Merry Stitchmas Cross Stitch Kit By The Make Arcade Review

Reviewed by Louise Edwards

Now the nights are getting shorter and our Saturday nights are filled with Strictly on the sofa. I don’t know about you but I will soon be in my pyjamas by 7pm I think?! What better than to curl up with a cross stitch kit that should be ready in time for Christmas!?

The Make Arcade has a fabulous selection of products and I was thrilled to be chosen to review the Merry Stitchmas Large Cross Stitch Kit. I used to do a lot of cross stitch kits and find it a relaxing thing to do in the evenings.

It arrived in a sturdy box, that can be used to store your work in progress, complete with a wooden 8” hoop, 6 count Aida fabric, felt to cover the back, DMC threads and cross stitch needle, velvet ribbon to display it and full colour stitch pattern and ‘How to Cross Stitch’ leaflet.

First things first and you need to secure the Aida fabric in the 8” hoop. This was fairly straightforward. Personally though I found it easier to sew without the hoop though I think you are meant to use it to keep the fabric taut.

It is recommended to start sewing in the centre of the design so I started by cross stitching the letter . You need to two strands of thread when it comes to stitching and then you just work through the design counting the squares as you go. The Aida fabric is the holey material you stitch through. Personally I thought that 6 count is quite small but that could be my aged 50 year old eyes! It was fine though and I soon got used to it.

A lot of cross stitch kits can be a bit dull and aimed more at the traditional market so it is lovely to see a design that is different, fun and funky!. There are lots of bright colours and Christmas imagery such as an elf, Christmas tree, sausage dog, Santa, stocking, reindeer, snowman, present, candy cane, lights, the all important pudding and a huge MERRY CHRISTMAS in the centre. Just the thing to get you in the Christmas spirit!

The Make Arcade are a small team based in Salisbury, UK, so it is great to think that when buying this product you are also supporting local businesses.

Crafting is a really pleasurable way to spend your time at the same time producing something really beautiful that you can enjoy for years to come. Counted cross stitch is a lovely relaxing thing to do that keeps your mind and hands busy and with positive mental health these days being at the forefront of our minds it is a lovely meditative thing to do.

Cross stitching is also the perfect way to take a step away from the screens. So many reasons to buy this lovely product! If you start now and just stitch an image or a letter a night you will soon have a lovely wall hanging to admire on Christmas day.

Rating: 5/5

RRP: £30

The Merry Stitchmas Cross Stitch kit and can be purchased from The Make Arcade here.