The Royal School Restores Needlepoint

The Royal School of Embroidery not only stitches brand new pieces of needle art, they do restoration, such as fixing the burnt area on this needlepoint stool.

https://royal-needlework.org.uk/studio-restoring-a-burnt-piece/

Instead of putting a patch behind the hole, they reweave the area, which is probably stronger in the long run for a family heirloom that is used.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com 

nd at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 21, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

For King and Country

Beth talks about the Fiber Talk interview she and Gary did with staff from the Royal School of Needlework on the restorations and original pieces they prepared for the Coronation of King Charles III last summer.

http://bethsneedleworkstash.blogspot.com/2024/05/rsn-podcast-on-fibertalk.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com 

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 6, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sara Dennis: Embroidery and Restoration

Fiber Talk interviews embroidery expert and restoration Sara Dennis.  "You are never too old to learn."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj6E8Gj5tV0

She has a studio in Lancaster Castle and also has appeared on a dozen episodes of the BBC program, The Repair Shop.  Currently the program has some seasons available on Discovery Channel.

https://saradennisembroidery.co.uk

Remember, you aren't "cutting off the wrong leg!"

https://www.instagram.com/saradennisembroidery/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 11, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Redoing a Footstool

Rachel has just refurbished a footstool her grandmother stitched on binca with tapestry wool.  
http://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2018/09/04/renovating-grandmamas-footstool/

I had never heard of binca before but managed to find a closeup photo.  It's not needlepoint canvas but the way Rachel washed and restitched her heirloom footstool is similar to what she would have done with needlepoint canvas.  She just would have figured out the thread count on the original needlepoint and put patches of the same size canvas under any holes or rips.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Binca-Cross-Stitch-Fabric-25x25cm/dp/B0089CSM3I?tag=duc08-21

It's wonderful to give life to old pieces, particularly when they are family treasures.

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

Fiber Talk Interviews Nancy Lukoskie

I finally had time to listen to the Fiber Talk interview with Nancy Lukoskie of Fancywork Finishing, a company that specializes in ecclesiastical design and finishing.  Fancywork Finishing works with churches from the design phase to the finishing phase of their ecclesiastical pieces and helps them clean and restore older cushions, hangings and other pieces that need a little repair or cleaning.  Nancy is an expert at restoration, blocking, finishing and design and she's looking for an apprentice.  The things she says about blocking are a revelation!
http://wetalkfiber.com/2018/03/18/fiber-talk-with-nancy-lukoski/

Here's a brief article about blocking from Nancy's blog.

https://fancyworkfinishing.com/needlepoint-blocking/

Here is Nancy's website.  It's a fun (and educational) browse.

https://fancyworkfinishing.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 2, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A New Book, New Guides, New Products and How To Clean UPDATED

The latest newsletter from Amy Bunger is out and it's a honey!  There's a rave review of Carole Lake's newest book, new products, new classes and guides, and finally—some wonderful tips Amy picked up at a retreat for cleaning and repairing your needlework.
http://www.amysgoldenstrand.com/uploads/7/2/3/6/72364657/0218.pdf

If you are really intrigued by the cleaning and restoration tips, or need such services, check Nancy Lukoski's website.
http://www.fancyworkfinishing.com

UPDATE:  Fiber Talk interviewed Nancy in 2018.  It's a great interview!
http://wetalkfiber.com/2018/03/18/fiber-talk-with-nancy-lukoski/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 2, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Fiber Talk Interviews Melissa Beck

The latest podcast from Gary and Christine at Fiber Talk is with a restoration expert, Melissa Beck.  I haven't had time to listen to this yet but I expect it will be very interesting.  We all have needlepoint we want to clean and some of us have restoration projects we would like to do.
http://wetalkfiber.com/2017/07/30/fiber-talk-with-melissa-beck/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 31, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Professional Restorer at Work

Melissa talks about several needlepoint restoration projects on her website. The first is a family crest.
http://www.collector-repair-services.com/?p=759

The second is a folk art pillow from the 1930s.
http://www.collector-repair-services.com/?p=821

The third is a pillow chewed by a pet.
http://www.collector-repair-services.com/?p=789

The fourth is a picture that had to be reblocked and reframed.
http://www.collector-repair-services.com/?p=412

The process (and the projects!) is fascinating.  But after all this, you may wonder why folks bother. This is Melissa's answer.
http://www.collector-repair-services.com/?p=334

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 18, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Pest Patrol

Want to know what a professional restoration artist does to get rid of insects that attack needlework? Melissa explains the problem and her solutions here. 
http://www.collector-repair-services.com/?p=803

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 18, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Restoration Magic

I thought you'd enjoy seeing what Melissa did to restore this old needlepoint piece. It's amazing how much work is involved!
http://www.collector-repair-services.com/?p=1058

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 18, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Textile Conservation Resources

Needleprint mostly deals with samplers but the links they have published to museum guidelines for textile conservation may be of interest to anyone with needlework they want to repair, clean or put away safely for the next generation.
http://needleprint.blogspot.com/2013/07/textile-conservation-guidelines-and.html

The first article talks about storage, maintenance and display with many practical tips and illustrations.  It mostly talks about clothing but a lot of information is very useful for anyone with antique textiles under their roof.  I found the storage section especially interesting.

The second article lays out the guidelines for textile conservation in Britain and has much more reference and source information.  I found the information about conservation materials particularly interesting.  This starts on page 73.  Both documents were written for British museums so not all sources for information, supplies and advice are going to be practical for those in other countries.

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.

Removing Marks from Old Linens

I have no idea whether this works on everything or not, or whether it is safe, but this product that removes brown marks from linens is worth researching.
http://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/green-linen-towel-before-and-after-restoration/

Thanks for the tip, Melita!


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