Beware
 

In Feb DH and I visited the Kansas Troubles Quilt Shop in Bennington, KS. I purchased 2 quilt kits a large and small one, some small wool scraps and one pinking blade for my rotatory cutter. The bill was $200.00+, which is a sizable sum when you are on a fixed income. Sunday I opened the large quilt kit and discovered there was no pattern. These kits are made up by the store staff and tied with twined, with just a paper tag that just has a name of the kit and price on it. So I assumed the pattern had fell out in the store, or was mistakenly omitted. Called.. I am told only the small kits have patterns included, large kits..patterns are sold separately. I say well no one mentioned that when I made the purchase and I assumed it was in the kit; hence the name kit. All other kits I have ever purchased the pattern was included. Robert (store owner) says no that it not a standard practice. However, bottom line he is mailing me a free pattern, so that is a good thing. My question to all of you, do you generally find that when you buy a kit the pattern is included? To me it's not a kit without the pattern.

nope, some kits do not have the pattern. but it should say so and they should also mention it when you are checking out. I'm glad you are getting the pattern soon. Not a good way for them to do business in this day and age!

That happened to me once too. It irritated me that the person checking me out never mentioned that the pattern was sold separately. I buy a lot of kits and the patterns are usually included.

I found it's not the norm to have the pattern included with the kit. If it is included it will say pattern included on the kit label. I always assume it's not and check before buying.

At my LQS, the kit usually does not contain the pattern.

I have bought lots of kits and usually they contain the pattern. When they don't, they always tell me.

Unfortunatly some places do that, I think it's a poor practice and don't buy kits from them. Fortunately I'm not one to buy many kits because there is almost always one or more fabrics that I will change.

Thanks for this information. I also think that a kit should include the pattern. If the pattern is not included, that information should be noted in big letters right by price so you can see it and it's not a secret.

So, Beware, of.....? Not checking a large (costly) purchase for its contents for approximately six weeks?

I have only had patterns included unless it was clearly marked there was no pattern in the package. It doesn't sound like yours was marked pattern not included so I would also have assumed it was in the package. I am glad they are sending you the pattern and hope that they will mark their $200 kits more clearly that there is NO pattern included and that it has to be purchased separately.

Indeed without the pattern it is not a true kit and it is just a bundle of odd cut yardage.

I am running to my bedroom to check a large quilt kit now. I cannot believe that a pattern would not be included in the price of a kit. The fact that no one told you about it is very irritating. This business is highly regarded and the fact that they are mailing you a pattern free of charge makes me want to do business with them. YES!! The pattern is in the kit.

What's a kit?

I quilt to express myself. That usually doesn't include someone else's choice of fabrics. Most often the pattern is a derivative of something I saw.

Just my opinion. It should have been labeled though in the original poster's "Kit".

tim in san jose

I have never purchased a kit but assumed that kit meant that it included fabric and the pattern to make it. Thanks for the heads up.

I think that is just ridiculous that kits don't always include the pattern. It's not a "kit," if it's not complete, IMHO. I think that is a practice that needs to change.

Well Miss M I would have made the same assumption. In fact, I have. I have a few kits I bought last summer that I have not "opened" and checked through yet. Just because I buy it, doesn't mean I'm going to immediately work on it. It's nice that the owner is sending you a pattern. Lesson learned for some of us!

its true that some kits don't include pattern this could be because some may already have pattern and just want to buy fabrics. for the majority of my kits I have bought the pattern quite a bit before i bought the kit but it should clearly say it when selling most sites I have found state whats included in the kit

I have bought quite a few kits and they have always included the pattern - isn't that what makes it a "kit"? Everything included except the backing is what I have always found. Thanks for the heads up, I will make sure to check if I buy any more kits in the future.

Not always does my LQS include a pattern with a kit and it is clearly marked that way. Sometimes the pattern is even in a book that needs to be purchased.

I never would have thought to check for the pattern just expecting that it would be the main part of a kit.

I agree. They should have asked at checkout if you wanted the pattern to go with the material.

I recently purchased my first kit. And the pattern was a separate purchase. I guess that I did not find it curious. I found that the kit saved me from having to figure out the fabric for this particular project. Easy. I don't understand the need to substitute fabrics even if i may not care for one or two. They compliment the others, but that is me. I paid for convenience.

yes, the shop should "remind" the buyer to purchase the kit pattern. Perhaps this assumes that the buyer may already have the patten, otherwise? Hmm....multiple kits...1 pattern needed? I dunno.

sandy

to me kit meant all the fabric you needed for the project.
i'd like to assume that the work kit included a pattern. it should, but doesn't always.
that's where they get you.

I have never bought a kit before but I would assume that the pattern was included. They should have stated in the description if the pattern was an additional purchase.

I work in a shop and we found many already had the pattern and only wanted the fabric kit. This happened so many times, we now do not include patterns with some of the kits. We do have a few kits that include patterns under special circumstances. As employees, we try very hard to make sure when someone buys a kit to ask if they have the pattern. I am sure, when we have been very busy, we may have missed asking. On a personal note: if I am purchasing a kit I feel it is my responsibility to ask what is included in the price. Is the pattern included, backing, etc. What am I paying for?

I usually by kits to get the fabric not so much to make the pattern it's suppose to make. Kits are bargains in my opinion pattern or no pattern.

Thanks much for this info I sometimes prefer kits if I like their fabric and I just always assumed the pattern was included now I know to check and I would never buy a kit without the pattern

I don't buy kits. Too may times I've heard people say that they were short a piece or two or that the pattern was not there. Besides, I always buy extra fabric so I am sure I have all I need. It would be like buying a new jigsaw puzzle and get it all put together and you were missing the last piece. Headache!!

I don't buy kits -- always select patterns and fabrics myself so everything is original. BUT, if I did, I would expect a kit to include everything needed to complete the project, including the pattern. Otherwise it should be marked "fabric for completing this-and-such kit" or similar wording.

In the case of a pattern in a book, it would be copyright infringement if the pattern was sold separately in the kit, so I wouldn't expect it. They sell the fabric kit as a convenience to those who want to make the quilt exactly like the one shown in the book.

I don't use kits because I have a good stash and like to choose my own fabrics. Don't usually use patterns either. But I know several women who just want to sew and don't have the time or inclination to pick fabrics, neither is money a problem for them. They love kits!

How nice that the shop in question was willing to send out a free pattern just because of the misunderstanding and because the OP was upset. That's great customer service!

All the kits I have bought had the patterns included.

I had something similar happen with fat quarters. Again made at the store, open them up and half of them have large white salvages that have not been cut away. They would not take a return even with a receipt?!?!?

IMHO- Using the word "kit" implies it contains everything, and "a selection of fabrics to make X pattern" is what you are buying without the pattern, and should be labelled that way. If I bought a model car kit, I would expect the instructions to be included, or I would return it to the store. Selling something called a "kit" without the instructions/pattern, is dishonest. Calling it a "fabric pack" for a certain pattern is honest.

I would want the selvedges, myself, so I could identify the fabrics. I might want to order matching yardage for the back or buy more from that line somewhere.

hugs,
Charlotte

I have always checked to make sure the pattern came with the kit. If not then to me it isn't a kit. Kits aren't cheap. No pattern no buy!

I think kits should always contain a pattern. However if the customer is purchasing multiple kits or already has the pattern, then the store should offer a discount on the kit or an alternate pattern. If it is a collection of fabric for a particular quilt, then it should be labelled clearly that the pattern is NOT INCLUDED and called a collection.

As customers we need to beware of what we are buying and for any businesses, please listen to your customers.

I am pleased that the LQS resolved the problem AND gave you service at an expense to them. If I lived closer, I would be shopping there because of your positive experience.

I just bought a quilt calendar and I thought it would have patterns. Not one. It was a separate book that must be purchased. I was disappointed.

I have bought both types of kits. The kind with and without the pattern. So, I am used to asking the question to know if it is in there. I think the reason I enjoy the kitted fabrics with the patterns is, I live up out of town and it isn't always easy to find the great fabrics to make it special. Running from store to store to find fabrics isn't always productive either.

I have a couple self made "kits" I have started that need some fill in fabrics I need to find before I can make them. I have changed out fabrics in some ready made ones before too, like you girls. But, for the most part, I open the kits and check the contents for the correct sizes and fabrics right away. I don't like surprises in the middle of a snow storm. Or, to wait until the fabric is sold out and unavailable.

So, you are right. Don't assume anything when shopping for kits. I am happy the shop owner is gracious enough to share with you the pattern. Not all shop owners are that nice.

Bought only one kit and visited with the author/shop. Owner and knew what I was getting. But...I appreciate the advice for in the future I might buy one off the shelf and would have assumed the pattern would be included.