Purchasing a Kit vs
Purchasing a Chart and Supplies Separately
by Loretta Oliver
Many new stitchers wonder what the difference is
between purchasing a cross stitch kit and purchasing the chart and supplies
separately. Many cross stitch designs come in both kit and chart only forms.
There are several things to consider for this popular stitcher’s dilemma.
1) Your personal preferences.
Fabric. Do you prefer a certain type of fabric? Would you rather stitch
on linen than on aida? What about the color of fabric in the kit; do you want
white fabric or colored fabric for your background? Would you rather purchase a
hand-dyed fabric for this project?
Threads. Do you prefer a certain brand
over another brand? Are all the colors of the brand you wish to use available to
you easily for purchasing or will you have to hunt for missing colors required
to stitch your project? Would you like to maybe substitute certain types of
threads used in the project (i.e. ... use an over dyed thread in a border
instead of a solid color or replace a multi colored section with a variegated
thread)
Beads. If any beads are used in the
project are you comfortable using them or would you rather eliminate them and
use Colonial Knots or French Knots instead? Brand is a preference for some for
beads as well; some prefer the structure of one brand over another.
2) Size of the fabric.
Many stitchers
have a very specific preference about how much fabric is left around the edge of
the project for framing and finishing. Generally in the purchasing of a kit you
will have somewhere between 1-3 inches of fabric around the border of the
design, but this not guaranteed. If you have specific requirements that you or
your framer are firmly decided upon it is likely best to buy your own fabric as
opposed to using the fabric in a kit.
3) Amount of threads, beads and
embellishments.
Another thing to consider is how much thread you
use for a project. Kits contain a pre-measured amount of floss and beads. These
amounts vary by brand and many a stitcher has found themselves running out of
floss and having to write to the kit producer requesting more of a certain color
or sometimes several colors. While some kits have more than enough supplies
provided it is, again, never a guarantee that it will be enough for you
personally to complete the project. If you were to purchase your threads
separately you can buy extra to begin with and not have to worry about thread
dye lots being different. If by chance you do run out you will know the correct
thread code numbers and can go to your local or online needlework supply shop to
purchase more of that color without having to rely on the kit manufacturer to
send you more of that color.
4) The type of chart
received.
Generally a kitted version of a cross stitch
chart will vary slightly from a chart only purchase. Chart only versions tend to
have a heavy card stock cover or are printed completely on card stock or heavier
paper that what you may receive in your cross stitch kit purchase. The chart in
a kit may be of a lighter weight paper and tear more easily.
5) Would you like to stitch the
design more than one time?
For example, if you have two children and would
like to stitch the same design once for each of the children, it may be less
expensive and more organized to purchase the chart & supplies separately than to
purchase two cross stitch kits. This also allows the ability to use slightly
differing fabrics for each to give them their own pizzazz even though they are
the same design.
These are all just a few of the things to consider
when debating between purchasing a kit and purchasing the chart and supplies
separately. I hope it has given some insight to your decision and made things a
little easier on you. Happy Stitching!
