Monday, February 3, 2025

Tightening Stretcher Bars the Easy Way (Mopsey Designs)

This short video explains how to tighten canvases on stretcher bars without having to take the design off the bars.

Clever!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 27, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, February 2, 2025

Exclusives from Needlepoint Junction

Are you looking for something unique that not everyone and their brother-in-law are stitching?  Look no further than the shop exclusive page on Needlepoint Junction's website.

I'm particularly found of the Gingerbread Dreams Mini Sock on 13 count (I've seen it stitched with both the pink background and a deep blue) but there is plenty to love and enjoy here like the birdhouse and cardinal or the napkin ring canvases with Beth Gantz napkin ring frames.  Gayla Elliott fans will swoon over her Autumn canvas!

Then there are the Nordic mini socks and sweater designs....

Not to mention the leather self-finishing frames from Jenny Henry!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 27, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, February 1, 2025

A Review of Laying Tools UPDATED

Melita is trying to organize her stash, getting rid of things that are duplicates or that she doesn't use.  In the process she found all her laying tools and showed them to us.

Personally, I love my trolley needle for stranded threads.  I wear it on my left thumb and like Melita, I've never stabbed myself with it.  Wooden laying tools (I like the shorter, fatter ones since I have little hands) seem to work better for cotton threads.  I adore my tekobari for silk flosses; nothing tames them better!  I also have a bone laying tool I almost never use and a nut pick from my nutcracker set that is fabulous for taming silk ribbons.

UPDATE:  Melita owns The Stitchers Best Friend but has never used it.  If you use it, Melita wants to know what you like to use it for best.

In case you aren't familiar with the Stitchers Best Friend, it comes in three sizes (20, 22, and 24) that compare to the same size in tapestry needles.  It's used to manipulate stitches, to help ripping out, and as a laying tool.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 25, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, January 31, 2025

Ribbed Spider Web Roses

The Wool and the Floss posted a video tutorial on their Instagram on creating ribbed spider web roses.  If you prefer written instructions, they posted a step-by-step guide in the description, too.

They appear to be using silk ribbons from Tilli Thomas and Treenway Silks, by the way, but I prefer silk ribbon from River Silks whenever possible because of the huge color range and their durability.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 8, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Repurposing Cigarette Cases

Melita has a lovely mother-of-pearl cigarette case she is going to use as needle storage.

You can find lots of cigarette cases online.  Right now the fabric ones that held a cardboard packet of cigarettes and a book of matches are easily found.  Modern Art Nouveau enameled ones are lovely and not very expensive, either.  If you want antiques, especially silver, you'll pay more.

As always, shop around.  Prices vary a lot for these items.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
 
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 23, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.