Craft Kit Review - Wall Hanging

Stained Glass Wall Hanging Kit - Summer Colours

Completed size 24" x 11" approx

This kit is supplied by Perfect Patchwork who have both their own website and a presence on WOWthankyou.

First Impressions.

I saw this kit advertised on Craftfest and must admit to falling in love with it straight away. It’s just the colours I love and I have a soft spot for stained glass, which I thought this replicated really well.

I ordered on a Thursday lunch time, hoping to have it with me at the weekend. Sadly, it  wasn’t posted out till Monday and arrived the following day.

On opening, I was impressed with the quality of the fabrics, neatly cut to size. Backing fabric, wadding and binding were all provided, as well as embroidery thread, beads and charms for embellishing.

I was not quite so convinced with the instructions which could have had improved photography (better lighting, detail shots) and printing (double sided to save paper)

Skill Level.

If you are happy using a sewing machine, then as a first quilting/patchwork project this would be a beginner level. As a general sewing project, it requires some knowledge and is therefore intermediate.

Getting Started

The main panel of the project is made up in a quick and easy method with no need to sew the pieces together. The shapes are traced off the provided pattern onto Bondaweb which is then ironed onto the fabrics.  The fabric provided was just enough, so care needs to be taken to make sure you complete this stage correctly. The pattern pieces are ironed on to a calico panel, then bias binding used to cover the joins and give the stained glass appearance. Again, there was just enough binding.

The next stage is to baste the panel to the wadding and embellish. For me, this was the scary bit, because the only instruction was embellish as desired. The photographs were too poor to see any examples. However, once I got over the “fear factor”, I rather enjoyed doing exactly what I pleased.

Making Up

The next stage was to add borders, first a black one then a wider toning fabric. Both these stages were very straight forward. To finish, a calico backing is added and the quilt bound at the edges with black fabric. This was the only time I had cause for concern with the fabric provided, as the pre cut pieces varied in width along the length, sometimes to less than the 2” required. A piece of calico was added while binding to provide for hanging.

Instructions

Although I managed to complete the piece, I found the instructions a disappointment. A set of numbered stages would have been helpful as I found it easy to lose where I was up to, especially as the pictures were in pairs and not numbered for easy reference.  The quality of the pictures means that you can’t see the detail which would have helped to clarify the instructions. For instance when sewing on the bias binding, should one row down the middle be enough, or should it be stitched close to both edges?

Skills Learned

As I have never made a quilt before, or done any patchwork, this was always going to provide some learning opportunities. I was hoping to do some sewn together patchwork but this project uses a simpler method with the Bondaweb. This is quite a common method for decorative items and saves a lot of time. The project does, however, introduce you to putting a quilt project together, including binding. The methods used are not the most advanced (no mitred corners for instance) which makes this a great beginner project. This is slightly at odds with the lack of instructions or examples for embellishing.

Value for Money

This kit cost £14.95 plus postage.

I was impressed with the quality of the contents and considering how well the finished item turns out, this is great value for money. You could obviously get all the components together yourself for less, but care has been taken here to provide beautifully compatible colours and designs of fabric. You also get the design and instructions.

Finished Item

I am quietly pleased with my first quilting attempt and I’m eager to do more, especially with some proper patchwork. The hanging looks great on my wall. Because the components were of good quality, the piece looks eye-catching and bears up under inspection.

Time to complete

Complete in a weekend without too much trouble.

Conclusion 

Good points: Great quality components, good value for money.

Bad Points: Not informed that would not be posted for 3 days, instructions

Overall I really enjoyed this project and am keen to do more. If you don’t fancy having a go yourself, Perfect Patchwork sell completed hangings for a very reasonable sum.

Find them at www.perfectpatchwork.co.uk or on WOWthankyou.

I would love your thoughts on this review. Is there anything else you would want to know?

Happy Crafting,

Janice x