Craft Gossip

Independent craft blog since 2007

The WSJ tells us the correct way to load a dishwasher

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right-way-to-load-dishwasher

Update: Sorry everyone. When I opened the article, it allowed me to read without any subscription issues. I am not sure what changed between my reading it and linking to it. 

The source of a lot of tension in our house, centers around the humble dishwasher.

I have my way, which is organized, everything in its right place, rinse the dishes once – way. My wife, has her own way, which can be only described in one word as – chaotic.

So I read this article by Wall Street Journal, and I was delighted to note that this issue isn’t just in my house. Almost every household has the same fight.

Do you have a favourite way to load the dishwasher? Does it lead to fights in your house too?

Read the full article here (paid subscription required).

Comments

  1. Would like to have read the article but I’m not paying for the pleasure!

  2. Ditto to Shari, above.

    My problem with dishwasher loading instructions is that I don’t have the same items as shown in the photos. I have 4 different sized people in the house and they use differently sized crockery, drinkware and utensils – not to mention lunchboxes, medicine cups, food containers, bakeware…. Loading would be extremely easy if the 4 of us used only 4 cups, 4 glasses, 4 plates, 4 bowls. But life isn’t like that!

  3. It would be nice if you would warn in advance that the link requires you to get a news subscription before you can read an article. I am not that interested.

  4. Not only that but it you have an old dishwasher, you can’t put large items on the bottom because the water never reaches the top and item on top do not get clean. Plates and flatware on the bottom. Glasses and bowls on top – that’s our motto. Pre-rinse optional, depending on how much is going in. 😉

  7. Sorry everyone. When I opened the article, it allowed me to read without any subscription issues. I am not sure what changed between my reading it and linking to it. I have updated this post to reflect that.

Have you read?

Christmas Stick and Stitch Embroidery Pattern – Etsy Review

I am a little bit in love with these kinds of stick and stitch embroidery designs, because they are exactly the sort of project that gets you started straight away instead of sitting in a pile while you overthink thread colours and transfers for three weeks. The Christmas Stick and Stitch Embroidery Pattern from HoopArtStitch is a water-soluble peel-and-stick hand embroidery transfer, not a machine embroidery file, and Etsy lists it under craft supplies with fabric stabilizer and ink as the materials.

What makes this set especially appealing is how approachable it looks. The listing images show a pack of 12 Christmas-themed designs including a tree, ornaments, mug, pudding, reindeer, presents, mittens, mistletoe, bells, a poinsettia, and a car with presents on top, with the motifs shown at around 1.5 to 3 inches. That size feels very manageable, which is often exactly what helps people stay motivated. You can actually finish one, feel clever, and then want to do another instead of burning out halfway through some giant “character building” hoop.

I also think these are a great option for beginners because the hard part of getting the design onto the fabric is already sorted. You just peel, stick, stitch, and wash it away when you are done. That simple setup is a big part of why stick-and-stitch packs are so satisfying. They remove a lot of the fuss, which means you get to the fun part faster, and that alone can make hand embroidery feel much less intimidating. This is an inference based on the product format shown in the listing.

The shop side looks reassuring too. HoopArtStitch is marked as a Star Seller, which Etsy says means the shop consistently earns 5-star reviews, dispatches on time, and replies quickly to messages. The item reviews shown on the page are also very encouraging, with buyers calling it “very easy to apply, good designs for a first timer,” “exactly what I needed and excellent quality,” and “I really love this product.”

Another nice little sign that people are genuinely drawn to it is that the listing was posted on 15 January 2026 and already has 1,585 favourites, which is a pretty good indication that this style of project is resonating with hand stitchers.

Overall, this feels like one of those easy Christmas embroidery projects for beginners that is genuinely motivating rather than aspirational in a stressful way. It is cute, practical, and has that instant-start appeal that makes you actually want to sit down and stitch. And honestly, I completely get why you are in love with them. Sometimes the best craft supplies are the ones that make it easier to begin.