Dimensions Cottage Retreat Needlepoint Kit, 16'' W x 10'' H

Dimensions Gold Collection are my favorite counted cross stitch kits. I'm currently halfway through stitching Balloon Glow and it's beautiful -- detail rich with a lot of depth. The two that I have completed in the past (Cabin Fever, European Bistro) were equally beautiful and fun to stitch. HOWEVER, I gave up on one called Memory Lane because it asked you to use too many ply at a time, making it a pain to stitch. I realized that some pattens recommend you use needlework stretcher bars to stretch the fabric while you stitch. I would personally recommend against those kits. The kit comes with 2 needles, 18 count aida fabric, a large pattern (half of the pattern on 2 pages), and presorted thread (I still put them on my own plastic sorter and draw the symbols next to each color so that I don't have to reference the list all the time. The cardboard is flimsy and doesn't have holes -- instead, the threads are glued into the sorter, so once you take it out you'd better have a place to put it back. [Also, i've tried punching holes in the cardboard sorter and it didn't go well -- to0 flimsy. Invest in a sturdy plastic sorter). It is for experienced stitchers, but it's not difficult if you know what you're doing. This is a big project: it has taken me about 2 years to complete each one, but that will obviously depend on how often you stitch. I am a student so stitch a lot more during summers and holidays. Most of the stitches are done with 2 ply, but some half stitches call for 3, 4, or 5 ply. The 5 ply parts can be a bit of a hassle, but they are worth the overall result.

I thoroughly enjoyed this kit. It did take me about 8 months to completely finish it, but I really enjoyed every step and it turned out beautifully. It's a lot of fun, but definitely not for beginners. You will need to count and measure carefully, as there are some very complicated patterns with the colors. It definitely takes an eye for detail and it takes patience! But with those skills, you will really enjoy this kit! There is far more than enough thread to complete, and you will have plenty left over. I think there was only one color I feared I might run out of. The only issue I had was that I needed to buy my own needles. Parts of this kit require that you thread 4 threads through 1 needle, which was definitely next to impossible with the needles provided (even with a threader). I broke the needles that came with the kit, but luckily had some more on hand. I also bought some extra needles to use just with the 4-thread portions. All that said, I had a great time creating this piece, and it came out just as I expected. I can't wait to have it framed and display it. Highly recommended!

Cannot go wrong with Dimensions brand cross stitch kits, in my opinion! I’ve always been a fan since doing my very first counted cross stitch project (also a Gold Collection kit by Dimensions). I think a beginner can certainly stitch these kits if they have the patience and determination. The directions are very clear to understand and nowadays you can find video tutorials online all over the Net to help guide you if you are confused. But if you read and follow the directions and stitch your project in the order presented in the directions, I really don’t think you’ll have a problem in my opinion. Just remember to SEPARATE the 6 ply embroidery floss and then “reassemble” the plies according to the directions for each individual symbol!! Some symbols only use one ply, some use two plies, and some may even use four plies! Also, there are different stitches used (half cross stitch, whole cross stitch, back stitch, French knots) so you truly need to look at that chart of symbols carefully and follow the type of stitch noted at the top AND the number of plies used per individual symbol. If you happen to run out of floss (never has happened to me yet with a Dimensions kit!) you can contact the company for additional flosses you may need. I think the shading and back stitching in these kits is exceptional. They advise you to start in the center of the design to insure you have enough of a margin left around the finished piece for framing. However, if you simply look at the front of your kit, it tells you clearly what the size of your finished design will be. I measure the fabric and subtract the size of the finished design and easily can figure out how much of an unfinished margin of fabric will be left. For example, if the design is 16” wide, and the fabric measures 20” wide, you know you will have FOUR inches left over. Divide that in half, and you’ll see that you will need 2” on either side of your stitching for it to be centered. (Do the same with the height, of course). This way, you can simply measure 2” in from the side edge and top edge, and begin your stitching in the top left corner (my preference, anyway). But if you’re new to counted cross stitch and nervous, STICK TO THE DIRECTIONS and you’ll be fine!! Newbies might find Gold Collection kits to be a little challenging — but I seem to prefer the designs in the Gold Collection better than most of the “regular” Dimensions line of counted cross stitch kits. It’s all a matter of preference. You can do it folks!! It’s not brain surgery. Take your time and have fun and you’ll be proud of your finished pieces! And if you mess up, pull out the mistaken stitches and re-stitch! Even seasoned stitchers make errors so don’t beat yourself up.

This turned out beautifully. I am working on having it framed now so next Christmas it can hang in my home. I wanted to give it as a gift but since I've been working on it (on and off) since July, I feel like I've invested too much of my life into it to see it go. LOL I would never suggest this to a first-time cross-stitcher. I'm very experienced and this frustrated me at times and was the largest and longest project I've ever done -- but I love it. I did run out of thread and it was difficult finding local colors that matched perfectly. For one of the dusky blue colors, I had to combine three shades to get a match. The red/orange and green that I ran out of were easy to match locally, despite the fact they used a different code. Note: if you are running low on a color, keep some back to take into the store. I didn't realize I was out of two of them until I was out, and I had to take my whole project into the craft store to match them. Luckily, craft people totally get it, we've all been there. ;)

I have been stitching dimensions kits both needlepoint and gold collection since 2002. This kit is definitely not for beginners. It is a challenging one given the shading effects all across the stitch. The final product came out very nice at the end of which I have attached a photo in this review. The Good: Beautiful shading, realistic outcome, literally looking at it makes me feel that I am looking out of a window into the surrounding Tuscan landscape, challenges experienced stitchers particularly in the area to the right of the wine glass The Bad: Ran out of threads, the brown one and the mauve one. Contacted the company and they sent a DMC mapper which isn't very helpful as the shades do not match exactly across brands. Thankfully, had left over threads from dimensions kits I had made earlier which I was able to use and finish. The print on the aida is not straight and that makes it difficult when stitching in the bottom 15% of the aida. It is also hard to distinguish the difference between two printed colors on the aida in some of the areas. Took me a lot of time to really look at the picture and take a call on how to go about it. At the end with all the flaws, the outcome did not disappoint. Took me around 240 hours to finish the whole thing and now it is ready for framing after a bout of needed blocking.

This is a big piece and to needlepoint it you are going to need either huge stretcher bars and long arms or a scrolling frame. It’s well made with just a slight unevenness of paint at the edges that you will have to accommodate by choosing your top and bottom rows and sticking with them even when the paint goes above or below them. The threads are well labeled. You will have to do some thread combining to come up with all the colors. It will keep you busy for a long time. The colors are beautiful. The threads don’t fray. It comes with a needle and you’ll need to get needle threaders and sharp snips if you don’t have them already. I wouldn’t recommend this for a first needlepoint project because it will take you so long to complete. Start with something smaller. For the experienced needle pointer, this could be perfect. There are no instructions for fancier stitches. Everything is in basketweave unless you get creative.

Dimensions makes wonderful needlepoint kits! The painting on the canvas is easy to follow, as are the directions. The colors are beautiful. For anyone with arthritis in their fingers, please try these kits. You will be delightfully surprised at how easy this cotton embroidery floss is to use. So much easier than the wool yarn that some kits contain. It hurts my finger joints (arthritis) to pull wool yarn through the spaces on canvas. But, with Dimensions cotton embroidery floss, the floss just glides easily through the spaces in the canvas. The floss covers beautifully and works up quickly. It's so much fun working this beautiful pattern & is very relaxing. I enjoy doing this needlepoint while my husband & I watch movies on our DVD player. The painted canvas is also easy to see. I have also purchased Dimensions' smaller kits and they all worked up beautifully, too. They are lovely framed.

I loved this piece! So fun to work on, and I can't wait to display it. I would agree with others who have said that it is not for beginners! Could be done, but might be a bit overwhelming! Also, I noticed one reviewer mentioned running out of fabric... When you were starting the piece, bear in mind that the long side of the pattern needs to align with the long side of the fabric. If you start it going the wrong direction, you will definitely run out!

Dieses Bild ist einfach der Hammer! So viele liebevolle Details darin zu finden! Durch verschiedene Sticharten, Glitzerfaden und auch gemischte Farben und unterschiedliche Fadendicke wird ein toller Tiefenefeckt erzielt. Das Bild ist jedoch definitiv nichts für Anfänger, man sollte sich mit den Grundsticharten auskennen und auch Durchhaltevermögen mitbringen. Auch zu Beginn die Anleitung gründlich zu lesen ist von Vorteil! Die Menge der Fäden war bei mir mehr als ausreichend, ich sticke recht fadensparend. Einziges Manko ist meiner Meinung nach die Sortierung und Befestigung der mitgelieferten Garne. In der Nummerierung war keine Linie drin und früher oder später hat sich auch trotz Vorsicht alles ziemlich verheddert. Ein zusätzliche erworbener Fadensortierer war dann die Lösung des Problems. Als Fazit sage ich, dass ich dieses Bild total gerne gestickt habe und es auch großen Spaß gemacht hat, auch wenn es mich stellenweise echt nerven gekostet hat!

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The only complaint I would have is in regard to how the floss is packaged. The ends are loose, which encourages tangles if one is not careful to avoid them. Other kits wrap the floss on long bobbin cards rather than allowing it to hang loosely. The floss is also not arranged in number order, making it a search to find each one as needed. Other than these minor things, the quality is good and the chart easy to follow. Looking forward to seeing it finished. So far, it is working up beautifully.

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