I've gathered everything together that I need to start so I'm all ready to go.
There's been two parts to the pattern already released, January and February, so they're printed off along with the other instructions which have been published on Maja's blog and they're all safely stored together in a folder.
I've decided to use 28 count DMC linen in natural. I've only ever used aida before, though I did buy some evenweave fabric before Christmas to try it but I never got round to it, so I hope I can manage with this. The holes look so small. Mick bought me a magnifier with a light attached for Christmas which clips on to a hoop or frame so I hope that will help. I bought the fabric from Sew and So, I've used this company before and had really good service and the prices seem competitive, though I haven't really shopped around for cross stitch supplies before so I don't know if there's any other sites which would be cheaper.
I bought my threads from a local craft shop. It's a very small shop and doesn't stock many supplies but it does have a good range of DMC threads and it's just 50p. I haven't found anywhere to beat this price. Hobbycraft sell them for 90p, that's quite a difference when you've got a lot to buy.
Has anyone else decided to join in with this Stitch Along? It would be good to follow each other's progress. I hope I'll have some actual stitching to share with you soon.
50p is a fantastic price for DMC threads - I think you'd be hard pressed to beat that on the internet. I look forward to seeing the project develop. It looks really pretty. Jx
ReplyDeleteI doubt I'd beat that price anywhere. I'm looking forward to getting on with it now, it's such a lovely design.
DeleteHappy crocheting. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI love my crafting, I just wish I'd got more time for it all.
DeleteThat really is a bargain price on the thread. I could never get into stitch craft but do love the way things are produced...I have thought about it since but think I have enough hobbies to be going on with for now. Can't wait to see some pics when you do start!
ReplyDeleteI wish the craft shop would expand a bit but it's good for bits and bats and they do stock the DMC thread. That's the problem, there's just so many great things that we all want to do and lack of time to do everything. I shall definitely share the project as I go along.
DeleteAll the best with the Stitch Along. It looks like a good project. The designs for each month of the calendar are charming. I'm not joining in, but look forward to seeing your progress. I was interested to hear about the difference in prices of thread between a local shop and a big store such as Hobbycraft. You got a good saving. I just bought some wool in my local craft shop which was twice as much as somewhere like Poundland, but I guess it depends on the quality and quantity. I'm not experienced enough in buying yarn and other sewing materials these days.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a lovely project, not only does it build up through the year but depicts each month of the year too. I think you usually find that larger stores overprice things and people do pay the prices, just think of the mark up on that thread, they must be making a fortune.
DeleteSounds like fun! I did some cross stich many, many years ago but don't think I was that good at it - I can't even recall what I made. I'm looking forward to seeing your progress - maybe it will entice me to give it a go again at some point.
ReplyDeleteI find I get drawn to things I see on blogs, there's just so much inspiration out there. I started cross stitching after seeing some wonderful projects on blogs which whetted my appetite and here I now am joining in with a Stitch Along.
DeleteI joined the stitch along and because I am a quick stitcher I have finished both sections, I did mine on 28 linen, and love you are using natural, mine is on natural as well, the colours look good, I did not do the January flowers white I went with a lilac, so they would show up. I also go to the cheap shops and pay £1 for magnifying reading glasses, mine are 3.5, my eyes have been checked regularly and no side effects, I find them much easier to use.
ReplyDeleteYou're such a fast stitcher but your work is always so neat, I'm not at all surprised that you've done the first two months already. I wasn't sure which colour fabric to choose as Maja didn't specify, I just thought the natural looked similar to what she'd used. I do wear glasses for reading and close work but I know I need my eyes checking again, they've deteriorated since they were last tested, just another symptom of getting old, it's great, not!
DeleteI normally use a site which charges 40p recently gone up from 35p, however after your comment the other day I started googling for prices on linen & came across Sew & Sew & was quite impressed. What size fabric did you order, I'm waiting for the March block to be issued & I will order then? xx
ReplyDeleteI've gone with the 27 X 39 inch. I was quite surprised how large it's going to be, I hope I haven't miscalculated as it does look big. I've used Sew & So before and they deliver really quickly and their prices do seem good. I always look at postage charges when ordering online too and Sew & So only charge a pound for things like fabric, though it does depend on the weight. It will be fun having a friend stitching along too.
DeleteI've never joined a S/K/Cal maybe I should look out for one this year. I love the colours of your threads and they were an excellent price xx
ReplyDeleteThe Spice of Life CAL is the first I've joined and I'm still going with that even though the final part of the pattern was published ages ago. I don't mind, I've enjoyed joining in but I do like to go at my own pace.
DeleteI'm glad you're giving it a whirl. it does sound like fun and it's much better to go at your own pace, no pressure always works for me too. I've never tried cross stitch so it'll be good to see how you get on.xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm only in the early stages of this hobby but I'm really enjoying it, I just hope that I can manage with the 28 count linen as I've only used 14 count aida before.
DeleteWell done for deciding. I hope that you enjoy it! xx
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I will, it's such a lovely design. I like how it builds up month by month.
DeleteIt's going to look fabulous, Jo. 50p for the threads sounds incredibly cheap to me although it's been a long time since I bought any embroidery threads. :o)
ReplyDeleteI'd seen the threads in Hobbycraft for 90p so I grabbed them when I saw them for just 50p in the local craft shop. I just wish they stocked a wider choice of crafting supplies.
DeleteOh how I admire your needlework skills! I don't think I could ever do this type of stitchery. That is a great price you got on the DMC thread. I have a tin of these threads that were my Mom's from 40+ years ago. I treasure them. Enjoy your Weekend! Pat
ReplyDeleteI'm only just embarking on this new hobby so I'm hoping that I can manage it. How lovely to have your mum's embroidery threads, you must make something very special with them.
DeleteI am not surprised you have joined this, it looks like a beautiful project. I was tempted but know I don't have the time!
ReplyDeletePerhaps you could print out the pattern as it's released so that you can do it at a later date. I know I won't keep up with it, I'm a very slow stitcher, but I'll plod along at my own pace and it'll get done eventually.
DeleteI'm sure you will enjoy this Jo, and I think it a good idea to go at your own pace.
ReplyDeleteHope your weekend is going well.
All the best Jan
I'm looking forward to getting stuck in to it. There's no point trying to keep up with it though, I'm a slow stitcher so going at my only pace will be much more enjoyable.
DeleteGood on you for having a go at this challenge. The holes of that size, I can't see anymore, though I've not tried that sort of magnifier. I had one that you wore around your neck and sort of balanced on the chest area (I haven't one, giggle), so didn't use it in the end. Look forward to seeing your progress. How's the CAL coming along? Take care.
ReplyDeleteI know I need stronger glasses, I must book an appointment for my eyes testing, but I'm sure the magnifier will help. The CAL is slow going but I can see it growing so that's the main thing and I'm still enjoying working on it.
DeleteWhat a bargain. That's amazing.
ReplyDeleteIt was. I shall use the same craft shop when I need more threads.
DeleteThat's a great price for floss most of them are anything from 85p to £1.00. I haven't made much progress with my cross stitch this last month as I've been too busy crocheting baby snuggle blankets but I am hoping to have at least one day over the next weekend to call my own where it will be dedicated to cross stitch.
ReplyDeleteI think we all go in fits and starts with our hobbies, I haven't had anything on my knitting needles for a while but that will change when the urge takes me. I hope you get your day at the weekend so that you can do a bit of cross stitch.
DeleteGreat price on the threads! I would love to be able to join in... but any more on my to do list would be madness! I have a load of WIPs that I need to do. I shall watch your progress with pleasure instead x
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to get carried along and join in lots of things, isn't it. I think you're making a wise decision concentrating on the things you've got started. I should do that too really but I shall go at my own speed with the Stitch Along so that I don't get bogged down.
DeleteHi Jo, I'm sorry but I've gotten very behind on blogs recently and have missed some of your posts. Your sampler is going to be beautiful. I'm glad you decided to join in with the stitchalong. I think it's going to be a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteIt's such a lovely design I just couldn't resist. I haven't started it yet but I'm looking forward to getting stuck in.
DeleteIt does look a very pretty design, I'm sure you'll love stitching it Jo. I'm not going to join in on this one only because I've been naughty and gone and bought some more yarn for another new blanket, not even finished Miss L's one yet. To help with the 28ct fabric, you could tack in some guiding lines, 10 squares apart, to help with the counting. xx
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to get carried away and start too many things, isn't it? What a good idea tacking in some guide lines, I shall have to think about that one.
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