Rag Tag Box is a monthly paper craft and cross stitch subscription from Spot Colors. Each box includes a mini cross stitch kit with a movie, sci-fi, funny, or scary theme, as well as paper goods, handmade items, and more.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
The Subscription Box: Rag Tag Box
The Cost: $16 a month + free shipping to the US, save with 3 or 6-month subscriptions. $22 a month + free shipping to Canada. Downloadable patterns are $4/month.
The Products: One exclusive mini cross stitch kit including everything (except scissors) you will need to complete the design, plus a selection of handmade goods, paper goods, jewelry, hair ties, stickers, and more.
Ships to: U.S., Canada
Check out all of our Rag Tag Box reviews and the Craft Subscription Box Directory for more great craft and DIY subscriptions!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
This box usually comes with a few paper inserts. First, we have a sheet listing all the items you should have received.
And there’s a link to additional patterns and instructions.
Flamingo Cross Stitch Kit
This includes two patterns (one is accessible online, plus the one you see above), a photo of what the finished piece should look like, 14 count white aida fabric, DMC thread, a wooden hoop (love the oval shape), and a needle.
I really like this pattern. I’m having this weird phase lately of being into hot pink. Also, I like birds. Having finished the pattern, I can say I had plenty of every color but things were getting cut a bit close with the yellow (I was using two strands of floss for each stitch). I didn’t access the online instructions because I don’t need them since I have been cross-stitching for about 20 years (I started in college).
I didn’t assign a value here because the Rag Tag Box kits aren’t immediately available in the Spot Colors shop. (Some of them do show up later.) However, kit prices are generally a little higher than with the Rag Tag Box subscription, so I’d say you’re getting a good value just from the kit alone.
Assorted Stationery Items
There are always a few additional stationery items in Rag Tag Box. I like to think of them as fun extras that you can use in crafting. This month, there were a few stickers, some flamingo note cards, and some little puff ball things. I like to save the extras I don’t have an immediate use for in my craft supply closet. Then if I am ever wrapping a gift or making a card or anything of that sort, I have a nice stash of extra embellishments I can use.
I actually managed to finish the project in a reasonable amount of time this month (sorry about the lighting, it was 10:45 PM and I was so excited about finishing I had to take the photo right then and there). I’d say I worked on it for 30-60 minutes on about four separate nights, though that does undoing most of the second flamingo because I was one square off in my count.
Verdict: I did not try to calculate a value for this month’s Rag Tag Box. Some of their past kits are retailing online for $19+, so you are getting your money’s worth with the kit and the rest is just extra. (The kits for Rag Tag Box are sometimes not available in the Spot Colors shop, either, so there is some value from getting an exclusive item.)
I thought this box was fun. The project is small and you should be able to easily complete it in a couple of evenings. It’s also bright and cheery so maybe I will finish it off to look neater and then hang it in my office, which always seems drab and gray.
What do you think of the August 2017 Rag Tag Box?
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