I'd not buy the kit if the pattern was not included. Would also inform the shop that was why I was not buying it.

If the pattern is copyrighted that they are using, they need the owners permission to put it in their kits. Maybe they couldn't get it, maybe they didn't try, or maybe they didn't want to pay a percentage to the owner of the pattern.

Just curious, if the pattern had been in the kit and the price for the kit was $100.00, would you have bought it? Some kits, including patterns do cost that much.

Denilynne: I think you can easily make you're own pattern for this block. I'm thinking it's just starts with a small log cabin-type block. Start with a small white block. Add another in the same size in a color. Then add a strip in the same color as the second piece.....along the side which is the same width of the other two pieces. Make two of these blocks, add a couple of solid blocks (say white) the same size as the first pieced block. Put the four of these blocks together - one pieced and one just a solid piece of fabric and voilla you should have the basic block. Get out your graph paper, your crayons or chalk, start putting in the colors you wish to use. Remember to leave the large blocks as well as your starter pieces in the 'cabin-like block in same solid color. Set this all 'on point' and you should have the block you're looking for. Very simple to make but I would think you have to have a color plan for making all the blocks. Once you have a block of blocks filledin with colors you'll have something you can follow when piecing. I'm better in talking this out so may have left a step or two out but hopefully you can get the drift. I'd probably buy a 1/2 or 1 yard of each of the colors I would like to use, make a sample piece then you will be able to come pretty close to the amount you'll need for whatever size you want to end up with. Happy Easter and Happy Stitching, Dottientx

YOu might also try half.com which is a part of ebay but the prices are set. I have bought a lot of books from them and I have always been happy with the book and the price is usually very nice.

The fabric costs what the fabric costs. The book costs what the book costs. They have just done the extra work and have already picked out the fabrics and have them cut for you saving you lots of time and frustration if choosing fabric might not be one of your strong suits. If the book was included in the kit the price is still going to be the same as having to buy book and fabric seperately. I love kits. Some I have had to pass because they just cost too much. That's the same with fabric, books, patterns, notions. Sometimes our wants are just too costly and we have to pass and have to find another way to approach it like used books and finding different fabrics.

Maybe it was a copyright with the whole book...It's not a kit without the pattern! Just fabric! I know the pattern you are talking about! I like it too!

I think it depends upon the size and number of pieces of fabric to be prepared for the kit.

Good point! If the fabric was bundled and identified as "fabric to make xyz quilt pattern" it would be helpful to those that already had the book/pattern. i can certainly understand someone not wanting to buy an expensive book again just to get the kit. I would just like things to be clearly marked.
I KNOW several shop owners and am not trying to bash anyone. Many times they are between a rock and a hard place. I just feel some are doing their customers a disservice by not being clear. I would say the same of other businesses that have what are percieved as "hidden" charges for their goods.

Good grief. Kit should mean pattern too. I would let them know you are interested in it but since it does not come with the pattern I will not be buying it.

Newbies are not the only ones making mistakes. A miscut can happen to anyone. Good point!

I have read other accounts where a kit was cut rather skimpy. Others had bleeding fabric and neede to be prewashed. Once washed, they had shrank to less than the amount required.

For me, finding the fabric is really enjoyable, so I guess I'm not a good judge of kits.

For me to buy a quilt book there has to be at least 3 patterns that I like, a quilt magazine has to have 1 I like and some tips or something else. Not really into kits cause I like to pick my own fabrics though I think I will buy the kits if I decide to do the 2 New Mexico Missions quilts. They are 12 block quilts with each block being an old mission church here in the state. I don't think I could pick better fabrics since their picks on based on the missions. They have also just started a block of the month of the Saints. So, looks like I maybe joining a BOM for that, could do the missions that way too.

it's very easy to understand if you don't look at the issue backward.

the book includes several patterns, yes? each of these patterns will require a different selection of fabrics. in fact, each of the patterns can be made using an incalculable array of alternate fabric choices.

the fabric kit is an optional purchase opportunity for those who want to make the quilt exactly as shown in the book.

selling them seperately is not a gimmick.
it is not sneaky.
it is not a ripoff.

it's a simple way to ensure that each customer gets what she wants, whether that be just the book, just the fabrics, or both.

it is unfair to carry on as some have done in this topic and to hurl sour and short-sighted accusations at the designer, the publisher, and the vending shops.