welcome back. the world of stitching has changed a lot. the patterns today are so much better and there are so many designer now with so many new ideas, you found a wonderful website the service is outstanding and the choices are great the chit chat room is fun and entertaining and you can learn a lot too.

This kit is so cute I adore these small children with their basing suit

I have never done a kit before. But I love the idea of an all inclusive kit. I do think I will get a different 18 count fabric. I don't need it to be that big anyway. I can't see if the floss is DMC or what brand comes in the kit. Also do I use 2 threads on an 18 count? That feels like a dumb question but its been 12 years for me and I've forgotten! Thanks for your replies.

Christine -- Dimensions uses their own brand of floss. There are advantages and disadvantages to kits. Yes, you receive all necessary supplies at one time. However, if you make an mistake and have to rip out stitches you might run out of floss. And, sometimes, the manufacturer is frugal with a floss and you have to ask for replacements. The advantage is that you pick your own fabric. Also, you don't have to use the suggested fabric.

Welcome back to stitching.

Thanks for your quick replies and welcomes.

Thanks for your quick replies and welcomes.

My suggestion is to use 14 count aida and grid it.

You were asking for fabric color and I would suggest an antique white since you have a lot of stitches for the beach sand and you don't want any darkness from the fabric to show through your stitching.
I think you would use 2 strands of floss for 18 count but do yourself a favor and take some 18 count fabric you may have and do 2 rows of 8-10 cross stitches, one above the other and see what your fabric coverage is like. I think you should get decent coverage with 2 strands... if not try 2 rows of 3 strands, but on 18 count I think it would be a bit "bulky.
If it's a "kit", I agree with the other stitcher, you have to be careful not to waste the floss they send you.
I really don't do kits anymore and if I order a "kit" it's because I want the pattern...

I have this kit. It comes with white aida, 14 count. The reason they provide white is because of the clouds. These are not stitched.... the white fabric is not stitched in the shape of the clouds.

i agree with gridding it. since it covers every stitch of the canvas. it's a work of labor but you will be shocked at how quickly you will finish your project. i did it with the Raven Queen.....but when you are finished you have to pull out the gridding. <