Flosstube Extra Tutorial - Chatelaines On The Cheap: 50 Tips To Make Chatelaines More Affordable

#flosstube #chatelaine #crossstitch
@chatelaine_design

This flosstube tutorial covers 50 tips to cut costs making Chatelaines more affordable and accessible.

Because they are such opulent designs that use luxurious materials and because they can be very large, Chatelaine Designs can be cost-prohibitive for some people. If you've been eyeing Chatelaines for a long time, but maybe costs are holding you back. I’ve got a whole bunch of ideas for how to bring down the price and make it more economical.

In addition to ideas for how to cut costs, I’ll give you some tips that will keep you from wasting money, which is just as important as not spending money unnecessarily. Making sure you use what you buy is just as important as trying to find great deals.

To that end, I’ll also address some motivational tips that will help you get started on that Chatelaine so you won’t have to worry that you’re squandering money if you buy the materials. That’s an often overlooked economic benefit.

In the process, you may learn some things about Chatelaines that you weren’t aware of, including where and when to buy, resources available, how to prioritize purchases, etc. Some of these I just learned myself while doing the research even though I’ve done or have active at least a dozen Chatelaines. Whether you've never stitched a Chatelaine or even if you've done dozens, I think you'll take away some ideas you can use to help you out.

TIPS:
1. Sales
https://european-crosstitch-company.m...
https://chatelaine.de/
2. Chatelaine newsletter
3. European Cross-Stitch Company is a US company.
4. Combine charts from other designers with your order.
5. Avoid shipping costs by buying everything you need at once.
6. Buy more than one Chatelaine at a time.
7. Choose a small design.
8. Search for charts by size.
9. Search for Low Cost/Low Time designs.
10. Start with a freebie.
11. Smalls reduce the intimidation factor.
12. Don’t be afraid.
13. Use Materials Lists to see what is required before you buy.
‪@dawntcb‬
14. ECC breaks down kit components: Chart, Specialty Thread Packs, Glorianas, NPIs, Bead Packs.
15. ECC will customize thread packs.
16. Plan ahead - so you don’t have to impulse buy
17. Don’t buy the same items over and over again.
18. Buy a few specialty flosses from elsewhere.
19. Stitch from stash.
20. Search Google Drive to find any charts with the same color.
21. Chatelaines DO use DMC, but are NOT included when buying from ECC.
22. Don’t buy all new skeins of DMC.
https://www.3kittensneedlearts.com/
23. You can stitch an entire Chatelaine with DMC.
Alma ‪@thetattooedreadingowl5895‬
24. DMC may be easier to use.
25. Using DMC means not having to wait for supply chain delays. TIME IS MONEY!
26. You don't need a scroll frame or Lowry stand
27. Smaller designs don't require large pieces of fabric.
28. Aida is cheaper than linen.
29. Use the basic fabric preview color backgrounds
30. Use the Design and Fabric Viewer
https://designandfabricviewer.com/#/
31. Don't blow the budget on a hand-dyed fabric.
32. Fabrics cut specifically for Chatelaines are available from ECC.
33. Use fabric squares for mandalas.
https://oakcrownstudios.com/
34. Choose a design that fits on a fat quarter instead of a fat half or fat half instead of a yard.
35. Suppliers List is available to source your own and for International shops.
https://chatelaine.de/wp-content/uplo...
36. Factor in the costs of sourcing from multiple places.
37. Adjust your expectations.
38. Don’t let a fear of metallics keep you from stitching a Chatelaine.
39. Consider substitutions besides DMC
40. Check Chatelaine and Gallery websites for Errata
https://chatelaine.de/wp-content/uplo...
41. Look at actual photos on Gallery
42. Join the Chatelaine FB Support Group
43. Watch Flosstube to get tips.
StitchingPharmer
Sharky Stitcher    / @twistedyogi13  
Stitching Pharmer    / @stitchingpharmer  
44. Join a SAL to keep motivated or get started.
2026 Summer Garden Stitch-a-long
‪@KitschyWips‬
‪@fiberartsamy2654‬
  / summergardensal2026  
A Sticher's Journey Through Chatelaine
  / 1088843299406108  
45. If you don't know, ask. It will likely save you time AND money.
46. Frame it yourself.
47. Buy chart in PDF form.
https://chatelaine.de/wp-content/uplo...
48. Use foreign exchange rates from your credit card.
49. Monthly Zooms for #chatelainewednesday
50. Free support

Bonus Tip: Cost justification.

Let me know in the comments what have been the most useful tips or if you have tips of your own. I’d love to know!

Deb
The Traveling Stocking Stitcher
@Traveling_Stocking_Stitcher on Instagram
thetravelingstockingstitcher@gmail.com