The Crafter's Box is an artisan craft subscription box that features a different, unique craft each month that is designed with the crafty adult in mind. The boxes are thoughtfully curated with high-end materials so that your finished products are modern and sophisticated. There's also an accompanying video workshop led by the featured artist that introduces you to the craft and provides you with detailed instructions to complete the project.
Subscribers get first access to new workshops for $65 per month, and the remaining workshops are later available to purchase in The Crafter's Box marketplace for $75. So, members save $10 and are guaranteed to receive the newest workshop.
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My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
This Month's Box - "Fabric Weaving"
In this month's workshop, we'll be weaving a rustic linen pillow with crafting superstar Mister Domestic. When I first saw the pillow Mister Domestic was proudly displayed in the workshop video, I thought it was stunningly beautiful and incredibly intimidating. My experience with weaving is limited to making pot holders on a plastic loom at summer camp, so this will be an opportunity to learn something brand new. I just hope there isn't too much sewing or measuring involved.
Materials Included for this Project
I was both excited and intimidated about this box, but the intimidation took over when I opened the box and saw the materials. There were a lot of tools I didn't know what to make of, and a whole separate instruction booklet for the project, which is unusual for The Crafter's Box. Let's dive right in and see what they've sent us.
Fabric Weaving Project Pamphlet
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The Crafter's Box always includes a folded card with information on the project, a list of the materials you're receiving, and a bio on the workshop's featured artist. The pictures of the pillow are beautiful, but I will need to watch the workshop video to really understand what all these materials are for.
Lengths of Robert Kaufman Essex Linen Blend in Oyster, Lingerie, and Natural
We'll be making our pillow out of this lovely linen which comes in subtly contrasting neutrals. The fabric is soft and light and feels like it could be used to make something right out of Pottery Barn. I assume we'll have to cut this beautiful fabric into strips to weave. I hope that there's extra here in case of cutting mistakes.
Iron-On Hem Tape in White
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I've never used hem tape before but I already know that I don't like it because the name brings to mind two activities I hate - sewing and ironing. Hopefully, the video tutorial will provide easy-to-follow directions on how to use this tool.
Silk-Finish Solid Cotton Thread
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This thread feels thick and silky. So even if I have to sew, at least I get to use the good stuff!
WEFTY NEEDLE
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The WEFTY needle is a specific tool for fabric weaving that helps you pull the strips of fabric over and under. It looks easy to use and gives me hope that this project won't be quite as hard as I've feared.
General Purpose Masking Tape
I have to admit, I'm probably going to be tempted at one point or another to cheat and use this masking tape to hold the fabric in place. I hope that's what it's for! Also, it's always nice when The Crafter's Box includes an everyday object like this that will be useful to have around the house after the project.
Embroidery Needle, Size 5
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I'm also relieved to see a nice, thick embroidery needle rather than a couple of tiny sewing needles. These are easy to thread, and also helpful to have around for needlecrafts.
Interfacing
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This large textured fabric can be used to fuse fabric. I expect this will play a role in the assembly of the pillow.
Glass Head Pins
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These are another sewing staple that is useful to have around for a variety of uses.
Pattern Booklet and Video Tutorial
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Every project from The Crafter's Box includes a video workshop where the featured artist teaches you how to complete your craft. This time, they went a step further by providing a booklet with alternative patterns. I love how this addition to the box encourages you to keep going and build on the skills you develop in the workshop. There's also a short bonus video demonstrating a different style of weaving.
The Process
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Our first step is to rip the fabric into strips. I was a little scared about the idea of ripping such beautiful fabric with my hands, but Mister Domestic assured me in the video that it's impossible to screw up because the linen rips naturally on the grain. Just use a ruler to measure one-inch increments along the length of the fabric and cut slits with scissors. Then, get ripping! It's an extremely satisfying process.
I've noted in past Crafter's Box reviews that the company has a tendency to leave out items that are actually necessary to complete the project. This time, unfortunately, there were a few particularly glaring omissions. The video tutorial mentions that a 20x30 foam core poster board would be a "useful" item to have around to help with the project. However, once Mister Domestic got started, it became clear that the poster board was essential to hold the fabric in place while you weave. My project came to a complete standstill until I made it to a local craft store to pick up the poster board. Once I had it, I was able to draw a 14x22 grid and pin down the interface so I had a workspace for weaving.
Next, we take the strips from the largest piece of linen and lay them across the grid. Somehow, I'd made a measuring error when cutting my strips for the first layer of weaving and came up one short. Luckily, small errors like this don't matter for this project. My finished pillow will simply be just an inch shorter than the sample in the video.
Then, we thread one of the shorter strips of fabric through the wefty needle and weave it through the strips on the board in an over/under pattern. This innovative needle makes the project go much more smoothly than if you had to individually lift every strip with your fingers. (It might even come in handy if you're making a pie with a lattice crust!) Once you've got the first strip through, you repeat the process with a strip in the contrasting color in an under/over pattern to create a basket weave pattern. You'll do this all the way across your grid. It takes a while to get all of the strips in place and pinned down, but it's soothing repetitive work.
The Finished Project
I took a break from this project once I had completed the weave. The fabric is beautiful and I love the rustic, raw edge. I'm sure it will make a beautiful pillow. But knowing that sewing is something I neither enjoy nor do well, I'd rather keep this weave on the board until I can bring it over to a friend with a sewing machine to help finish it. There's nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it with a craft. I want this pillow to be the best version of itself.
Was the Box Worth It?
There were a lot of materials included in this kit, but most are common notions that can be picked up inexpensively at a craft store, so the $65 value might be slightly inflated here, which may be why they included the additional pattern booklet. Also, if you want to actually complete this project, you'll have to spring for your own foam board and pillow stuffing.
My Verdict
This Crafter's Box was challenging and introduced me to new skills and tools. My favorite aspect of the project was getting virtually coached by Mister Domestic. I loved his exuberant energy, his mission of spreading joy and positivity through crafting, and his colorful nail polish. If I ever decide to make peace with sewing, I will definitely look into more of his projects.
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Other Things You Should Know
Is this box still available? Yes, you can choose to start your subscription with this workshop while stocks last.
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