Yes, The Things They Carried was an amazing book but for me it’s also a phrase that applies to needlepoint. You really need to have all your stitching supplies organized when you travel…below is a list of needlepoint Things That Need To Be Carried.

A tote bag. Either with handles or without. These totes come in three sizes and have a zipper which is key. Bags always seems to get dumped upside down in the car. I like the see-through tote so you can tell which project is which. I mean who goes on vacation with only one project?! That would be ridiculous.

A magnetic needle safe. Keeps extra needles in one place plus your scissors and needle threaders will fit in there too. Very tidy.

A needle threader. Try wedging perle cotton through the eye of a number 22 needle without a threader. Our POIA threaders also have a razor blade cutter on the other end.

A Thread Cutter. If you are doing a lot of starting and stopping,  you will need a heavy-duty thread cutter. Great for plane travel…mean TSA agents are still confiscating scissors.

A fiber organizer. Very helpful to keep you on the straight and narrow. I also like the floss away bags.

Most of these products are available in our webstore and all are available by calling the shop at 202 966 9898.

Happy traveling…happy stitching,
Susan

Look at this unbelievable work of art! A wonderful customer, Dr. Milt Nichaman, stitched a Chuppah panel for his granddaughter’s wedding. A chuppah is a canopy under which a Jewish couple stand during their wedding ceremony.  I’ve read that a Chuppah symbolizes the home that the couple will build together. Dr. Nichaman and his lovely wife Rhoda actually have seven granddaughters so this needlepoint will be used again and again.

Dr. Nichaman stitched the panel on 18 mesh (yes, 18 mesh!) in less than a year. He designed the canvas with an Israeli artist and then Dr. Nichaman transferred her design onto the canvas by laying it out on the dining room table and carefully tracing. He used a combination of Appleton wool and perle cotton #5 (for the background). The lettering across the top reads “I will be betrothed to thee forever.”

It was a pleasure to work with Dr. Nichaman and see his vision take shape into a completed Chuppah. I look forward to seeing photos of the future brides with this magnificent heirloom.

Happy stitching,
Susan

PS I have a larger picture in the shop if you would like to see the incredible detail in this piece.

Hello stitchers! We have a wonderful trunk show from Whimsy & Grace…specifically her Napoleonic Bee Collection. All canvases are 20% off. If you see and need (yes NEED) any Napoleonic Bee canvases on her website, I would be happy to order them for you.

The trunk show will be at POIA until Saturday, August 20th.

Happy stitching!
Susan

FYI I am stitching the bee napkin rings (not yet pictured on the W & G website) in the coral and butter colorway, using Claret Trio (stranded) and vintage gold balger #12 from Kreinik. I’m doing 12 napkin rings and yes, I *am* crazy. I can’t seat 12 people at my current dining room table but I bet I’ll have a bigger dining room at some point and I need to be prepared!