dunster

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.

lscho4jm

It’s beautiful and I never buy kits anymore for that very reason.

cjsews

Oh my. I understand wanting to use their fabrics. It turned out amazing. And the quilting is truly a work of art.

Peckish

It's beautiful Dunster, you did a great job. Shame on Kaufman.

Quiltwoman44

Dunster to the rescue! You did a wonderful job on completing that quilt. Love the black, sets all other colors off wonderfully.

toverly

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.

lindaschipper

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.

Gannyrosie

I've always been tempted to buy kits cause I've heard some say there was extra fabric.glad you were able to find another and get it finished. Beautiful

tallchick

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.

materialworld

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.