How to Organize Your Threads

Ehrman has just posted a great video on how to organize your threads before you start to stitch one of their kits.  It's full of useful tips for those canvases that have printed color blocks on the edge of one side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6rw-bLChpI

If you have a little free time, you can explore Ehrman's YouTube channel. It has some great profiles of their designers!

https://www.youtube.com/@EhrmanTapestry

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 11, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Tip from Elizabeth Bradley

Elizabeth Bradley has a great tip for using those color blocks printed on needlepoint kits:  tie a bit of your thread to the proper block to aid in knowing what thread goes where.

https://www.facebook.com/ebneedlepoint/photos/a.531300420264423/5192588240802261/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 23, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Profile of Kaffe Fassett

Ehrman Tapestry has updated their website with a new profile of Kaffe Fassett.  There are lots of videos to watch about a man who has dominated the needlepoint, knitwear, and fabric worlds with his unique mastery of color.

https://www.ehrmantapestry.com/our-designers/kaffe-fassett/?fbclid=IwAR3Dr7CN_AmZ0u9ICPiFFGIESi2fK8W_UZWE2V6YJa5Iio1QYUNffI4PW3U

If you aren't familiar with the kits of his work Ehrman sells, you can click on "View All" at the very bottom of the page and see what Ehrman has available now from his designs.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Ehrman Has a New Website

Ehrman Tapestry in England has updated their website.  They always have spectacular designs for their kits (printed canvas shipped with the wool needed to complete) which are usually on 10 or 12 count canvas. 
https://www.ehrmantapestry.com

If you have a favorite Ehrman designer, you can see just their work, or you can browse their collections to look at florals, birds, seaside, Asian, etc. themes.  The website is set up to filter canvases by overall size, too, just in case you only want pillows or rugs, etc.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 9, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Brief History of Needlepoint (not tapestry)

The Mr. X Stitch website has a regular column by Ruth Singer that talks about various types of handwork.  If you are interested in how tapestry differs from needlepoint, her two-part article will be quite interesting.  Of course if you are English, you'll call needlepoint "tapestry" which adds to the confusion Ruth talks about in part one.
https://www.mrxstitch.com/tapestry/

Note that she's really talking about 16-17th Century European tapestries here.
https://www.mrxstitch.com/tapestry-2/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 10, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Annie Bouquet: The Movie

Tired of being stuck at home? Thanks to Sally, we can tour Annie Bouquet, the needlepoint store in Paris.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcBxxdMm2Tw&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR1aN-zbeWuGhFMfp1qlNGvB1BJFE1xWRPmIi14PZch8QhhiNz7EkE18T7E

The dialogue is in French but it doesn't matter.  You can enjoy looking at Annie herself painted a canvas.  Here is her website.
https://anniebouquet.tapisseriedefrance.com

This is her website as well.  I think this one has designs by other French designers. Have fun exploring!
http://www.tapisseriedefrance.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 1, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tapestry Helps You Focus UPDATED

Tapestry makes you focus, says the head of the Sydney Opera House.
https://www.afr.com/leadership/afr-lists/how-tapestry-helps-sydney-opera-house-chief-louise-herron-focus-20190411-p51d8h?fbclid=IwAR0YSFZmNAO55isNZMAU40nVLG1vMdQ1X7J7jaA7Glo7QAxCYgzCxt7vovc

UPDATE:  This article may be out from behind the paywall.
https://www.afr.com/leadership/afr-lists/how-tapestry-helps-sydney-opera-house-chief-louise-herron-focus-20190411-p51d8h?fbclid=IwAR3-PZtn2VaDhaxu_mqR1_dAWEed1hAl-P3IU1vZ0OGyypoGiL7w-w1t94g

Many thanks to Needlepoint Now magazine for the link.

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

Let's Get to Know Emily Peacock

Virginia Wolf Canvas, from Emily Peacock

The latest in Bobbin and Fred's interviews of needlepoint designers focuses on Emily Peacock who is better known in her native United Kingdom than here in the United States.  I was intrigued by what Emily says about copyright since intellectual property theft is something I am campaigning against on Facebook.  It's rampant and also shocking the number of folks who don't think selling someone else's artwork is stealing.
https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2019/04/lets-meet-emily-peacock.html

You'll have fun browsing Emily's kits.  Many of them are on 7 or 10 count Zweigart canvas, making them a fast stitch or perhaps a good choice if your eyes are currently bothering you.  She does 12 count printed designs, too.  The portrait of Virginia Wolf above is one of these printed canvases that comes in a kit with Appleton wool.
http://emilypeacock.squarespace.com/shop

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 5, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Bobbin and Fred Use Knitting Yarn for Needlepoint UPDATED

Shannan of Bobbin and Fred talks about using Stylecraft's Special DK and Chunky knitting yarns for a needlepoint project based on a friend's artwork.
https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2019/03/is-stylecraft-special-dk-good.html

I don't knit so I don't know if these brands of knitting yarn are available here in the USA, but I imagine you can use any sort of yarn you can lay your hands on for a small test project like a glasses case.

UPDATE:  Liz has a warning for those thinking about using knitting yarn for a needlepoint project.  Thanks, Liz!

Knitting yarn for needlepoint? Depends. If you are looking for a special effect of some kind, use what you need to succeed! However, for "regular" needlepoint be wary. Knitting yarn tends to be a lot stretchier than needlepoint yarn and you really have to watch your tension. These folks seem to be using 10-count, so I'm guessing they are using worsted weight so, yes, you can get a very good price, if you are going to work a very large piece! It is a false economy if you are buying a big skein of knitting yarn when all you need is a few yards of something. And they mentioned machine wash & dry, so it is probably acrylic or at least a blend which would make your needlepoint piece just about impossible to block. So, can you use knitting yarn for needlepoint? Yes, but.....

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 20, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Shenandoah Valley Tapestry plus John Water's Needlepoint Pillow

The local paper just profiled the Shenandoah Valley Tapestry which has just been finished.  It's actually an embroidery on heavy linen. not a woven tapestry or needlepoint.
http://www.winchesterstar.com/winchester_star/community-created-tapestry-on-display-at-handley-library/article_6d1064fd-87a3-59e5-af77-11335fabbd81.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share&fbclid=IwAR0A-u8-wfiTOoD8xRs_pxqe3zfMaRGOVFPfMrq0b-_xy5TFHqpBFJzr4RU

There are a lot of closeups on the tapestry's Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/valleytapestry/

Speaking of art, Doug Kreinik went to the John Waters exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Art and came away with this photo of a needlepoint pillow.  LOL
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156653052949277&set=pcb.10156653058169277&type=3&theater

The John Waters exhibit will be at the Baltimore Museum of Art until January 6, 2019.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 13, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint Cosmetics

Ok, here's something you don't see every day—cosmetics packed in needlepoint-themed cosmetic bags!   
https://www.facebook.com/kaffefassettstudio/photos/a.1293531724048674.1073741838.1185596584842189/1304233396311840/?type=3&theater

Here's more about the line of cosmetics and fragrances, makeup bags and cosmetic bags.
http://www.kaffefassett.com/wp-content/uploads/On-Point-fragrance-press-release.pdf

http://kaffefassettfragrance.com/onpoint/

For those who aren't familiar with Kaffe Fasset, he is a master of color and textile design and has created a huge range of tapestry kits in partnership with Ehrman.  If you search the Ehrman website, you'll find the currently available kits from the many he's designed and several videos of Kaffe.  He's the master of color as far as I am concerned.
http://www.ehrmantapestry.com/KaffeFassett.aspx

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 12, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Chinese Tapestry World

Thanks to Needlepoint Now magazine, I have a link to a beautiful but slightly sad video of a Chinese lady and her apprentice who create intricate needlepoint reproductions of paintings on penelope canvas.  It's a specialized art with a limited audience I expect but it is very beautiful and when you consider they transfer the design after dying the crewel weight wools…!
https://www.shine.cn/feature/art-culture/1802140459/

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

Traditional Stockings on Display

If you are a fan of English-style tapestry, then you will enjoy looking at Jolly Red's blog (Dec. 26, Dec. 29 and Dec. 30, 2017) where they have several articles showcasing the stockings they finished this year for customers of their designs.  The designs and execution are traditional but with a modern English twist.
https://www.jollyred.co.uk/blog/

If you want to order one of their kits, here is their website's home page.
https://www.jollyred.co.uk

Have a Merry Old England Christmas!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 7, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Background Idea

I just spotted a very clever background idea on Candace Bahouth's new "Avebury" design for Ehrman Tapestry.  Click on the "click here to view larger image" link for a good look.  It's two colors in stripes of varying widths and irregular edges in two muted colors.
http://www.ehrmantapestry.com/Products/Avebury__AVE.aspx#.We8gcRSldjd

 I think this would look fabulous for those pretty florals with the bland, one color backgrounds, sort of like this Point of It All Designs piece.
https://needlepoint.com/anemones.html

Many thanks to Candace for her clever design work!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 24, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Celebrity Spotted Needlepointing

Thanks to Diversions Needlepoint, I learned that the male star of the movie "50 Shades of Gray" is obsessed with needlepoint.  Scroll down until you find Jamie Dornan.
http://www.celebitchy.com/464364/stars_personal_assistants_tell_all_outrageous_celebrity_demands_story_is_amazing/

Here's a bit more about Jamie, in case you missed his movies.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1946193/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 25, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Jane Tattersfield's Needlepoint Canvases

The English artist Jane Tattersfield's designs are being translated onto needlepoint canvas by Stitchery Thames Ditton (run at least in part by Jeremy Hamilton, formerly of Kirk and Hamilton) but in the United States, Needlepoint Now magazine distributes her work. You can see the full range of her current designs on the Stitchery Thames Ditton website.  Just click on "Collection" and enjoy!
http://www.stitcherythamesditton.com

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.

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.

Picking the Winners

Speaking of Jolly Red, the company ran a contest in December, asking customers to send in a photo of their piece, either finished or just started.  Then they asked local shop owners in their small Somerset, England town to pull names out of a hat.  You can read all about it here.
https://www.jollyred.co.uk/service-and-a-smile-in-langport/

The contestants are in a photo album on Jolly Red's Facebook page if you want to take a look.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/mrsjollyred/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1618260248199818

It's a fun way to learn a bit about the tastes of your customers and showcase your town!

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.

A Walk Down Memory Lane with Laura Ashley

Hands Across the Sea Samplers has a brief biography of Laura Ashley today that shows one of her needlepoint kits.  These were very popular in the late 1980s-early 1990s.
https://hands-across-the-sea-samplers.com/laura-ashley/

Here's a rose wreath apparently called "Country Rose."
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/410601691003840058/

This is a very lovely needlepoint floral.
http://picclick.com.au/LAURA-ASHLEY-CHEVELEY-FLORAL-TAPESTRY-NEEDLEPOINT-KIT-42cms-x-162206030007.html

I found another pillow design in this not very good photo from eBay.
http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/8kcAAOSwvzRX0c4u/s-l300.jpg

Another pretty floral.
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/LAURA-ASHLEY-TAPESTRY-CANVAS-AND-WOOLS-FOR-YOU-TO-SEW-SCARBOROUGH-FAIR-/192010785436?hash=item2cb4bc129c:g:AwoAAOSwLnBX4UTF

This is a pansy design stitched with wool.
http://swimtwobirds.com/gallery/

All the kits I saw from Laura Ashley in the early 1990s were screen printed and kitted with tapestry wool.  I stitched a small rosebuds piece myself that was probably intended to be a pin cushion.  I gave it as a gift so I don't have a photograph but I think this is it.  It may have come in a blue floral version as well.
http://geb.ebay.com/g/ImportHubViewItem?itemid=122045003229

This is allegedly a Laura Ashley needlepoint but I can't see the logo at the top of the page.
https://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/6756680/il_570xN.319834931.jpg

These seem to turn up on eBay regularly.  If you love English style tapestry, keep an eye open for some of these beauties.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 3, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Jolly Red Has a Blog—Hurrah! UPDATED

The English tapestry designer Jolly Red has a blog now.  It seems to talk a lot of the issues that come up with new designs and how to finish needlepoint.  Jolly Red does finishing of their own and other designers' work, which is important to know if you are in the UK and looking for a finisher.
http://jollyredstitches.blogspot.co.uk

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 August 5, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.