StitchyBox Subscription Review + Coupon- January/February 2017

StitchyBox is a themed, bi-monthly subscription box for cross stitch and counted thread supplies.

Angus was helpful not only during unboxing, but later when I was making the swatches!

My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

This review is of the Big Picture, $36.50 every other month, box. 

The Subscription Box: StitchyBox

The Cost: $36.99/box for the “Big Picture Box” (contains one cut of 14-16 count Aida and one cut of 28-32 count linen or evenweave) or $38.99/box for the “Detail-Oriented Box” (contains one cut of 32-36 count linen and one cut of 40 count linen).

Note: StitchyBox has introduced some add-ons to the bimonthly subscription.

• “Bling It Up” (beads and crystals for $7.50 one-time purchase or $7.13 as a bimonthly add on)
• “Stitch It Up” (small pattern charts for $6.50 one-time purchase or $6.18 as a bimonthly add on).
• You can also subscribe to “Just the Threads” to get a selection of threads and fibers each month (this is $22.99 for a one-time purchase or $21.84 for a bimonthly subscription; this is not an add-on but a separate subscription).

ACTIVE DEAL: Save 10% off your first month
CODE: SURB1

The Products: Over $40 worth of stitching goodies including two cuts of stitching fabric and a variety of threads and embellishments. (Note: patterns and instructions are typically not included.  However, the StitchyBox blog has some project ideas. And you can choose one larger piece of fabric instead of the two smaller ones when you sign up.)

Good to know: You can buy extras of supplies you liked from this box from the StitchyBox shop (while they last). I’ve taken most of the values listed below from the StitchyBox shop when I could.

Ships to: U.S. for free, $6 international.

Check out all of our StitchyBox reviews and the Craft Subscription Box Directory for more great craft and DIY subscriptions!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

This month’s StitchyBox came with a card detailing the theme for the box. This box’s theme is “Tulip Fields.” (All of this year’s color themes will be inspired by nature!)

Variegated Pink Linen Fabric – Value $4?

This is quite pretty and matches the month’s threads nicely, but I have no idea what it is. It is smaller than a fat 16^th so I have valued it a little less than the other fabrics from this month.

Swarovski Clover Crystal in Dark Moss Green (8 mm) – Value $1

It’s nice to get St. Patrick’s Day items well in advance, so you actually have time to do something with them. It’s also nice to get genuine Swarovski items in any box; I’m a big fan of them from working with them in my beading/jewelry projects. There is just something about the quality that can’t be beat.

Mother of Pearl 6 mm Hexagons, 2-count – Value $0.50

You can stitch around these (they’re flat and very lightweight so they won’t wear your work down). Or, you can do what I am somewhat more likely to do, which is use them to make earrings. (I don’t limit myself to stitching with Stitchybox items. I am open to pretty much any beading and/or fiber art.)

14 Count Aida in Vintage Country Cream by Zwiegart (fat 16^th) – Value $4.25

Maybe this makes me unimaginative or unsophisticated as a stitcher, but Aida is still my favorite type of fabric to work with, and this one is neutral and offers a lot of possibilities. (Note: this is sold out of the Stitchybox shop and also, only a fat 8^th is listed, so I just took half the price of a fat 8^th.)

28 Count Lugana in Forest Bloom by Handdyed by Stephanie (fat 16^th) – Value $6

Handdyed by Stephanie is a common source for Stitchybox fabrics. But the fabrics are really pretty, so I’m just fine with that. This one would be quite nice as a background for a floral pattern. (Note: this is also sold out of the Stitchybox shop and also, only a fat 8^th is listed, so I just took half the price of a fat 8^th.

Dinky Dyes Hand Dyed Silk in Mango Tango (8 m) – Value $4.50

Dinky Dyes is another maker you’ll see in a lot of StitchyBox shipments. I think it is fun to get items from small producers – you get to test out their wares without paying shipping or a minimum order fee. This one is lovely and was also easy to work with.

Fiberlicious Hand Dyed Spun Silk in Scarlett (48 m) – Value $4

I don’t always like working with silk thread, but this was nice and also easy to use. And of course, it is my favorite color. Anyway, red is perfect for a box inspired by tulips.

Kreinik Silk Mori in Lightest Honey (1/2 skein, 2.5 m) – Value $1.80

Kreinik is not really a small company in terms of embroidery, but you’ll often get a Kreinik item in StitchyBox. I do like working with this and I’m happy to add another color to my collection. Although I don’t use neutrals much in other crafts, it is always great to have them for embroidery purposes.

Ship’s Manor Limited Edition Cotton Floss (5 yards) – Value $2

This is a 6-strand cotton floss (my favorite kind to work with) in lovely purple shades. I would not have expected this to be my favorite when I opened the box, but I’m really a fan of the colors. (To get the best results when stitching with variegated thread, stitch each X fully before going on to the next instead of doing half of each across several rows before completing.) This color is a StitchyBox exclusive. If you prefer silk, that is also available in the Stitchybox shop (just click the product name above).

The Gentle Art Floss in “Green with Envy” – Value $2.40

You can’t have a field of tulips without some green!  The Gentle Art is another maker you’ll see a lot of in StitchyBox, but it is a nice standby type of thread and can be a good substitute for DMC if you’d like to support a smaller company.  This was another 6-strand cotton floss.

Here are sample squares stitched in each of this month’s floss colors. From left to right: Kreinik Silk Mori in Lightest Honey, Ship’s Manor Limited Edition Cotton Floss, Dinky Dyes Hand Dyed Silk in Mango Tango, Fiberlicious Hand Dyed Spun Silk in Scarlett, and The Gentle Art Floss in “Green with Envy”.

Verdict: I calculated a value of $30.45 for this month’s StitchyBox. That value is on the low side for this subscription although there is some uncertainty in the value of the pink linen fabric. I’d say this was just an off month since this box nearly always exceeds the month-to-month price. (Also, don’t forget, but multi-month subscriptions are available and you can save a little by choosing one of those.) Anyway, I did like the tulip theme and thought the colors and fabrics were well-curated around the theme. I especially like the custom purple floss color for this month!

What do you think of the January/February 2017 StitchyBox? Would you like to see reviews of some of the new add-ons for the subscription?