How does everyone feel about buying quilt kits? Good or bad? If good....are there favorite shops/sites you like. I think I've always been nervous about the quality of fabric...etc. But I have seen some pretty ones listed on the web.

I've just been thinking of doing one from Flamingo Island Designs. It has dimensional applique with embellishments. I'm think I'm gonna dive in and try one. Would like to read the response on this.

I have bought kits from Connecting Threads and Keepsake.... always been happy with the quality, so therefore, I trust them. I think that if you try one and like it, then brand loyalty may make you feel more comfortable. The best thing about kits is that it removes all of the decision making from the process! Some people like that, and others would rather choose the fabrics themselves.

I finished one from Connecting Threads the other day that had adorable applique. Try it -- I'll bet you have a ball! :thumbup:

I've used kits and like them. Good way to build skill and confidence. I've gotten several from LQS and Keepsake.

I have only bought kits from my LQS that they have made up, so I know that there will be enough fabric of each color. I have not used quilts from online quilt shops.

I'm glad this topic came up here as my DH has suggested a couple of times that I use one. I have been worried about the fabric quality. Also, in Fons and Porter magazines it sometimes states that fabric included in a kit might not be exactly the fabric shown. I would want the fabric shown. So I'm conflicted as to whether or not to try one. Good luck with yours and please let us know how it turns out. :)

Why not try a small one? Maybe a table runner, or something like that. You'll have that instant gratification that we all love!

The only kits that I have bought were all precut. If I have to cut the pieces? I will just buy the fabric LOL :D:D:D

I have bought these at John Flynns website and have been very happy with the way they laser cut the pieces and the fabric is beautiful :D:D:D

I agree.... if I see something in a kit that draws me to it I want the same fabric shown.

Also, I like to wash fabric before I use it...not only for shrinkage but I don't like working with the smell of the dye's..

Third, I don't want to worry about having enough fabric..

I have done a McKenna Ryan kit and as her patterns call for dozens of different fabrics I think it works out much more cost effective as some of the pieces are only 2" square and I would have to buy at least a 1/4 of a yard as that what most people have as a minimum cut.
I suppose it would depend on the kit.

I bought a bunch of kits from fabric cafe. Their sales are great. Each kit has a pattern and 3 yards of fabric the quality is good. At the time I bought them they were on sale for 14.99. the sale now is 19.99 ea.
Now I know I can buy 3yd of fabric, use the pattern and have a top. lso if you want it larger just add bigger border,You;ll need fabric for that.

I have a made a wall hanging from McKenna Ryan and the fabric was great. I bought a kit from Joanns and the fabric quality was poor. I would trust Keepsake Quilting and Connecting Threads, because they seem to carry quality fabric.

I think if I would buy kits, it would help stay organized. ??????? You think maybe.

I have worked both ways. At times I love to do the shopping, others I just want to rip into a project and sew. I've purchased kits and made my own in the stash for those days. As long as I recognize the brands a shop carries I'll jump in. Just need to carefully read all cutting instructions before beginning

ditto :)

I have only bought one kit. A couple of the shown fabrics were substituted with other fabrics. Seems that they ran out of those fabrics and made substitutions. Other than that it was ok.

I must admit I have bought kits when the chosen fabric exactly my taste and I like the pattern. However I like to use kits to push my skill limit.... so if the pattern is one I've never done and it is designed for the more advanced quilter I will buy the whole kit so I can concentrate on the pattern. I find this is a good way to stretch yourself.

I did a BOM with Fatquartershop.com and I was able to complete the original 12 blocks, do another 12 blocks and have enough fabric to do another 12 blocks. That's not including all the extra fabric I got in the finishing kit for borders and such. Two quilts easy with extra fabric for stash.

My local LQS is more modest in their BOM's with the fabric and I've had to go and get more when I mess up.

Yes, be careful about the quality, if it is the fabric displayed or subsitutes, and how generous the cuts are. I have gotten burned more then once. Open the kit and check. If they do not let you run.

I agree with the above posts - kits are a great way to build confidence and push yourself. Keepsake Quilting and Connecting threads have been mentioned - I second the vote on those - have bought lovely kits from each and had plenty of good quality fabric to complete the project. One note though - most kits do not include the backing or batting.

I prefer to buy my yardage.

I haven't yet, but I've seen several cute things at Connecting Threads so I may soon try one of those.
I figure their prices are so reasonable, it worth trying without making a big investment.

I use kits when I don't feel like picking out colors. I have ordered from Connecting Threads(they are fairly inexpensive) and have bought at LQS. I used to fear not having another fabric but have not had a problem.

So in my opinion kits are okay.


Chris

I love kits- being new and not knowing how to pick material.
I got some kits off the board. and I love them.

My local quilt shop said if I want to pick out a pattern they will help me with the material - I have a say but it will be like a kit. This is the way to go - I think.

Thank you all for your opinions and suggestions. All very good advice.

I love buying kits because I'm terrible about selecting fabrics.

I'm a fabricaholic and the choosing of the fabrics is the fun part for me, so kits don't really satisfy my need to find the perfect fabric for the project. And besides, I rarely actually do mine like anybody's set of instructions.

When you buy a quilt kit and you make a mistake (which I have been known to do, do they give you extra fabric so that you can correct your mistake? And, if they don't, do they carry the fabric that you made the mistake with?

That is one of the reasons I have never bought a kit, for anything! I usually buy 1/2 to one yard extra and if I don't make any cutting mistakes, it is my reward for doing a good job! (more for the stash)! Edie

I did a paper doll kit from Fons and porter. Was on back order and took about 7-8 weeks to get it. The fabric was excellent quality but I found you had to really cut careful or there wasn't enough fabric. I try to be careful when buying kits although they are beautiful.

I have one kit. Still in the package. So... I guess I'm not one to give advice.lol

I have bought many kits over the years. Usually while traveling and stopping at various shops along the way. I have always found the quality of the fabric excellent. One thing I've noticed though....either they give you generous cuts or cuts that are down to the inch. Once I had to call a shop 1200 miles away and request more fabric that was short. They were very nice and did it but it's something to watch. If you wait to long (like I have a tendency to do), they may not have any more of that fabric.

I'm not a kit person. I will buy FQ collections or something like that, but not fabric and pattern together. I did do one kit early on that I saw in Keepsake Quilting because it was going to a friend as a thank you and was perfect, but I was disappointed in it. It had a patterned fabric that I would have fussy cut but couldn't because there wasn't enough. The catalog image however had the pattern centered like I would have done.

The photo of the quilt in my profile is from a kit. Three of the fabrics (colors) are my own fabrics. I cut wrong and had to substitute. I liked mine better. Now it is an original. Quilting teaches you a lot!

one of my lqs makes up a kit for every quilt they have on display... got one for my mother.. the pattern is called afternoon delite & it did get it pieced on an afternoon & i was delighted.

the backing fabric was short.. so i called them.. that fabric is gone, got kona black & used that, still waiting for the owner of lqs to call & advise what they will do to make it right (she is out of town indefinately.. family emergency) so we will see...

but, either way i'm thrilled with the quilt & my mom will be too.. and it is really nice to be able to recreate the sample they have hanging, because that particular one said "MOM" right when i laid eyes on it.

Hubby picked one out once because he liked the colors. I wasn't really paying attention and told him to add it to the pile of stuff I was buying. I wished I'd looked at it better. Several of the fabrics were the same very small scale print in different colors. I made the top, but it's very blah. I worked out the dimensions carefully and was able to get enough out of the backing to add borders to the front to add some larger print to it. Still looks blah to me. I put it aside and someday will pick it up again and add some applique to bring it back to life. But for now, it's at the bottom of the pile.

I like to select my own fabrics and mix up the scale/colors more than I see in some kits.

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.

I have bo't many kits from companies advertising in quilting magazines and have never had a complaint. Any fabric sub has always been very close to the original. I have bo't a couple of Judy Niemeyer foundation kits and have been very satisfied. Some people are more particular than other people also. You sort of have to be willing to go with the flow when you buy a kit.

If I can purchase the right size, I will buy a kit if one is available that I like. Otherwise I make my own kit then set together.

One of my friends always buys kits, says she doesn't know how to pick fabric. Its not so, as the times she has picked her own fabric for a project, it is beautiful. She just likes having everything she needs in a package.
I rarely use a kit, because picking the fabric is the part I love the best. Its a personal preference. If you enjoy doing kits, do it. If not--pick your own fabrics. Both ways are perfectly correct. No quilt police here. grin