I've done a few kits and they were very helpful in the learning process. I have a few in the sewing room stash that will be done...someday. One quilt show I went to had several quilts that were similar as the members had all taken a class by the same lady. I thought it was fascinating seeing the 'same' quilt, but how each made it their own. I recently went to a quilt show in NC and as part of the rules they had listed no panels, no kits. Not all of us have the same experience or the same expertise, but would like to be judged on how we are doing. I don't see much difference in kit, panel, pattern or self designed. Its going to have you in it in some way or another. I don't know professionals or have access to professionals and you know your friends and fellow guild members are gonna say 'great job' when what you really need is someone to tell you that you need to work on mitering those bindings better, or your piecing could be a bit...whatever judges say. I've not entered anything yet as I didn't have any quilts finished for the show last year. Hopefully, I will have several ready when the next one comes around. Its every 3 years and maybe even the 2009 BOM finished by then. Sandi in FL

I agree that kits have gotten a lot of people off to a successful start on their quilting journey, and also are wonderful quick projects for already successful quilters. I admit to having bought quite a few BOM kits, I love getting them in the mail & have actually completed several -- and yes, I even got a ribbon or two for the fanciest one!

But I'll tell you a secret: I made a lot of mistakes on that appliqued quilt, which I had to cover up by changing the pattern in several ways. And I could never have done that without the experience all my other quilts have given me, kits or not.

So, I agree, I wouldn't want to go to a show & see eight of the exact same quilt. But I see a kit as a learning experience, a chance to recreate the quilt in the way the designer envisioned, and a chance to put your own spin (however small) on that quilt.

Kathy B.

Like many folks here, I'm sitting on the fence with regard to kits and the pre-cut fabrics.

I absolutely LOVE to design my own quilts. I'm inspired by many things around me, and have often spent months developing a design around that inspiration. I have a quilt in the "what are you working on now" show and tell that was inspired by ethnic/african prints and my love of traditional blocks.

That being said, sometimes I need to whip something out quickly for an unexpected event (like my quilt "the Monsignor" which is also in the gallery). In this case, a couple of charm packs was all I needed to whip out a quick quilt.

Also, I find that when I buy some of these honey buns and jelly rolls, I can more easily get a scrappy look than trying to buy lots of yardage.

I guess the only thing I would say all to those who feel like they're not creative is "I bet you are!!" Try to loosen up and not be critical of yourself. Don't be afraid you'll make a mistake with choosing colors or making up a pattern. It's the process that's wonderful and if you make something with your hands it has a spirit in it that is unmatched by anything storebought! And that's true even if it turns out the colors aren't just right or the pattern you created is a little wonky. That quilt be loved by anyone who receives it because it was created with love!

OK, I am finally angry enough to reply to this post. The ONLY thing that kills the creativity of quilters are those people who discourage, put down and make people feel inferior by imposing their standard of what is the proper??? way something should be or not be done.
1. Anyone who makes a quilt is creative and is an artist. (does not matter who coordinated the fabric) and it is the quilt maker who is choosing the pattern from the zillions out there.
2. All completed quilts are REAL quilts
3. What is a kit besides a pattern and yardages of fabric - you still have to prepare it cut it and sew it and then "quilt as desired" Not always an easy way out. Just a way of finding fabrics that all like each other and necessary if you don't live near a giant lqs. with hours to look through 1000's of bolts
Now to Ann - NEVER ever question yourself. You are extremely creative, over the top creative and its a shame what was done to you.
Pam Do not ever let anyone made you feel sad your creative quilts are beautiful you are 1st class. The 2nd class citizens are any and all people who do not encourage and support the quilters who wish to support the pattern makers and the LQS's who work hard to kit quilts and all the fabric designers and mfg.companies who make patterns to go with their line.
So in ending to all you people who think your better than everyone else out their cause you wont use a kit - your not - so please stop hurting and making sad the ones who do for what ever reason. Nina in Va.

I wish I was gifted and could easily design a quilt and pick colours that work well together without any effort. Sadly I'm not but I enjoy needlework and have used several patterns and kits. Whilst I wouldn't like to go to a show and see lots of identical quilts, I dont like to feel that I am somehow a 2nd class citizen because I'm not as gifted as others. I ENJOY what I make, it gives me great pleasure and if some people begrudge me that, it makes me sad. I dont mind you being creative so why should anyone begrudge me using a kit? Pam

I have never done a kit myself, but I think it is an easy way for a newbie quilter to make a project, experience the process and then become addicted to it and to want to know more about it. We all learn in different ways...its easy for some to just pick up a book and read about a subject like quilting and then just forge ahead and "learn along the way"....for others it is a hand holding process...they need someone to show them each step of the way...sort of coaxing the creativity out of them one step at a time. But whatever way gets us there, the experience is one that grows ands becomes a big part of our life. TQS has been the mentor for lots of newbie quilters and is directly responsible for educating and giving us a family of like minded quilters to turn to and ask all sorts of questions.....learning all the way! AND those answers are only a mouse click away!

I think there is definitely a place for kits in the quilting world. I have purchased two (from TQS) in the last 2 years. The 2008 BOM gave me the color palette and I added a few of my on fabrics and I am very happy with the result.

I agree with what others have said, there is room in the quilting world for every one, and if kits are your thing, there is nothing wrong with them. If you are not comfortable with selecting your own fabric, then a kit is perfect. If you don't have time to select fabric and cut it out, then kits are a timesaver.

I usually don't like kits, because if I'm going to take the time to make a quilt, I don't want it looking like 100's of other quilts. Granted, not all kit quilts will look exactly the same, but I enjoy picking out my own fabric. I could spend hours in the quilt store looking at all the fabric, and selecting just the right combination.

I have only purchased one kit the entire time I have been quilting. And the only reason I purchased it... I loved the fabrics. It was for a very simple quilt pattern called Take 5. I added some more fabric to it, and made the Take 5 gets the Point. So even if there were other kits with the exact same fabric, I made mine different than the others. At the time I purchased it, I just wanted to make something simple, and not have to think too hard about it, but just wanted something to allow me to keep working with fabric.

I don't think I would ever enter a kit quilt into a show, but then it would depend on the purpose of the show. If it was a local shop that wanted to showcase some of it's classes and what the students have done, then of course there would be a lot of the same quilts. I would enjoy seeing the same pattern with different fabric and color combinations. That helps me learn what works and what doesn't, instead of just using the colors I'm comfortable with. And it always gives me ideas for other quilts I would like to make.

Diane in Colorado Springs

I agree with many of the previous comments re: kits having their place in the quilting world...I do wonder if the quilt show that LadyRags was commenting about may have been designed to promote the sponsoring quilt shop's classes or quilts made from their kits...I agree, that would not make for a very interesting quilt show. I haven't been to that many quilt shows, but rarely see duplicates entered, as if the same kit or even same pattern with no "creative license" has been used. Nancy

I rarely buy kits but I often buy patterns that some shops have along side the kits. So am I making a kit when I make the pattern with similar fabrics or am I being creative? Well who knows? About two years ago I bought a kit and the pattern. Well then I realized that the kit would not make the size quilt that I needed for the person I planned to give it to. So I bought extra of the same and similar fabrics and expanded a lap robe quilt to a queen size. It is done except for a couple of appliques and the binding. I think I was really creative because I made it to fit my grand nephew and his new bride. (at least I think I did) so soon I will have it finished and delivered as a little bit late wedding gift. so was it creative or a kit

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well will Anthony and his bride know? I doubt it. I just hope they love it and appreciate it for years to come and who cares. I am happy with it. That is all that counts. Ann

LadyRags, I would be interested to know what you think of BOMs? Looking at the Show & Tell photos of the TQS BOMs I find it hard to believe that using patterns stifle creativity. Sure, some have felt like they wanted to use the fabrics that Sue used and purchased the kits, but others have taken off in all kinds of creative directions. Like you, I don't want to go to a quilt show and see a whole line of copy-cat quilts, but I think that there is definitely a place in the quilt world for kits and people who enjoy them.

I'm one of the newer quilters, only been quilting for 2 years, and I have to say kits are what got me into quilting. Until you learn about colors and all the shapes and how to sew, etc, kits help expose you and open up the possibilities of "what about this". After doing kits, now I'm already experiencing buying a pattern and picking out my own colors and fabrics and even changing the pattern, so there has been growth. I'm getting to the point of wanting to design my own quilt and getting the confidence that I can do it. So kits are a great way to open the doors. Bobbi

I think any quilter who makes any thing is an artist......I don't use kits, and probably won't ever use one, but some of my friends absolutely cannot pick and do not want to pick out their own fabrics, and it gives them such pleasure and makes them so proud of what they make by using a kit.....and I think that's a great thing!

To embrace quilting as a lifestyle is all about expressing oneself in whatever way is most comfortable......and I am so proud to call this quilting thing my hobby and my lifestyle! It makes me very happy!

Dana in Olive Branch, MS

Talented artists will often copy paintings done by the Masters when they are trying to learn a new technique or attempting to practice something.

I think valuable things can be learned from doing a kit. The problem would be if the person was afraid of trying anything on their own. I do think judging kits in a quilt show is something completely different and it must be hard for the judges to weigh a kit quilt properly against one that is a completely new creation.

There are a lot of reasons I can see for doing a kit, sometimes I see one that I just think is beautiful and I want to have one. Sometimes they are fast to bang out. Some of the applique kits are way beyond the artist level of many of us. Such as McKenna Ryan's patterns. And as I mentioned before, sometimes you can learn something from doing one.

Some people just don't have much faith in their own creativity and that is something that needs to be nurtured (One thing I love about this site is how much Ricky and Alex have tried to nurture that.)