Review on Bucilla Christmas Stocking Felt Applique Kit - Santa's List, 18-Inch (86360) by Barbara Simmons

I can only recommend this set! This is a beautiful stocking with simple instructions. I had a lot of fun doing it while watching TV and listening to music. The only issues I had with the kit were the problems I caused. I had to redo some of the stitching I had messed up. I should have read the instructions more carefully. If you take the time to prepare and study these sets, you will succeed! To speed up the learning time, I highly recommend reading some websites with tips on how to complete sentences. This is not required, but allows you to learn from the mistakes of others. I'm glad I did this because I think my finished product will hold up better for years. For example, for the sequins/beads I used two pieces of thread instead of one and I doubled the stitch to make sure it was secure. By double stitch I mean I sewed the sequin/bead onto the stocking and then re-threaded the same sequin/bead to secure it twice. Hopefully the sequins/beads will last for decades on the stocking and hold up as usual. wear. When I embroidered the name on top of the stocking I used all 6 threads because otherwise the name would look flimsy. Since I used more strands than recommended in the instructions, I used up the strands faster. I read on several websites that this would happen, so I bought an additional thread from Amazon. I could have bought through Bucilla but I was able to find thread on Amazon that matched the color perfectly. As I worked on the stocking, I began to master it. It's a really simple process - all you have to do is read the instructions and take your time! The rush will confuse you, trust me. There were small aspects of the stockings that I didn't like, so I bought extra felt to make small replacements. This is a personal preference and absolutely not required! The tights are beautiful. I just wanted to correct it. If you want to make a stocking, give yourself enough time to finish it. These kits look deceptively easy and are actually time consuming. I didn't work continuously on the stocking, but it took about a month and a half. It takes time, lightly ironing the pieces (they have a few creases in the packaging), reading the instructions, cutting out the pieces, pinning them and in my opinion the longest process, sequins/beads. Although I underestimated the time to do this, I really enjoyed making this stocking. I plan to make a stocking for each of my nieces and nieces. In the future I will continue to buy additional thread, stuffing and felt and start collecting kits much earlier so as not to finish before Christmas.