Make more.Guess less.
Reviews and buying guides for art supplies, sewing and embroidery machines, cutting machines and 3D printers, so you spend on the tools that help you make.
What are you making?
Pick your craft, then match the tools to your skill level and the projects you have in mind.
Start your next project
Which 3D printing filament to use: PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA and TPU compared for strength, heat resistance, ease of printing, temperatures and storage.
How acrylic, oil and watercolor paints compare for drying time, cleanup, cost, techniques and learning curve, so you can choose the right paint to start.
How to choose a craft cutting machine: materials it can cut, cutting width, mat vs matless cutting, blades and tools, software and project ideas.
- 04
Embroidery Machine Buying Guide: Hoop Sizes, Formats and Features
Embroidery
- 05
FDM vs Resin 3D Printers: Which Should You Buy?
3D printing
- 06
How to Choose a Sewing Machine: A Beginner's Buying Guide
Sewing
- 07
Sewing Machine Needle Sizes and Types: A Complete Guide
Sewing
- 08
Watercolor Paper Guide: Weight, Texture and Cotton Content
Art supplies
Craft and Making questions, answered
What is the easiest filament to print?
PLA. It prints at relatively low temperatures, rarely warps and works on almost every FDM printer.
Read: 3D Printer Filament Guide →Which paint is easiest for beginners?
Acrylic is usually easiest: water cleanup, fast drying and the ability to paint over mistakes.
Read: Acrylic vs Oil vs Watercolor →What can a cutting machine cut?
Most cut paper, cardstock, adhesive vinyl and iron-on vinyl. Higher-end models with specialty blades can cut fabric, felt, leather, chipboard, craft foam and thin wood.
Read: Cutting Machine Buying Guide →What hoop size do I need?
A 4x4 inch hoop handles small logos and monograms. A 5x7 or 6x10 inch hoop suits most shirts, bags and quilt blocks. Larger hoops cost more but avoid re-hooping big designs.
Read: Embroidery Machine Buying Guide →Is resin printing dangerous?
Uncured resin can irritate skin and the fumes can be unpleasant, so wear nitrile gloves and eye protection, ventilate the room, and cure all waste before disposal.
Read: FDM vs Resin 3D Printers →Mechanical or computerized sewing machine for a beginner?
Both work. Mechanical machines are simple, durable and easy to service. Computerized machines offer one-step buttonholes, speed control and more stitches, which many beginners find helpful.
Read: How to Choose a Sewing Machine →Clear answers for makers
Every recommendation says who a tool suits, from first-time makers to experienced crafters, using the maker's own specs.
Each review says who the tool suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to know before you buy. No filler, no hedging.
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product changes.
The craft and making index
- 01Sewing & embroiderySewing machines, embroidery machines, sergers, fabric and notions.3 pages
- 02Art suppliesPaints, markers, pencils, brushes, paper and sketchbooks.2 pages
- 03Crafts & DIYCutting machines, papercraft, resin, candle making and craft kits.1 page
- 043D printing3D printers, filament, resin and tools for makers.2 pages