S/O of Beware thread by MissM
 

This reminded me of a situation I ran into. A LQS had a beautiful Christmas tree skirt on display with the kit made up without the pattern. I bought the pattern took it home to make sure I could do it before purchasing the kit. I went back a couple of weeks later to pick up the kit. As I was standing in line waiting to purchase I was flipping through the fabrics ooooohhhhhing and aaahhhhhhhing. But, then I noticed that several of the fabrics weren't the one's in the display model. So I undid the fabric bundle and discovered that while the background fabric was the correct color it was toile. The main backgound of my Christmas tree skirt would of been little boys and girls in swings, fishing and playing in a pond in the summertime. When I asked about the substitution, was told they'd run out and it would work because the colors were the same family. Didn't purchase and now check in all kits to be sure that it's the fabric I expect!

I have never bought a kit for that reason. You never know when they are going to substitute a fabric because they have run out. Good that you checked first. What I see is what I want.

I only buy kits unseen in person that are from designers and shops that I know how they kit. Others I ask about the contents, pattern used, and amount of extra fabric in each kit.

Wow Susann, what a great disappointment. summertime on a tree skirt. couldn't they do better than that?!
sounds like they were cleaning out their stash. they could have found something better to substitute with. Sorry for your sour experience.

Another reason i don't buy kits.

I don't buy kits. I do buy patterns and then select my own fabrics so I can control the design and colors I want.

At least you caught before purchasing. How disappointing to get that home and see that. I agree while the colors might work the fabric choice is all wrong for a tree skirt.

LOL, that sounds like something a non-sewer would have done. "I don't know what the fuss is...it matches just fine!"

I have only bought 1 kit as I think they are too pricy most of the time. I DID purchase a quilt kit from Sew Batik at a quilt show. There was way more fabric than needed and the backing provided was a wide batik so I didn't need to seam. All I needed was thread and batting. It was a good experience!

I am with you on this!

I have bought numerous kits from Quilting by the Bay, Keepsake, FQ Shop, Connecting Threads and my LQS. Have never been disappointed and always had plenty of fabric. CT sometimes sent enough to make a larger size or an extra baby quilt.

I rarely buy kits. I usually want different fabrics than what is in the kit. This is why I also rarely buy precuts. I usually only like half of the fabrics in the precut. When I make a pattern I might buy similar colors to their kit. Just my opinion. I know lots of people who love to buy kits.

Happened to me several years ago when I signed up to take a course and to purchase the kit for the queen spread when class began. The LQS had replaced one of the original fabrics with another which did work, however, I learned they were holding a kit for a lady who did not show. Urrrrgh!!! as they continued to hold it for her and not accommodate me who had showed up for the class. Won't happen again. --- Sad is, I really like this LQS and have purchased several machines from them. Talk about loyalty. . .

Oh, I'm so sorry. I would think they would at least warn you so that you could decide yourself whether you wanted to purchase it. Looks somewhat like a "bait and switch".

I have bought kits from a local store but they will always post that some of the fabrics may be different but close to what was original. I have not been disappointed in the substitutes but that may not be the case when buying kits online.

I seldom buy kits, although I have a friend who buys a lot of them. I did make a throw from a kit from Keepsake, but I was not disappointed in the fabric, lots of kittens in cute fabrics. Whether they ran out or not, adding a toile into a Christmas tree skirt with a summertime theme, doesn't work for me. Regardless of the same color family, the print on the toile was not appropriate for a tree skirt. I would not have gotten the kit either after that.

My friend and I frequent a LQS and buy kits they make up, but they are so "cheap" with the portions, that we now buy extra fabric before it is gone so should we make a mistake we have the material. I have bought kits from Connecting Threads and they give you plenty,you can almost make two of the kit.

Still in the learning stage I've purchased a couple of kits that I ultimately messed up on either cutting or piecing but I'm still trying. How ever on the last two (not really kits) but 2 different "Tonga Treats" (Batiks) with a "free pattern" Oh My Goodness I have certainly learned my lesson, they were cut terribly. Especially yhe last one was supposed to be 10" squares...more like 10" Wonky Squares, but I will fight with it & make it work as I am slowly learning to do. Thank You Board for all your advice.
Jeri

My only purchase of a kit were all plain colours no patterns. I would have been furious to get home and find children fabric. I'm single no children and only friends with young children. A kit costs more than I would pay for these children.

My husband has bought me a couple of kits (really small ones). I rarely use all the fabric they supply and end up grabbing stuff from my stash. I don't think I would ever buy a kit myself. Too much of a renegade.

I had something like this doing Row by Row shop ran out of material row was red white and blue the sub fabric was turquoise and black. No thanks I found one o my own.



I

I buy a lot of quilt kits from Connecting Threads, the kits do come with generous fabrics and the quilt is exactly what I see on the picture and on the kit instruction. When I have questions about the kit, I send email to the Administrator for "Quilt With Us" blog site and get an answer within a day. If I want to use different fabrics I make a block first to see if the colors match. I had also bought several 'discontinued' kits from my LQS, and the shop owner was very helpful in finding the fabric that would match the missing pieces on the kit.