You would like to give an embroidery kit for Christmas, but you don't know which one to choose. The person has never embroidered, or on the contrary already has a box full of threads and several pieces on the go.
The design you find most beautiful will not necessarily be the most enjoyable project for them. To choose, look at their experience, their tastes and the way they like to approach creative activities.
For someone who has never embroidered
Start with a project marked as suitable for beginners. The size of the design is not enough to judge its difficulty: a small, highly detailed design can require more precision than a larger composition.
Look at the stitches used, the density of the fillings and the instructions provided. A clear booklet and materials suited to the project will help the person get started.
At Faïença, several designs are suitable for beginners, while others call for some prior experience. Check the level on the chosen product page rather than assuming that all kits are equivalent.
For someone who already knows the first stitches
Someone who has already completed one or two pieces may enjoy a project offering more detail, texture or variety.
Try to find out what they like to embroider. Do they prefer to follow a design precisely, explore new stitches or change the colours? Do they like pieces that can be finished in a few sessions, or projects that keep them company for longer?
A kit makes a comfortable gift when they want to find all the elements of the project gathered together. It saves them from putting together the whole list of materials themselves before starting.
For an embroiderer who is already well equipped
If the person has needles, hoops and plenty of threads, a PDF pattern can also be an interesting option. They will be able to prepare their own version and choose their materials.
This option does, however, assume that they want to organise the project. Owning materials doesn't necessarily mean preferring to select everything yourself: an experienced embroiderer may appreciate a kit for how easy it is to prepare.
If in doubt, try to spot the kind of projects they usually choose. Their recent pieces will often tell you more than their level alone.
Choose a world they love
Think about the designs, but also about what the person likes to keep at home. A lemon, a cicada, a bouquet or a floral embroidery do not mean the same thing to everyone.
The Provence collection may appeal to someone attached to the South of France, its landscapes or its motifs. Also look at the colours they wear, the objects they choose and the designs they like.
Picture the finished project: would they want to hang it up, give it away or adapt it to another item? This little exercise helps you choose a gift that matches their tastes.
Check the exact contents of the kit
Before ordering, read the list of included items on the product page. The contents and options may vary depending on the design or the version selected, particularly for the hoop.
Also check what needs to be supplied at home, for example small scissors if the product page doesn't mention them. The aim is for the person to know what they have and to be able to prepare their first session easily.
Avoid choosing solely from the photograph of the finished piece. The level, the materials and the instructions are also part of the gift.
Prepare for Christmas without promising a date at random
Check availability and delivery information when you place your order. Faïença kits are prepared in a studio in Barcelona; the journey and delivery times then depend on the destination and the shipping method.
As Christmas approaches, it is best to allow some leeway. For a gift that needs to arrive by a specific date, find out before ordering rather than estimating the delivery time from a past experience.
Finally, you can slip in a personal note: why this design made you think of them, and how much you look forward to seeing their version once it is embroidered.
To choose your gift, discover the Faïença embroidery kits or the PDF patterns for someone who prefers to prepare their own materials.
