Skimming Stones subscription box review
What is Skimming Stones?
Skimming Stones is a fabric company owned and operated by designs Laura Tulloch. Laura designs the fabrics and creates the templates and projects for the Skimming Stones subscription boxes, which are aimed at machine sewers, but could at a push be enjoyed with hand sewing, too.
Skimming Stones typical craft projects
The projects are all designed to showcase the bespoke Skimming Stones fabrics. Past boxes have included lavender heart sachets, a tote bag, a fabric roll and pincushions. We tested the December 2021 subscription box, which was for a clasped purse and glasses case.
How much is a Skimming Stones craft box subscription?
The cost of the Skimming Stones craft box subscription depends on your length of subscription. The basic price is £26.95 including delivery, but that is the single box prize. You can save on that using the different subscription terms.
What are the subscription terms?
Opt for a subscription of 3 months and pay £25.95 per box as an upfront sum of £77.85. 6 months brings the per-box prize to £25.70 as an upfront payment of £154.20. You can cancel at any time, but the subscriptions will auto-renew if you do not cancel them.
Is a Skimming Stones box good value for money?
Based on the quality of the materials, the little extras and the professional results you can achieve as a novice sewer, this box is worth the money.
Skimming Stones; What is in the box?
Our box contained 2 pieces of Skimming Stones project fabric, lining fabric, pattern templates, pins, embroidery thread skein, sewing machine thread reel, button, ribbon, written instructions with photos.
Are the project supplies good quality?
Materials were largely sourced from tried and trusted needlework brands. The purse clasp was diamanté for an added flourish, the button was decorated and the pins had a pearl finish. The Skimming Stones fabric was thick with a lovely linen-esque finish and we were very impressed with the quality. The biscuits were delicious!
What are the delivery options? If you weren’t in during the time of delivery, was it left in a safe place?
The box is too big to fit through a letterbox. The boxes are shipped on the 12th of each month via Royal Mail, so you can expect to receive them on the 14th or 16th of that month. Because of the plastic-free packaging, we would not recommend leaving the box outside.
Are the boxes available nationwide in the UK?
The price includes UK delivery. Skimming Stones will ship internationally but at an additional cost.
How much packaging is there?
The materials were enclosed in tissue paper and packed with shredded paper inside a cardboard box. The only plastic was in the purse clasp from a different manufacturer – Skimming Stones' packaging was plastic-free. The shipping box is sturdy and could be reused, as could the shredded paper.
How easy are the projects to make?
As a novice sewer, I managed to complete both projects to quite a high standard, but I did make some mistakes along the way. My first mistake was cutting all the fabric lining pieces for my first project (the purse) along the long edge so there was not a large enough area left for lining my second project (the glasses case). I also stitched my glasses case with the right side out the first time around, so I had to rip it out and start again.
Are the instructions clear?
More experienced sewers would not have made my mistakes, or novice sewers who had watched the enclosed video guide and not relied entirely on the written instructions as I did would have been fine.
Despite or maybe because of my mistakes, I learned a lot from completing these projects.
What are the finished projects like?
I'm pleased with the quality of the finished projects. I love the decoration on the button and the diamanté clasp on the purse which elevates them.
What other craft stash did you need to make the project?
I had to use additional pins from my supplies, and scissors for the cutting out. Because of my mistake, I had to use a different lining fabric to make the glasses case. I used my sewing machine, but for advanced crafters, these projects can be hand-sewn.
Who would these subs boxes be most useful for?
The Skimming Stones subscription boxes are ideal for people looking for inspiration for things to make with their sewing machine, or guided tutorials to increase their confidence in machine sewing. They'd also suit crafters who like to make items that can be gifted, as all the boxes we have seen build items that make brilliant home gifts.
What’s your favourite thing about this product?
The fabrics are just lovely and produce top-quality finished items.
Discover how to sign up for Skimming Stones here or check out other top offers in our best craft subscription box round-up.
