MAK Needlepoint's Backgammon Board

If you are a fan of backgammon, you'll love watching MAK Needlepoint stitch their new steampunk-style backgammon board canvas.  
https://makneedlepoint.weebly.com/needlework-in-progress/backgammon-board

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 13, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thin and Chic—And No Longer Available

The Blue Metal Threaders

Recently I heard about a very thin blue metal threader from a friend who was asking around about where to get some more of them.  They look a bit like the Dritz threader but they are blue and are made from thinner metal.  They were once available from Rainbow Gallery but are no longer being made.  Rainbow Gallery says they had them made in China but most of them were so bad they had to be thrown away.   Rainbow Gallery never reordered.  It's just not economically feasible to order items when the majority are not usable.

Dritz Brand Threaders at Joann's Fabrics

I took a photo of the needle threader display at my local Joann's Fabrics just so you can see the variety of threaders that are easily obtainable.  I prefer the wire threaders myself but this is personal preference.  The downside to the wire threaders for me is that the wires pull out, so I buy a package occasionally, lay them all out on waxed paper on the kitchen counter, and put a drop of Super Glue on the bases where the wires attach to the metal tab.  After they dry it's a lot harder to yank out the wires without meaning to.

But I plan to try out one of the blue threaders, just to see what they are like.  If you like the thin metal style of threader (like the Loran, link below), you might seek one of these out if your favorite shop still has one available.
https://www.joann.com/loran-needle-threader-for-eye-needles-large/1494061.html


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 11, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Superhero Needlepoints

If you have Marvel comics admirers in your life, you probably have heard about the newest movie--"Captain Marvel." Thanks to Needlepoint Now magazine who flagged this interview on Facebook, we know the actress who plays the lead was busy needlepointing an abstract piece while on set.  Stitch a little, then save the world.  Sounds like a plan to me!
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2019/03/06/captain-marvel-how-classic-introvert-brie-larson-overcame-her-fears/3071033002/?fbclid=IwAR2Hpnb6QOPy0oh6JS-n1JsQIfQ2txF6RUtZXFTSWyqdqoJEHGsevIDB_t8

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 11, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint.com's Favorite Essentials UPDATED

Needlepoint.com has written an article about the shop's favorite tools. There are two types of cheap, colorful scissors, their preferred brand of laying tool, both plain and fancy magnets, and the Stitcher's Best Friend to help with ripping out and poking in.  The Stitcher's Best Friend comes in two sizes, by the way.  One is better for 13 count, one for 18 count.  Read the description before you pick.
https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/five-favorite-needlepoint-accessories?mc_cid=72aee8cd3d&mc_eid=3a360cb48b

You can browse their Accessories section online if you want to purchase one of these items.
https://needlepoint.com/collections/needlepoint-accessories

UPDATE:  The shop has done a video demonstrating how to use the Stitcher's Best Friend.  You can watch it here.
https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/how-to-use-a-stitchers-best-friend?mc_cid=6c523507d0&mc_eid=3a360cb48b

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 12, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Jan Goes Piloting

Jan and three friends just took pilot classes from Jennifer Reifenberg and Toni Gerdes in Colorado.  Pilot classes are a test drive of a new project from a teacher.  Folks are invited to take the class out for a spin to help proof the directions, see where the hard parts of a project are for most stitchers, find out what needs to be added to the directions that the teacher just assumed folks would know, etc.  It's a useful thing that teachers often do with various ANG and EGA guilds in their area.
https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2019/03/10/needlepoint-adventure/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 11, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.