Beautiful Recycling of Old Ribbon Sampler

These ribbon samplers were all the rage in the 1990-2000 era.  This one was framed and glued onto backing, but it's been recycled into the back of a barn coat.  It looks magnificent!  (Click the right arrow to see the original being unglued as much as possible.)

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

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 6, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Frankie Upcycles

Do you recycle everything?   Then you'll want to visit the Frankie Collection of upcycled vintage needlepoint!  

https://www.instagram.com/frankie.collection/

There are jackets, bags, even collars.  And, yes, she does commissions. 

https://www.frankie-shop.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnp9iZFy_5cFZE3cdS03bNrR49CfzjFxxbKZjo5DlVVfCSKoAi0ufi0I2T5uc_aem_35hlMsHu3kiMfoBIbt32iQ

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 6, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Marilyn Artus Recycles

Marilyn Artus is an artist in Oklahoma, who is turning vintage pre-stitched needlepoint canvases into something unique.

https://www.facebook.com/marilynartus/posts/pfbid0Sv9qQdoo31bqRaWzb6RDXEQKMjfPQ7TVX5DaN9qa86ztpqpxhpzXiw5YD9pYJpvSl

I love those little tufts, don't you?!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 30, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Emma Kate Loves Recycling Vintage

If you have a stash of vintage canvases that are stitched but not made up, Emma Kate in the UK has plenty of ideas how to use them.

https://paintedstyle.blogspot.com/2015/08/recycled-tapestry-love.html?m=1

https://paintedstyle.blogspot.com/2015/09/obsessive-moi.html?m=1

Need a tote bag tutorial?  Here you go!

https://paintedstyle.blogspot.com/2015/09/recycled-tapestry-bags-galore-and.html?m=1

Thanks for the tip, Marty!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 5, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

More Recycling Storage Tips

Remember how Mary Corbet repurposes plastic Q-tip boxes as storage for those Tulip needle glass vials?
https://www.needlenthread.com/2019/01/got-tulip-needles-or-bead-tubes-organizational-tip.html

Sheena has discovered plastic chewing gum boxes that are even taller, and work well for Kreinik spools and tubes of beads.
https://www.sheenasstitches.com/fun-borders/

It's fun to be able to reuse items that are meant as throwaways for travel as organization tools at home.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 13, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint Recycled into Bags

Lynda's Designs on Etsy offers vintage needlepoint made into purses and tote bags.  She will also make custom bags but you will have to handle the blocking of the needlepoint (if needed) yourself.  Lynda doesn't block.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/lyndasdesigns1?ref=ss_profile

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 13, 2018 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.

Another Smart Cookie Recycles

Angie shows off the tote bags she made as gifts for her family from vintage needlepoint canvases.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/1278991885511300/

She says the hardest part was getting the leather strip handles on.  Very clever, durable and a great way to recycle unwanted vintage canvases!

Angie also recovered this thrift shop footstool with vintage pieces.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10212241856309856&set=gm.1283930291684126&type=3&theater

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 3, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Heirloom Needlepoint Pumpkin Harvest

Wollworks, a company that recycles old needlepoint into stylish cushions and other items has announced their annual Heirloom Needlepoint Pumpkin Harvest sale will start September 1 at 3 p.m. Central time.   That's this Thursday!!!  Mark your calendars!  To see past heirloom pumpkins made from recycled needlepoint with real dried stems, check out their website.
http://wollworks.com/category_9/Heirloom-Needlepoint-Pumpkins-.htm

Remember, these are one of a kind, so get your credit cards warmed up.  After September 1st, listings will happen each Tuesday at 3 p.m. Central time until the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 7, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The 3R Ornament

The 3R Ornament (the Rs stand for reduce, recycle and reuse) is a fun project described in full on the EAC blog.  It's a great way to use up leftover supplies from your last project or two and will make wonderful presents or Christmas ornaments for next year.  Have fun, be creative as you do your own 3Rs!
http://eac-blog.blogspot.com/2015/12/reduce-recycle-reuse-3r-ornament.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 3, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

All About Frederique Morrel UPDATED

Frederique Morrel covers taxidermy forms with old needlepoints canvases, bringing them to life in an unusual way.  "Philosophy" talks about her inspiration while "Projects" shows off some of the store windows she's done all over the world.
http://www.frederiquemorrel.com

Many thanks to the Embroiderers' Guild of Victoria for mentioning her website on Facebook.

UPDATE:  Other artists are doing the same thing.
http://www.southernbeasts.com

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

"Traumatize Your Children For Life"

This 2011 posting from a French shop blog about repurposing needlepoint is hilarious and interesting.
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fsoyons-suave.blogspot.be%2F2011%2F02%2Fque-faire-de-suave-avec-un-canevas-deja.html&edit-text=

In case the Google Translate version doesn't work, here is the original.
http://soyons-suave.blogspot.be/2011/02/que-faire-de-suave-avec-un-canevas-deja.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 17, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Let's Recycle

Pop top spools sit in a little pile on my stash cabinets, waiting to be reused to corral a thread that needs to be kept secure. Most of mine originally held Kreinik's metallics but Mary Corbet reminds me that several brands use this type of spool and all come in handy after their original threads are gone.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2013/10/save-the-spools.html

Now I can't wait to see what Mary is going to do with this recycled spool of thread!

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.

New Life for Old Needlepoint

It always amazes me when I find the same theme dealt with two different places in one day. Ridgewood and Vicky are both talking about recycling needlepoint pieces to make them new, fresh and more suited to their owners' lifestyles.
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2011/06/recycling-needlepoint.html

http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/06/24/decisions-decisions/

Do you have pieces you need to refinish and reuse?

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com