What’s in the box? #SewSampler

When the lovely ladies at Fat Quarter Shop asked me if I’d like to try their newest brainwave, Sew Sampler, I couldn’t resist. I mean, could you? It’s a curated box of sewing goodies sent to your door once a month, what’s better than that? So I jumped at the chance and then stalked my Postman for what seemed like an eternity.

Curious about how it works? Well it’s simple you join up for the bargain price of US$0.99 and then each month for US$24.95 (plus shipping) you’ll be sent at least 5 specially chosen items. These items may include may include fabric, notions, patterns, thread and anything in between. The retail value of your items will always be more than your monthly cost! There’s also the chance that you’ll receive exclusive or first-look items. Plus, as a member you will receive special discounts, exclusive deals and bonus goodies!

Simple right? So…. let’s see what’s in the first ever Sew Sampler… 

I have to confess it was super exciting to open that box. The attention to detail in the packaging really added to the surprise and suspense. I don’t know how the team at Fat Quarter Shop did it. My box arrived in near perfect condition, despite having crossed the globe, and when I opened it that blue tissue paper was perfect. Not a cress, not a fold out-of-place, just a beautiful little Sew Sampler seal waiting for me to rip into it like the sewing obsessed maniac I am!

Unfortunately I was denied that opportunity… my equally obsessed toddler decided to take the opportunity that life gave him when I got distracted and turned my back for a moment to steal my paper ripping moment for himself. Ah kids… at least he enjoyed it!

Now that the box is opened (and there’s blue tissue paper from one end of our house to the other) let’s look at what you get for your US$24.95

Now that you’ve seen what’s in the box, let’s break down how I found the Sew Sampler experience:

Pro’s

• It’s exciting! Who doesn’t love getting mail in the post. The anticipation to see what was in the box was so addictive.
• Outside your comfort zone. It’s a great way to get to try a lot of supplies you normally wouldn’t think to purchase. If left to my own devices I think the ruler is probably the only thing in the box that I would have purchased, but the pattern is super cute and totally something I’d use for gifts and swap items. The fabric, while not something I’d immediately gravitate towards, is bright and fun and I think it’ll come in handy for those last minute gift makes.
• I really love the little stationery inclusions. The “Welcome to the Neighbourhood” card (a list for you to record you contacts, like GP, school, etc.) is fun and was handy for sticking in the front of my planner. (I got a chuckle out of it having an emergency fabric contact listing.) I love the recipe card and I love the idea that you’ll be able to collect a card each month. It’s also great because it lists 3 sizes for the block which means you don’t have to do the quilty math!
• It felt good getting a surprise in the post that wasn’t a bill!
• I finally got the ruler that Lisa (of Sweet Little Pretties) has been taunting me with for months. (I meant to buy it when it was one of the Fat Quarter Shop notions of the month and I’ve bene kicking myself ever since!)
• It can be delivered to a Postal Box (PO Box) address. We used to get mail sent to the house, but with a parcel or two going missing we ended up investing in a postal box so that parcels aren’t left unattended. (If you get a lot of international parcels (which we do) you’ll know that sometimes postal supply companies won’t deliver to a PO Box address which is a pain-in-the-butt, but thankfully not something you have to worry about with the Sew Sampler (or any Fat Quarter Shop) purchases!)

Con’s

• Lack of control. I’m a control freak so I found it really hard to have no control over what came in the box.
• The math… This one only applies to international customers (like me) if you pay US$16 in postage that means that this box will have cost you US$40.95 so the margin of value is significantly less than it is for those that purchase it in the US.
• It’s really attractive to mail thieves. This is also pretty specific to our house, but it’s something to consider if you’re in our situation. Our mail box isn’t that big, so if this was delivered to our house our postman would leave it on our front door step which can be seen from the road. Being such a distinctive colour and clearly labelled with what it is I’m afraid the less honourable in our society might see it as an easy target.

All-in-all I’m a little on the fence about whether the Sew Sampler box is for me. Up to this point I’ve not really been a subscription box kind of girl. That’s not because I don’t think they’re a fabulous idea, it’s just that I really enjoy spending hours hunting for things that I love. However, with that said I would totally buy a subscription as a gift for someone I know that loved to sew. Every month you get to send them a perfect (and it really is perfect in the presentation and attention to detail) little box of awesome to remind them how much you love them and encourage them to continue to be creative. They’re also great as a gift for the younger sewists in your life. I know of a couple of teenagers that would flip their lids to get a box like this once a month.

With all that said and done I’m still really excited to see what’s coming in May’s box! (And this is why I’ll never be able to quit chocolate, I get addicted to the anticipation of the yumminess!)

More Information

If you’re worried about shipping costs here’s how they break down: Shipped in the U.S. it is Fat Quarter Shop’s standard US$4.95. For customers in Canada it will be US$12 and for other international countries it will be US$16.

If you’d like to hear and see more about what came in the very first Sew Sampler box check out this video from the Team at Fat Quarter Shop:

Disclosure: Fat Quarter Shop are financial supporters of GnomeAngel.com. All opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced by the businesses involved. For further information about my disclosure policy please click here.