Everything you need to know about shipping, and some things you don't.

Processing time.

Cruelty-Free Stitchery is a home-based, handmade business. Some items are ready-to-ship, and some may be made-to-order. Processing time varies, but generally is within 5 business days, barring any holidays, personal events, or unusually high order volumes.

(Any such delay-causing event will be posted at the very top of the website so it's easy to see, and you can plan accordingly).

I am also a buyer of cool handmade stuff, so I totally understand when you want the thing NOW! So I always try to get orders out as quickly as possible. 

However, in order to limit trips to the post office, orders will only ship on Tuesdays and Fridays. (Or the following business day if that is a holiday).

This doesn't mean that, for example, if you order on a Monday, then your order will ship on Tuesday. It might! But it may take until Friday, or the following Tuesday at the latest.

Then the actual speed of delivery depends on the service you choose, your location, and potential delays like severe weather, high-demand seasons like Black Friday, etc. Most customers in the continental U.S. receive their orders within 4 days after shipment.

Shipping costs.

Costs depend on the size and weight of the items you have ordered, as well as your location. Unless your order qualifies for...

Free shipping to the U.S. on orders over $35 (after discounts).

(Sticker-only orders also ship free, but they may be untracked).

If you are in the continental U.S., and your order will be less than $35, the typical range is between $4.50 and $7.00 with USPS Ground Advantage.

For orders of any amount, you will have the option to upgrade at checkout, at additional cost. These are the options for the U.S. and U.S. overseas territories (incl. APO/FPO):

• USPS Ground Advantage (standard)
• USPS Priority Mail
• USPS Priority Mail Express

International orders.

Yes, I ship internationally! And with taxes and duties paid upfront.

I use Global-e through Shopify to offer better shipping costs and collect all applicable duties and taxes on your behalf. No extra charges at customs, you see it all at checkout.

You will have the option between DHL eCommerce, DHL Express, and UPS. Note that UPS does not deliver to PO boxes.

Costs vary based on your location and the service you select. The rates are better than other options for a small business like mine, but you are always welcome to add items to your cart and preview the shipping costs before checkout.

Taxes and duties will be displayed at checkout in your local currency.

Packaging info.

All orders ship plastic-free, with 100% recycled and recyclable paper mailers, or in reused boxes with paper tape. Please reuse, or recycle with mixed paper.

Combined orders.

If you place two orders to the same address, my shipping platform will automatically notify me, so no need to contact about it! (As long as the first one hasn't shipped yet). I will combine them unless you say otherwise. Thanks for saving some packaging!

If you haven't ordered yet, and think you might place two (or more) orders - please let me know in the "order special instructions" box in the cart before checkout. (i.e. if you want something now, like a clearance item, but I've announced a new product coming soon, and you don't want to pay shipping twice or waste two packages, that kind of scenario!)

If you have combined orders, and one or both are under $35, I will refund the difference between the shipping amount you paid versus what I pay for the combined package. This does forfeit the "free shipping" since each individual order must be over $35. 

I haven't received my order!

If your order has not shipped yet - please be patient, I assure you I am more worried about it than you are!

Please note the above-mentioned shipping schedule of Tuesday and Friday. It may take 7 business days to process your order, but usually less!

Nobody wants a bunch of emails, so I will not email you any updates about order status until it ships, except in the rare instance of some delay like if my sewing machine explodes or there's a blizzard preventing me from leaving the house. Or if I miscounted and don't actually have an item from your order, which is more likely to happen. 

Sometimes orders come through with an incomplete address, or something that requires me to contact you. So please check your spam folder! If you do not respond to my emails within 7 business days, I will cancel and refund the order. Limited edition items ordered will be put back in stock and will not be held.

If your order HAS shipped, please see tracking info. I cannot see any more information than you can on the tracking page.

Delivery issues.

In the event of a delivery issue, I will make reasonable attempts to help and offer advice, but I am not responsible for the package once it has been accepted by the carrier.

Wrong address.

I am not responsible for orders placed to a prior or incorrect address. Please ensure that you have entered the correct address, including any apartment number if applicable. PayPal and Apple Pay are notorious for auto-filling your old address, so please update before ordering.

For security and insurance purposes, I will ONLY ship to the address you provided at checkout. If you entered the wrong one, you will have to cancel and re-order with the correct one. Please reply to the order confirmation email as soon as possible. If the order has already shipped, I can no longer cancel, so you will have to re-order to the correct address. Sometimes, you can contact USPS and have them intercept the package, but it must be done ASAP. I can only issue a refund if the order is returned unopened and not damaged. (Please take a photo before you send, in case of damage in transit).

Stuck in transit.

If the package has been showing "in transit" for 7 days after the original delivery date, then we can request a missing mail search. Please reply to the order confirmation or shipping notification email, and I will do this for you. (Or you can do it yourself if you prefer, just please let me know in case it ends up being returned to me).

I cannot immediately re-send or refund an order that is stuck in transit. We have two options here:

• You can re-order at your expense, and I will issue a refund on the original order IF it returns to me unopened and undamaged - or - if USPS confirms it was lost/damaged in transit.
• We can wait until USPS confirms it was lost/damaged in transit, then I will re-send the order.

Something to note also, be mindful of any natural disasters or weather events. If there is a hurricane or blizzard between you and Maryland, it could take a while.

Delivered but not received.

Please wait TWO DAYS after the tracking says delivered. For years now, USPS has been occasionally scanning packages as delivered before actually delivering.

Check your bushes, with your neighbors, etc. If it doesn't turn up after two days, then your best bet is to either call or visit your local post office with the tracking number. They can see where the package was scanned, and even contact your mail carrier to have them check if it fell out inside the truck. Sometimes packages and mail are put in the wrong slot if you have a shared, locked mail box. You can also just kindly ask your mail carrier if you see them delivering! 

I know this is frustrating, and I want you to receive your reusables, but under no circumstances will I refund or re-send orders marked delivered but not received.

You may re-order at your expense, and if the order shows up, you can return for a full refund if the package is unopened and not damaged. (Please take a photo before returning in case it is damaged in transit).

Delivered damaged.

If your order arrives, and the package AND contents are damaged and unusable, please take photos of the package AND contents, just as they were delivered. Include the front and back of the package, and each of the contents. Send a reply to any of the emails associated with your order (the order confirmation, shipping notification, etc). I will then file a claim with USPS - they will not take an insurance claim without photos, so please make sure to send them.

I will not refund or re-send an order, or submit a damage claim, if you do not include the packaging in the photos, because USPS will not approve the claim.

---

For any further questions or concerns, see the FAQs page, or contact us. Please DO NOT message or comment on social media, I probably won't see it. The best way to get help with an order is to simply reply directly to the order confirmation email.

 

(Policy updated 2/19/26)