|
HOME ONLINE SHOP
|
|
Dollshouse Embroidery Kits
|
|||
|
|||
Help, or "FAQ" (Frequently Asked Questions) |
|||
| 1. What will I find on this website? | |||
|
Online Shop: |
2. How do I order? 3. How do I search for something in the Online Shop? 4. How do I check/change my order? 5. Can I pay using a credit or debit card? 6. I live in the UK can I send a cheque? 7. Can I place an order and arrange for it to be sent to another address? 8. What does the postage cost? 9. How quickly will I receive my order? 10. What guarantee do you offer? 11. How do I get a copy of the printed colour catalogue? |
||
|
Non-UK customers: |
12. Do you deliver outside the UK - to the USA, Canada, Australia or Europe, for example? 13. Can I pay in another currency, other than British pounds? 14. I live in the USA/Canada. How do I convert pounds to dollars? 15. Where can I buy your kits if I don't live in the UK? |
||
|
About kits: |
16. What is in a kit? 17. Why do the kits have colour charts? 18. I am colour-blind, so I can't work from colour-block charts. What can I do? 19. Can I buy just the chart? 20. Will I get good instruction sheets? 21. Some carpets have fringes. How is this done? 22. What is included in a wallhanging kit? 23. Does a cushion kit contain all I need to make a cushion? 24. What size staircase will a staircarpet fit? 25. What sort of fabric are the kits stitched on? 26. Are the kits stitched in silks, cotton threads (floss) or wool? 27. I have done cross stitch before, but not needlepoint - is it easy? 28. Can your designs be done in cross stitch? 29. The fabric count seems fine - will working on it harm my eyesight? 30. How will I know the sizes of the finished items? 31. Will there be any new designs in the future? |
||
|
Other questions: |
32. Why do the designs all have names, not numbers? 33. What if I get stuck, or make a mistake? 34. Can I send you pictures of the stitching I have done? 35. How do I know if the colours of the designs on my screen are accurate? |
||
 |
1. What will I find on this website? |
||
|
This website is for people who love stitching and/or dollshouse things. We supply all the
designs you can see in the
ONLINE SHOP
as
kits,
with some also available as charts. There are currently 138 dollshouse needlepoint
designs in our range:
44 carpet kits,
12 staircarpet
kits,
21 cushion
kits,
7 wallhanging
kits,
8 sampler kits,
10 bellpull
kits
and
9 firescreen
kits
16 of the carpets have matching cushions. The designs cover many eras
and styles - there is sure to be something to suit everyone. We also stock some
accessories (such as canvas pieces just the right size for one project, wallhanging
hooks, and so on).
Prices for the cushion kits start at only £4.50 and the carpet kits start at £7.25. They can be purchased direct from us, in our ONLINE SHOP , or ordered from our printed mail order catalogue . REMEMBER - New things are added from time to time...check our "What's New?" page to keep up to date. Want to be sure you don't miss out on new designs or special offers? Join our Newsletter list by clicking HERE . |
||
|
2. How do I order? |
||
|
Simply choose from the dollshouse needlepoint kits, charts and other items in the
ONLINE SHOP
. Select an item you would like to buy and click the 'ADD TO BASKET' button
alongside the item. Then, on the next page, you either CONFIRM (which confirms you want
that item in your shopping basket, although you may still remove it again, by going to
the VIEW BASKET page and removing it) and then carry on shopping, or CHECKOUT NOW (which
is when you have found all you want to buy and want to go to the checkout, to give us
your details and send us the order).
When you click on CHECKOUT NOW, you will first see a list of the items you have chosen, with a total (please note that when you buy from this site, post and packing is FREE, worldwide). You will then need to fill in the cardholder's name and address details (if this address is not the one you would like the parcel sent to, you have the option of choosing a different delivery address at this point). We MUST have a valid email address as well, so that we can inform you when the parcel has been shipped, in line with Distance Selling Regulations. Then click 'NEXT'. On the next page, you will be asked three questions to help us give you better service - answering these is optional, but very helpful! An explanation about our secure page on the Protx Server follows - when you have read this, click NEXT. You can be sure that your card details will be sent safely (look for the yellow padlock on the bottom right hand corner of your screen), as the special payment page at Protx handles them very securely and even WE don't get to see them (we just get your contact information and details of what you have ordered). On the Secure Server page you will need to fill in your card number, the type of card (VISA, Mastercard, Solo or Maestro), the cardholder's name as it appears on the card, and the valid from and expiry dates. At the foot of the credit card details page, click the 'PROCEED' button, to finally send the order to us. You will then be taken to an 'Order confirmation' page, which you are advised to print out and keep for your records. No money is taken from your card until we are sure we can send you your order. We try to hold stocks of all items, so despatch is usually within 2 working days. The order details come to us and we release the card payment at the point when we are about to despatch your order to you. If you are not comfortable with buying online, we do, of course, supply through our printed catalogue (which you can also buy by phone or mail!). |
||
|
3. How do I search for something in the Online Shop? |
||
|
Click the green 'SEARCH' button at the top of any of the Online Shop pages. Enter a
couple of words relating to the thing you're looking for, and click the grey 'SEARCH'
button to the right of it to see a list of matching results.
The search engine will only look through the words actually appearing in this catalogue, so for instance if you searched for the word 'Morris', you would find the references to William Morris designs, but the word 'teddy' does not occur at all, so you will find nothing. Once you have done the search you can browse the products as usual without having to put them in your shopping basket. Tip - try to avoid using lots of words and/or very common words like 'the', because these will slow the search. |
||
|
4. How do I check/change my order? |
||
|
Click the 'VIEW BASKET' green button in any of the Online Shop sections and you will see
the status of your order. The number of items and brief descriptions of them is shown. If
you wanted more than one of the item, you click the 'EDIT' button, to move to a page
where you can change the '1' in the little box, at this point, then click 'CONFIRM' . You
may empty your basket by clicking 'REMOVE' for each item in turn, until your basket is
empty.
If you have any problems please feel free to contact us by phone, or email. |
||
|
5. Can I pay using a credit or debit card? |
 |
|
|
Yes - you can use VISA, Mastercard, Solo or Maestro (we do NOT take AmEx). Our
online shopping system is very safe.
You may, however, prefer to place your order by phone, mail or fax. (Please do not send credit card details by email, as this is not secure.) |
||
|
6. I live in the UK - can I send a cheque? |
||
|
Yes, of course you can, but not when ordering through the online shop - only by mail. You can send a cheque along with the order form printed in our catalogue, or just with a letter stating clearly which product(s) you require and your name and address details. Obviously, we can also accept payment by VISA, Mastercard Solo or Maestro, using this order form - see above . Orders placed by post need to have postage added, though - the rates for this are listed on the reverse of the order form. | ||
|
7. Can I place an order and arrange for it to be sent to another address? |
||
|
Yes, we can send to any address you specify, though we reserve the right to ask for extra details, sometimes, in the interests of the security of your credit card. | ||
|
8. What does the postage cost? |
||
|
For orders placed online, postage is entirely FREE OF CHARGE, to any destination in the world. | ||
|
9. How quickly will I receive my order? |
||
|
UK customers:
We can usually offer a 'by return' postal service, as we try to keep all dollshouse needlepoint kits and charts in stock at all times. Your order will normally be despatched within two working days. Overseas customers: Parcels destined for overseas addresses are sent by airmail, but will take a little longer to arrive - for instance, it may take seven days for a parcel to reach the USA, and fourteen days to reach Australia. Delays caused by Customs, etc., are out of our control, however. In any case, please allow 28 days before querying non-delivery. |
||
|
10. What guarantee do you offer? |
||
|
You have the right to cancel your order at any time up to 7 working days from the day
after receiving the goods. You may cancel, in writing (by email, fax or post), to the
address given on our home page. We guarantee to refund the full purchase price within 30
days of cancellation. Any such unwanted goods remain the property of Janet Granger
Designs and must be returned to us at your own expense, unused and in perfect condition.
If they are not returned, we will collect them, and deduct the direct cost from the
refund.
Of course, if a kit is faulty or has any component missing, then we will replace the kit immediately on its return to us, and refund any postage cost you have incurred. Refunds will only be made to the original credit/debit card account, or by cheque payable to the signatory of the original cheque. Please note that chart packs are non-returnable. This guarantee is in addition to your statutory rights as a consumer. |
||
|
11. How do I get a copy of the printed colour catalogue? |
||
|
The colour catalogue is A5 size, 16 pages long, featuring clear photos of all the designs, and may be ordered online , or by phone, fax, or mail - it's easy, just click here for details. | ||
|
12. Do you deliver outside the UK - to the USA, Canada, Australia or Europe, for example? |
||
|
Yes, we do. We will ship to any country, worldwide - POST FREE! | ||
|
13. Can I pay in another currency, other than British pounds? |
||
|
You can pay in any currency, if you buy online using a credit or debit card. All the prices are listed in English pounds, but your credit card issuing bank does the conversion and takes the equivalent in your currency from your account automatically. For example, if you are in the US, you pay in dollars; we get paid in pounds! | ||
|
14. I live in the USA/Canada. How do I convert pounds to dollars? |
||
|
The simple answer is - you don't need to! Just follow the normal shopping cart procedure,
agreeing to buy in pounds, then your credit card issuing bank does the conversion and
takes the equivalent in dollars from your account automatically. You pay in dollars; we
get paid in pounds!
To work out how much a price in pounds means in dollars, you need to know the exchange rate on the day. If, for example, it is 1.8 dollars to the pound, you multiply the price in pounds by 1.8 to get the price in dollars. For example, £15 = 15 x 1.8 = $27. You can check the latest exchange rate on any day by going to xe.com's currency converter site. PLEASE NOTE: Do not send currency through the post, as it is not safe. Also, we would be charged an extra £7 (about US $11) to pay in foreign currency to our bank and this charge would have to be passed on to the customer, unfortunately. However, we can accept payment from overseas customers by VISA or Mastercard (but not AmEx) - see above. |
||
|
15. Where can I buy your kits if I don't live in the UK? |
||
|
We have some overseas stockists (mainly in Europe) - please email us if you wish to know if there is one near you. Alternatively, buy in our ONLINE SHOP today - and we'll send your order to you straight away, POST FREE worldwide. | ||
|
16. What is in a kit? |
||
|
Some features of the FULL KITS: |
|||
|
|
||
|
The CHART PACKS (available for carpets and wallhangings only) do not contain any fabric, needle or wool/threads, but DO contain the following: |
|||
|
|||
|
17. Why do the kits have colour charts? |
||
|
All kits contain a computer-generated colour block chart which is simple to use and easy on the eyes. If you haven't used a colour chart before, you will probably find that you can finish your project much quicker than when you work from a black and white symbol chart (when you have to keep converting symbols to colours in your head, or laboriously colour in the chart before you can start stitching)! | ||
|
18. I am colour-blind, so I can't work from colour-block charts. What can I do? |
||
|
You have two options: If you want to make a carpet or a wallhanging, we sell chart packs,
which have a black and white symbol chart in, as standard.
Alternatively, if you prefer to buy a full kit for a carpet or wallhanging, or you would like a type of kit that we do not provide in chart pack format, please state when you order that you would prefer to have a black and white symbol chart substituted for the colour chart. This is a FREE 'substitution' service |
||
|
19. Can I buy just the chart? |
||
|
For those who want to adapt the colours or canvas count of a design, chart packs are
available for carpets and wallhangings only. These packs include a clear, black and white
symbol chart and detailed instructions. For carpet charts, the colour key lists
Appleton's shade numbers, as in the full kit; it also gives colour equivalents for
Anchor, DMC, Madeira and Paterna. For wallhanging charts, the colour key lists Anchor
shade numbers, as in the full kit; it also gives colour equivalents for DMC and Madeira.
Chart packs are not available for any other type of kit that we produce. |
||
|
20. Will I get good instruction sheets? |
||
|
Detailed instructions are included in every kit, covering the stitches used (including fringing stitch for the carpet designs), and general finishing details. The staircarpet instruction sheets cover how to measure the staircase of your doll's house. The oval, circular and tiger-skin instruction sheets have special finishing instructions, explaining how to deal with their irregular shapes, as hemming is impractical for these. The wallhanging instruction sheets explain how to add the "tabs". The kits for cushions, samplers, firescreens and bellpulls give details of how the kit is completed, by making up the other parts. | ||
|
21. Some carpets have fringes. How is this done? |
||
|
The carpet kits include a skein of cotton thread for adding a fringe, where fringing would be sensible (i.e. the staircarpets, for instance, do not include any). Detailed written instructions, and several diagrams, guide you through this decorative stitch, which is a little like a cross stitch with a loop, worked over the canvas edge. If you choose to finish the kit without a fringe, there is always enough crewel wool to hem all four sides instead. | ||
|
22. What is included in a wallhanging kit? |
||
|
The wallhangings are worked on 22 count canvas using Anchor stranded cotton (you use two strands at a time) in tent stitch. When finished it is hung by ribbon tabs on a wooden pole and backed with iron-on interfacing. The kits include all the materials needed. As with all the other kits, the design is counted from a colour-block chart. | ||
|
23. Does a cushion kit contain all I need to make a cushion? |
||
|
Yes. These kits make a good introduction to miniature needlework, and co-ordinate with many of the carpets and staircarpets in the range. Each one will only take a few hours to complete. Each kit contains a piece of backing fabric and some wadding, as well as the usual canvas, thread, colour block chart, and so on. Finishing instructions are also included. | ||
|
24. What size staircase will a staircarpet fit? |
||
|
Each staircarpet kit contains enough materials to make a staircarpet 20" long (50cms). This is enough for a 15-step flight in your dollshouse. The width of the staircarpets varies with the different designs - dimensions are given alongside each picture. Remember when ordering your staircarpet to take into consideration the width of your staircase, whether you want a little or a lot of tread to show at the sides of the carpet, as well as any space taken up by spindles. | ||
|
25. What sort of fabric are the kits stitched on? |
||
|
The fabric used for all carpet kits is 18 count white interlock canvas. It is very smooth
and pliable, and helps produce a very flat carpet. All the carpet kits contain a piece of
canvas large enough to enable it to be attached to a 12" (30cm) wide rectangular
tapestry frame. When worked on a frame, the canvas should not even need to be blocked
when completed. If you do not use a frame, and find that the canvas has become a little
distorted, you can iron the canvas with a steam iron (on medium setting), gently pulling
the canvas square again. I have found this is much better (and quicker!) than blocking.
After hemming and fringing, a final press with a medium hot iron will benefit each
carpet, giving a very professional finish.
For the cushion and wallhanging kits, 22 count interlock canvas is used, to give a more detailed finish. The sampler kits are worked on 28 count evenweave, in a suitable background colour for the project (so that you do not need to 'colour in' around the design - you only need to stitch the actual design). The bellpull and firescreen kits are worked on 32 count silk gauze. This is a flexible mesh fabric, which, although the count size sounds as if it would be difficult to work on, is actually just as easy as working on 18 count Aida fabric, as the fabric threads on the gauze are very thin. This means that the holes you are aiming your needle for are comparatively large, when compared with Aida, which has thicker threads and tiny holes. |
||
|
26. Are the kits stitched in silks, cotton threads (floss) or wool? |
||
|
All the carpet kits contain 2-ply crewel wool. This type of wool gives a very realistic
look to your finished carpet. I have deliberately chosen muted shades, so that when
placed in your doll's house or room setting, the carpet doesn't 'jump out' at you
visually.
All the other kits (wallhangings, cushions, samplers, firescreens and bellpulls) are stitched with stranded cotton, using two strands for the wallhangings and cushions, and one strand for the other kits. I have included generous amounts of each shade in every kit, but if you run out due to mis-counting and needing to unpick a section, contact me for further supplies of the shade you need, which I will be happy to supply free of charge. |
||
|
27. I have done cross stitch before, but not needlepoint - is it easy? |
||
|
Yes, but it's even easier than cross stitch (it's like half cross stitch) - only half as many stitches to do! Some people think of needlepoint as "tapestry" though, technically, tapestry is woven. | ||
|
28. Can your designs be done in cross stitch? |
||
|
There is plenty of wool or thread in a kit to do it in tent stitch, as recommended, but
if you intend to use cross stitch you would definitely run out, as that stitch uses twice
the amount of thread. For carpet and wallhanging designs, I would suggest that you buy
the chart, instead, if you really want to do them in cross stitch. Working a design that
was originally intended to be done in needlepoint, in cross stitch instead, will mean
that the finished stitching will look much more intense, as the way the colours work
together in cross stitch (in squares) differs from the way those same colours work
together as diagonal needlepoint stitches.
You may also need to adapt the canvas mesh size and thread thickness in order to make the design work in cross stitch. (We cannot be responsible for the outcome, if there is any deviation from the way a kit is originally designed to work!) |
||
|
29. The fabric count seems fine - will working on it harm my eyesight? |
||
|
No more than any other kind of hand-sewing. The designs look fine, because they are designed to go in a miniature setting, but the actual stitches are similar in size to the cross-stitch, tapestry or needlepoint that many people do all the time. We have many elderly customers who enjoy working our kits, with no problem at all - See Betty's Wallhanging , as an example. As with all embroidery, working in a good light is recommended, and stopping for a break occasionally is a good idea ! | ||
|
30. How will I know the sizes of the finished items? |
||
|
In the
ONLINE SHOP
pages, near each photograph, the dimensions for each carpet are given in Imperial and
Metric measurements. These measurements are of the stitched area of the pattern only,
before it is hemmed or fringed in any way. Hemming, in the way I suggest on the
instruction sheet, adds an eighth of an inch (3mm) to the total width and length of the
carpet. Fringing adds about three quarters of an inch (15mm) to the total length.
Dimensions are given for the other kits, usually in the first introductory paragraph of each section, or alongside each design. |
||
|
31. Will there be any new designs in the future? |
||
|
I have tried to design dollshouse needlepoint kits suitable for most eras and types of
dollshouses, but I am always striving to improve the range. I design all the time, and
tend to launch new kits every so often throughout the year. There
always seems to be more ideas floating around than there is time to realise them, but
I'll try!
If there is a particular type of miniature embroidery item you are looking for, please let me know and I will try to design something appropriate as soon as I can. When a new design is ready, the website is the first place it gets seen! To be sure you are one of the first to see any new designs, or to hear about special offers, join our newsletter list, by clicking HERE . |
||
|
32. Why do the designs all have names, not numbers? |
||
|
People seem to be curious as to why the designs have names. This began with the carpets,
which were the first type of kit I produced. The reason for this naming is that if I name
each design after someone I know, I am more likely to be able to remember it. Therefore,
when I am designing, I try to think of a relevant name for each one.The 'Karen' carpet,
for instance, is named after a needlepoint designer friend of mine, who really admires
all things Arts and Crafts - so naming a miniature William Morris carpet after her seemed
ideal.
However, there are exceptions to the rule - I don't actually know anyone called Bathmat! |
||
|
33. What if I get stuck, or make a mistake? |
||
|
We want you to be able to successfully complete your dollshouse needlepoint kit. If you are having problems with your kit and would like advice, you can email us. Alternatively, UK customers can telephone us on 01538 308860 between 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri, or fax us on 01538 308870. | ||
|
34. Can I send you pictures of the stitching I have done? |
||
|
We have a special CUSTOMERS' GALLERY where you can see pictures that stitchers have sent us, showcasing the miniature embroidery in their dolls houses, room boxes and so on. Why not add pictures of your finished projects to this page? We would love to see what you have achieved! If you have completed one of our kits, take a photo and send it to us (either as an attachment to an email, or as a 'real' photo, by post) - it's always exciting and inspirational to see how many ways people find to be creative! | ||
|
35. How do I know if the colours of the designs on my screen are accurate? |
||
|
The photographs in the ONLINE SHOP are as accurate a representation as browsers, VDU screens, etc., will allow. If you would like a colour swatch of wools used in any carpet, or thread used in any of the other kits, before making a purchase, please send details of the kit you are interested in and an SAE (UK customers) or an International Reply Coupon (overseas customers). This offer is limited to a maximum of 3 swatches per request. Alternatively, if you have a decor scheme already planned, you could post me a swatch of the wallpaper, for instance, and I can advise you by email about which kits would co-ordinate best. | ||
|
|
|
|