-with-clare-vickery-of-oz-needle-thread/

Here is the Needlepoint Angels website, in case you want to participate.

https://www.needlepointangels.com/

Here are the padded hanger canvases that Oz Needle and Thread sells.

https://www.ozneedleandthread.com/collections/hangers

Here is the finishing video plus links to where to buy the plain padded hangers.

https://www.ozneedleandthread.com/pages/instructional-videos-and-resources

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 20, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Do You Speak Needlepoint?

Do you speak needlepoint?  Needle Arts Studio in New Orleans (known as NOLA) does!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRABIAeDht9/

You can visit the shop here if you can't get to New Orleans today.

https://www.needlenola.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Make Your Own Variagated Thread: The Movie

OzNeedleandThread on Instagram has a tutorial on how to make your own variegated thread.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUoKAG4AcjM/

As a bonus, she shows how Splendor naturally comes apart into three bundles of four plies each.  Pull one bundle out and separate further, repeat until you have the number of plies you need.

By the way, here's the champagne cork canvas she uses as an example.  There is a matching needle minder!

https://shop.app/products/7182159904901/champagne-cork-pillow?fromShop=true

https://shop.app/products/7223341154437/champagne-cork-needleminder?fromShop=true

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 13, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

I Couldn't Stop Giggling

Mywifeplaysmahjong and majwithbrooke have collaborated on this bit of Instagram humor involving needlepoint and mahjong.

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

I couldn't stop giggling.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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