The BBC Discovers Needlepoint

The BBC has discovered that needlepoint is popular.

https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20240613-the-aristocratic-craft-making-a-surprising-comeback

If you are curious about Hunt and Hope or just want to browse their already stitched pillows, luggage tags and stockings, here's their website.

https://www.huntandhope.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 9, 2025 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.

Virtuosew's Latest Adventures Begin

Rachel at Virtuosew stitched an original design a while back that she tucked away in a drawer until her sister begged for it and turned it into a fabulous pillow. 

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/02/08/another-new-project-to-think-about/

Her sister wants a similar design so Rachel's starting to mull over the possibilities.  I'll update this as she starts to create something new, perhaps in greens....

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/05/24/a-site-visit/

And we are done!  I'm so glad this has a good home.

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/07/19/last-details/

Rachel's also starting to stitch an old kit she found.  She plans to use the scale differences possible in penelope canvas to her advantage.

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2021/12/28/something-that-wants-finishing/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/02/15/getting-going-on-that-canvaswork-picture/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/06/28/a-second-conversation/

Rachel's take on the dog and horse having a conversation is fabulous!

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/07/12/dobbin/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/08/02/adding-the-saddlecloth-and-other-details/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/08/23/william-himself/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/09/06/bemusements-and-puzzles/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/09/20/moving-on-with-william/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/10/04/more-thinking-about-that-border-design/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/10/18/williams-border-the-background/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/11/01/still-working-on-that-border/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/11/15/border-design-finally-nailed/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/11/29/border-transfer/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2024/12/17/raising-a-needle-at-last/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 8, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Need a Bargello Pillow?

Need a colorful Bargello pillow that you don't have to stitch yourself?

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/colourfulcushionsuk?fbclid=IwAR0VlGURIKooWiQ3n4MfQH1IgbR8PzwyujetEWCIeFsHu8b3wGTSuRAGK48

These are stitched in the UK and the shipping is free.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 18, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Pillow Finishing: The Movie

This week's Pointing It Out podcast has Megan interviewing her pillow finisher.  They go over the available options and the special terms finishers use for this or that look, plus explain why pillows take so long, why you will need a lot more fabric than you expect for ruffles or custom cording, etc.  

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

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 22, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint Pillow Finishing

Needlepoint Finishing Services, located in New York City, has a nice page on the different ways to finish pillows.  

https://needlepointfinishingservices.com/pillows

This is not only useful in understanding what the options are (and what they are called) so you can talk intelligently to a finisher, it gives you an idea about whether extra rows around the edge of your design might be a good idea, especially if you can't talk to your finisher about that sort of thing.

If you don't stitch pillows, the website has a similar page about purse finishing.  It's a nice touch!

https://needlepointfinishingservices.com/bags

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 19, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Pointing It Out Talks Ornaments Finished as Anything BUT Ornaments

Can you tell I'm catching up on the Pointing It Out podcasts?  Yeah, Holiday Madness means I got behind listening to Michelle and Megan.  This episode is a fun one—ways to finish ornament-sized canvases as things other than ornaments.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8ah4Q19-fY&pbjreload=101

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 2, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Horse Country Chic Decorates with Needlepoint UPDATED

Are you a fan of classic tent stitched needlepoint? Then you will really enjoy seeing Horse Country Chic's stitching.  She does rugs, pillows for bedrooms and ornaments just because.
http://horsecountrychic.blogspot.com/2020/05/finished-needlepoint-projects-part-one.html

http://horsecountrychic.blogspot.com/2020/05/finished-needlepoint-projects-part-two.html

http://horsecountrychic.blogspot.com/2020/05/finished-needlepoint-projects-part-three.html

If you are tempted but on a budget, Horse County Chic is the queen of finding bargains!
http://horsecountrychic.blogspot.com/2020/05/vintage-needlepoint-finds.html

UPDATE:  More!  There are belts, a stool cover, a purse, etc.
http://horsecountrychic.blogspot.com/2020/06/more-finished-needlepoint-projects.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 12, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Mario Bautta Auction UPDATED

Horse Country Chic has alerted us to the auction of Mario Buatta's estate next week, which will include his needlepoint pillows.
http://horsecountrychic.blogspot.com/2020/01/mario-buatta-auction-coming-later-this.html

His chintz fabrics were Must Haves in the 1980s and I think his style will come back again.  Sotheby's is holding the auction.  You can browse the two part catalogue online but the auction items will be on display in Manhattan before the sale if you are in the area.
https://www.sothebys.com/pdf/2019/N10304_Vol_1/index.html

https://www.sothebys.com/pdf/2019/N10304_Vol_2A/index.html

UPDATE:  One lot of needlepoint animal pillows sold for $17,500 USD.
http://horsecountrychic.blogspot.com/2020/01/mario-like-needlepoint-animal-pillows.html

UPDATE #2:  A second auction of Mario Buatta's estate is scheduled for March 13-14, 2020.  There are a few pillows and quite a few framed needlepoint designs, particularly of dogs.
https://auctions.stairgalleries.com/auction/the-collection-of-mario-buatta-12579/lots/?search=display

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 2, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Horse Show Pillow

If you show horses, you'll love this story of a Meredith Collection design called "Horse Show" that Horse Country Chic turned into a wonderful pillow.
http://horsecountrychic.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-cutest-needlepoint-horse-pillow-ever.html

Heck, if you just live among horse farms like I do, you'll enjoy looking at this fun design and hearing how it was stitched.

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

Needlepoint In Lizzie's House

I'm glad I spotted some needlepoint pillows in this feed by a Fall River, Rhode Island history site since on August 4, 1892 (127 years ago today) the parents of the former owner of this house were hacked to death with an axe.  The murders didn't happen here.  Lizzie Borden moved here with her sister afterwards.  Use the side arrows to see more of the period restoration that's been done, including more needlepoint cushions.  I don't believe any of the furnishings belonged to Lizzie.  These are all added by previous and the current owner.
https://www.facebook.com/lizziebordenwarpsandwefts/photos/pcb.2579228112090159/2579228045423499/?type=3&theater

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 4, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Basic is Always Classic

Some days we need to step back from all that embellishment and just enjoy a basic tent stitched piece where the original design is king.  It's just beautiful, Stephanie!
https://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2018/07/i-really-am-stitching.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 29, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Finishing Tour

Quail Run has posted a tour of various pillow finishing styles they've arranged for customers lately. It's a good way to see what types of finishing can be done for your own pillow canvas and also is a great reference to show a shop when you take your canvas to them to have it made up into a pillow.   If you don't have any pillows in your life, this is still wonderful to see.  The finishing is superb.
http://quailrunneedlework.com/blog/post/its-all-about-the-finishing

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 2, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

All About Elizabeth Bradley's Pre-Stitched Pillows

Needlepoint for Fun's latest e-newsletter profiles Elizabeth Bradley's pre-stitched items.  If you ever wondered where these were stitched and by whom, you'll enjoy reading this.
http://www.icontact-archive.com/3sPNpcHW2d6IBVeY4CRghHkGpZ04OnST?w=4

These pre-stitched pillows, stools, lavender bags and tassel trims are called Elizabeth Bradley Home. The entire line can be seen here.
http://elizabethbradleyhome.us/shop/

The unstitched Elizabeth Bradley items are located here.  The kits are cheaper than the finished items but of course you will have to pay to have them finished yourself if you are not handy with a sewing machine.
https://www.elizabethbradley.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 1, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Therapy Pillows

Needlepoint For Fun just learned about therapy pillows, a way to use up stash and create something fun and colorful while lessening anxiety about our day-to-day challenges.  What a great idea!
http://www.icontact-archive.com/3sPNpcHW2d6IBVeY4CRghFT8lH8xbUHQ?w=4

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 13, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Anna Talks Decorating with Needlepoint

The British needlepoint designer and teacher Anna Pearson has written a long, fun article about decorating your home with needlepoint. It's full of good ideas to help you figure out what will work for your own abode.  Anna uses her own designs as examples but the principles she lays out will work for any designer's work — or even your own original creations.
http://anna-pearson-needlepoint.blogspot.com/2017/10/practical-and-decorative-needlepoint.html

Thanks, Anna!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 5, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wollworks Has a New Website

Wollworks, a website that specializes in recycling old needlepoint into lovely pillows and pumpkin poofs, is moving to a new website.
https://www.smwollmandesigns.com

This is particularly important if you are interested in their annual heirloom pumpkin harvest, which starts September 1 this year—and ends November 18.  Every couple of days during the "harvest," more recycled needlepoints made into pumpkin shapes are released for sale.  It's an annual event and much enjoyed by fans of recycled stitching.
https://www.smwollmandesigns.com/collections/heirloom-needlepoint-pumpkins-tm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 2, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Perfect Pom-poms

Enriched Stitch just got their rabbit canvas back from the finisher--and it's wonderful! The trim is perfect for the design, enhancing it instead of drawing the eye away from the design.
http://astheneedleturns.com/black-and-white-and-fun-all-over/

I believe the rabbit design is from the Meredith Collection, formerly the Elizabeth Turner Collection, but no credit is given and the design isn't listed on the shop's website.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 14, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Jolly Red's Makeover UPDATED

The British tapestry kit company Jolly Red has a finishing department that is occasionally asked to make up older pieces that have been stitched but not finished. These often make the most amazing pillows and they have amazing stories behind them, too.  So if you have something you've stitched and then stashed away, time to talk to a finisher....
https://www.jollyred.co.uk/out-with-the-old/

UPDATE:  Needlepoint for Fun has written a brief profile of Jolly Red and its founder.
http://www.icontact-archive.com/3sPNpcHW2d6IBVeY4CRghF7XjspGUoa9?w=4

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 15, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint Pillows from Karen Carpenter UPDATED

David posted photos of two needlepoint pillows stitched by Karen Carpenter on Facebook's Needlepoint Nation. She died in 1983 so these are late 70s-early 80s designs.  Use the side arrows for more photographs.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=948470655286415&set=pcb.1247113662032456&type=3&theater

UPDATE:  David's found two more photos showing some of Karen's needlepoint pillows.  Use the right side arrow to see the second.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1078603088939837&set=pcb.1455861861157634&type=3&theater

Thanks, David!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 2, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.