It is that time of year again…Nashville Needlework Market is just around the corner. The market is for wholesale shops to go and check out the latest designs from the cross stitch designers. They take over an Embassy Suites. Designers and people who wholesale cross stitch supplies are there. They take over a hotel suite. They turn the front room into their shop, and wholesale buyers can buy directly and take their goods with them. Shops are encouraged to order ahead, and then all they have to do is pick up their order. The show is the first weekend in March.
For the whole month of February, designers have been releasing their new designs. Instagram is the best place right now…right and left, designers are showing all their beautiful new charts. I’ve been drooling over many….but so far I don’t have many MUST HAVES…I have lots of temptations, though.
Many of the cross stitch designs for the year are focused around a patriotic theme with the 250th celebration. I’m not really hyped on patriotic stitching. I was listening to Red Velvet quilts on Flosstube. She expressed that she was not very happy with what was happening in our country, and lost her zest to stitch patriotic pieces. I have to say, I feel a little of the same…so those things didn’t tempt me as much as they might otherwise have.
Let me jump right into what is at the top of my list to possibly purchase. Out early was Annie Beez Folkart. I like her designs, and I have to admit that even though I’m a little sour on patriotic, I loved these…I’d want to stitch them all. I’m thinking that finding the linen will be a challenge.
My favorite designer is With Thy Needle and Thread. As other designers were releasing their goodies, I was patiently looking at them, but the ones I really wanted to see were these. I was not disappointed. I love this called With Needle and Thread.
This one is also tempting me…Also from With Thy Needle and Thread.
I won’t buy this chart, but I am certain it will be a top seller. It is called Worthy Patriot. It’s pretty, but I don’t want to dedicate that much time to this…I have other things calling more loudly!!
Here’s one that’s tempting me but I’m telling myself no. This is a companion piece to Consider the Lilies and His Eye is on the Sparrow. This is WAY large. I already have Consider the Lilies started and have stalled out on it. I don’t want another big piece that I’m stalled on. If I ever finish my started one, I’ll buy this pattern then.
Then, late last week Stacy Nash released her designs. If you remember, she is the one who designed that Animal Cracker Maggie Mae that I stitched.
I really like this…It’s an open container sewing basket. It is stitched and then made to go over a papier-mache container. SO CUTE. I love it because it’s cute and something different.
Then she has this duck… Olive. She’s so cute…
…and Pip. She comes with a pattern for an amazing needle book. Oh my. CUTENESS.
Those are the projects that really caught my eye.
I said earlier in this blog post that I was watching Red Velvet Quilts on Flosstube. She was saying she knew a cross stitcher that said she wanted to pick 10 projects that she REALLY wanted on her walls, and then focus on them. I liked that idea.
I ended up going through my charts…I thought about that. What 10 do I really love and really want to work on? I picked about six. Some I’m working on right now. So that is what lead me to think I’m only buying two new releases, Patriotic Pears and With Needle and Thread, both of which I showed above.
I have had a big resurgence of love for a lot of the charts and projects I already have, and I keep reminding myself of that.
But there is still temptations. I put myself on a buying freeze last fall. I do have two charts that I didn’t buy last year that I wanted to buy…this Nativity Quaker…
and this…Manor at Swan Lake…I’ve seen other stitchers working on this and it’s beautiful. I love the soft colors. I love the symmetry.
I really like them both.
I’ve also had my eye on these two after I’ve been watching flosstube and seeing others stitch them. This is Love Notes…
This is Jelly Bean Jubilee…
I’d love to have them for my dough bowl.
I’m planning on putting an order in for the two market releases, Patriotic Pears and With Needle and Thread. I think I might let myself put another one of the previously published charts in my shopping cart, Manor at Swan Lake, I think. I don’t think that is going overboard…oh but I like all three of Stacy Nash’s charts I showed you. Hmm. Of course, there is another temptation: Blackbird Designs doesn’t release its goodies until the day of market. Hmm. Temptation…go away. I was going to be good this year!!
If you want to see some of the market releases for yourself, you can go to Stitchery Nook’s website HERE. Scroll down the main page and you can see them all. Just remember if you order it is for a PRE order. You won’t get your supplies until AFTER market…likely the second or third week of March.
If you’re a stitcher, what are your must-have market pieces?
I’m definitely going to get Stacy Nash’s Spring Parade and Pip, but not sure about anything else I have seen. Like most stitchers I have more than enough charts already that are begging to be stitched. I have just finished my first animal cracker (Clovis) and Pip looks like it would be easy to sew together, I am not confident about the ones that have long ears and so on.
So many new charts this year but sadly, very few really caught my eye – probably because I’m out of room on my walls! I haven’t pre-ordered but I did ask to be notified at 123 stitch when they come in and then I’ll decide :-)
I do like that Nativity Quaker so I’ll look around for that one.
Love and prayers
I don’t stitch, but didn’t you write that charts eventually stop being printed and are then hard to find? I don’t know how much they cost, but that would factor into my decision.
I suggest giving a birthday list of projects you would like buy to your children. These would make perfect gifts for your birthday or just because they love you gifts. I’m sure they’d be pleased with ideas for gifts .
I hadn’t seen the All Things Wise and Wonderful chart in any of the pre-sales I have looked through. I wish I had it before I had Consider the lilies, as I like it so much more. I am on my last page of Consider, I am stitching it mostly monogamously, since 8/2023 – I did take a year off to do The Fabulous Houses. Like you, I really want to do some smalls and “differently” shaped projects – maybe a Biscornu.
All of your pieces are so lovely. The one named Primrose struck my heart. My Mother’s family name is Primrose. Her great grandfather was born in Scotland.
I really love Teresa Kogurs Innocence sample but, like you, wonder how it would fall in ranking with my WIPS and yet unpurchased yearnings. Think I need to wait a bit and see which pass the test of time…
Regardless of what is happening in this country, this is still the 250th anniversary of the birth of the greatest country in the world. I dont want to get political but do hope that you consider why the celebration and not the why not.
Yes!
I have to agree with Carol. In years to come whoever is enjoying your cross stitch pieces will love them and most likely be unaware of the current political turmoil. The more we know about history the more we know political turmoil has always existed.
I really like a few of those, but will not buy since I have a project I MUST finish before going for more. I like the Patriotic Pears and Amazing Grace, and Olive is so cute! I, too, feel like Carol. Maybe things in our country aren’t going too smoothly now, but it was the best country and really still is.
Any color fabric is available at Colour and Cotton St Louis. I found this store by accident, only recently. WOW is all I can say — all hand dyed linen and cotton fabric, and a haven for any needlepointer.
You have shown some great patterns! The only thing I preordered was the cook book they put out. I have bought one every year they started them. I have the Nativity Quaker but haven’t done it yet. My friend stitched hers all in one color and I love how hers turned out! Hugs,
I am sorry to hear you are so unpatriotic. Patriotism means supporting and loving our country and what it stands for. Patriotism is honoring those who have fought and died for your freedom.
That’s a ridiculous statement to say about Jo! love my country and am very patriotic, but am not supportive of the current administration. That doesn’t mean I’m not supportive of my country in general. As a matter of fact, I think being a “Patriot” means loving and helping ALL of your neighbors and not supporting an administration that is taking away and eroding the freedoms and rights that our soldiers died for.
Thank you Pam.
Pam, I agree with you.
Why would you infer that Jo is unpatriotic just because she is not in the mood to stitch patriotic now! In what world do those two correlate? We need to give each other more grace, and an apology from you to Jo would be a nice start.
Maybe I am weird, I do not follow politics. Ugh. However, I am still VERY patriotic. I love all things USA. Our politicians may be ridiculous. Our country is still the best!
So I buy patriotic shirts, stitch patriotic cross stitch, quilts, anything stitched. I love flags and eagles. No politician will ever ruin that for me. :)
Have an incredible day!!
Heidi
I have six patriotic pieces planned to stitch to celebrate our country’s 250th birthday. Most of them are on the small side, so I think I can achieve my goal. One is finished already, so I’m pleased about that! There’s a positive benefit for me in this stitching effort. No matter the current state of affairs in our country, as I stitch I remember the ideals with which our nation began, and so many positives in our past. The work provides a respite from thinking about current events. Hopefully, as others have expressed, we will look back on this time from a more positive future. I will choose to stitch through this special year with hope.
I agree with those commenters who point to pride in our country. I think being born in the US is one of the greatest gifts a person can receive. I’m sorry when stitchers bring politics into their Flosstubes or blogs. You’re always going to offend at least half your readers. I do enjoy your blog, Jo, and I look forward to reading what you’re working on and what’s going on in your life. We are celebrating the 250th birthday of the greatest country on the face of the earth!!!!!! What a blessing!!!!!