Stripes are Slimming

We all have heard that stripes are slimming, but they are also great for needlepoint backgrounds.  Poppy Monk has an article about six different stitches for striped backgrounds, plus a tip for making the stripes dynamic if that's what you want for your background.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/needlepoint-stitches-perfect-for-stripes

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 26, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitches for Broad Stripes

Needlepoint for Fun's latest tutorial covers stitches to use for broad stripes in a background.

https://needlepoint-for-fun.com/blogs/needlepoint-for-fun-blog/how-to-needlepoint-those-bold-stripes?ml_subscriber=1668130590311847109&ml_subscriber_hash=a1d0

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 20, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

From Boring to Unique

One of the customers at Ridgewood Needlepoint wanted to make this rather plain belt more interesting to stitch.
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2015/09/what-are-we-working-on-today_22.html

Yes, she's a GENIUS!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 22, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Color Study

Michelle of Little Bird Designs has been experimenting with unusual color combinations.  I really like how her coral and purple stripes turned out when stitched! 
http://www.needlepointofnoreturn.com/the-first-canvases-in-my-color-studies-series/

If you love Michelle's color experiments, you can do a little browsing here...
http://www.needlepointofnoreturn.com/product-category/3-5-x-7-canvases/

...and you can do a little shopping here or you can email Michelle and Rosanne at littlebirddesignsllc@gmail.com for more information.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleBirdDesignsArt

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 1, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

In Front or Behind?

Ever buy a canvas with absolutely nothing in the background? And then discover you have no idea what to put there? Ruth choose Eleanor Brosch's "Parrot" for her latest mystery class and had this Blank Background problem to solve.
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/Mystery-Classes/

Here is what Ruth decided to do.  She tells the folks in the class they can have an all leaves background or they can have stripes alone or they can put stripes either in front of or behind the leaves.  What would YOU choose? 
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2014/06/polly-wanna-cracker.html

Hope this gives you some ideas the next time you tackle a plain background.  Thanks, Ruth!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 30, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.