Saturday, October 11, 2025

There's a New Thread in Town (Soie Tissée) UPDATED

Silk Road Fibers has a new thread--Soie Tissée (pronounced swah t-say)--is an intricately woven thread of seven lustrous strands of 100% silk according to Stitch-Stash.  You can see photos of many of the colors (shared with Straw Silk) on the Stitch-Stash website.  

Judging from the photos, it looks like a flat braid.  I haven't gotten my hands on any yet.  There's more information on the Silk Road Fibers website.

By the way, Silk Road Fibers' website says Straw Silk will return in early 2026.

UPDATE:  Thistle Needleworks posted photos of the colors plus closeups of what it looks like stitched on their Facebook page.

UPDATE #2:  There is also Soie Tissee Metal now (Spring 2026).  Apparently it is silk with a strand of gold, silver or white metallic woven in.

A Crafty Veteran likes the Soie Tissee Metal.  He says to use a laying tool or your finger to lay it flat as it is a ribbon-like shape.  It didn't fray at the end and reminds him of Silk Lame but with fuller coverage.

UPDATE #3:  The Wool and The Floss ladies talk about Soie Tissee.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 2, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, October 10, 2025

New Stitch Monday Does Basket Stitches

Ridgewood's New Stitch Monday blog entries has taken up stitches perfect for creating baskets on your needlepoint.  Stephanie starts us out with three stitches, with both diagrams and stitch samples.

Here are three more, all suitable for roofs, too.

And the last set of basket-like stitches is here!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 21, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Self Finishing Video for Colored Acrylic Clutches

KC Needlepoint has posted a video explaining how to finish your needlepoint and insert it in colored self finishing acrylic clutches.

The clutches will hold a canvas that is 6 1/8 inches by 3 7/8 inches.  KC Needlepoint sells the self-finishing tool.

I don't see the colored acrylic clutches or double-sided tape on their website,  but I did find something similar here--

You can find the double sided Scotch indoor tape from 3M many places.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 31, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

ANG's Seminar in 2025

The 2025 American Needlepoint Guild Seminar was held in New Orleans from August 19-24, 2025. You can read about it on the ANG website.

Melita's doing pre-work for her Jennifer Reifenberg class, "Nights in White Satin."

Melita's arrived in New Orleans!

Melita went to her first class--Deborah Mitek's "Walk in the Woods"--and attended the opening banquet where she learned her original design called "Flowers Along a Rhode" won the Creative Inspiration Award.

Here is more about "Walk in the Woods" as Melita continues work on this Deborah Mitek class.



You can read Melita's Artist Statement for "Flowers Along a Rhode" here.  It also won a second place ribbon in the Original Design Professional category.

Melita's second day class with Deborah Mitek had her practicing ribbon leaves. Then she dodged a parade (this is New Orleans, folks, parades are constant) to get to Expo and shopping!  I should mention that New Orleans is even hotter in July than August.

Melita's second class was with Kay Stanis, working her "Nautilus."

I didn't know you could untwist Trebizond either! 


While working Nautilius, Melita researched ways of taming the threads that were hard to work with.  Beeswax, anyone?

Melita also has several strategies she uses to get through stitching Nautilis.

Only the beads are left for Nautilus.

And Nautilus is done!  Whew, that was a LOT of beads!

Now Melita's in the Jennifer Riefenberg class, "Nights in White Satin."

Melita attended her last "Nights in White Satin" class and also the closing banquet.  Plus she recommends three authors of cozy mysteries set in needlework shops.




Melita won a wonderful Jim Wurth design at Seminar's Silent Auction.

Melita paid to have a written evaulation of "Flowers along a Rhode" which is the original piece she exhibited at Seminar.  It's very interesting to hear the judge's thoughts.

Here are the award winners from ANG's Seminar Exhibit:

Denise won both a blue ribbon and the Best in Show for this Zecca mask.

Marianne won the President's Choice Ribbon.

Cynthia Thomas won the Best Halloween piece award.  Go Cindy!

Vicky won the Wearable Art award with this lovely purse.

BJ won two ribbons (a blue and Judges Choice) for this Chinese horse.

Maureen got an Honorable Mention for Painted Canvas without Stitch Guide and...

...she won the Princess Grace Award for an all-tent stitched image.

Eileen's Honorable Mention is well deserved.

Bobbie got a second place!

Linda won a blue ribbon for her Painted Canvas with Stitch Guide Professional piece.

This colorful cat won a Judge's Choice Ribbon.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 31, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Caroline's Mini Lights (Sally London)

The Sun City Stitcher used an old chart from Sally London of Rainbow Gallery to stitch this string of Christmas lights piece.

Rainbow Gallery's website has free cross stitch and needlepoint charts from well known designers to download and use.  "Christmas Light Bulb Ornament" by Susan Portra is similar to what the Sun City Stitcher used.

They also used to distribute free charts to the shops.  Ask your favorite shop if they have these tucked away anywhere.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 30, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.