Things You Don't See Every Day

Well, we missed St. Patrick's day by about half an hour, but it's not too late for you to stitch this "Irish Thought":


It's come to our attention that some of you don't have a real-live LNS, so we thought we would show you some of the things that you don't see lots of on the web; maybe they're oldies, or by designers who are not as well known, or variations on stitching that you might not have seen or even a design that you've seen and forgotten about. All photos are clickable for a better look, and as always, please call us at 703-360-4600 if you have questions or would like to order something. We're happy to send a chart, to kit something up for you, to recommend fibers or fabric. This is a cute Independence Day design by Ewe & Eye & Friends--the large number on it indicates that it's a shop model.


Another shop model--"Stack of Snow" by Amy Bruecken. The carrot noses are buttons.


"Lucy Locket," something new by the Needle's Notion--click to see larger--the fish are too cute.


We did a little reshuffling of some of our charts--folks don't always look on the bottom rack, so we like to move them around a bit, and look at the treasure we found: a nice historic sampler: "Mary Briggs 1829."


Here's an "Heirloom Baby Sampler" by JBW Designs, along with the pillow cover to stitch it on.


Glenna's newest must-stitch choice: we carry the Elizabeth Bradley Needlework Kits, which are designed to be worked in Victorian cross stitch (right to left, one cross at a time) in wool included in the kits. They make excellent framed pictures as well as rugs, pillows or chair covers. This one is called "The Pastoral." Think about how a couple of these pillows would look arranged on a sofa under some framed cross stitch in your home. There are various animals and bugs hidden in the design, including two little worms.


How about treating yourself to a nice new mesh zipper project bag in jelly bean brights?


Happy stitching!

Thinking of Spring and Fun Things from In Stitches

We have a number of stitched models from Mary Riggs/Handwork: here's one. Drop by and see her other sampler models (and antiques from her collection) for sale!


Just to let you know, you can call us to order anything you see on this site, or even something you see somewhere else. Our phone number is 703-360-4600. Unfortunately we do not have a "shopping cart" so that you can order online, but we're here and happy to help when you call!

It's pretty chilly here in Northern Virginia, but the trees are beginning to bud, and we're seeing the first bits of forsythia and daffodils. Spring is on its way! We like this flowery A&E sampler from Beth Twist's Heartstring Samplery:



As well as this one, which is new in the shop:


This La-D-Da project is cute, small and stitches up into a little pin--a neat, springy way to showcase your work.


We have lots of needleminders--here are just a few.


Are your keys on a blah keychain? Put them on this one instead! This is a great, substantial keychain that won't get lost in your purse.


We love this little needlepoint checkbook case by Birds of a Feather. Beautiful springy colors, and it unzips to make it easy to stitch on.


Just in case you feel like stitching Halloween items, we are having a 20%-off trunk show sale on these needlepoint charts. There are lots of designs--not just Halloween.


Knit a springy Gumdrop Sweater for a pretty little girl.


Happy Stitching!

More from Mary Riggs/Handwork Samplers, and What's New in the Shop

As promised, we're back with more antique samplers from Mary Riggs' personal collection and some stitched models of her work. Please call the shop (703-360-4600) if you would like prices or have questions.

The frames are old as well:


This antique sampler contains both wool and cotton threads:


We like the vibrant colors on this stitched model:


If you purchase this model, think of all the time you'll save stitching the lawn! Also, click on it to see the little yellow birds in the left-hand tree.


Here are some new charts that have arrived in the shop.

We think this Hillside Sheep needlebook by Chessie and Me would look equally appealing stitched as picture and framed. Apparently our customers agree; it's flying off the spinner.


Somebody was entranced by the little prim bunnies on this cleverly designed Easter Egg pin cushion. (In fact, in a week or so we're planning a little presentation of some of the many new and classic Easter charts that we stock.)


Two new designs by Victoria Sampler. The first is "Garden Wedding Sampler."


This ort bag and matching scissor fob chart will be fun to stitch and assemble.


Happy stitching, and see you soon!

Some Very Special Samplers

Many of you may have heard that Mary Riggs of Handwork Samplers is retiring and moving to the west coast to start an exciting new chapter in her life. With a big move comes the decision to downsize one's possessions just a bit. We are very excited to have the opportunity to assist her in selling some of her precious antique samplers and stitched models. The photos that follow are just a few of the samplers we have for sale. If you have any questions about them, please call the shop at 703-360-4600. Please be aware that the colors may not be quite true; it was a rainy, gloomy day, and the photographs were taken under artificial light. The photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.




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This photo captures the colors of the sampler better than the above:


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There are not white streaks on this sampler; the white is a reflection in the glass.





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Again, the white "wedge" to the left and right are reflections in the glass.





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The following two samplers are stitched models of Handwork reproductions:





Stop by later in the week to see more!

New Arrivals, New Shop Models and Another Trunk Show!

Good morning!

New charts, kits, supplies and irresistable doodads continue to arrive. Here's just a sample of what's new in the shop. First, our trunk show by Queenstown Sampler Designs.

Elizabeth Powell 1819:


Elizabeth J M Mears:


Ann Till 1795:


New on Our Spinner: By the Bay Needleart's "New England Whaling Waters."


We have lots of Just Nan sparkly pins:


And her new Bluebird Alphabet sampler (comes with sparkly beads).


New shop models!
Shepherd's Bush "Be Merry." (Yes, we like to stitch Christmas ornaments all year 'round too!)


A lovely needepoint design by Melissa Shirley--"Pears." They come in different colorways and designs, but all come with the 3-d leaf embellishment. Our wonderful framer, Karen, framed this for the shop:


Glenna is ga-ga over the lollipop finishing work on these Associated Talent Easter designs. You stitch the little needlepoint egg(s), then bring them back to us, and we can send them out to our finishing service to mount them on sticks and embellish them with ribbons and maribou trim!


For those of you who've been to Woodlawn and wondered about some of the beautifully stitched needlework exhibits, this is "Corragio" by the Scarlet Letter (photo from their website). We can order this for you! If you see other designs that you're curious about or are "must-haves," let us know and we'll let you know if we can get them (some are long out of print, unfortunately). The names of the designs are not provided in the exhibitor information, but we're just across the street, so the staff has put their heads together and their collective knowledge of samplers, and we can at least provide you with the name of the designer and sampler in most cases. We are honored also to be able to exhibit some of our customers' needlework at this show. Congratulations to John Kazmaier, Julie Burrow and Ben Wilmot, and to all the In Stitches customers who have won awards or have shown their beautiful work at Woodlawn!

And best wishes to Patricia's son, Jack, for a speedy recovery from his emergency appendectomy!

Please call us with questions (703-360-4600) or to order. And remember that we'll be open during the month of March (during the Woodlawn Needlework show) on each Sunday from 12:30-4:30. See you soon!

The Things We Carry (and Something to Carry them In) Plus a Couple More Trunk Shows

Greetings on a chilly Tuesday evening in Virginia! We're excited because the Woodlawn Needlework Show starts tomorrow and runs through the month of March.

We have a few trunk shows going on in the shop right now, and more to come. Here's a little taste: Samplers Revisited. We love this Adam & Eve Sampler (sorry for the angle--it's hung high above our heads so everyone can admire it), called Elizabeth Jackson 1824.


Mary Western:


We also have some framed pieces by Trinity Designs, a Leesburg, VA designer of needlework. We like the sentiment of "Fret Not."


Spring is just around the corner, but while we wait, we think this would be a nice springy project to stitch. It is by Wiehenburg, and it is called "Spring Quaker." It can be purchased as just a chart or you can get the Dinky Dyes thread pack along with it. (Ahem, says Glenna--look at the rabbits!)


Speaking of Quakers, we sell this little pin cushion base (it's a bitty shaker box and the cushion form).



We sell lots of needlepoint too--painted canvases and counted canvas work. Here's an adorable project that is stitched as an ornament and includes a matching glass ornament as well.


Do you have a little princess in need of a new spring knitted wardrobe? We've got the books and the yarn to knit it! This is "Little Stripes and Brights," from Sirdar.


Or knit one of the fabulously popular Debbie Bliss patterns with this exquisitely soft yarn in delicious pastel colors that remind us of Easter eggs:


Need a basket to carry your knitting book, several balls of yarn and some needles, a stitch counter and a sandwich? Lantern moon crafts a beautiful lined woven bucket for carrying all your bits and pieces. Heck, I'm thinking of ditching my leather purse and carrying one of these instead!


Last, but certainly not least, we frame too. We're needleworkers too, so we are going to treat your needlework the way it should be treated--as something to be carefully conserved and showcased to pass on to the next generation. Talk to us about cost--you don't have to spend a bundle to get great service and a beautiful frame.


If you see something that interests you, please give us a call at 703-360-4600, and we'll be happy to answer any questions you may have about price, availability, stitch count, dimensions, recommended fabrics and floss and substitutions if you'd like. And if you would like to order something you see here--or something you've seen elsewhere--we'll be happy to mail it out to you, even if you live outside the U.S.! Click on the In Stitches link for our particulars, or to sign up for our newsletter.

Until next time!