Since I'm just beginning to quilt, kits have been my salvation. As a newbie, I don't have a huge stash-YET!- so kits allow me to do a complete quilt with only having to buy the backing. I live in the mountains and it's at least 60-90 minutes of driving to get anywhere that sells fabric. So stash building in person has been tough. I shop the internet a lot. Someone else mentioned Fabric Cafe- I love their little kits! I've learned a lot making them without having to invest too much money. And now I have the patterns, so when I do get to an LQS, I know I can buy 3 one-yard pieces of fabric that catches my eye and will be able to make a quilt.