Jeweled Medallion
#1
Jeweled Medallion
Making this quilt was not fun. I bought it as a kit from Keepsake. The pattern was available free, but I really loved the fabrics shown in the kit, and the price was very good. It was supposed to be available in a couple months, but it took longer than that to be shipped. I'm very much a planner. I don't trust patterns or kits completely, so I check everything out before going too far. Often I want to use a different method for things like HST's, SIAS or FG than the pattern writer used, and I have to figure out a way to change cutting directions to make that work. So luckily I was semi-prepared when I found numerous errors in the pattern. The worst find was that the amount of background fabric had been underestimated by quite a bit due to a pattern error, and there wasn't enough provided in the kit. I contacted Keepsake and Kaufman. Keepsake responded, quickly, but they basically said "so sorry" but they would notify Kaufman, the provider of the kit, with all the information I gave them. I bought more of the background fabric elsewhere. I never heard anything from Kaufman. The amount provided for some of the other fabrics in the kit was adequate, but skimpy. I think this is the end of buying kits for me, though I never had these problems with kits from Craftsy/Bluprint. Even though I love the fabrics in this kit, I don't feel the ownership/pride that I feel when I pick out my own fabrics, or come up with my own design. (I did change the design just a bit by adding the final border. That ombre fabric was supposed to be used for binding, but I wanted the quilt to be just a bit larger, so I used a bit of the wide back for the border instead.)
I quilted it, free hand and with rulers, on my Innova longarm. The pictures were taken before I hand sewed the binding to the back.
I quilted it, free hand and with rulers, on my Innova longarm. The pictures were taken before I hand sewed the binding to the back.
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 5,962
Beautiful Quilt. I can understand why you would purchase the kit, all those colors. I would have done the same. I have gotten to where I don't trust kits either. I think they are figured out mathematically and not many have extra fabric. The smallest piece, no mistakes can be made. Congratulations on your beautiful finish.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Davenport, Iowa
Posts: 3,882
Truely a beautiful quilt. You did a fantastic job on it. Glad you posted about your disappointment with buying kits as I thought perhaps that was the way I should go instead of buying all the numberous smaller pieces of fabric like I do. Seems like I'll never use it all up.
#9
Another stunning quilt and your quilting is amazing! I agree about kits! Last year I went through all my kits and checked the fabric in each on to make sure everything was there. Only 1 had issues and it was 2 yards short, thankfully it was a batik so I found a nice substitute in my stash.
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Escondido, CA
Posts: 1,194
Beautiful quilt!! I understand your frustration when a purchased kit doesn't live up to your expectations. Sometimes companies don't understand what a skimp on materials can do for future purchases by you and others who hear your story. I certainly wouldn't buy from Keepsake after your post. I'm not experienced enough to get beyond the kit mistakes and lack of materials. Your finished quilt is amazing though. You did a fabulous job.