I've never purchased a kit, because I prefer to select my own fabrics. (That wasn't always so - 4 years ago, fabric selection was my least favorite part of quilting.) The more you practice that part of quilt making, the better you will get at it, and the more you will enjoy it. However, if I decide to purchase a kit someday, I wouldn't hesitate to get it from CT. I don't think you pay a premium there for having the pieces cut into a kit, the prices are reasonable to start with, the fabrics are nice quality, and there is usually an opportunity to buy more of the same fabrics if you want a larger quilt. Actually, one reason I might buy a kit if it was for fabrics that I don't have in my stash, such as reproduction 30's or civil war.