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.

The Best Ways to Stitch a Curved Line

Kreinik's Instagram page shows you how best to stitch a curved line--couch it!   They show examples from the master stitcher Jill Rigoli who likes to couch Kreinik threads with a thinner matching color in Kreinik or clear sewing thread if you can't access a matching color.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7mvGJ5tXzd/?g=5&img_index=1

Chaparral takes another route--wrapped backstitch!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DAtLI2ERnof/

Wrapped chain stitch works, too, and is more dimensional.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DA_1d65PqO0/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 31, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tips on Mending a Cut, Torn, Ripped or Damaged Needlepoint Canvas UPDATED

Melita lists tips on mending a cut in your needlepoint canvas in this blog posting. 

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/09/29/tips-to-fix-repair-or-mend-a-torn-or-ripped-canvas/

UPDATE:  Poppy Monk also has a tutorial on fixing cuts fast, showcasing two methods for repairs.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/save-your-stitch-how-to-fix-a-cut-needlepoint-canvas-in-minutes

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Floating Embroidery: The Movie

You may not be familiar with Helen M. Stevens, but her embroideries of the natural world are amazing.  I recently saw an example of what she calls "floating embroidery" on her Instagram account.  Here it is in close up.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-CzrLQqjmq/

Here is the entire piece, which reveals this as a clematis seed head.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-FhqvtqXYv/

Here is Helen's YouTube tutorial explaining this very simple but effective technique.  She's working this on muslin (I think) but if you switch to a small, sharp needle (a beading needle, for example, or a crewel needle) you can do the technique on your needlepoint canvas without having to create a sketch of your design.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YrKMpEqAKY

Helen is a big fan of Piper Silks' "Floss Silk," but any silk floss should work (and cotton floss will work, too, just without the light play you get from silk).  If you are a threadaholic, though, you should explore their goods.  They have sample color packs which are a good way to have some stitching fun.

https://www.pipers-silks.com/

Here is Helen's website if you'd like to explore her books, her tutorials and classes, greeting cards, etc.

https://helenmstevens.online/products/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 31, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Bead An Ornament Edge: The Movie

Dr. Jessica Grimm, an expert in historical embroidery, demonstrates how to bead the edge of a tiny sampler motif needle minder.  This will work quite well on needlepoint ornaments, too.

https://vimeo.com/984199501?share=copy

For the best look, you will need a thread color that matches your stitching.   I think she's right that a very long length of thread is the best way to go. Starting in the middle of a side is fairly important but if your ornament is round, just start at the bottom middle.  These appear to be size 11 beads (occasionally she calls them pearls but Dr. Grimm isn't a native English speaker) but you can use smaller size 14 or 15 beads for the second row for a more dainty effect.

If you are curious about making the needle minder, here is her tutorial.

https://www.jessicagrimm.com/blog/tutorial-sampler-motif-needle-minders-with-a-beaded-edge

UPDATE:  Here is Mary Corbet's latest explanation on her way of doing a beaded edge.

https://www.needlenthread.com/2025/12/twinkle-twinkle-7-the-decorative-beaded-edge-finished.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 15, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.