Reviewed by Claire
I recommend this product
5 Stars
Loved this - not too difficult for a beginner
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This Blue Whale hand embroidery kit is perfect for people with a love of the ocean and everything nautical.
Great for both beginners and more skilled crafters, this design includes ten types of basic stitch - which means it's perfect for learning the techniques of embroidery. The kit contains everything you need to get started, along with comprehensive instructions for each stage of the project.
All you need to get started are a pair of scissors and a pen!
Price
FREE shipping if you spend over £30
Standard shipping is £1.49
What's Actually in the kit?
Here's what is inside the kit:
These are the best UK made embroidery hoops there are - John Lewis stock them in their small haberdashery section. Made using FSC Beech wood in a village in the Cotswolds by a family run company called Elbesee, the wood is finished so that 1) it doesn't splinter and 2) it looks great!
These are the best UK made embroidery hoops there are - John Lewis stock them in their small haberdashery section. Made using FSC Beech wood in a village in the Cotswolds by a family run company called Elbesee, the wood is finished so that 1) it doesn't splinter and 2) it looks great!
We supply all kits with this thread, because we think it's the best thread there is.
We cut the thread into 1m lengths and attach it to our bespoke thread organisers - and we include lots of extra thread so you won't run out.
We're supplied with large cones of this thread, which are easier to measure your thread out from than the normal 8m Skeins!
We supply all kits with this thread, because we think it's the best thread there is.
We cut the thread into 1m lengths and attach it to our bespoke thread organisers - and we include lots of extra thread so you won't run out.
We're supplied with large cones of this thread, which are easier to measure your thread out from than the normal 8m Skeins!
We're really proud of this fabric. A LOT of cotton fabric out there comes from China, and is potentially picked by enslaved Uighurs (BBC investigation).
So we've made sure our fabric is not.
Made from cotton that's organically grown in India by a family run business. It's woven and dyed by the same firm. Importantly, they recycle the water used (growing and dying cotton uses a LOT of water) as well as only using a "Low impact" dying process.
The cushions we supply come from the same fabric - they're stitched for us by a women's co-operative in Kerala.
Our Tote bags are certified GOTS and made in India by another company.
We're really proud of this fabric. A LOT of cotton fabric out there comes from China, and is potentially picked by enslaved Uighurs (BBC investigation).
So we've made sure our fabric is not.
Made from cotton that's organically grown in India by a family run business. It's woven and dyed by the same firm. Importantly, they recycle the water used (growing and dying cotton uses a LOT of water) as well as only using a "Low impact" dying process.
The cushions we supply come from the same fabric - they're stitched for us by a women's co-operative in Kerala.
Our Tote bags are certified GOTS and made in India by another company.
Gamechanger.
We print each pattern onto a water soluble adhesive fabric stabiliser - when the kit arrives, simply peel the pattern off the backing paper and stick it onto the fabric. Once you've finished stitching, the stabiliser dissolves away in lukewarm water.
Why's it a game changer?
1. The extra strength the stabiliser provides while stitching prevents the fabric from misbehaving whilst stitching.
2. There's no problems with being able to see the pattern whilst stitching - white background, black pattern.
3. There's no printed pattern showing after you've washed the stabiliser away. Just your stitching.
4. Because we print this ourselves, we don't have to buy bulk pre-printed cotton. We'll always know who makes our fabric and where the cotton is grown.
Gamechanger.
We print each pattern onto a water soluble adhesive fabric stabiliser - when the kit arrives, simply peel the pattern off the backing paper and stick it onto the fabric. Once you've finished stitching, the stabiliser dissolves away in lukewarm water.
Why's it a game changer?
1. The extra strength the stabiliser provides while stitching prevents the fabric from misbehaving whilst stitching.
2. There's no problems with being able to see the pattern whilst stitching - white background, black pattern.
3. There's no printed pattern showing after you've washed the stabiliser away. Just your stitching.
4. Because we print this ourselves, we don't have to buy bulk pre-printed cotton. We'll always know who makes our fabric and where the cotton is grown.
Each hoop kit comes with felt included, which is for backing your finished piece. Doing so protects the stitches, and makes sure the colours in your piece isn't affected by whichever wall you hang it on!
The felt we supply is made in the UK by a family firm using 30% wool/70% viscose.
Vegan?
We have a synthetic felt available, just add a note to your order and we'll make sure you get that instead of the wool felt. We will be changing to only supplying a synthetic felt once we find a UK made one that's only made from recycled materials and or non-plastic based - if you know of such a felt, PLEASE let us know about it!
Felt isn't included in the Banner kits as it's not necessary. Likewise, the cushion and tote bag kits don't need the backing felt - you'll find an iron on interfacing included in these kits.
Each hoop kit comes with felt included, which is for backing your finished piece. Doing so protects the stitches, and makes sure the colours in your piece isn't affected by whichever wall you hang it on!
The felt we supply is made in the UK by a family firm using 30% wool/70% viscose.
Vegan?
We have a synthetic felt available, just add a note to your order and we'll make sure you get that instead of the wool felt. We will be changing to only supplying a synthetic felt once we find a UK made one that's only made from recycled materials and or non-plastic based - if you know of such a felt, PLEASE let us know about it!
Felt isn't included in the Banner kits as it's not necessary. Likewise, the cushion and tote bag kits don't need the backing felt - you'll find an iron on interfacing included in these kits.
The kit comes with our own stitch guide included, which includes easy step by step instructions for all of the stitches with photos of each step. Prefer learning by video? There's QR codes in the guide that will also take you to our own tutorial videos of the stitches.
Printed on high quality, uncoated, recycled paper.
The kit comes with our own stitch guide included, which includes easy step by step instructions for all of the stitches with photos of each step. Prefer learning by video? There's QR codes in the guide that will also take you to our own tutorial videos of the stitches.
Printed on high quality, uncoated, recycled paper.
Everyone's welcome to join our supportive Paraffle People Facebook group, where you're free to ask questions on your kit and you'll get plenty of support, either from me or from other Paraffle People!
I'll generally share more exclusive behind the scenes videos and things in the group too.
Not on Facebook?
I'm always just one email, blog comment or youtube question away! I do try to give myself a good balance, so generally I'll respond within 24 hours, or on monday if it's the weekend!
And behind the scenes stuff gets sent to my email newsletter subscribers too, so you'll not miss out if you're subscribed!
Everyone's welcome to join our supportive Paraffle People Facebook group, where you're free to ask questions on your kit and you'll get plenty of support, either from me or from other Paraffle People!
I'll generally share more exclusive behind the scenes videos and things in the group too.
Not on Facebook?
I'm always just one email, blog comment or youtube question away! I do try to give myself a good balance, so generally I'll respond within 24 hours, or on monday if it's the weekend!
And behind the scenes stuff gets sent to my email newsletter subscribers too, so you'll not miss out if you're subscribed!
Ok, we all know not to blindly trust reviews on the internet, as there are so many fake reviews, or reviews exchanged for free products.
We don't do fake reviews, we don't give free products in exchange for reviews, and we promise our reviews below are real reviews, from real people who really did buy our stuff.
There's hundreds of reviews of us available elsewhere too:
Ok, we all know not to blindly trust reviews on the internet, as there are so many fake reviews, or reviews exchanged for free products.
We don't do fake reviews, we don't give free products in exchange for reviews, and we promise our reviews below are real reviews, from real people who really did buy our stuff.
There's hundreds of reviews of us available elsewhere too:
Loved this - not too difficult for a beginner
I really enjoyed embroidering this kit. The instructions were easy to follow and the result is gorgeous.
A fantastic design which looks amazing, really easy instructions to follow. Couldn’t put it down.
I originally bought this kit 18 months ago along with the fox, and have only just got around to stitching them. I love them, it was the paisley design that drew them to me, so original. I have now bought 6 more patterns, so should keep me going for a while. Can’t recommend them enough, fabulous pattern, quality & nice clear instructions, you can’t go wrong!
I loved the whole experience! I bought the kit in person in Edinburgh last september and couldn't wait to get started on my first ever project. The kit is put together really well and the materials are of good quality and sustainable. It truly gives you everything you need to work up a beautiful hoop with no prior experience at all and the pattern is great. I will definitely be making more thanks to this experience.
