The Free A-Z Sampler from Sandy Arthur/Duo Designs

Sandy Arthur has announced that she is going to provide free instructions for her A-Z Sampler design starting this month on her blog.  I'll update this article with her instructions, tips, and each of the 26 items when they are released.  Since ANG's Stitch of the Month program is no longer available to anyone except dues-paying members, this is a lovely substitute.

Here is the background:
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2019/12/surprise-gift-to-my-followers-several.html

Materials List (Please Substitute from Stash)
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/01/hearts-to-z-sampler-okay-guys-seems.html

The Letter A
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/01/january-11-online-mystery-classes-we.html

The Letter B
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/01/january-18-2020-online-mystery-classes.html

The Letter C
https://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/01/jan-25-last-weekend-our-ang-chapter-had.html

The Letter D
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/02/february-1-really-already-we-go-2020.html

The Letter E is escalator stitch.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/02/feb-8-our-weather-here-in-central.html

The Letter F stands for Flemish Bond, a lovely woven stitch.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/02/feb-15-valentines-day-used-to-make-our.html

The Letter G is the Greek stitch done horizontally.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/02/feb-22-notice-nan-assembly-is-march-20.html

The Letter H is Harlequin Stitch.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/02/feb-29-end-of-february-already-what.html

The Letter I - the I Stitch.
https://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/03/oops-i-did-not-post-last-weekend-so-we.html

The Letter J is Jacquard!
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/03/march-14-gosh-that-week-in-lajolla-sure.html

The Letter K is Knotted.
https://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/03/what-different-world-we-are-sharing.html

The Letter L is Leaf, a versatile stitch.
https://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/?fbclid=IwAR2Jho7DgXQyAJTGSa-5JZw_kiU0GYH5XY_00iaW-aHC2JDHUz3mERQ4zBc

https://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/?fbclid=IwAR1HWgS8nYDRZGyk8WNnx3vDPQkmcvfmZj-c7YolVg_vPudIXdpZY1FA67o

Next is the letter M which stands for Madam!
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/04/we-made-it-through-april-fools-day-i.html

The Letter N is Nobuko, naturally!
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/04/and-quarantine-continues-who-would-have.html

The Letter O is the very beautiful Oblong Cross.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/04/spring-is-in-air-i-think-one-week.html

P is for the unique and interesting Perspective Stitch.
https://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-end-of-april-is-drawing-very-near.html

Q is for the Quick Stitch.  Sandy has an interesting variation of it for us.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/05/may-day-is-quarantine-getting-any.html

R is a gorgeous Rhodes Stitch Heart.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/05/so-sad-who-would-have-ever-thought-that.html

Apparently R was supposed to be Rapid Stitch, so here is another R diagram.  It's unique!
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/06/y-stitch-6-27.html

Souffle Stitch is our S stitch.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/05/some-painters-are-working-such.html

And T is a Trellis Variation.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/05/pulling-weeds-and-other-fun-stuff.html

The Letter U is Upright Cross.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/05/returning-to-normal-whatever-is-normal.html

Victorian Step is the V stitch.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/06/june-made-it-did-we-this-is-one-of.html

W is Woven, one of my favorites!  In two colors or thread types it is a standout but in one color and light coverage it is a fabulous background.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/06/june-13-woven.html

Xocbichuy Stitch is the X Stitch.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/06/xoch-june-13.html

Y is the Y Stitch Variant
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/06/y-stitch-6-27.html

Zigzag Stitch is for the letter Z, bringing the sampler to an end.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/06/zigzag.html

http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2020/07/for-those-who-need-them-here-is-picture.html

Thank you, Sandy!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 7, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Spider Web Stitch

Needlepoint for Fun has a great essay (with diagrams) about how to do the spider web stitch. This is a great stitch for silk ribbon roses but it works for just about anything round since you can make the spoke foundation visible or invisible. Read all about it here—
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/how-to-do-the-spider-web-needlepoint-stitch.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 22, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Attach a Slip and Why

Did you ever read about Mary, Queen of Scots' needlework and wonder what slips were and why her needlepoint was attached that way?
http://marie-stuart.co.uk/embroidery.htm

The Floss Box has a fun tutorial about attaching slips that will help you understand how they were done.  This is something you might even consider doing yourself.
https://www.theflossbox.com/tutorials/embroidery-slips-tutorial/?fbclid=IwAR33dP0dPtFhCdrlV8oT6XOpwa-8g25aAJEcYc_ktASfqWa1QFPkD7c25UY

Or if you are a history buff, you might recreate some of Her Royal Highness' work using one of these English kits and charts from Sew Much Fun.
http://www.sewexciting.com/sections/58/dundonald_designs/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 7, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadaholic Alert: Sue Spargo Threads

Thanks to a recent newsletter from Inspirations magazine in Australia, I have learned that the famous quilt designer and teacher Sue Spargo sells threads perfect for quilting and hand embroidery.

There appear to be three threads:  Eleganza, which is a perle Egyptian cotton in size 8,
https://www.inspirationsstudios.com/product/sue-spargo-thread-pack-eleganza/

Eleganza Variegated, which is the variegated version of regular Eleganza, still in size 8 perle cotton,
https://www.inspirationsstudios.com/product/sue-spargo-thread-pack-eleganza-variegated/

and Ellana, which is a thin fine Merino wool/acrylic blend.  I don't know the diameter of this but I suspect it is thinner than crewel wool.
https://www.inspirationsstudios.com/product/sue-spargo-thread-pack-ellana/

Inspirations sells thread packs which you can purchase above.  These threads are made in conjunction with Wonderfil, which sells another two Sue Spargo-branded threads:  Razzle (which is a size 8 nylon perle thread that is available in both solid colors and variegated) and Dazzle (which is a six ply metallic rayon bend, also in size 8).  They also sell Sue's wool fabric in coordinated colors.
https://www.wonderfil.ca/sue-spargo-collection

If you want something truly different, this is worth exploration although the website is wholesale only.  They do offer help in finding stores, however.   If you know any rabid quilters, you might want to raid their stash!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 22, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint From A Beginner's Perspective

I found this article about starting needlepoint very interesting.  
https://www.herlifemagazine.com/blog/fine-things/needlepoint-is-back/?fbclid=IwAR1WjGl4Uwuazpmnq1jMQNL5fyXVGWGGinlQMyTsm6axC7P6u7mXL9ya3nQ

Most beginners start with kits they find locally and don't do fancy stitches or light coverage (although some jump right in to what might be a little harder).  You can have a lot of fun browsing Ehrman Tapestry's online catalogue.  Note that these are printed designs meant to be stitched entirely in wool and they are usually 10 or 12 stitches to the inch, instead of the more typical 13 and 18 count for hand painted designs.
http://www.ehrmantapestry.com

You can buy Elizabeth Bradley kits (which like other English designers are printed, use wool and are larger count) from their website.  This is their American website.
https://americas.elizabethbradley.com

Alice Peterson usually only sells wholesale except for their Stitch and Zip kits, which are self finishing and very popular among those looking for a quick gift or a carry along project for a trip.
alice peterson needlepoint stitch and zip

The two shops that the author mentions are Aristeia in California…
https://www.aristeianeedlepoint.com

…and The Needlepointer in Washington State.
https://www.theneedlepointer.com

Both are fabulous shops although the online shopping is better at The Needlepointer, and the Gallery of finished pieces at Aristeia will blow your socks off.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 6, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.