Dimensions Gold Collection Counted Cross Stitch Kit, Floral Vase, 18 Count Ivory Aida, 12'' x 14''

Although not finished quite yet, I'm in the final details. My wife and I do pretty much only the Dimensions brand kits (I love the Gold kits...incredible detail). This kit has a variety of colors and stitches, including cross, half, back, cording, couching, french knots, and beads. Though I started it early in my stitching career (and after some time in storage, I will again be picking it up to complete), it's a tough project for a beginner (especially the detail work). Something I noted in a number of reviews of Dimensions kits is the occasional comment about running out of floss (typically leading to a bad review). From my experience, I cannot understand how this happens. Between my wife and I, we have completed (or have in progress) over 20 Dimensions kits and have never run out of floss (except in my wife's case once when she back stitched instead of couched...basically uses double floss when you do that). In fact, we have a large basket of leftover floss that I may one day use to redo one of the patterns we save. I think you could only run out of floss in one of three ways: 1) Making excessively large jumps instead of cutting and restarting 2) Making too many mistakes that require one to throw away the pulled floss 3) Using too much floss versus what the pattern specifies (i.e. pattern calls for 1 strand stitch, and the stitcher uses 2+ instead) The only reason I mention the above is to put a potential customer's mind at ease...if you don't do the above 3 things, I can't imagine that you won't have enough floss. Final note...I would consider buying a pack of higher quality needles (DMC, for example). I used the Dimensions needle provided in my first few kits until I splurged, and the difference is notable. Higher quality needles of the same size can have a slightly wider eye-hole for threading, and often go through the fabric much smoother. Plus, it is possible to break a needle, so having additional ones is a good idea. Side note: I have in progress the Fall Fairy and have completed the Spring Fairy as companion pieces to this one. All three are highly recommended.

This has proven too hard and time-consuming for me, but I knew when I bought it that it probably would be, as the only counted cross-stitch I've done before are a couple tiny (maybe 2-inch) circles, with around 5 colors and a lot of blank space, and I have ADHD and like instant gratification (it's hard for me to work on a project for multiple days, let alone weeks). I just liked the design so much, I decided to try it anyway, as a first real project. That was a poor decision, and I haven't gotten very far. However, the instructions were very clear and easy to follow, even for a beginner, the design is gorgeous, and from what little I was able to do, I can already tell that if I were able to finish it, it would look amazing. The parts that I've done look like a painting, even when done by a total beginner. The colors and detail are amazing, it's just that it's simply too advanced for me at this point. And since there was nothing to suggest it wouldn't be based on the product listing, I don't hold that against the product (hence the 5 star rating, even though I haven't been able to complete it yet, and don't expect to any time soon). I also, being overly ambitious with my first real cross-stitch project, changed the pattern to say G-d (i.e. I replaced the "o" with a dash), because, for religious reasons, I was uncomfortable having it written out as it is in the pattern. I haven't actually gotten to that part (yet), but I'm fairly certain that when I eventually do (possibly years from now), I won't have any trouble with that particular detail. Honestly, I think I do actually have the skill to stitch the entire project, even as a beginner, I just don't have the patience for it. The instructions are clear enough for a beginner, it's just that my limit at this point is probably around 5-6 hours for a project, usually spread out over no more than a week, and this is something that would take probably well over 100 hours, and up to several months, depending how much time you have. I'm sure either of my grandmothers or my great-aunt could have done this a while back, but unfortunately, none of them have the eyesight anymore for this type of project. I wish someone would stitch this for me though, as I'd love to hang it on my wall (seriously, if anyone reading this wants to do the project and not keep it, I'd gladly pay a reasonable amount more than the cost of the materials for the finished piece, and I'm sure I could figure out a way to set something up using PayPal or whatever that would be secure and all that, maybe through Amazon or eBay or Etsy or something... I mean it, if you're interested, let me know, and we can figure something out, cause I really do love this piece, I just can't finish it).

I enjoy these counted cross-stitch kits because they are so pretty when done, and everything except finishing materials are included (and sometimes those are too). No need to figure out what size fabric to buy to complete the design because they supply enough for it all to fit, with about 2 inches left around to frame. I wrote this review because I've seen other reviewers complain of an insufficient amount of fabric. Fall Fairy is 14" x12" design size, and the 16 count aida fabric is 18" x 16". It will fit. If the instructions are followed correctly, (ex.: cut floss lengths, separate strands, and use how many is listed for a symbol) there is usually enough floss to complete the whole thing. If not, you can try contacting the manufacturer customer service to send more, or do like I do- search online for the comparable thread lists. It does take time to really read the instructions and sort the threads but that is part of the process. The charts are PRINTED BIGGER than the design, and color coded to make it easier to read; the design is NOT printed on the fabric. They have some beautiful counted cross-stitch designs from floral, animals, things for baby, seasonal, licensed characters and so much for the holidays. Glad to be able to find so many here and elsewhere.

Turned out beautiful

As the title and description state, the Fall Fairy kit is best for experienced stitchers. This was really fun for me because of how time-consuming and complicated it was (there are no 3/4 stitches but working with metallic thread can be a challenge and of course making the cord is a step up from more basic kits). I really loved how the backstitching made it all become more clear and the beading was a nice touch. I found the instructions and chart very clear (I do have years of experience at this point). I didn't have any noteworthy issues with the quality of the thread and there was plenty of it to complete.

Sweet baby gift & easy to complete.

As far as the time that this is going to take me and the detail in the finished work, this kit is amazing. The threads are sorted on a sort of foam board thing that's glued between two sheets of cardboard, which holds them securely. I hung it on the wall and can pull out single threads from the strands without the rest coming out of the sorter. This means I don't have to keep track of the colors or the tags with them, which is good, because some of these colors are only indistinguishable from each other in very bright light. Some things I noticed: *The description doesn't mention that you'll be blending colors, using varying amounts of threads, and alternating between half-stitches and full stitches. It's not unusual to have a large field that uses one thread of one color, one thread of another color, and combines half and full stitches for texture/effect. You really have to pay attention because sometimes you are going to use the same threads on your needle for two things on your chart (a half stitch here, a full one right next to it). * The thread is a bit fuzzy and tends to pull apart at the end and fray a great deal. I lose about two inches of each thread due to fraying. * The chart was printed with a row on the seam, and after folding and unfolding the chart several times, that row was almost unreadable. I tend to cross out stitches as I complete them, so laminating wasn't an option for me. If you tend to flip your chart around a fair bit or highlight as you go, you might want to consider making a color copy. * If you've never cross stitched on black before, this is a bit daunting of a project to learn on. There are several large sections that use dark colors. Sometimes it's incredibly difficult to see where you've stitched and where you haven't. I had to buy a very strong LED lamp to use to shine on the fabric to check for stitches. This is particularly a problem when you put this down and come back to it later. * I HIGHLY recommend running lines of basting in a bright color of waste floss from another kit to make a grid. There are several areas where you'll make three stitches using one color, and then have to make a few more stitches using that color about fifty squares away. You'll save yourself a lot of counting if you do this. I trim it out and pull it out with tweezers whenever I get enough work done in an area to not need to rely on the grid on the pattern or my fabric. One item to note: About 3/4 of the way through, the needle that came with the kit was bent and had lost most of its finish, making it nowhere near as slippery as a new needle is. I might have just been gripping it too tightly, but I thought it might be worth noting that you might want to have an extra needle on hand, just in case.

This is my second Dimensions cross stitch kit and they make a good product. They give you plenty of yarn to use. On my first kit, I was using threads down to the last inch for fear of running out. But when the sewing was complete, I had plenty of thread left. The designs are beautiful and I like that they are large enough to take time to complete.