I've never bought a kit. I prefer to choose my own fabrics and I almost never make a quilt that I've followed the instructions of the pattern completely so what I get in a kit probably would not satisfy me. I also am a firm believer in washing my fabrics - and I wash them before they ever go back to my sewing room. I put lots of effort into a quilt and it bled when I washed it to get the quilting marks out. I learned my lesson. That's getting off topic, isn't it? LOL There is something good to say about kits - my BFF feels she can't cut worth a flip so she's happy to get a kit that's all cut out for her.