May 2018 Newsletter Subscribe Past Issues Translate RSS Latest news from Rittenhouse Needlepoint View this email in your browser May 2018 Newsletter In this Issue: 1. Hug Me Bags for Mother's Day 2. Upcoming Classes 3. Thread of the Month: Aurora 4. Stitch of the Month: Jelly 5. Cooper Oaks Trunk Show 6. Stephen's Notes on Needlepoint How About a Hug-Me Bag for Mom on Mother's Day? https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=9b9b7549e5c8f818070e0508c&id=a4c0cf7906[6/26/2018 4:29:41 PM] May 2018 Newsletter Hug-Me Bags are the perfect gift for the needlepointing mother in your life! Made in America, these durable bags feature upholstery-weight fabrics and are meant to be used and carried -- "Nothing delicate about them" says company owner Amy Yuspeh. And yet these are no plain Jane, utility bags either. Hug Me Bags have style and even more importantly you can give them your own style because every bag comes in every fabric. Some of their popular bags include the carry-all which is available in three sizes and comes with feet so that the bag is always raised off the ground whenever or wherever it is set down. The snap trays are useful for containing needlepoint-related clutter and the "tool box"-es zip nearly all the way round whilst still being well- padded and best of all there is little migration of stuff from one compartment to another even when traveling. https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=9b9b7549e5c8f818070e0508c&id=a4c0cf7906[6/26/2018 4:29:41 PM] May 2018 Newsletter Hug Me Bags' commitment to manufacturing in America is strong and it extends to the fabrics that they use of which as many as possible are also manufactured in the USA. Special orders are encouraged! So come in, check out the various styles and select your favorite fabric today. Check out Michelle Obama. She's been gracing our painting department all this past month. https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=9b9b7549e5c8f818070e0508c&id=a4c0cf7906[6/26/2018 4:29:41 PM] May 2018 Newsletter Upcoming Classes We are amping up our class offerings at Rittenhouse Needlepoint to take advantage of our new dedicated classroom space. In addition to our weekly free classes (offered Saturdays at 12 and Mondays at 11) we have rolled out our new, more in- depth introduction to needlepoint entitled "Fundamentals of Needlepoint". This class consists of four two-hour sessions held during four consequtive weeks. Of course, you will learn how to do the basketweave stitch - the foundation stitch for needlepoint - but you will also learn many decorative stitches that are a whole lot easier and quicker than basketweave (don't tell anybody). The end result will be a small sampler complete with your customized initial and the confidence to tackle that canvas you've been admiring. New sessions start at the beginning of every month and the class is offered on Wednesdays (12-2) and Saturdays (2-4). Note: The Saturday class is a repeat of the Wednesday class. Call the shop (215-563-4566) to reserve your spot. Space is still available for the May session! The cost is $100 and includes canvas (12" x 12" - 13m, thread (3 skeins -- 1 overdyed, 2 solid), needle, "doodle" canvas & threads for in-class use, handouts, & instruction). https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=9b9b7549e5c8f818070e0508c&id=a4c0cf7906[6/26/2018 4:29:41 PM] May 2018 Newsletter Another class --"Stitches"-- starts this month. This class aims to introduce participants to the wonderful world of decorative stitches. If you are getting bored with the tent stitch and think maybe you are ready to spread your wings a bit, then this class is for you. New stitches will be taught each month and the stitches will vary in degree of difficulty. Each stitch will be given a rating from one needle (easiest) to three needles (hardest). The stitches will be posted in advance -- in this newsletter and on the calender. Cost is $20 includes two hours of instruction, a "doodle" canvas, needle, thread and handout. The class will be held twice a month on the second and the fourth Wednesday from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. The stitches for May will be: Medieval Mosaic (2 needles) , Algerian Eye (2 needles), Montenegrin Cross (3 needles) and Ashley (2 needles). https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=9b9b7549e5c8f818070e0508c&id=a4c0cf7906[6/26/2018 4:29:41 PM] May 2018 Newsletter We are also proud to announce two upcoming classes. The first will be "78 Stitches, 78 Threads". This class will be taught by nationally-known teacher, Ruth Dilts. Ruth is author of Needlepoint 101 and Needlepoint 202. The class will develop a stitch notebook using threads from Rainbow Gallery so not only will you be learning new stitches but you will also be playing with the many different threads available from Rainbow Gallery and learning how and when to use them. This two-day class is scheduled for July 20 & 21. Price is $495 and includes everything you need to create your own keepsake stitch notebook (see sample page below). Class fee includes instruction, handouts, thread, canvas, needles, stretcher bars, binder, sheet protectors, etc. Class is limited to twelve students. https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=9b9b7549e5c8f818070e0508c&id=a4c0cf7906[6/26/2018 4:29:41 PM] May 2018 Newsletter And last, but certainly not least, we have the author of the incomparable Needlepoint Book (3rd ed. now available in paperback), Jo Ippolito Christensen, coming to our store in August (15-18) to teach what I think will be an exciting and enlightening course entitled "Canvas Empowerment - The Coveted Formula for Selecting Stitches and Threads". Students will submit a canvas of their own choosing to Jo for review prior to class (the canvas does not need to have been purchased at Rittenhouse Needlepoint however students will be expected to purchase the thread for their project at the shop during the class to take full advantage of Jo's knowledge and input). Each student will receive a customized stitch guide from our needlepoint sensei. During the four-day class students will learn Jo's formula for simplifying the frequently overwhelming choice of threads and stitches. Jo is a strong advocate for applying design principles and color theory to needlepoint. In class, students will learn how to use the different stitch "families" as well as various ways to unify a design. They will also learn how to create perspective and establish primary and secondary focal points. This class will provide you with a firm grounding in art principles which you will then have at-the-ready to use in all your future endeavors. Cost is $795 and includes four days of instruction as well as custom stitch guide by Jo Ippolito Christensen. Who knows -- you might even be able to get her to https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=9b9b7549e5c8f818070e0508c&id=a4c0cf7906[6/26/2018 4:29:41 PM] May 2018 Newsletter autograph your copy of The Needlepoint Book! Students should be advanced beginner/intermediate (that is, you should be familiar with executing decorative stitches, following a stitch diagram, working on a frame, etc.) Call today to reserve your spot. Canvases must be submitted to Jo by July 1st and this class is limited to 12 students. Call Russell for more information or if you need advice on lodging. Thread of the Month: Aurora One of our latest additions to the thread offerings at Rittenhouse Needlepoint is Aurora from The Thread Gatherer. This lusciously soft thread consists of silk, mohair and nylon and features just a hint of sparkle. It comes in 15 yard skeins and is non-divisible. In fact, unlike most threads that include a metallic filament this thread seems to hold together rather well. I experienced no issues with the different fibers seperating out or leaving loosey-goosey threads behind. The card says that "colorfastness is not guaranteed". This is a "good" problem because EPA regulations have prohibited the use of harsh color fixatives that can damage the environment. However, it is always a good idea to make a mental note when a thread manufacturer says this explicitely. It is often based on experience. Your best defense will be to end your thread in the same area you are stitching and you will also want to make sure that the finished piece is NOT wet blocked (always be sure to mention this when dropping off or sending in your finishing as well as any other requests that you may have). https://us2.campaign-archive.com/?u=9b9b7549e5c8f818070e0508c&id=a4c0cf7906[6/26/2018 4:29:41 PM] May 2018 Newsletter The Aurora line currently consists of 32 colors but more will be added. As always with Thread Gatherer products the color combinations are amazing. I particularly love "Old Lace" and the line is strong in greens, oranges and straw colors. As for usage guidelines, I would use this thread primarily for straight stitches such as Satin/Gobelin, Brick, Parisian, etc. in order to show off its soft texture and slight halo. Use one strand for both 18m and 13/14m but be sure to use a needle that is larger than you might ordinarily use as this is not a super easy thread to pass through the eye of the needle. On 13/14 mesh I would not pull too tightly either for fear of the canvas showing through and also if one were to pull too tightly it would be a disservice to this thread which wants to show off its loft-ability. As you stitch with Aurora, try to go straight up and down through the canvas and keep the thread away from the canvas surface as much as possible in order to reduce wear on the thread.