Tuesday 17 July 2012

Badge Making Kit Review

I’ve done a few crafty book reviews in the past.  But, for a bit of a change this time, I thought I’d review a crafty KIT instead. 

Do you remember in my post about the Düsseldorf ‘Night ofthe Museums’, I said I’d found some really amazing things in the shop at the K20 Gallery, then sneakily checked out their prices on Amazon.  Well.....  I couldn’t resist buying this:


I had it delivered (for free) to my parents’ house back in the UK, and they brought it along with them when they came over to visit (along with Mom’s Jubilee gear).  What an exciting suitcase of goodies!!!

I LOVE the box that the kit came in.  It’s a natural-coloured box, with a gorgeously colourful label on the front.  It’s called ‘The Button Factory’.  If you’re from the UK, it DOESN’T make covered BUTTONS (for sewing on), but covered BADGES (for pinning on)!!!  I only knew this because I’d sneaked a little look inside the box at the museum! 

Inside, there’s a little booklet (which was a nice surprise):


This gives you the (very simple) instructions for making the badges, tips for embellishing them (with embroidery floss, fabric pens and layering techniques), and tips for where you could pin your finished badges (on bags, hats, shoes, gift wrapping, handmade greetings cards.....):






The last double page spread is my favourite, so I have to show you:


As well as the little booklet, the box also contains enough metal badge bits to make 25 badges, the ‘factory’ (a little green 'mould' and a little pink ‘pusher’), and 4 different kinds of cotton fabric:


I really like the little book (it gives simple instructions and lots of ideas), and I think it’s quite good that they give you enough bits to make 25 badges.  That’s quite lot!  I also find the kit really easy to use, and you can make a simple badge (without any embellishments) in just a few minutes.  It’s easy enough for a child to use (and would make a brilliant birthday or Christmas present for a crafty kid).  But it was fun and addictive enough to keep me entertained for hours on end (no comments on this bit, please)!!!

I also really love the ‘look’ of the kit.  It’s really contemporary-looking and fresh, and I was just totally drawn-in by the bright colours on the box and inside the little booklet!  The photography is brilliant, especially considering that this is just a kit, and not a proper book!!!

There are, however, just a couple of things that I don’t think are so great. 

Considering all the different fabric colours and styles shown on the badges on the box photo, I was a bit disappointed to find that there were only 4 fabrics in the kit (and that all of these were really.....  dare I say it.....  yes I dare.....  garish, 1980s-style prints).  To be fair to the company that produces the kit, there is a list of what’s included on the bottom of the box.  So, I should have read this more carefully.  It DOES say that it only comes with 4 fabric-choices.  Lesson learnt.  Also, why am I complaining about the box not containing enough different fabrics???  I can hear you thinking this out-loud.  Fair point!  I have MORE THAN ENOUGH fabric scraps to keep me going - I think I can make do!

The other thing I was a bit disappointed about is that the kit doesn’t tell you where you can buy more badge ‘backs’ and ‘fronts’ from when you’ve become totally addicted to making them, have run out of the 25 that were provided, and NEED another fix.  I guess they’re hoping that you’ll go out and buy another kit from them.  But, I just think it would have been nice if they had offered a little list of suppliers, or maybe produced a ‘refill’ kit (at a cheaper price).  If anyone knows where you can buy badges for covering, I’d me most grateful if you could let me know.....

So, all in all, I think the kit’s great!  It’s good value-for-money, gives you everything you need to get started, and is..... well, just VERY COOL!!!  If you’re looking for a simple, quick, fun, do-it-while-you’re watching-the-telly crafty project, badge-covering might just be for you!!! 

Let me know if you give it a try.....

I’ll be back soon, to show you some of the badges I’ve been making.....

Carly

x  

16 comments:

  1. This is so weird Carly, but I was actually looking at this kit in a shop near my work at lunchtime today! I was VERY tempted but I managed to resist for now :) Timely review! I really do fancy giving fabric badges a go...

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  2. I have a badge making gadgety thing somewhere - you've made me want to seek it out again! (in my spare time!!)
    thanks for sharing
    fee x

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  3. Oh my, what a fun kit! It looks so "you" and I can't wait to see what you do with them!
    Kate :}

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  4. What fun.......I love all the pretty buttons together on that one page too.

    Thanks for sharing...hope your summer days are going well. xo

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  5. Great review. I want to make me some badges now, too!

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  6. It does look great - I have to say - and the box is so cute....though sometimes these things can draw you in. A great review though,

    Nina xxx

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  7. The Factory looks fantastic, Carly! I need one kit for me...and another one for my eldest XD Thank you for great review!
    Happy weekend
    Love
    Natasha

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  8. Great review, thank you. I had pondered buying one of these for a friend's daughter's birthday present, so it's nice to know exactly what I'd be giving her :D

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  9. Thank you for the review Carly....this kit looks great fun!....I do agree though that if a few little ones were having fun making them together they will probably need more supplies very quickly..It's a shame you can't buy refills ect. and probably have to purchase the whole kit again.
    Hope you are having a lovely weekend,
    Susan x

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  10. Great review, Carly! I had that very same set (a present from my daughter) and couldn't have written a better review myself! I wasn't too keen on the fabrics supplied either so I made all mine using Lecien flower sugar fabrics. They do turn out so well, don't they, and it's a great present idea.
    Have a wonderful week.
    Helen x

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  11. This is a fab review, Carly! Very thorough and well written. If you have a moment pop over to my blog and see my penultimate post. There is a picture of some buttons I learned to embroider at Loop in London last May with the very talented Facile Cécile. We had to make our own buttons before embroidering them. They were addictive!

    I hope you are well and happy.

    Stephanie

    ps I'm all giddy. I've just opened my Etsy shop today... Fingers crossed.

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  12. Wanted to let you know that I have a little award for you on my blog - the One Lovely blog award. If you don't do that sort of thing, I totally understand. Just know you were thought of ;-)

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  13. Hello Carly
    Very detailed review...including pros and cons I like that and even so I'm off to Amazon to have a look see.
    I agree 25 just wets the appetite.....I'd need more.
    looking forward to seeing the badges you create.

    Please keep a look out my first giveaway coming soon!

    Keep well

    Amanda :-)

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  14. I am so happy to be back at my computer and catching up on all my favourite blogs! It has been a pleasure to visit your gorgeous blog - so much fabulousness to catch up on! I am in love with your badge kit and all the badges you have made. They are utterly, utterly adorable and I want to make some myself. I might have to have a look online to find a kit too. We have a school fair coming up and I'm working on the craft stall (can't wait!) - and I think these would sell like hotcakes!

    Have a fab week hon.
    Leah
    xx

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Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit, and for taking the time to leave me a comment. It's always a pleasure to hear from readers, and it really makes my day!

Carly

x

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