Thread: Robert Kaufman pattern problems

I purchased a kit from Craftsy named "Holiday Dash" by Robert Kaufman Fabrics. It's a Xmas quilt. It was listed for a "confident beginner." Looked pretty easy - churn dash squares inside a mitered border. There are 14 fabrics. The cutting instructions for 4 of them were incorrect. The instructions for cutting the outer border couldn't be done at the width instructed. Took me 2 days to figure out how to get close to what I needed. No instructions for the inner border, other than use 9 of the 13 strips cut - nothing about how to join strips, what the measurement of the inner borders should be, etc. No measurement given for the outer border or any instructions for beginning quilters to measure to be sure borders match.

I posted my comments on the "contact the designer" on Craftsy. Got no reply. Noted that others had posted comments, again with no reply. I sent an e-mail to Craftsy direct with my problems. Got an immediate response from them offering me a complete refund. I refused as I had figured out how to make the quilt, so they gave me a discount credited to my account. They also said they had tried to contact the designer. Haven't heard anything from that.

I also sent an e-mail to Robert Kaufman Fabrics direct. I have never received a reply.

So, if you have this pattern, check it over very carefully. I will never buy another pattern from Kaufman.

Good to know that Craftsy stands behind their site! Should have a independent pattern tester before listing?

Originally Posted by ManiacQuilter2

I agree with Tartan that you did receive good customer service from Craftsy. Here is the pattern:
http://www.robertkaufman.com/quiltin..._dash/#color:1
Don't make any mistakes because this is last years fabrics.

I ordered the kit and the pattern together. My point was that the instructions appear to be incorrect. For example, the instructions say to get the churn dash you sew 2 2-1/2 strips together, then make 1/2 square triangles out of 5" squares. If you do that your squares are 1/4" too large (5" squares should have been 4-7/8"). Same instruction for the small churn dash in the center - also 1/4" off. Another one for the outside border says to fussy-cut 4 8-1/2" strips lengthwise. Matching the pattern exactly you can only get 3 strips, with a lot of waste. I finally partially solved that by cutting one strip 8-1/4" starting at one selvage, then moving to the other selvage and cutting another, then back to the first side, then back to the second. Then I had to reverse the strips to get the lines to match up. Not exactly matches the pattern but good enough. I always use patterns, generally from quilting magazines, so I am not too surprised if one instruction may be off - but not almost every one!

Originally Posted by ManiacQuilter2

I agree with Tartan that you did receive good customer service from Craftsy. Here is the pattern:
http://www.robertkaufman.com/quiltin..._dash/#color:1
Don't make any mistakes because this is last years fabrics.

I read the pattern on the site......I think because it stated intermediate quilter....some of what you think is missing isn't really.......like cutting the border fabric length 84"...... Attach by finding center and attach......presuming an intermediate quilter would know how to miter those corners......same with adding sashings....and these measurements/instructions need not be written. I don't see how 4 of the blocks cannot be made with the given instructions....but I just quickly read thru them....but I did download the pattern and will try it.....looks like a cool way to make a holiday quilt with some pieces of holiday fabric I have. As an aside I really don't like those four little blocks in the center and think I will just put in another large one........

Please show your finished project......

You're correct, the pattern does say "intermediate quilter"; however, on the Craftsy site the kit (including pattern) lists it for a beginner (2 stars). If you ordered the kit you wouldn't know this until you received the kit and pattern. That's not so bad if the designer would respond to your questions, but I got no answers when posting on the "contact the designer" on Craftsy or when I sent an e-mail direct to Kaufman.

If you're a beginner with only a few quilts under your belt, not having instructions on how to make borders, how to measure borders, plus errors in the instructions make it very difficult to understand. Plus, I am fortunate that I have a very good quilt shop nearby staffed with people who love to solve your problems; those who are miles away from help are not so lucky.

Glad that Craftsy stood behind their class. They are good about that. I have many of their classes.

I made that quilt when it came out, so I have forgotten if I had any problems. Obviously, if I did, I figured out something to do myself. I gave the quilt to my daughter. I really like the fabric in that quilt. I am so sorry that you have had such problems. Hopefully, in the end, you will like your quilt as much as I did mine.