Tobin Christmas Treasures Cross Stitch Stocking Kit, 17" Long 14 Count

Thank God I finished this stocking today. I worked on it while in Covid quarantine, started in Feb. 8, 2021 and finished today April 27, 2021. I had a hard time getting the stitches done because the fabric is rather 'skimpy' both lengthwise and crosswise. The cloth was also thinner than other brands I've used. I know the quality of it because I have made stockings for my 3 grandkids and their parents, (my own kids). i made one for my husband also. All kits made with quality Aida cloth. This one was of a poorer quality. I used an #8 hoop and there's not much room when doing the design closer to the edge. I tried using smaller hoops then. I also ran out of a few of the threads and had to buy more of the dark blue, dark green, green, and the gold/yellow, and red colors. I couldn't wait 2 weeks. I changed 2 of the designs because it didn't make sense (the one under the candy cane). I had enough room to stitch in the baby's birthday instead. I also didn't put the green leaves on the heart because it didn't look right (they'd look like a male organ!), and the curly design on it look like mustache so I skipped that also. There were a few places where a stitch of a different color is needed and would make you do a lot of stitch and snip, stitch and snip, etc. Some did not make much of a difference when you just keep going with the same color of thread like those small leaves on the sleigh. The topmost line of red cross stitch above the name, I had to do without a hoop because there was not much room for the hoop. I also didn't get a separate outline of the backing so I have to trace the one on the chart. The kit gave me a thin printed cloth to use as backing. I'd prefer a plain cloth so I bought that also. The price is good but the experience with those I went through as stated above didn't earn it a 5 star. I am being very generous with even the 4 star. Too bad that this "heirloom" piece for my second grandson didn't give me the usual consolation in making it and presenting a "quality" finished product to him on his first birthday!

I'm almost finished with this stocking and it's beautiful. But, the chart is so hard to read. The symbols are all black and it's pretty small print. In places some of the symbols appear to be hand drawn making it hard to differentiate between symbols. I'm finding myself referring to the color picture way more than I normally do. I've been stiching for 30+ years and pride myself on not wasting the provided floss in kits. So far, I've run out of 5 colors and can tell there will be more I run out of before I'm finished. This is the 21st stocking I've done for my family and can honestly say it's been the hardest because of the chart. In my future purchases I will be avoiding this brand.

Love it

Very challenging but pretty

GREAT

While it took some time it was easy to follow and final result was just like the picture

Great stocking - a little difficult - I am still working on it

I'm not done with the stocking yet so I may up my stars. It arrived as promised but the kit itself was stingy with the embroidery floss. I ran out of two colors already( the kit advises requests for additional floss takes 2 weeks) and have not requested replacements til I'm further along and see if I run out of any other colors. I have made 4 stockings from kits in the last 2 years. This was my first from Tobin. I have NEVER run out of floss before.