Stitch Faster with Quality plus Stocking Tips

Needlepoint.com just posted five tips to make your stitching go faster without sacrificing quality. These tips are a way of pushing their products, of course, but you will find yourself stitching faster if you have your threads organized and use tools to make the stitching easier.  Stitch guides are useful because they stretch your stitching muscles without your having to spend a lot of time researching Just The Right Stitch.  

https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/top-5-tips-for-faster-stitching-without-sacrificing-quality

KC Needlepoint has also posted tips for stitching big projects like Christmas stockings.  I personally hate scroll bars but they sure make stitching large stockings easier.  

https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/blogs/news/ready-to-tackle-a-big-project-read-all-our-tips

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Needle Threading Tips

If you have trouble threading your needle, Poppy Monk's got a series of tips that might help.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/needlepoint-tips-threading-your-needle

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 8, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Railroading with The Wool and the Floss

If you have two strands of something but no laying tool, you can adopt a technique cross stitches use called "railroading" to keep your stitches flat and straight.  The Wool and The Floss demonstrates railroading on their Instagram account in this short video.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DGxz24FRKt4/

It works great!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 4,  2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Key Needlepoint Tips and Techniques

Melita Glavin gave a lecture on important tips and techniques for needlepoint to a local needlework guild and summarized it for us all on her blog.  She plans to update this as things occur to her, too, making this a nice learning tool.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/09/19/key-needlepoint-tips-and-technique-issues/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 20, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Vibrant Beauty: Winter 2025 Mystery

Ruth Schmuff has announced the Winter 2025 mystery class--"Vibrant Beauty" from Romantzart.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2024/12/vibrant-beauty/

The classes are set for January and February 2025.  Stay tuned. I'll update this article with Ruth's progress reports here as the class dates come and go.  By the way, Ruth had an idea about how to reduce shipping costs starting with this mystery.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2024/12/i-had-an-idea/

Ruth started with an open background and a new Color Dreams thread on the vase.  (Color Dreams is a line of overdyed floche that Ruth has made for her shop.)

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2025/01/sparkly-2/

Then she moved to leaves and flowers with a Ruth twist.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2025/02/leaves-and-fluffy-flowers/

Then Ruth tackled all those black outlines in a very clever way.  The flower center she's finished is amazing, by the way.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2025/03/outlining-for-depth/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 2, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Beginning and Ending Threads Securely

Louise's Needlework has a nice short article on starting and ending threads securely.  Use the right side arrow to see all the pages.  They use inline and away waste knots, the pin stitch, the L stitch, T stitch and Bargello tuck to start or end threads securely and have diagrammed each for you.  

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-aBXqAtyXU/?g=5&img_index=1

I should add that Louise's Needlework has a very informative "Tips and Techniques" page on their website.  It's worth bookmarking for the next time you need expert advice.

https://www.louisesneedlework.com/hints-and-tips-for-needlepoint.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 8, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Fusible Interfacing and Self-Finishing: The Movie

Needlepoint.com recommends using iron-on fusible interfacing on the back side of a needlepoint insert for your purses instead of using the sticky area to adhere your canvas permanently.

https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how

It is easy and quick and makes your needlepoint insert easier to insert and remove when you want to change the look of your self-finishing item.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 3, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Making Simple Designs Elaborate

The Needlepointer has posted a short video on Vimeo explaining how to make a simple design more elaborate.

https://vimeo.com/754307286?goal=0_3621358244-1a9edb646f-69335125&mc_cid=1a9edb646f&mc_eid=73961ee0ea

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 27, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tips for Using Curved Needles in Finishing

Starke Art shows how to use a curved needle and fishing line in finishing.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO4gKQVgC8I

There are some great ideas for those doing self-finishing.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 22, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Goldwork Padding Techniques

Because Fiber Talk is interviewing Jen Goodwin this week (second link below), I looked at her YouTube channel.  I found this interesting video of goldwork padding techniques which can be used when padding needlepoint canvases with string or felt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8TWWnLOux0&pbjreload=101

Here is the Fiber Talk interview with Jen who is well known for her goldwork and blackwork designs.

https://wetalkfiber.com/2020/12/06/fiber-talk-with-jen-goodwin/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 6, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ruth's Tidbits and Techniques Videos

If you learn best by watching, I've got a great link for you! Ruth Schmuff has started to list all her tips and techniques videos in a place on her blog.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/not-your-grandmothers-needlepoint/tidbits-and-techniques/

Want to learn how to do bullions?  Or ruche threads?  Want to know what a Twisted Lazy Daisy Stitch is like?  Want to learn needle weaving or explore goldwork techniques?  Ruth has a video for all this and for much more!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 30, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Candlewicking Fur

Needlepoint for Fun has an interesting article today about how to create slight tufts of fur using a technique that mimics candlewicking.
http://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/candlewicking-on-needlepoint.htm

I highly recommend that the tent stitches under the candlewicking stitches be in wool or something else that offers a firm foundation.  You also should consider using glue on the back side and using this only on something that will not receive any wear.  A piece framed under glass is going to last longer without the candlewicking tufts of fur pulling or falling out.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 17, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Neon Rays—Tamed and Explained

Enriched Stitch profiles Rainbow Gallery's Neon Rays in this fun article. Want to know how to tame it? Want to know how to get the creases out? Want to know how to secure it so it doesn't wiggle free on the back? Suzie's got you covered!
http://astheneedleturns.com/thread-thursday-neon-rays/

Here is the color card for Neon Rays on the Rainbow Gallery website.  Have fun exploring all the pretty colors!
http://www.rainbowgallery.com/product/neon-rays/

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

Smoothing Threads: Kreinik's Introduction to Laying Tools

The Kreinik blog has a terrific article on laying tools and using them to smooth threads.  It explains why you would want to smooth a thread and shows you how to turn items you already have into inexpensive laying tools.  There are links to further information at the bottom of the article as well.
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-easiest-way-to-make-prettier.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 7, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Perfect Basketweave: A Lesson from Susan Portra

Susan Porta has a lovely lesson on the best way to make tent stitches, particularly basketweave, on her website.   Words of wisdom from a master stitcher!
http://www.susanportra.com/catalog/item/8767033/9850193.htm

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.

Techniques with Joni: Coming Up/Going Down in the Same Hole

Joni Stevenson has posted another fascinating article on her blog about coming up and going down in the same hole. She discusses all the ways to do this and explains the drawbacks of each.
http://creative-stitch.blogspot.com/2015/12/turning-corner-with-couched-thread.html

Fascinating!

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

Using Thread Weight to Best Advantage

Laura Perin shows how to use different weights of the same thread line to best advantage on her classic "Reflecting Pools" chart.  Very clever technique.  Thanks for sharing, Laura!
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2015/08/splish-splash.html

By the way, if you fall in love with this design, you can pick up the chart via Laura's website.
http://www.laurajperindesigns.net/Impressionist-collection.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 31,  2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Beading Strategies from Mary

Mary Legallet's blog just keeps getting more interesting!  This week she blogs about beading and shares two tricks that help her beading on needlepoint canvas look great. 
http://www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2015/8/12/you-will-bead-the-death-of-me

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 13, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Seeding Backgrounds (with Chicken Tracks)

An embroidery technique for backgrounds is "seeding" which is the scattering of small stitches across the background with each equal in size and spaced at an equal distance from each other.  Tracy Franklin learned this at the Royal School and is using the technique (which she explains well) on an original design.
http://tracyafranklin.blogspot.com/2015/01/crathorne-bug-seeding.html

I've seen a similar technique called chicken tracks in hand embroidery which also scatters small stitches on the background but in chicken tracks the stitches vary in length and overlap each other.  If you use 2-3 overdyed threads in green, for example, and just stitch hither and yon with them, you can create a very nice grassy background.

Interesting embroidery techniques like these are perfect for needlepoint.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 13, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Is Repousse' Actually Trailing?

I've heard about Tony Minieri's repousse' technique and seen photos of it but I never have tried it.
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2014/03/in-classroom-with-tony-minieri.html

http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/im-thinking-halloween/

http://nystitchingsisters.blogspot.com/search?q=repousse

So I was quite excited to see Tracy Franklin talking about something similar she calls trailing. She posts lots of hints, too!  I am not sure they are exactly the same, but if you wish to create a dimensional couched line, this is something to try.
http://tracyafranklin.blogspot.com/2014/12/crathorne-bug-trailing.html

http://tracyafranklin.blogspot.com/2014/12/crathorne-bug-continuing-trailing-and.html

http://tracyafranklin.blogspot.com/2014/12/crathorne-bug-finishing-trailing.html

If you are curious about Tracy's Crathorne bug project, click on the title header and scroll down until you find the November 13 entry where she starts working on this original project.

UPDATE:  I think Tracy's technique isn't actually repousse.  Here's a tutorial by Ruth Schmuff.
http://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/bedeckednewsjune2015.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 24, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.