January 2026

2026 does not begin with very positive news for needlework supplies. Tariffs continue to be problems with most of our supplies, nearly all of which are imported. We are also currently experiencing shortages/out-of-stock situations with hoops, stretcher bars, needles, some needlepoint canvas, and many threads. If we are out of items it is not for lack of trying.

We have also just been informed of another price increase by Needlework System 4, effective February 1. It doesn't apply to 100% of their products but many of the most popular items will be affected. We are now required to comply with a Minimum Advertised Price - MAP - for their products which affects the prices we are allowed to post. It would be best to lock in current prices if you are in the market for these items in the near future.

Rainbow Gallery has also raised prices on all their threads. We will not change our prices until we start to get inventory at the new prices (and as they are taking WEEKS to fill orders that could be a while).

Postage rates also continue to go up. It now costs us about $6.00 to send packages weighing up to 4 ounces (depending on destination). Believe it or not, this is substantially less than what you would pay at the post office to send the same package (rates from the USPS website with an effective date of January 18, 2026 show a price range of $7.30 to $8.75 to send packages up to 4 ounces and that is for postage only, excluding the cost of shipping labels and envelopes).

November 2025

DMC prices went up September 1 and we have finally adjusted our prices to reflect that.

Radiance Metallic from the Meredith Collection comes in 12 new colors:

We have carried Tulip Needles from Japan in store for quite a while but not listed them on our website. We are just in the process of adding this very high quality product to our website (of course as with any product we may be temporarily out of a type and size but we try very hard to keep these in stock.)

October 2025

The Caron Collection has introduced twelve new colors of Watercolours and Wildflowers cotton threads (the first new colors in years). Most or all of these new colors will also be available in Waterlilies silk early next year.

The new colors are:

Tariffs are starting to be increasingly reflected in the prices of needlework products, nearly all of which are imported. Clover brass tacks from Japan and Bohin needles from France are both affected but expect to see price increases on many, many other products soon. DMC raised prices on all their threads in September and the new prices will soon be reflected on our website and in our store

Radiance metallic from the Meredith Collection is the newest metallic thread we offer. Currently available in three sizes, we stock all colors in Radiance 18, with a currently limited selection of Radiance Mini. Depending on consumer response, we will increase our selection of Radiance Mini and add Radiance 13. Radiance 18 is $6.75 per 12 yard spool and currently comes in 102 colors, divided between what are called "Classic" Colors (begin with C) and "Jewel" colors (begin with J). You may view the colors on our Radiance page.

August 2025

Frustration and difficulty getting Kreinik metallic threads more than a year after Kreinik was sold to Rainbow Gallery means exploring alternatives. One very good alternative, at least for some of the colors, is metallic braid made by the Au Ver a Soie company in France (another option is the new thread called "Radiance" from Meredith Collection; more information to come on that product).

Au Ver a Soie is actually the company that originated the product that eventually became known as "Balger" and then Kreinik metallic thread. Because of this, a fair number of colors and color numbers are identical in both lines. Over time the color range began to diverge so the two lines are not entirely identical. The range of Au Ver a Soie metallic braid colors that are available in the US is increasing so stay tuned for further developments. In the meantime, here is a conversion of some numbers of Kreinik braid to Au Ver a Soie braid (not all colors listed below are available in all sizes of Au Ver a Soie Metallic):

NM means no match

Hopefully the color range of metallic braids from Au Ver a Soie will increase and improve on current supply issues.

Prices for Au Ver a Soie Metallics are as follows:

July 2025

DMC has announced price increases for their products effective in September 2025. The percentage of the price increase varies with product type. Some will go up more than others.

June 2025

Appleton has finally addressed the issue of their problematic choices of gray yarn by introducing a brand new color family, the " family. Colors 111 (lightest) through 115 (darkest) are 5 shades that gray that finally work together.

May 2025

Once again the main news has to do with price increases. The decline of the US dollar combined with increased tariffs means that fabric in particular has jumped in price. As we have been receiving new fabric shipments and being charged these higher prices, we have no option but update our website to reflect that. It would be nice to think that if tariffs were to down or back to previous levels, the fabric prices might also go down but only time will tell.

April 2025

The main news this month is to expect price increases (already in effect or coming soon) on nearly all needlework supplies due to tariffs. Many companies have already announced these but expect more to follow. Some companies are vowing to reduce the price if and when the most recent tariff surcharge goes away.

In many cases (such as with Zweigart fabric) we won't even know the current price until we order and receive it at the new price. The chaos in our store and on our website caused by this is huge. Specifically we can tell you new prices are in effect for Pepper Pot silk, Silk & Ivory, Threadworx floss and pearl, Gloriana thread and all Caron Collection threads and as inventory is arriving at those new prices, we will be adjusting our prices accordingly.

The other main news is that sadly the Kreinik thread situation more than a year after the company was sold is as bad as ever (lack of availability).

January-March 2025

Tis the season for new colors of threads, and also for lots and lots of price increases. In the thread line:

Gentle Art has four new colors of Sampler/Simply Shaker threads:

New Gentle Art Colors

Weeks Dye Works has five new colors of overdyed cotton floss:

New Weeks Floss

Classic Colorworks has three new colors of floss:

New Classic Coloworks

Copyright 2013-2026. All prices are in U.S. dollars and are subject to change without notice.