Use petite needles...if you don't care for JJ, there's another nice petite needle...reminds me of Bohin's, but Bohin doesn't do petites...wish I could remember the name...Mary-something?
I've been toying with an idea of using one strand of the equivalent DMC with the kit thread as a "blend". I gift the idea to you if you think you might want to try it... 😊
Just don't sweat the small stuff! Enjoy your conversation with the talking kits! 😊

I am guessing VCESS is referring to Mary Arden Petite Needles. I think I have some but haven't used them yet. I have done a couple (exact number I do not know) of Janlynn Kits and have had no issues with them. A few/number of years ago (I have been stitching for 30+ years so am not sure where in that sequence this happened) most kits recommended washing the threads before using to fix the color. I am guessing it was the time frame when DMC made changes to a number of colors due to certain dyes/ingredients being removed from their products. I know the Reds and Blues were effected, not sure which others. I have not had a problem with running short of thread or having colors bleed. I did run into this same question (washing threads) recently as my sister was working on a kit I gave her a number of years ago. I am pretty sure it was also a Janlynn kit and she completed it with no thread supply issues and no dye running issues. She did test at least the red before she started stitching however. She thought better safe than sorry. It is your choice on what you decide to do but I have had good luck with this brand.

Personally, I feel rinsing all the individual kit floss colors "separately" which is what most kits recommend in their instructions is very tedious, time intensive, it completely saps my desire to stitch a kit, and takes the enjoyment out of this great hobby. Too bad with all of the years that this hobby has been around, a better option has not been made available for colorfast kit floss. Since some designs are only available in kits, it is even more unfortunate. It is too costly to sub all kit floss for DMC on a regular basis if you have a lot of kits. I have tried to figure out what colors are most likely to bleed and it seems to vary from one kit company to another which is also bad news for us that it is not specific colors always. I have read in the instructions of various companies, and this can vary from one company to the next, that reds, dark colors like blue, green and purple are the floss colors to be most cautious with using without rinsing first.

THANK YOU, NANCY V!!😊 My senior moment/Life was impairing my ability to fold clothing while doing a sorta-search for a needle pkg! The most complicated my life has been since Severino was first reported hurt... 😃

Thank you all for your advice. Sounds like I'll be ok using the kit threads. The kits were originally released in 2004, although I purchased them here just a year or two ago, which may explain the pre-washing recommendation. Oh decisions, decisions. Can't wait to get started.

Janlynn makes their own threads. It's not DMC. I've made a couple of their kits with no problem of running out of thread. If you're not comfortable using Janlynn's thread, substitute their brand of thread for DMC, using three strands instead of two. I believe they have a conversion chart on their website to DMC thread. Just a stitcher who saw your posting.

Hi MarshaR, I just finished one Janlynn kit. It had Anchor floss. It specified as Anchor which is a very good floss and colorfast. The kit had more than enough floss using two strands. I didn't prewash the floss and just washed the finished project after. Everything was fine. I'm not sure if all the kits are the same. I'm sure using a conversion chart for DMC for your last sampler would be fine. Good luck!

I have done a few Janlynn kits and don't recall any problems withe the floss.

Hi MarshaR, I’m about to start the set of 4 seasonal sampler kits from Janlynn. Did you ever finish the any of them? I’m curious if you found any of the threads to not be colorfast (as I’d prefer to not pre-wash them)?

Thanks,
-Matt

VCESS I think it’s Mary Arden. You recommended them but I couldn’t find them on a UK website. It’s Shakespeare’s mother’s name. How are you doing in your isolation VCESS?

I used to do a lot of this type from Janlynn. I’d put it on a bracket for a mini wall hang. They were great for a small hostess gift and I could usually find one to match the particular friend. Mind you, sometimes you had to make sure the friend had a good sense of humour.