Wilton Dimensions Flower Bouquet on Black Needlepoint Embroidery Kit, 14" x 14", Multicolor

This is an ambitious project! It's sometimes hard to follow on the canvas-extremely detailed with lots of beautiful colors. I finally used watercolor pens to go over the outlines so that I could see them better. This project is taking a long time, but a gorgeous pillow cover is emerging. Worth the effort!

3rd Review: DONE! A love-hate project. BRVSK backing, color ordered Red.I read a review complaining about the TOO light colors stamped on canvas. I agree completely.They responded to her review that they couldn't do anything about it.The peacock blue used for a gray thread color worked.Maybe try changing the chart to colors that can be seen.Ran out of Peach color,2nd Review: Still having fun with this project. BUT you need to use the chart extensively.The canvas print is too light to see everything well.1st Review: What a beautiful project. I took a picture to show how detailed the color chart provided is, to make this project as easy as possible, although, this project is for the INTERMEDIATE FIBER ARTIST.The chart is numbered, the color legend provides exactly how the threads should be used.Read the directions very carefully.I am using MY needlepoint stretcher, that is NOT provided.The yarns are beautiful, I will keep you updated on a 77-year-olds progress.A magnifier with light is essential, because of the color detail on the canvas.

I love this kit. It's easy to use since the pre-marked, the colored canvas is very nearly idiot proof--although I shouldn't overestimate my ability to follow instructions. The threads come pre-sorted and keyed to the project. Apparently, earlier versions of this kit were marked in black and white, which is the typical marking for needlepoint kits. Mine actually has all the flowers painted on in color with the appropriate shading and color changes.I do wish the manufacturer had been a little more logical about how to shade the kit. You would expect that the gray floss would go on the gray shading but, no, it goes on the blue, purple means dark red (even though there are purple areas). There is also built in confusion: if you look at the picture, you see the coloring one way; if you look at the paper chart, it seems to indicate some other way; if you look at the aforementioned shading on the canvas and try to match it to the color swatches that are number-coded it's something else altogether. I'm just winging it. If I make the wrong color choice, so be it.I've also found it to be a bit annoying that, sometimes, you have a tiny spot--say 4 stitches--of a particular color in the middle of nowhere. I don't think it's necessary to be that realistic and, after a couple of these, I just ignored them and went with surrounding colors. The rose, in particular, is downright schizophrenic--every color you can imagine to bring about a rose that (hopefully) doesn't exist in nature.Despite the confusion and keeping in mind that this is for fun not for pay, the color harmony is so good in this kit. If you put a certain color in the wrong place, it still harmonizes with the whole. You might also wish to get embroidery floss in a different color if you want to make some creative change. Ex: you might wish to make the orange/red tulip pink. You merely get the colors of floss you like and follow the shading instructions painted on (light, midtones, and shadows).Is it expensive? Yes, but if needle point relaxes you and helps while away the hours, it's an excellent buy. The way I figure it, it costs almost $11 for two hours at the movies. For about $27, I get countless hours of fulfilling entertainment plus there is the fact that I get to keep a beautiful pillow cushion for years after I've completed it.

This is a beautiful design with excellent colors and great thread. I am used to counted cross stitch or needlepoint canvases that have stark colors printed on them to distinguish the colors. This canvas arrived with the design faintly printed so it was extremely difficult to determine between light blue, lilac, light grey, light beige, etc. and then between dark red vs medium cranberry vs red when placed next to each other. I had to enlarge the drawing on paper and cross hatch it with a pen so I could distinguish the color change better. If the design is going to be covered with yarn/thread anyways, why not use bolder colors to better guide one when to change color?

Beautiful kit

Dimension has to make the BEST needlepoint kits,especially since Wilton took over the company. I have,at least,60 needlepts I have done and framed over the years. Three quarters finished with ths one and the painted canvas,instructions,layout of threads and their color coded system is great. If you ever run short of a color(s) you only need to contact the company and they will send you more thread,free of charge. I really liked doing needlepoints with wool yarns but like everything else,to save money,these kits use cotton threads and kits come from China. They still are fun to do and look lovely when finished.By the way it is NOT called cross-stitch here in USA but only "needlepoint"

I made my tapestry into a pillow. It is just beautiful. I have a lot of experience with needlepoint. This was the most challenging one. It has more colors and for that reason some of the stamped shading is harder to identify. I bought an Ott Light for working in the evenings and that helped a lot.

The colors printed on the canvas or so pale it is hard to tell one from another. Is it pink, is it cream, is it peach, is it white? I need a magnifying glass to tell the colors apart and where one ends and another begins. Although the picture is beautiful it hurts my eyes to try to figure out what goes where. I have done needlepoint most of my life and am finding this one frustrating.