Make Your Own Purse Tutorial

If you would love to have a needlepoint purse but the cost of finishing on top of the hand painted canvas is daunting, why not make your own purse on 7 count plastic canvas?  Shannan will show you how in the March/April 2019 issue of Needlepoint Now magazine.  She's even doing a giveaway of an issue, in case you don't subscribe.
https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2019/04/new-pattern-millefleur-satchel.html

This article lists the materials needed.  She uses knitting yarn for the project but you can substitute regular threads you have in your stash if you like.  Even perle cotton should work nicely.  You can also use interlock canvas but it will likely be harder to find in anything larger than 10 count.  I would try using 14 count as that will increase the repeats of the pattern on the original design by two, making it easier to work out what this will look like.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 2, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Speaking of Plastic Canvas Boxes….

Bobbin and Fred have been longing for a needlepoint belt, but since Shannan's in the UK, belt finishers are hard to find. What does a needlewoman do? Make one from plastic canvas!
https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2019/01/buckle-up-this-ones-belter.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 28, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Speaking of Boxes….

Gears of War/Wii Box Made for a Game Programmer

Speaking of boxes, Sue over at the Tortoise Loft blog likes to stitch boxes on plastic canvas.   They are really lovely and a good stash-busting idea, not to mention perfect gifts.
https://suetortoise.wordpress.com/embroidery-and-crafts/embroidery-stitched-boxes/

Follow her link to instructions for two styles of box.
https://suetortoise.wordpress.com/embroidery-and-crafts/embroidery-stitched-boxes/embroidery-stitched-box-instructions/

In my experience, plastic canvas is available in various colors on 10 count and 14 count is available in clear only.  I've made a box (see photo above) which was a huge hit.  Next time I will use cardboard inside to stiffen the box.

If you are intrigued by the box idea but need to see more, Sue's starting a new box here—
https://suetortoise.wordpress.com/2019/01/08/a-box-panel/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 8, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Turkish Jewels Scissors Case, Fob and Needle Book

Bobbin and Fred has published the instructions for their needle book on their website.  The instructions for the scissors case and fob were in Needlepoint Now's November-December 2018 issue.
https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2018/11/new-pattern-turkish-jewel-scissor-pouch.html

All of the pieces of the set were sewn on 14 count plastic canvas so you can easily substitute 13 count needlepoint canvas if you prefer.  Plastic canvas is stiffer, of course, and the cut edges won't unravel.  Here's how to join pieces of plastic canvas together.
https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2018/12/how-to-join-two-pieces-of-plastic.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 16, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Day of the Dead Notebook Cover

Bobbin and Fred is making a notebook cover from plastic canvas. It's really pretty.
https://sewingwithbobbinandfred.blogspot.co.uk/2018/02/flapping-about-plastic-canvas-book.html#more

https://sewingwithbobbinandfred.blogspot.com/2018/04/its-finish-day-of-dead-tapestry.html

This isn't really a tutorial although an adventuresome stitcher could probably experiment on their own and come up with a nice book cover of their own.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 4, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Background for the T Rex Coin Purse in NP Now

Bobbin and Fred's T Rex Coin Purse which is in the March-April 2018 Needlepoint Now is featured on the Bobbin and Fred blog this week.  This is a darling beginner's project using plastic canvas.  If you have someone into the Jurassic Park movies, this is a way to teach them needlepoint.  Plus Shannan has some fascinating information about the dinosaur sounds in the movies.
https://sewingwithbobbinandfred.blogspot.com/2018/03/new-pattern-t-rex-needlepoint-purse.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 28, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Bobbin and Fred Plays with Rhodes Stitch UPDATED

Bobbin and Fred has a lot of fun playing with colors in Rhodes Stitch on plastic canvas.
https://sewingwithbobbinandfred.blogspot.com/2017/08/experiments-with-rhodes-stitch-on.html

UPDATE:  Shannon fixed the above link!  So now you can play with colors, too.

Plus Bobbin and Fred have a great article about using plastic canvas to make a phone case that is fabulous.  It's perfect for the beginner, too.   Hope you like it.
https://sewingwithbobbinandfred.blogspot.com/2017/07/how-to-make-needlepoint-plastic-canvas.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 19, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Baseboards in Plastic Canvas

Now here's something you do see every day--or ever! Renee of Pepita decided to cover the inset baseboard of her kitchen cabinets with stitched panels of plastic canvas.  I confess I never would have thought of this myself but it looks very nice.
http://needlepointofview.com/2015/05/14/my-needlepoint-kitchen-moldings/

http://needlepointofview.com/2015/05/29/just-turned-a-corner-on-my-needlepoint-project/

Needlepoint comes to the rescue once again!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 14, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Teaching Needlepoint with Plastic Canvas Projects

Until I stumbled across Jenny Henry's posting about a plastic canvas clutch form used to make a purse from one of Jenny's counted canvaswork charts, I had no idea that plastic canvas purse forms were available.   The project (described in the second link below) looks like a fun way to introduce beginners to needlepoint.
https://jennyhenrydesigns.wordpress.com/2015/02/24/diy-union-jack-needlepoint-clutch-by-tara/

http://www.craftsunleashed.com/craft-basics-main/diy-clutch-plastic-canvas/

I found the plastic canvas form itself and the clasp hardware on the Sunshine Crafts website.  The plastic canvas form in the photo looks black but apparently it is on the clear plastic canvas according to the description.
http://www.sunshinecrafts.com/c/PC

I found Joann's Fabrics has a plastic canvas tote bag kit that is equally fun.
http://www.joann.com/cat-tote-bag-plastic-canvas-kit-12inx13inx9in/1494897.html#q=plastic+canvas&start=38

Apparently Walmart carries a plastic mesh purse form that is meant to be used for crochet but it looks like it will work for some needlepoint stitches.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/10575884?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227000016922&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40939527272&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=78876222272&veh=sem

You can see everything but the tote bag form on Lacis' website.  Apparently the clutch comes in two sizes.
http://lacis.com/catalog/data/AE_PurseFramesPlasticMeshBagsHats.html#TM23

With spring break coming up (and a lot of enforced days out of school due to the snow), this might be a neat way to keep those kids occupied and introduce them to your passion simultaneously.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 27, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Finishing Friday: DIY with Plastic Cavnas

Jenny Henry has created a classic monogram design for plastic canvas and has done a tutorial on how to make it into a pillow.  It turned out great so I thought I'd post this for folks who have kids at home over the summer who might want to stitch their own pillow and work with you to finish it.
http://jennyhenrydesigns.wordpress.com/2014/04/25/plastic-canvas-monogram-needlepoint-pillow/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 25, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Do It Yourself Floor Cushion

Ever wanted a big beginner project for your stitching child?  How about this charming floor poof? You can even use knitting wools or that stash of old Paternayan you'll never touch for this beauty courtesy of Jenny Henry Designs.
http://jennyhenrydesigns.wordpress.com/2013/08/07/diy-needlepoint-floor-pouf/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Opportunities

Kaffe Fassett, Color Master & My Hero

Who is this man and why is he so happy?  This is the great Kaffee Fassett, textile designer (including needlepoint) extraordinare!  He knows more about color than anyone alive in my opinion.  Your NP library isn't complete until you own his Glorious Needlepoint.

I started out with Kaffe because his monthly newsletter plopped into my email box yesterday.  One of his videos has been turned into a download at the Amazon.com store.  Here's a bit about it. Click on Play Free Preview and you'll be taken to the Amazon store where you can play a snippet.
http://www.kaffefassett.com/Newsletters.html

If you've ever wondered what on earth plastic canvas is good for, go here now.
http://www.craftypod.com/2010/07/20/quite-possibly-the-finest-3d-needlepoint-book-ever-published/

You know most days I have to post about a sale.  This is a good one for devotees of counted canvaswork--Orna Willis is putting some of her charts on sale.
http://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2010/07/mish-mash-sale.html

Finally, here are the results of the poll About.com did.  I know that there is another side to customer service that just what we think of shops (I shudder to think what shop owners must think of us some days!) but it is still shocking to me how things turned out.  Somewhere around 27% of folks say that shop staff have been rude in a recent visit, 27% say that the staff couldn't answer questions about the items they carry, 10% say staff refused to assist them, and 27% say their local shop is terrific.  In other words, about 70% of shop visits are bad experiences.
http://needlepoint.about.com/b/2010/07/22/poll-results.htm

I'm going to the big Xmas in July sale at Needlewoman East today. You can be sure I'm going to hug each and every shop owner I run into!

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