bearisgray

Is it more economical (in the long run) to buy a quilt kit or to buy the "parts" separately?

The main drawback to kits (to my mind) is that the fabrics are not washed, and pre-washing is a MUST for me.

I've never purchased a kit - and it always seems like one has to get something extra (such as the backing), anyway.

Rose Hall

I started my own business because of some of these issues!

The kits I would buy:
1. the fabric wasn't always the quality I needed,
2. washed? maybe/maybe not
3. color choices? are you kidding?, some people must choose these colors with the lights off!
4. Fussy cut pieces sometimes were not centered, etc.
5. I wanted a lap quilt and the kit was for a table runner.
6. etc etc etc.

Don't get me wrong, there are some wonderful kits out there, and it does make a project easier if you are unsure of color selection, fabric yardage needed, etc. But I found that a customized kit is much nicer.

Just my 2 cents worth...
Rose

Rhonda

So Rose do you sell customized kits? What is a customized kit?

BlueChicken

I have quite a few kits... but I do prefer picking my own colours and fabrics. I will buy a kit if it's a pattern I really like, think the colours are fantastic, and the price is right. I can put it away to do when I have time, and not worry about having to find the right bits.

Roben

I've purchased a few, and I don't have any complaints. I bought them to have something ready to put together when I didn't feel like thinking about it a whole lot, and they serve that purpose for me very well. If I want to pre-wash, I can simply serge or pink the edges of the fabrics and wash. I only purchase kits from specific places though - I think where I purchase makes a big difference in the quality of the kit. I buy kits using fabric lines, and make sure I can buy additional fabrics should I want to.

One kit I purchased recently calls for 7 1/2 yards of backing fabric - I shudder to think what that would have added to the price of the kit were it included. Luckily, I can get it from my favorite online source - so I managed to help support both my local shop and my favorite online source :lol:

mary quite contrary

I have a problem with the price of the kits. It seems more expensive to me. I may be wrong. (wouldn't be the first time)

When I find a pattern I like, it is usually the wrong size so I end up adjusting the numbers to make it big enough or long enough or whatever.

pocoellie

Personally, I prefer to pick my own fabrics. I would think that it would be cheaper to use your own fabrics, that way you pick the colors wanted, the quality of fabrics and the amount needed, plus you're not paying someone to cut the pieces for you. My opinion.

Ducky

I like the concept of kits, but, as a few people said before, I like to pick my own fabric, and (this is important to me) buy more than what the pattern calls for. If I mess up and have to recut or totally redo something, I need to make sure I have enough. A couple of days ago I did buy a kit for a wall hanging that was on clearance. This is the first one in a long, long time that I've purchased.

bearisgray

A couple of people I know were shorted on components - and by the time they realized there was a problem, the fabrics were no longer available.

I also like to buy "extra" - I tend to goof up or change my mind.

Shelley

When I first started quilting, I LOVED the kits. I could then concentrate on learning on how to cut, sew and read directions correctly. As my confidence grew, so did my ability to pick fabrics that worked. For me, I didn't care that it cost a little more (I don't know if they did or not) I just wanted something that I knew I would be happy with. Haven't we all made a quilt, then discovered that we would have liked it better with a different choice? JMHO!!!