Comments on Happi Transport Birth Record
While I really like the design of this birth announcement, it is far more involved and complicated than most of the patterns I have used. You cannot see enough of the details of the design in the picture to know this when you are looking at the pattern on line. The floss colors are very contemporary but the floss is cheap and poorly made. The kit was made in China. I have had lots of problems with floss knotting and becoming fuzzy. The strands of floss are difficult to separate. Unfortunately the floss comes with the pattern. If youlike the pattern, I think you would be better off to take the floss with you to the store and match the colors to DMC or other better quality floss. Having poor quality floss has really slowed down the stitching and it does not look as good as I would like, especially when you have spent a lot of time doing the stitching.
Posted by: akss on 01/23/16
Hi,
My understanding that this is a Dimensions kit, correct?
There is a "floss conversion" chart on the Cyberstitchers.com website that has the floss conversions from Dimensions to DMC floss.
If you already have the majority of the chart done with the floss that came with this chart, I would avoid changing over to DMC. BUT if you have just started the project, you might want to make yourself a copy of the conversion chart. There are other conversion charts on the above website as well.
I'm one of the stitchers that uses this "chat" and am not an employee of Everything CrossStitch.
by: Bermuda on 01/23/16
Thanks for the Heads Up, akss! I just finished a Dimensions kit, but with the warnings seen here, I replaced the floss with DMC....wish I had replaced the fabric as well! But I didn't want the bother of searching for a dark purple linen for such a small, quick project...that'll teach me!!!! What a doof!
by: VCESS on 01/23/16
Yes, it was a Dimensions Kit and I did not know about the conversion information. But I am too far along to quit. Thanks for your input. I know I won't buy another kit for Dimensions. I forgot to mention that I did not like the fabric either.
by: akss on 01/23/16
akss,
You are NOT alone in your dislike for the floss and material that come in many kits! There are some stitchers, such as myself, that will NOT buy a kit because of the inferior floss and/or material. This was the major reason that I changed from buying kits to buying the patterns I like and buying the floss and material separately.
by: Bermuda on 01/23/16
Do designers get more money to go with a kit instead of just the pattern? This kit had beads and braid and memory thread, so the convenience was there, BUT... I fell in love with the pattern...perfect fit for my DD. It was a small project that gave me experience with all the things I had no experience with, too...hmmm, maybe it wasn't the WORST experience or decision.... :)

Akss, try some beeswax or Thread Heaven for your floss (for the knotting and shredding)...it is supposed to condition the floss for easier handling...a different needle might help, too. :)

My little kitty turned out fine...lots of compliments...nobody mentioned the shortcomings of fabric or needlework. I imagine the recipients of your generous efforts will love and cherish the finished product, too! :)
by: VCESS on 01/23/16
I don't know if the designers get more money for the kits. That would be a good Kristi question!
I do need to add that I have bought 2 kits over the last 6 years, but only because I loved the pattern so much- as just buying the pattern was NOT an option- that I bought the kit, threw out the floss into my "round file cabinet AFTER I printed out the conversion chart to DMC floss, put the fabric in my stash and filed the pattern and DMC conversion chart away for future use.

There are plenty of kitty lovers out there!
by: Bermuda on 01/24/16
Quality is always an issue with kits, in my opinion, regardless of who makes them! I chose the pattern specifically for a dear friend and her first little boy. I really liked how it turned out! Loved the colors since they weren't really "too baby"
by: lduggar44 on 09/23/16
I have had trouble recently with kits from the biggest companies -- Dimensions, Bucilla, janlynn, etc.
I got kits because I was trying to save time. I am trying to make SEVEN birth records for my expected three new great-granddaughters amd their siblings! It is interrupting both Chtistmss gifts for friends and family. I am so crazed that I not only dream of ctoss stitching, but I have been caught dead asleep with my hands in the air, cross stitching. It is kinda like Mickey Mouse in "The Sorceror's Apptentice".

I am sending emails with complaints about their kits. The fact that we love a design so much that we will buy a kit amd throw away all its contents but the design, should be a message to the manufacturers. I will.write because I believe firmly.that they should know what we think. No change will occur if they don't know what bothers their customers. I will also suggest that perhaps three to six months after issuing a kit, they might consider offering the same pattern separately. Their human labor costs to put together the kits are expensive. Salary and benefits are a company's biggest expense.
I hope that at least some of us will.go ahead and write! We can see change!
by: Su Pitt on 09/23/16