Really nice little kit. The biggest appeal is the metal tin box with clear lid that it comes in! It just screams "Christmas Present" from grandparents I think! At least I would have loved one of these all those years ago...The little scissors in my kit actually worked fairly well, they rarely do in sewing kits, so this was Another definite plus point. They did have the usual child-safer rounded ends.The instructions are not too detailed, but should be good enough. The intent of this kit is not so much on making things, as learning some very nice embroidery stitches that you can use to embelish things you already have. You can get more comprehensive instructions from websites, or even old books that are freely available to download as they are no longer in copyright. But they are just not as much fun as this kit is!There is a layer underneath the the top layer in the tin, and that contains a lot more goodies. These too are more embellishments for existing things, than complete projects in their own right. However there are lots of things like a complete set of large felt cut-out letters so that you can put your initials on things or spell out basic words or names.The needles in mine were sharp and seem to be good quality.It contains a good variety of supplies and decent general stitch instructions. There are no particular project instructions. I expected more clarity and direction from an Alex Toy product. Also, be sure to protect your ironing board cover if using the transfers. The fabric is thin enough that it transferred right through.This is not a bad kit, but I bought it for my nine year old daughter, and it is a bit too juvenile for her to enjoy, so I will have to buy her some items to supplement. The problem is that the items I will need are needles, a hoop, and new fabric - so basically the whole kit! For a younger child with the patience to sit and practice this skill, I would recommend highly, but it is not enough for a nine year old.I've actually purchased two of these. One for my daughter and one for her best friend's birthday. Her best friend loved it and months later, my daughter still loves hers. She's eight. She loves watching me embroider and sew. She isn't the best at it (which frustrates her to no end) but this has been a return-to "toy" that she will pick up and work on for an hour or more and then repeat a few days later. And repeat and repeat. It's been a real hit and I really see her using it with more success the older she gets...finally graduating to more "adult" needles, etc. at a later date. Very glad I purchased. Would highly recommend.I bought this for my 9 yr old grand-daughter for Christmas with the intention of teaching her to embroder. We have worked with it but the quality of the equipment is very inferior. The scissors are too dull to cut the thread, and the floss is very poor quality. The hoop won't really hold the thin fabric provided tight like it needs to be. I had a small wooden hoop I gave her. The needles are also poor quality and have a little hook at the point, which catches on the fabric, so I had to replace those. It comes with some cute addessories,but only one piece of very thin flimsy fabric. The best thing about this is the book has good explanations on stitches. The tin is also cute. She loves this, and after getting some better needles and a decent hoop, it will be OK. But definitely not worth the money as I had to replace so much in it.A.W.E.S.O.M.E.!!!!!Bought for my daughter who is learning to sew and embroider. She is 8, and this is absolutely perfect for her!We love the variety of projects included, and I foresee many trips for additional ada cloth for future embroidery projects in her future! On top of all of this wonderful goodness, it comes in a handy little tin - and who doesn't love a good tin?? Great storage that will hold up far better than cardboard, and made to look super cute for the crafty kiddo!Love this set. I got it for my 6 year old for Christmas and she loves it..it is helping with her focus issues and keeps her entertained and engaged. She loves making a pattern or completing a design via the included iron ons. You will need more fabric but can use old shirts cut up etc. a great starter kit for any kid and it gets them into somethingnnot all kids these days experience. Highly recommend.We've bought this several times. Now we give it out as gifts! It's the perfect intro to embroidery! I love toys that are also useful life skills. Not only have our kids learned embroidery, they're also using there time in front of the television wisely. Using their creativity, critical thinking skills, and fine motor skills, they have picked up a fun hobby that is not at all costly. Perfect introduction kit!Present pastime for my granddaughter ' one for her mummy too ' ' things of the past ' a time out whereever a connection between one another ' another little hello I love an miss you both ' xVery sweet little kit with lots of helpful bits and pieces for my little girl. Apparently some of the printed sheets are the wrong way and should be reversed though to allow the lettering to work correctly when sewn hence 4 starsNiceQuite a good set, not as big as expected. Not worth full price. Took forever to come, missed actual birthday tor which it was a present.brilliant.... my daughter will love it... looks good quality... fast delivery too