Charts vs. Kits
11 May 2005 18:31 sbqHere in Germany, I have two online needlework shops that I order most of my stash from. The other day when I was doing a little stash enhancement from one, I came across a selection of “Flower Fairy” kits. However, at the same time I also saw that the other shop had most of the exact same fairy selection, but as charts instead.
Ever since I stitched the “Snow Drop Fairy” for a round robin a few months ago I have wanted to stitch some more of the “Flower Fairies” because they are so detailed and delicate. I love the “Lily of the Valley Fairy,” but neither one of my shops offered it. They both, however, did offer the “Candytuft Fairy” which is one of the other fairies that I have been drooling over.
I decided to order it, but I was then faced with the decision of whether to order it as a kit or chart. Obviously, since the kit came with the fabric (16ct Aida) and threads it was more expensive.
I ended up ordering the chart, but it wasn’t because of the price. It was partly to do with the fabric (I prefer to stitch on Evenweave rather than Aida), but it was mostly because if I have a choice, I prefer to buy a chart instead of a kit.
I favor charts because I feel they allow me to express my creativity better. I don’t feel obligated to use the supplied materials, and of course, I can often buy 2 or 3 charts for the price of one kit!
Sure, you aren’t required to use the materials supplied with a kit and it is easy to change the fabric. However, in my experience, many charts don’t give you proper DMC or Anchor floss numbers, and without them it is almost impossible to avoid using the supplied thread. In my opinion this makes it extremely annoying if I run out of a thread color while stitching a kit and instead of giving me a DMC or Anchor number it just says “light pink.”
In fact, this happened to me while stitching “Little Cactus.” I ran out of their “light pink,” and it was anything but pink! It ended up being (as far as I could tell) DMC 3607 which I think is more purple than pink.
That isn’t to say though that kits don’t have their advantages. I like small kits for travel projects because everything is already all together.
I do buy kits and, as far as I can tell, some designers (e.g. Michael Powell, some Margaret Sherry) aren’t even offered as charts-only. I find this rather aggravating, but I guess if I want to stitch these designs I either have to plunk down the money for a kit or wait and hope one day they will come out as charts-only. However, as I said, given the option I will buy a chart over a kit every time.
And this of course brings me to today Stitching Blogger’s Question which was inspired by the mini-poll that Vash has been running on her blog for around 18 months and it is:
Given the option, would you rather buy a chart and get the material and floss together yourself, or buy a pre-packed kit?
11 May 2005 at 19:04
Posted
Thanks so much Renee and Vash 
11 May 2005 at 19:25
I almost exclusively buy charts - I prefer being able to choose my own fabric, and I like poking around and picking up all the little bits and pieces that a particular design requires.
I have bought some kits, but I’ve been less than impressed with the quality of fabric and floss. And since most kits come with Aida, and I (like you) prefer to work on evenweave or linen, it’s a waste of money to buy materials that I’m never going to use.
11 May 2005 at 19:53
Posted! BTW, I can’t speak for Michael Powell’s designs, but Margaret Sherry’s designs are all available in the U.S. as charts-only. You can get them from U.S. sellers who will ship internationally.
11 May 2005 at 20:58
I’m posted!
11 May 2005 at 22:23
Weight, wobblies, and SBQ
And finally… this weeks Stitching Bloggers Question.
Given the option, would you rather buy a chart and get the material
and floss together yourself, or buy a pre-packed kit?
Absolutely no contest on this one. Give me the chart every time. K…
11 May 2005 at 22:25
I’ve posted (sorry it’s been so long).
11 May 2005 at 22:39
posted
11 May 2005 at 23:02
I’ve posted my reply to my blog. Thanks for all these great questions
12 May 2005 at 02:50
I’ve answered!
12 May 2005 at 04:11
I’m posted.
12 May 2005 at 05:39
My answer is posted in my blog now
12 May 2005 at 10:08
Stitching Blogger’s Question of the Week
I’m not sure. If we’re talking available in the shops everywhere with aida and DMC, then no, I don’t like kits. But, if we’re talking about class kits, specialist fabrics and finishing supplies that may not be available here, then I do!
12 May 2005 at 10:09
Renee, let me know what other Flower Fairies you might want. I have loads of magazines here with the charts in them.
12 May 2005 at 13:23
Yeah, I’m finally posted.
12 May 2005 at 13:40
Given the option, would you rather buy a chart and get the material and floss together yourself, or buy a pre-packed kit?
I always prefer to buy a chart rather than a kit. Mostly because I can play with the fabric that I use. Many kits come with Aida and most often with a very low stitch count. I tend to prefer evenweave and I like to play with the color of the fabric a…
12 May 2005 at 14:48
I answered this week.
12 May 2005 at 15:15
Finally got to it!
12 May 2005 at 20:40
SBQ: Chart or Kit
Thanks to Renee for using my mini poll topic as the stitching blogger’s question. I’ve had quite a few new extra votes on it today already because of this. I’m of the Chart! Chart! Chart! Majority myself…
13 May 2005 at 04:10
I am new here, so this is my first time answering the question! Now I need to figure out trackbacking…etc.
13 May 2005 at 09:30
Posted my contribution today. Excellent question thanks Samantha
14 May 2005 at 00:54
Answer on my blog.
14 May 2005 at 19:15
Charts vs kits?
Given the option, would you rather buy a chart and get the material and floss together yourself, or buy a pre-packed kit?
For the longest time, I’ve been a kit girl. I started with mini kits to make Christmas ornments, and it fel…
14 May 2005 at 23:19
Late (just joined), but mine is posted and answered. Thanks!
15 May 2005 at 01:36
Just answered, and sorry for missing last week’s question
16 May 2005 at 16:55
Better late than never - posted
17 May 2005 at 12:37
SBQ - Chart Vs Kit?
Given the option, would you rather buy a chart and get the material and floss together yourself, or buy a pre-packed kit? It’s a bit late but here never the less. Well I’m about 60% / 40% on this…