|
QUESTIONS ABOUT VERIFIED BY VISA AND MASTERCARD SECURECODE
Q. What is Verified by Visa?
A. Verified by Visa is an important step in the fight against online card fraud. Verified by Visa protects your card against unauthorised use when you shop online at Wimble Bees and other participating retailers. If you make a purchase in a shop, you enter a PIN number or sign a receipt to validate the transaction. Verified by Visa mimics this process online by providing a digital receipt which you ‘sign off’ using your own personal password. The process is safe and has been introduced to make buying goods on the web safer. Before you can use Verified by Visa, you need to register online with your bank or card company at their own site. Once registered you will be automatically prompted to enter your password each time you shop online at Wimble Bees and other participating retailers. The verification page may look like a pop-up but it is in fact a whole new web page which actually comes from your bank, so your password is never shared with us.
Q. What is Mastercard SecureCode?
A. Just like Verified by Visa, Mastercard SecureCode is an online security service to guard you against unauthorised use of your Mastercard while shopping online at Wimble Bees and other participating retailers. There is no need to get a new card, no software to download, no cost and no hassles…just added security. Once enrolled in this service, you’ll have added confidence knowing that Mastercard SecureCode performs an extra authentication step to protect your account from unauthorised users online. After you have entered your card details on the Payment page and pressed ‘Submit’, the MasterCard SecureCode window will automatically open asking for your SecureCode – just like the bank asks you for a PIN at the ATM. Within seconds of entering your unique code, your identity is confirmed and your online purchase is complete. The SecureCode communication is between you and your card issuer only, the information is never shared with us.
QUESTIONS ABOUT CROSS STITCHCHARTS
Q. How much fabric do I need for this project?
A. For Aida fabric (on which you stitch through each hole) you just divide the number of stitches in the design by the count size of the fabric to get the size in inches. So, for example, if you had a design that measured 320 stitches by 160 stitches and you were stitching it on 16 count Aida you would divide 320 by 16 and then 160 by 16. This would give 20” by 10”. If the fabric were 14 count you would have to divide 320 by 14 and 160 by 14, to give 23” and 11 ½”.
You need to add at least 5” to each dimension to allow for framing (this extra is called ‘salvage’). This would mean that a project with a design area of 23” x 11 ½” would need a piece of fabric at least 28” x 16 ½” in size.
For linen and evenweave, you usually don’t stitch into each hole as they are so close together. Instead, most designs ask you to ‘stitch over two’, which means you stitch into every second hole. So here is what you do to work out the amount of fabric needed: First, divide the count size of the fabric by 2. For example, if the fabric is 32 count you would divide it by 2 to give 16. Then divide the stitch size of the design by this number. So if the design size was 240 stitches by 100 stitches you would divide 240 by 16, which would give 15” and then 100 by 16 to give 6 ¼”. Again, you would need to add at least 5” to both numbers for framing, giving a piece of fabric measuring 20” x 11 ¼”.
It sounds quite complicated but it’s actually very straightforward!
Q. Are all the materials needed for the cross stitch project listed on the chart?
A. Every chart lists the fabric, threads and any other materials that are used.
Q. What is the cost of the chart plus all the materials needed to complete it?
A. Where we have calculated the costs of the various materials needed these are shown in the chart entry. Where we have not included materials packs we generally advise customers to buy the chart and then cross reference the materials list which appears on it with the materials they have at home, and so just order the missing items, which can be a lot cheaper.
Q. Is the chart available as a cross stitch kit?
A. Most charts do not come as kits as well. However, the easiest way to double check is to type the name of the chart into the search box and see if a cross stitch kit version is found as well.
Q. Are there any fractional stitches, backstitches or other types of stitch apart from crosses on a particular cross stitch chart?
A. Unfortunately, we cannot confirm this for you. As there are thousands of charts and kits on the market and literally hundreds of new ones released each month we are not able to double check this.
Q. Is the chart in colour or black and white?
A. Again, we cannot confirm this for you. As there are thousands of charts and kits on the market and literally hundreds of new ones released each month we are not able to double check this.
Q. Can I copy it to use again or give to a friend?
A. Cross stitch charts are like records and CD’s in that they are actually protected by copyright. You can make a photocopy of a chart in order to mark off the copy rather than mark the original, but you cannot copy it to sell or give to anyone else unless the designer has made it clear on the chart or on their website that this is OK.
Q. How easy is a particular cross stitch project to stitch?
A. That’s very much a personal view, so we cannot offer this advice. However, you could ask for opinions at the Wimble Bees Cross Stitchers’ Forum, where fellow stitchers from around the world visit to share ideas, news and advice. The Forum is completely free of charge to use.
QUESTIONS ABOUT CROSS STITCH KITS
Q. Is a particular kit available as just a chart?
A. Most kits do not come as charts as well. However, the easiest way to double check is to type the name of the kit into the search box and see if a chart version is found as well.
Q. Can I swap the fabric that comes with this cross stitch kit?
A. We can sell you an alternative piece from our fabric range but as all our fabric is cut to standard sizes we cannot exchange pieces taken from kits.
Q. Does the kit contain everything I need to complete it?
A. Yes, kits include the chart, fabric, threads and other materials you will need, including a needle. They don’t come with optional accessories such as hoops and not all kits include thread organisers.
QUESTIONS ABOUT CROSS STITCH FABRIC
Q. How much fabric do I need for my project?
A. For Aida fabric (on which you stitch through each hole) you just divide the number of stitches in the design by the count size of the fabric to get the size in inches. So, for example, if you had a design that measured 320 stitches by 160 stitches and you were stitching it on 16 count Aida you would divide 320 by 16 and then 160 by 16. This would give 20” by 10”. If the fabric were 14 count you would have to divide 320 by 14 and 160 by 14, to give 23” and 11 ½”.
You need to add at least 5” to each dimension to allow for framing (this extra is called ‘salvage’). This would mean that a project with a design area of 23” x 11 ½” would need a piece of fabric at least 28” x 16 ½” in size.
For linen and evenweave, you usually don’t stitch into each hole as they are so close together. Instead, most designs ask you to ‘stitch over two’, which means you stitch into every second hole. So here is what you do to work out the amount of fabric needed: First, divide the count size of the fabric by 2. For example, if the fabric is 32 count you would divide it by 2 to give 16. Then divide the stitch size of the design by this number. So if the design size was 240 stitches by 100 stitches you would divide 240 by 16, which would give 15” and then 100 by 16 to give 6 ¼”. Again, you would need to add at least 5” to both numbers for framing, giving a piece of fabric measuring 20” x 11 ¼”.
It sounds quite complicated but it’s actually very straightforward!
Q. The chart specifies one type of fabric but can I use a different type?
A. You can use any fabric you wish. The only thing to remember is that the lower the count size the bigger the finished project will be. For example, if a designer has suggested using 16 count fabric, then if you use 14 count fabric the design area will be bigger. The only times this is likely to make a significant difference is where a designer uses linen or evenweave and stitches over 1 hole, rather than 2 (such as charts by Heaven and Earth Designs). In this case, using an Aida fabric will make the finished project a great deal bigger and we advise you to use the calculation above for working out how much fabric you will need to find this out. Sometimes, using 14 and 16 count fabric will not be possible for these sorts of designs.
Q. Can I use alternative colours to the one suggested in the chart?
A. You can vary the colours if you feel adventurous or are an experienced stitcher. Do remember that the final picture will look different from the picture!
QUESTIONS ABOUT NEEDLES
Q. What type of needle should I use for my project?
A. For cross stitch there are three basic types of needle used. The first is the Tapestry needle. This has a blunt point. It isn’t sharp because it is pushed through the holes in the fabric, rather than through the fabric itself. The second type is the embroidery needle which has a sharp point. This is used where ‘fractional’ stitches are needed, ie stitches which actually have to be made into the fabric, rather than the hole in the fabric (you can’t push a blunt needle through 14 count Aida without a great deal of brute force!). The third type is the beading needle, which is used to sew beads onto designs.
We sell needles with three different finishes: Nickel, Gold plated and Platinum. The main difference is that the Gold Plated needles are easier to thread and sew with and the Platinum are both easier to sew with and also much stronger.
Q. What size of needle should I use?
A. Needles come in many sizes but as a simple guide we suggest that you use a size 24 for working on 14 count and size 26 for most higher counts.
GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT WIMBLE BEES
Q. I have a general enquiry about cross stitch - do you have a enquiry telephone line or just a sales order line?
A. Sorry, not at present. Our telephone number is purely for orders and enquiries relating to orders. However, you could ask for help at the Wimble Bees Cross Stitchers’ Forum where fellow stitchers from around the world visit to share ideas, news and advice. The Forum is completely free of charge to use.
Q. I can’t find what I’m looking for on the Wimble Bees site.
A. Any of the following should help:
If you know the Wimble Bees product code, type that into the Search facility.
Type in the name of the item (be careful with the spelling as it wont recognise typing errors!)
If you know who makes it look down the list of products under that manufacturer in the appropriate section (eg charts), or type in the name of the manufacturer in the Search facility
If none of the above work, then we probably don’t stock what you are looking for. Sorry, but we are not able to supply items that do not appear on our website.
Q. Can you get something for me, or do you know where I can buy a particular product?
A. Sorry, we are not able to supply items that do not appear on our website. If you cannot find it at Wimble Bees the best option is to search for it using Google.
Q. I don’t want to place my order on the website – can I post it in or order on the telephone?
A. You can order in the post or over the telephone if you prefer but do remember that all products purchased at our website include a 5% discount – we can’t offer this discount for orders in the post or on the telephone due to the extra work involved in processing the order.
Q. Can I collect my order in person, do you have a shop I can visit, or do you attend Cross Stitch shows?
A. Sorry, but we don’t have a shop or any facilities for personal callers, and at the moment we don’t exhibit at the shows.
Q. Do you sell wool or other craft products?
A. We don’t sell any knitting supplies and all the products we carry appear on the Wimble Bees website.
QUESTIONS ABOUT SOMETHING YOU HAVE BOUGHT
Q. I didn’t get a sales receipt with my delivery.
A. The sales receipt is enclosed in the clear document wallet which has your address details on the front of the package containing your order.
Q. Not everything I ordered arrived in the post.
A. If your order included anything particularly bulky this might have been sent separately, in which case it is worth waiting a couple of days just in case it got held up in the post.
Q. I think there was an error with my order, or something was missing.
A. the quickest thing to do is email us at customer.services@wimblebees.com and let us know. To speed up the reply please include your order number or the customer reference number which appeared on your sales receipt.
Q. There were threads missing from a kit I bought from Wimble Bees.
A. Sorry, for this – very occasionally a cross stitch kit manufacturer does not include enough thread, and they will supply the missing thread free of charge. If you live in the UK you can contact the manufacturer directly and they will send the missing thread straight to you (a list of contact details for the leading manufacturers is given below). If would prefer us to do this for you please email us with the name of the kit and the manufacturer (delivery of replacement items can take up to 21 days).
Here are the contact details for some of the leading cross stitch kit manufacturers in the UK:
Anchor (Coats)
Consumer Helpline 01325 394237
Coats Crafts UK
PO Box 22 Lingfield House
Lingfield Point
McMullen Road
Darlington
DL1 1YQ
Derwentwater Designs
PO Box 82
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 8GR
DMC Creative World Ltd
Pullman Road
Wigston
Leicestershire
LE18 2DY
Heritage Stitchcraft
Redbrook Lane
Brereton
Rugeley
Staffordshire
WS15 1QU
Lanarte
Michael Whitaker Fabrics Ltd
15/16 Midland Mills
Station Road
Crosshills
Keighley
BD20 7DT
Needlepoise
16 Upperbridge
Holmfirth
West Yorkshire
HD9 2JS
Permin of Copenhagen
Michael Whitaker Fabrics Ltd
15/16 Midland Mills
Station Road
Crosshills
Keighley
BD20 7DT
Q. Something I ordered was broken when it arrived
A. email us at customer.services@wimblebees.com letting us know which product is damaged, what the damage is, the order reference on your sales receipt and your name and address. We will then contact you know what to do with the item and how we will resolve the problem for you.
|