Kits vs patterns
By gaminemadcap
@gaminemadcap (160)
United States
May 31, 2007 2:40pm CST
I've always bought cross stitching kits as opposed to patterns and materials. Which do you find more cost effective? I have seen some great patterns, but it seems that by the time I buy patterns and the materials needed, I would be better off just getting a kit. What do you think?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Zorrogirl (1502)
• South Africa
4 Jun 07
Well i am glad to see that i am not in the minority that still does cross stitching. i buy the materials as bulk buying pays off in the end. i buy boxes of thread and got patern books from my mother. when you stock up, its later quite rare to buy more thread. and i buy the fabric by the meter. but thats just me.
@gaminemadcap (160)
• United States
4 Jun 07
As soon as I have my own place and have the room, I'll probably look into bulk buying. I tend to do this with my knitting--if I see yarn that I like for cheap, I'll get it without a specific project in mind, pretty sure that I'll be able to use it eventually.
@Zorrogirl (1502)
• South Africa
4 Jun 07
i also look for bargains. i had quite a nice bargain last year. got 15 boxes of yarn on spindles with an automatic knitting machine for 2000 rand. thats equal to 300 usdollars. just keep an eye on the classifieds. i used to knit scarfs for extra money. just dont have the time anymore.
@seltveit2004 (41)
• United States
21 Nov 07
I used to only work with kits. I hated the thought of even attempting a pattern book and going out and buying everything. Then I found a cross stitch that I really wanted to do but the only way you could get it was just the pattern. So I went ahead and did it that way. The first couple of patterns you do total up to about what you would pay for the kits but after that it's much cheaper. You collect all the colors of the floss you already have plenty of needles. So basically the only thing you have to buy after your first few projects is the cloth and a few colors that you don't have or are running low on. After I did that pattern I loved it. That is pretty much how I do all of my cross stitching now. If I see a good deal on a kit or pick one up at a thrift store or something I will get it and do it. But I pretty much do them from the pattern books. Not to mention if you want to change the colors around or something like that it's almost easier to do it with the pattern.
@gewcew23 (8007)
• United States
7 Jun 07
I buy both really. But I usually prefer to purchase patterns because I usually have most of the threads already. I usually try to buy threads when Hobby Lobby has it on sale. I have so many threads so that when I find one I love then I usually only have to buy the fabric. Once in a great while I have to purchase some threads but not very often.
@fatragu (677)
• United States
21 Jun 07
I like to buy the kits and then after that you have the pattern and the left over thread. I make a photo copy of all of my patterns and then all I have to do is buy the fabric and whatever threads I need. I try to stock up on the threads so that I don't have to spend the money while buying the fabric because it just seems so much cheaper when I buy them a couple at a time.
