Friday, March 31, 2023

Tips for Stitching with Boucle

Sharon Quick posted tips for stitching with Edmar's boucle, which is a bumpy thread that makes great trees and hair.

Because NP Nation is private now that Facebook has removed the tools that used to keep spammers out, I am taking the liberty of quoting Sharon in full here for those who otherwise can't read her wisdom.

"Someone" said she finds Edmar Boucle impossible to do French Knots. A few hints to make it easier: 
1. Don't cut the thread more that 20" long. 
2. Run the thread quickly through steam and let it dry before stitching, as it will let the thread relax and not knot up so much on the back. Or, run it through a flat iron for the same reason. 
3. Run it through a piece of Bounce to remove static. 
4. Run the length of the thread through your fingers to find the smooth direction and put the needle on the end that will allow the smooth way to go through the canvas. If your fingers cannot detect the smooth direction, pull it along the upper lip below the nose which is a more sensitive place than fingers. 
5. Plan to work slowly - keep checking the back of the canvas with your nondominant hand to be sure it is not knotting on the back of the canvas. 
6. As you are pulling the thread through the canvas, keep the thread at 90 degrees (horizontal) from the hole. Be consistent to achieve consistent French Knots. 
7. If you have more questions, please ask! I love sharing what I have learned the hard way."

Thanks so much, Sharon!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 15, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, March 30, 2023

Finishing Leaves with a Wired Edge: The Movie

Kelly of Start Art Designs just posted a free video demonstrating how to finish leaves with a wired edge.  

This is particularly interesting given how many folks are stitching the Kam Wenzloff leaf wreath from Needlepoint Now magazine.  It's a long video but shows everything you need to do if you want leaves you can bend into position.  By the way, the list of supplies Kelly mentions is on her website here.  Note that I think you want to use the thinner interfacing, not the extra firm interfacing.  This allows the leaf to be more bendable.

By the way, I couldn't find the finishing video Kelly says was posted on Needlepoint Now's website but there is a written tutorial here.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 14, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Penelope Canvas: What It Is and How To Stitch on Penelope

The NJNA newsletter I wrote about two days ago had a link to a great discussion of penelope canvas.   I wanted to mention it separately here on Blog so that anyone searching for information about penelope canvas could find it using Blogger's search engine.

Jeni Sandberg explains what penelope is, how to stitch on it, what threads work best and how to work the smaller areas next to the larger with compensation.  It's a great article with lots of examples for you to study and the most thorough exploration of penelope I've seen.

Needlepoint shops often have blank penelope canvas.

Some large needlepoint shops still sell designs on penelope canvas.

Canvases with pre-worked centers are also easily available on Etsy or eBay.

Again, many thanks to NJNA for discovering this wonderful article!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 12, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Self-Finishing Dog Collars

Thanks to NJNA's last newsletter, I know where you can buy self-finishing dog collars.  I know I mentioned the NJNA newsletter yesterday but I want to emphasize these cowhide collars as up to now I've not known who the designer was.  (By the way, they also sell one self-finishing cat collar, design self-finishing bracelet cuffs and regular canvases.). There is a sizing guide to help you know what length to order.  These come painted in gray scale so you can pick your own colors and the leather is available in either black or brown.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 12, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, March 27, 2023

The Latest News from NJNA

The New Jersey Needle Artists ANG chaper has plenty of news and eye candy in this month's newsletter.  You can see photos of Woodlawn ribbon winners and one of the Needlepoint Now magazine's newest projects, get the latest ANG news, learn about Rittenhouse being for sale, etc.  It's worth a nice long read with your morning (or evening) beverage.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 12, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.