Cannonball Collective is a craft-goods and artisan’s box subscription. The subscription ships quarterly, and you have an opportunity to preview the box the last week of the previous quarter to decide whether to keep it or gift it. This quarter was “the Revival issue,” focusing on bringing new life to old denim or recreating the feel of much-lived-in pieces.
The box is lovingly packed, and the cover-card expresses the feel of the box — this is for passionate people who enjoy the doing as much as the having.
Torn & Frayed is the debut activity and artisan kit.
The kit includes a lengthy booklet replete with color photos of inspiration pieces and how-to advice from those that do this for a living.
The project anticipates using denim as the primary canvas, but it’s clear that the possibilities are as endless as your imagination.
The inspiration pieces are numerous and cover everything from intricate stitch-work to micro-distressing your treasures.
You are not on your own. The pack includes practical advice and guidance of basic skills and techniques to get you started. You, of course, can take the project as far as you dare.
The entire project kit fits nicely in a sewing tin. It is attractive enough to leave out in your crafting area or to adorn a shelf. No need to shove loose items in a drawer.
The handy cheat-sheet fits comfortably in the kit, too.
There was a nice little stack of items in the kit. You get your basic tools: scissors, thimble, pins, needles and cool cased… Plus, a little Marukawa Fuken Gum for fun!
You can add whatever inspires you to your creations, but the kit includes some fabric swatches and quality thread to get you started. The swatches are Japanese with great designs.
MOCO Fine Hand Stitching Thread ($6.95 x 3) 100% polyester, single-ply, and very sturdy.
Merchant & Mills Wide Bow Scissors (£12) Black steel with finger loops appropriate even for men. This box was inspired by Cannonball ACE, Luke Deverell of Darn and Dusted, so it’s appropriate that this box is gender-neutral, which is appreciated.
Merchant & Mills 1 Ounce Dressmaking Pins (£4.50) Nickel-plated.
Merchant & Mills Tailor’s Thimble (£4.50) This has an open top, so you can feel the fabric while you work. It takes a little getting used to if you’re accustomed to working with a regular thimble.
Merchant & Mills Long Darners (£5) These have long eyes for thicker thread. Varying sizes so you can select what’s needed.
Another shot of the durable items. These will last for years and probably your entire lifetime. An occasional trip to the fabric store for thread (and rummage-sales for nice fabric finds) will turn this investment into decades of craftsmanship.
This is the debut issue, so it is exciting to see where this box heads next. The Cannonball Collective site features goods similar (and in some cases, the same as) those offered by Bespoke Post, so I’m optimistic future editions will maintain this level of quality. This particular box trended toward the “hipster” end of the spectrum, targeting the young knitters of the world and others taking up dying arts and passionately reviving them with a new twist. There’s also an accompanying online feature (see the REVIVAL issue).
Note from Brandy: Revival includes a feature on Alice Saunders of Forestbound, who happens to be the sister of one of my good friends. I’ve never met her but she makes amazing bags!
Visit Cannonball Collective to subscribe or find out more. See other crafts, DIY, and hobby subscriptions in the directory.
The Description: Cannonball Collective features artisan craft projects, supplies, and goods for those that appreciate the finer things from the not-so-distant past and think they deserve a place in modern life. You can elect to either keep or gift each quarterly installment.
The Price: $95 per quarter
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