Thanks for the tip LadyRags. I never thought to do that! I never even took any of the kits apart to admire and feel the fabric either. This way I'd still have the pattern for the quilt I saw in the store if I wanted to use that design or I could make it (or another one of my own designs) using whatever fabric I have. Good idea!

LoriM .... why can't you use the fabric in a kit and put them into the stash. I figure if you make your own designs those fabrics are up for grab and they would be perfect in a quilt that you design. Especially if you are working at midnight. If you decide to you want to make the kit... then just find some great fabric in your stash that will work in your kit... that way if you make the kit it will still not be like anyone elses.

Lady Rags

When I first started quilting in the 80's I pretty much only purchased fabric/made quilts that matched my house decor or for something specific like Christmas. Then when I really got into quilting and stopping at so many quilt shops in our years of traveling around the country, I fell in love with samples in the stores. So..ended up with lots and lots of quilt kits. Have a lot of those - probably still have around 100 that are unmade! And still scouring e-Bay and shopping for more - it seems to be my hoarding tendency taking over! Over the years, I've switched to making quilts using a lot of my own designs and using my stash. So the quilt kits sit. And I really gravitate now to anything bright, sparkly, fun. I love hot pinks/raspberry in particular and that now finds its way into a lot of my quilts. And I used to only make quilts that could be used like either a lap quilt or a bed quilt...now I make all sizes. And I usually have no qualms about giving a quilt away when it's finished. The process is what I love. It has been a journey!

WHAT IS YOUR QUILTING STYLE AND HOW HAS IT CHANGED?


When I first started quilting I took classes and choose the fabric at the store I took the classes from. ( I only occasionally finished the project) I liked the process but I never could see the quilt in my home. I ate / slept and drank Quilt Shows and went to every one I could for multiple years ( still do.) I loved the exposure to all the different styles and ideas. I gradually went further a field with shop hopping and found more and more fabrics I loved and could not live without. I gradually developed my own style of quilting using very bright fabrics / blenders/ tone on tones and fabric that spoke to me. I now only use fabrics that really talk to me and only make quilts of my own design. I find those are the quilts that I actually finish and use in my home.

From where you started in quilting to now...... HOW HAS YOUR STYLE CHANGE?

WHAT WAS YOUR JOURNEY LIKE?
WHAT WERE YOUR STUMBLING BLOCKS?
WHAT TRUMPS HAVE YOU HAD?