Dimensions07183 Butterfly Duo Nature Needlepoint Kit, 5" W x 5" H

This is a wonderful little kit. I used to work Dimensions kits as a kid and always liked them, but I haven’t touched a piece of needlepoint in 30 years, let alone a kit, so there were some nice surprises.The biggest one was that the threads are already separated - and attached to a thread guide that includes their product numbers, which is also cross-referenced in a table in the directions, and also keyed in the design chart, which clearly shows which color goes where. This accomplishes two things: first, it keeps the threads organized instead of in a giant knotted jumble, which is especially great if you plan to cart your stitching around with you like I do, rather than keep it in one place at home. Second, because it’s sometimes really hard to tell one color from another when they are very similar, and especially on the canvas itself, it makes it very easy to see which is which, and the combination really facilitates selecting the correct color for each spot.The threads are in a strange order in the thread guide, though, which in no way matches the table, chart, or the standard rainbow-order patch guide on the canvas, so I would highly recommend that you do as I have done and hand-write the corresponding table/chart number right on the thread guide, which will make it much easier as you get going stitching.The instruction sheet also includes directions for how to do the two most common needlepoint stitches (continental and basketweave), and where to use each, as well as a note about how to do backstitching for the spots where that is indicated. It also includes instructions for finishing your piece, and a few excellent tips for working the piece.On the back, the thread guide table is reprised with color names translated to French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, and (I think) Dutch. Alas, there are no non-Roman alphabet languages like Chinese, Japanese, or Arabic, despite the increasing frequency and importance of such tongues in today’s word, and the fact that the kit is made in China. Most of the rest of the instructions have diagrams that should be easy enough for people to follow even if they are not good with English, though.All of these things make this kit eminently suitable for beginners as well as experienced needlepointers.I would, however, highly recommend that people who have never done any needlepoint at all start with a simpler design with more and larger blocks of single colors and less detail, because frankly, it’s just easier. Because larger blocks work up more quickly, it’s easier to see your progress and understand what proper stitching looks like as well as learning to recognize and fix mistakes. It’s also very gratifying to see the progress.It’s really a matter of personal preference in the end, though. I like going back and forth between detail work and backgrounds, because I tire of both at times, so it’s going to be interesting to see how I get along with my first piece that doesn’t actually have a background or any other large swaths of single colors. That’s why I’ve chosen such a small, inexpensive piece for this experiment, too.For beginners who decide to tackle more detailed designs of any sort, generally speaking, it’s best to start with the smallest details first. With a piece such as this one, that gives you a lot of leeway for choice, although you may find it easier to work outwards one color at a time in each section rather than find yourself with patches unworked between two finished ones. Those can be quite tough to fill in properly, and are where you are most likely to miss a stitch or spear through one rather than go beside it correctly. You might even want to purchase a couple of additional needles and keep them threaded with different colors and work back and forth with them as required for each segment.A number of reviewers have commented that they have not had enough thread to complete some of these Dimensions kits, so if that happens to you, just call the company at the 800 number shown on the third page of the instruction guide (800-794-5866) and give them the code number for the color(s) you need, and they will send it to you.

After looking and unable to find this type of project at Hobby Lobby and Joann's, I ordered for my 95 year old Mother-in-law. Her Texas friend (they've been friends since grade school) recommended this project. Now, miles apart, they can do projects together.

got this as a gift. & for a first time needle point stitcher, this was pretty intense. after i got the hang of it, it was a bit easier to work with. docked a point cos i struggled with the given color coding. the square boxes on the canvas don’t actually match the thread. for example #1 on the chart said “light dusty pink” however the thread color was closer to a the light brown. i had to cut pieces of the thread to make my own color key. *photos are through out the stitching process

The colors were amazing and fit perfectly into my decor. It was easy to complete in two weekends. The only problem was that some colors were hard to differentiate on the canvas without special lighting and comparing the photo to the canvas. And then it was short on the floss. So I had to purchase two colors in a DMC, which is when I realized how poor the quality of the Dimensions floss is. So overall, I'm happy with the result.

I am sure the product itself is fine, as I have purchased several needlework kits by Dimensions and been very pleased with them.However, I am stunned at the condition of the package I just received. I ordered a small needlework kit that I believed to be new and unopened. (The seller was not Amazon.) What I got was a plastic bag containing the loose contents of the kit, minus the outer packaging.This is absolutely unacceptable - what if I had intended it as a gift?? How can I even be sure I have all the necessary pieces to complete it?

I actually have done several of these kits, and I have various opinions about each one.-The first one I did is Zinnias. There is enough yarn to complete this project, though just barely. I'd give it four stars. I would love it if they'd charge a few extra bucks and actually put enough yarn to have spare amounts, but this is not the case. The instructions are ok, the chart is hard to follow due to the complexity of the design. I referred to the picture more than I did the chart. The yarn is vibrant and the finished result is pure art.-The second one I did was Gentle Strength. I give it three stars. This one was more tricky. There are areas where you are expected to combine yarn, but you have to read the instructions carefully to know that. Due to the subtle shading, the picture was useless on this one, I had to use the chart. There was barely enough yarn to finish this one, also. The finished result is OK, it would of been better had I combined the yarn colors as directed, but as it is I went over it again with the second color.-The third one I did was Butterfly Impression. First of all, there is not enough yarn to finish this project, so I give it two stars. I had to improvise. The design is tricky because what you do to one side, you can't do to the other according to how the canvas is printed. You have to do a lot of counting to get the butterfly part to look even. The canvas warped badly and I won't be able to use this one at all. The lines are supposed to be straight, but they point every which way, even after blocking.-The fourth one I did was Moon Dreamer. I give it four stars. I would of given this one five stars based on the fact that there is actually plenty of yarn with much to spare, but the colors of the finished project don't blend as well as they do in the picture. Also, the instructions, as far as I can tell, are not very accurate. You have to use your artistic interpretation and figure it out on your own, which is easy to do based on the simplicity of the design. I enjoyed this kit the most because of the plentiful amount of thread. It made it stress-free.- The fifth one I did was A Bowl of Apples. I give it 4 stars, because there wasn't enough thread to do the outlining. But there was enough yarn to complete the canvas overall. This is probably the best of the projects, the finished result is dramatic. It isn't even my style (I made it for a gift), but I think its the most attractive. The instructions are accurate and easy to read. I used the chart a lot.- The sixth one I did was Butterfly Duo. There is plenty of yarn to finish this design, but the finishing work of outlining is so complicated that I doubt I'll ever finish it. Nevertheless, I give it four stars based on the fact of the thread being plentiful, and the instructions are easy enough.- The seventh time I did Zinnias again.I can only recommend some of these kits, but based on how cheap and fast they are, you may as well give it a try.

I’ve not completed but this is a nice kit, this is a printed canvas and not counted. I have only sewn in wool so this silky thread was a test for me. I wanted small and this is very small. I disagree with the instruction to separate all the strands of the thread and put back together, I didn’t like how it looked so am just using as they were provided. Otherwise the instructions are lovely and clear so makes it easy to see what to use where. The threads are well organised on a card sorter which is nice too. They even show how many thread strands to use in the different areas. I feel this will look better and better as I fill the canvas. Good for a beginner because of how clear it is.

Small so won’t take long to complete. Great colours but instructions could put a beginner off as initially look complicated. Threads good quality

What a brilliant little kit. I am a keen cross stitcher and have bought many kits. This has the threads sorted and organised brilliantly and a lovely clear canvas .

I absolutely loved doing this tapestry. 14 stitches per inch means it’s very detailed. The colours are fantastic. I didn’t bother adding in the over stitching as I didn’t think it was necessary but that’s personal choice. I loved the result and so did my friend who I made it for.

I was very pleased with quality. The colours are clearly printed on the canvas, making it easy to distinguish between them. The sewing threads are excellent and there is more than enough to do the picture. Love that the threads were already sorted and put on to card. Great product!