Felissimo Couturier

What's in the box: Each delivery is usually a themed kit with pre-selected materials such as fabric, thread, yarn or beads, plus illustrated instructions for one project.

Couturier is the handicraft brand of Felissimo, the Kobe-based Japanese mail order company known for kit series that arrive once a month. The shop covers embroidery, knitting, sewing, patchwork and quilting, beadwork, miniatures, accessories and craft tools. Its kits are easy to browse because you can sort them by technique, by skill level from first-timer to advanced, and by estimated making time, from under three hours to more than ten. Beginners get their own lesson lines, including the step-by-step "tetori ashitori" lessons and the "Hajimete-san no kihon no ki" basics series, which start from zero. The current range includes knitted Moomin figures, famous paintings recreated in bead weaving, embroidery based on traditional crafts from places like Transylvania, and a teddy bear series now in its 30th year. Collaborations and seasonal themes keep the catalog changing. The main drawback for shoppers outside Japan is language. The site is in Japanese, and although it links to a page for overseas customers, kit instructions are usually in Japanese, with many illustrations. The main page does not list prices, how long you have to stay subscribed, or shipping terms, so check each kit before you order. If you want a steady, structured craft habit, it is one of the most established options available.