A friend asked me late last summer about how I thought tariffs would impact needlepoint. As you can see, many designers are uncertain how this is going to work. Tanya Bentham is an embroiderer in the UK who specializes in Medieval-style embroidery. Her blog posting about tariffs is typical--she has to do two invoices to include tariff charges.
As for the impact on stitchers, prices will go up because so much of the raw materials for threads and other supplies comes from overseas. Right now the Canadian and UK suppliers are waiting for clarification on how this will all work. Traditional Stitches in Canada has this to say about tariffs.
I also follow Colour Complements in Canada. Lorraine says that she's got a good grasp on how it will work now. She will have a list of how much tariff you'll pay that will be added on like shipping costs. I think the UK suppliers believe they will have an exception to tariffs but that's still in flux.
Ehrman says that they add any tariffs or customs duties to their kits before they are sold so you won't have any surprises with an order from the UK.
Susan Johnson of SJ Designs has discovered that manufacturers of certain bead and satin ribbon items are discontinuing them or going out of business entirely. She's looking for replacements in Central Europe. I think some older owners of craft supplies businesses will choose to retire instead of coping with it all, especially if they can't find buyers for their firms. Some items are going to be impossible to get. Already the importer of Straw Silk is finding it almost impossible to get supplies from overseas and that may have to be discontinued.
A small painted canvas (let's say a 4 inch round) is approaching $90-100 each now. Of course there is still older inventory in the shops that costs $50-70 but you have to want a less popular design. Printed canvases are better quality now and I'm seeing more of them. Needlepoint.com is pointing the way, there. Moore Stitching is another printed canvas firm with good quality items. I've stitched both and had no problems, although I admit I don't really have an issue with figuring out what color goes where. I just pick one and keep going.
But I digress. I think painted canvas prices will continue to climb, threads will be harder to get (and more expensive), and lovely tools and embellishments like the Swarovski crystals that Swarovski is no longer making for the craft market may be harder to find, too. If you can source good quality tools you want, buy them now. On the other hand, issues like the problems getting Kreinik plus their switch to putting it on cards instead of spools means we have new suppliers of metallic threads like the Au Ver A Soie metallics that people are importing and the new Reflections metallics that Meredith of M's Canvas House has brought out. So some companies are getting creative. Overall, I think some things will be harder to get (embellishments, good quality tools) and others will cost more (painted canvases) and the range of what's available may narrow some. I'm betting older owners of companies manufacturing some of this stuff will throw up their hands and retire but we'll see.
My thoughts, for what they are worth and that's not much!
What do you think?
Written by Jane/Chilly HollowBlogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 4, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
