I've done both... one problem w/prepackaged kits... no room for error! So now I like buy'n yardage w/just a little bit more than pattern calls for... I ALWAYS make mistakes lol

I prefer picking out my own fabric. To me that is the fun part of quilting.

Sybil

I bought a kit online, on sale. Not only did they short me the fabric (which they tried to find more of) but they substituted without telling me. They said it was legal if the kit was on sale. There was nothing in the write up that said they would substitute. I figure if you buy a kit make sure it is a reputable place that you use a lot.

I've done both. In fact I have a kit that I washed the fannel fabric and now I can't find the pattern. Not sure what I'll do with it now.

I've bought one kit...for my inlaws Christmas present. I liked the way it looked and didn't want to chance my choices not looking as good. I had plenty of fabric left over...could almost make another one in fact.

I'm with you! I love kits, I love searching, so both are good!

For me, I always buy yardage. Buying a kit takes away the creativity for me. That's just me, though.

I have purchased a couple of kits, but then you miss out on the fun of buying the yardage. That is sometimes the best part. I, too, like to wash my fabric first and you can't always do that with small pieces that may be in a kit. I do like to buy patterns, that way you have someone else that has figured the yardage for you then whoopee its off to the quilt shop for more fabric.

I usually buy fabric, but have purchased a strip quilt kit from LQS then added more fabric to make the small quilt bigger. Had good success. Just remember if you do this, kit is unwashed, so any added fabric should be unwashed too. A friend has purchased several kits and she seems happy with them.

Good excuse to buy more fabric