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Craftpod Subscription Box Review – Summer 2017

Désirée Eien
ByDésirée EienAug 11, 2017 | 13 comments

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

Craftpod
5 overall rating
1 Ratings | 0 Reviews

Craftpod is a quarterly UK-based subscription box that sends small craft projects, including "sewing, baking, and other surprises."

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

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

FYI - this box is still available for sale!

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

The Subscription Box: Craftpod

The Cost: $23.36 USD (£18) per seasonal box/ $88.23 USD (£68) for an annual subscription of four boxes. Shipping for International customers is $6.49 USD (£5) per box. The price in USD may vary depending on the exchange rate, but the cost of the Summer box worked out to $30.55 USD.

The Products: Each box contains two small craft or baking projects. 

Ships to: Worldwide from the UK

Check out more DIY and project subscription boxes in the Craft Subscription Box Directory!

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

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

This note from Jo, the box's curator, was on top, explaining that the summer box is "all about cacti and moths"!

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

Canton Tea Co Earl Grey – Value $0.52 USD (buy 50 packets for $29.95 USD)

This tea was delicious and made a nice companion to the crafting projects in this season's box. I was hoping to buy some online, but unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be available in the US. 

Project #1: Cactus Pincushion

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

The first project is a cactus pin cushion. The supplies included felt, roving for stuffing, thread, a needle and glass-head pins. The only thing I had to supply was some dried rice or beans to fill the base.

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

Little Paisley Designs Cacti and Succulents Postcard – Value $1.46? (based on similar item in their shop)

I'm in love with Eleanor Longhurst's beautiful botanical illustrations! I kept this postcard on display while I was making the cactus. 

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

The booklet gives step-by-step instructions with clear photos for every stage. This project is suitable for patient beginners. There isn't a stitch guide, but the stitches are simple and it's easy to look them up online. 

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

Gütermann 50wt Cotton Sewing Thread, 100m – Total Value $3.90 ($1.95 each)

This 100% cotton thread was strong and rarely tangled. It is the only supply I could find a clear retail value for, as the other supplies are small scraps of cloth and a few small notions. 

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

The first step was to cut out all the pieces using the included pattern. The pattern pieces are clearly labeled –  every part of this project had a strong attention to detail. 

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

Next, I stitched the cactus pieces together using blanket stitch. This is easy but probably takes longer thank you expect if you don't hand sew often. 

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

The flower goes right on top! It's starting to look like a cactus, ready to be stuffed with wool. 

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

The pot gets a simple stitch to make a cone. 

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

Here's the 'soil' is added to the top. After this step, I filled the bottom of the pin cushion with rice to give it weight, and sealed it off with the bottom piece. Then I sewed the stuffed cactus to the base. 

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

The yellow glass-head pins are the finishing touch! My cactus is slightly uneven, but it still turned out pretty close to the sample in the photo. The clear instructions and simple pattern made it easy to achieve nice results. 

Project #2: Moth

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

The second project is a cloth moth – this was what prompted me to buy this box within two minutes of discovering it. I love all insects, including moths, so I knew I had to make this! The supplies are simple: cotton cloth, a little bit of stretch velour, wool stuffing and thread. This project also used some of the same thread from the cactus. I liked that a needle threader was included – it came in handy! 

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

This is an easy project – you really can't mess this one up, as any handmade imperfections just add to the charm. Once again, the instructions were clear and detailed. 

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

Little Paisley Designs British Moths Postcard – Value $1.46? (based on similar item in their shop)

Another beautiful postcard! I love how the back is decorated too. 

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

Here are the pieces cut out and ready to be sewn. Each wing has front and back pieces that will be stitched together later. 

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

The body is just a little tube of velour sewn shut and wrapped tightly with thread to create a segmented body. It's a caterpillar at this point!

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

The wings are stitched with simple cotton thread. Normally I would have chosen embroidery floss for something like this, but I liked the delicate quality of the thread with the cotton cloth. 

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

After stitching decoration on the wings, they were lightly stuffed and sewn around the edges with a blanket stitch. 

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

The final step was to add thick black thread for antennae. Once again, the project turned out like the sample with little effort. However, like the cactus, it did take time. One might assume that little items like this would only take a few minutes, but I spent several hours making the projects in this box. Each made a pleasant afternoon project.

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

I was delighted to find that if I cut very carefully, I'd have (barely!) enough fabric to make a second moth. This time, I dyed the wings by soaking the fabric in a mixture of tea and salt for an hour or two. Then I sewed it all together exactly the same as the first moth. 

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

Jo suggests using washi tape to affix the moth to the side of a plant pot. There was also enough thick black thread included to make a hanging loop, or you could use the cotton thread to stitch it to something. I decided to mount mine in this shadow box that I found at a resale shop last year. 

craftpod August 2017 Craft and DIY Subscription Box

A small bonus – I had just the tiniest scraps of cloth left, but it was enough to make this baby moth. I attached a little pinback to turn it into a brooch.

Verdict: The price of this box works out to about $15 per project, which I think is very fair considering the skillful design, detailed photo instructions and quality materials. I've done a lot of craft kits and the care that went into these is top notch. I'm not sure that I'd really pay $15 for a completed felt pin cushion, but cloth moths are surprisingly expensive on Etsy, and I think the end results are worth it. I'm already a big fan of this box and can't wait until the next one. 

What do you think of the summer Craftpod? Which project do you like more – the cactus or the moth?

Starting at $34.21
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Craftpod is a quarterly subscription box inspired by the seasons delivered straight to your door. Each box contains two thoughtfully designed crafting projects, along with all the components needed and detailed instructions. Past crafting projects include embroidery, cross stitch, sewing and more, p... read more.
Désirée Eien
Désirée Eien
Désirée has survived the subscription box rollercoaster since 2013. Her other hobbies include meticulously over-researching minor purchases, crafting things she hopes to pass off as gifts, and dressing her cat up in silly costumes.

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13 comments

Tonya

Thanks for reviewing this box! I received the spring and summer shipments, though I haven’t been able to start them yet. You did an amazing job! Shipment to the U.S. makes this sub a little pricey, but I love its curation and the beauty of the projects. With craft subs, I take into account not only the value of the products I receive, but also the entertainment value I get from completing them, so I’m willing to pay a little more if I can tell that the company has put a lot of thought and care into its shipments, which I think Craftpod definitely has.

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Désirée

I wish I had gotten the spring box! Even with the international shipping, it’s not that expensive since the box is small and light. I agree about the entertainment value, especially since it’s time spent making things and not sourcing supplies.

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jessvii

This looks so cute!

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Lenya

I LOVE how you mounted the cloth moths – so creative and such a lovely display! Like you, I’m a big insect lover, so I may need to steal this idea…

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Désirée

Thanks! I often work insects into projects. We need an insectcraft-of-the-month sub.

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nelliebelle1197

I know you are my friend but I am never reading your reviews again. I AM SO JEALOUS OF YOUR TALENT I TURNED GREEN!

No, seriously, I wish I could do that! My kids would love to help with this sort of craft but I am a failure at good crafts…

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Désirée

You’re so sweet! <3 I'm sure you're better at crafts than you think.

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Jess

I’ve been eyeing this sub for a while and was hoping to see it reviewed! Thank you! Also, that was a great idea to display the moths like that. Looks beautiful!

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Désirée

Give it a try – I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. This box is still available last time I checked, and there will be another one in mid-September.

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Jackie

The cactus is so precious! What a neat box!

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MNM

I love your projects. The moths look so cute in that little shadow box. I’d totally hang that. Boxes like this always give me craft envy.

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Désirée

Thank you! The box is still available and it’s not really that hard, it just takes patience. Give it a try!

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Mariek

Everything is so cute! What a lovely box. Not into these subscriptions but I’m sure someone who loves arts an crafts would appreciate this box

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