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From: LadySloPokes
Date: 10-21-2005, 09:14 AM (1 of 18)
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I'm back with another silly question and requesting some feedback please. I've just finished cruising Joann.com, and there are some adorable quilt kits on there. Two are by Rachel's of Greenfield, an adorable bear wall hanging quilt and a kitty wall hanging quilt. Has anyone here ever used any of these kits that say they come with everything that you'll need? The descriptions say it includes all the pre-washed fabric, batting, backing, thread, embellishments and directions. There were 3 other kits by another company (kitties and puppies) that I would love to have too, but I don't remember the manufacturer. All of these kits are for wall hangings. Any advice is greatly appreciated-many thanks in advance! 
Cookie
LadySlo...yes am I, but hey, I'm gettin' there! Are you sure it's supposed to look like this?! Proud owner of Singer Quantum Decor 7322 & Singer Quantum Futura CE 200.. "A balanced diet is having chocolate in both hands!" |
User: LadySloPokes
Member since: 08-15-2005 Total posts: 198 
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From: MaryW
Date: 10-21-2005, 09:48 AM (2 of 18)
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I have only bought a few kits. I had an experience with one from a local dealer. There was way too much of some fabrics and barely enough of another. The directions were very hard to figure out. It is still waiting for me to finish up. You never see kits with pre-washed fabric, at least I don't here in 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: BeanQueen
Date: 10-21-2005, 11:00 AM (3 of 18)
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Hmmm, this is the 3rd time I've tried to reply.................... so here goes again. I've not seen the kits you mention, but have done several of the BoM from JoAnns. I find them to be satisfactory. The pieces are pre-cut and have not been short or wrong in the ones I've done. If they are not quite "square", it is not a problem to fix them as you sew by adjusting seam allowance, etc. The colors are nice, the fabric is generally of medium quality, not the top of the line, but not the cheapy stuff either. They are a time saver if you need something in somwhat short order. I find that people who have received a quilt from me that was a JoAnn BoM were perfectly satisfied - I tend to give all my quilts away. Molly |
User: BeanQueen
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 16 
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From: SummersEchos
Date: 10-21-2005, 12:59 PM (4 of 18)
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JoAnn's does sell the setting BOM. It is the last one that comes out. In the stores I have worked at (3) we have gotten a bolt or two of the fabrics that go with the BOM, someone comes in with their 40% off coupon and buys the whole bolt. Then we have to special order the material for the next customer which to me is dumb. I have never done these BOM but many people who buy them say they are nice to have. Make quick and easy quilts to give as gifts. For me it would be easier as I really do not like cutting all the pieces. I say go for it and give it a try. You may find out you like doing this and become addicted. Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: cmckinzey
Date: 10-21-2005, 01:34 PM (5 of 18)
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I have been quilting since I was 25 and teaching for more than 16 years. I am 57 next month and I love my quilting. The problem I have seen with the BOM at Joann's is they don't give you enough material if you have a problem. For beginners this is very important. If any of you have any problems please feel free to contact me. I have taught on the Internet for many years and in the Shops and privately. The only place I charge for my classes is at the shops. Cheryl
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User: cmckinzey
Member since: 10-21-2005 Total posts: 3 |
From: LadySloPokes
Date: 10-21-2005, 11:29 PM (6 of 18)
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Ladies, let's be really clear on this--I'm not talking about Joann's BOM. I'm talking about complete quilting kits ...this one in particular: http://www.joann.com/catalog.jhtml?CATID=95035&PRODID=71773 If you have never used one of these, that's fine, but if someone has, please give me your impression of it. Many Thanks!
Cookie
LadySlo...yes am I, but hey, I'm gettin' there! Are you sure it's supposed to look like this?! Proud owner of Singer Quantum Decor 7322 & Singer Quantum Futura CE 200.. "A balanced diet is having chocolate in both hands!" |
User: LadySloPokes
Member since: 08-15-2005 Total posts: 198
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From: heartland
Date: 10-22-2005, 11:24 AM (7 of 18)
I cannot speak about the BOM from Joann as I have not purchased one there....Yet. I am fed up with purchasing kits from quilt shops! My last kit, as with the others, have almost enough fabric in them.  I have to purchase more fabric to finish the project. Why don't they put in the amount of fabric that the pattern suggests we should purchase?  The only advantage is that I got the fabric that was in the sample that I fell in love with. From now on, I will do my own thing! Ahhhh, I feel better now. Thanks for letting me vent 
Donna
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User: heartland
Member since: 05-23-2001 Total posts: 88 
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From: cmckinzey
Date: 10-22-2005, 12:40 PM (8 of 18)
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Thank you very much for clarifying this. Yes I have used these quilts before and they are great. Great for a beginner or someone that is afraid of picking out their own colors or just want a kit. I use prepackaged kits all the time and I love them. If they have a color in it that I don't like I just buy some fabric to replace that color. Most of the time I like all the colors. They are usually a lot of fun to do. Even if you make a mistake and need more fabric than what the kit has it is really easy to replace with another color or piece from your stash or buy more. Hope this helps Cheryl
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User: cmckinzey
Member since: 10-21-2005 Total posts: 3 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 10-22-2005, 04:56 PM (9 of 18)
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I've not used any kits like these for quilting but have definitely looked. My question is, should you wash the fabric before using? What if it is already cut? I have a problem deciding what colors/prints to use and end up not doing much quilting because of it so I see the kits as a definite aide to me.
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: cmckinzey
Date: 10-22-2005, 06:50 PM (10 of 18)
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I never wash precut fabrics. But I also would never buy precut anything. You need to get use to using a rotary cutter and precise ruler(omnigrid) and just be very very careful when using the rotary cutter and placing your ruler on the fabric. I would go to walmarts and buy some of their $1.00 or $.50 yard fabric and practice cutting with your rotary cutter until you get it perfect. You can even go to garage sales and get really cheap cotton fabric. As for prewashing, I always prewash if nothing else pre-soak each color by itself to make sure you do not have any fabrics that bleed. The last thing you want to do is put together fabric that bleeds and then wash a finished quilt and have it totally ruined because of the bleeding. Dark colors, red, dark blues and so forth are the really bad culprits. If you buy your fabric or kit from a quality quilt shop you may ask them about bleeding in the fabrics and see what they say, but I just like to wash. Unless it is large amounts of fabric I usually soak with hot water with washing soap and let it sit in a sink so I can see if it bleeds. Sometimes if you wash a fabric multiple times the bleeding stops. You may also get treatments to wash your fabric with to see if it would stop the bleeding if not take it back to the shop you bought it at. Also as to color when picking out fabrics, ask one of the shop assistants to help you get started then if the shop if a really good one they will help you point out the troublesome fabrics. If they won't do that I wouldn't give them my money. Just don't go during their peak business time. You can also take another experienced quilter with you to help out. I had a really really hard time getting unafraid of color but then a really good quilty friend said you pick it out and then we will dicuss it before you buy. I really really learned a lot from that one trip. Also, Ladies and gents please take a good beginners quilting class from a shop. They are worth a jillion dollars by the time you are finished. Cheryl 
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User: cmckinzey
Member since: 10-21-2005 Total posts: 3 |
From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 10-22-2005, 11:12 PM (11 of 18)
I purchased 3 of the precut kits when we were on vacation last year.....Each of the kits has all of the fabric prewashed and cut. I can't tell you about working them up because as of this moment they are still in the package.  I'm pretty good at putting things off. I did purchase one off of Ebay~ it is really pretty. It is really pretty! Star quilt (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=372&item=7709816433) I just thought it was so pretty!! It is still in the package as well! I will get to work on these...Dangit! I just need to schedule time to do it~I think the pattern you selected is really pretty! Good luck if you decide to try it! mgf~ 
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288 
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From: Zabelle
Date: 10-23-2005, 09:06 AM (12 of 18)
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I made the Rise and Shine quilt from that same designer (which I purchased off Ebay) and it turned out lovely. There was enough fabric and the instructions were very detailed. It turned out cheaper than buying the fabrics & batting separately (at least in France - I am aware that fabric shops are way cheaper on your side of the Atlantic! ) You can see the quilt kit I used here: http://www.thecrazyquilter.com/k0300.htm And how mine turned out here: http://e-zabelle.blogspot.com/2005/09/birthday-weekend.html Hope this helps! isabelle English sewing journal: Kitty Couture
In French: Journal d'une cousette |
User: Zabelle
Member since: 02-25-2004 Total posts: 98 
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From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 10-23-2005, 04:33 PM (13 of 18)
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Looks great!! Also loved the item that is below the rooster quilt...it looks like a tray (sorta) with the ribbons on the corners.....what do you use that for?? Is there a pattern for that or is that something that you make up yourself? mgf~
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288
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From: Zabelle
Date: 10-24-2005, 03:30 AM (14 of 18)
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Looks great!! Also loved the item that is below the rooster quilt...it looks like a tray (sorta) with the ribbons on the corners.....what do you use that for?? Is there a pattern for that or is that something that you make up yourself? mgf~ Hi mgf, and than you!  I'm afraid the tray topic is a little too off topic in this thread, so I'll create a new one about it, OK?
English sewing journal: Kitty Couture
In French: Journal d'une cousette |
User: Zabelle
Member since: 02-25-2004 Total posts: 98
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From: LadySloPokes
Date: 10-24-2005, 09:06 AM (15 of 18)
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I made the Rise and Shine quilt from that same designer (which I purchased off Ebay) and it turned out lovely. There was enough fabric and the instructions were very detailed. It turned out cheaper than buying the fabrics & batting separately (at least in France - I am aware that fabric shops are way cheaper on your side of the Atlantic! ) You can see the quilt kit I used here: http://www.thecrazyquilter.com/k0300.htm And how mine turned out here: http://e-zabelle.blogspot.com/2005/09/birthday-weekend.html Hope this helps! isabelle Thanks Zabelle--you did a great job on that little quilt! I'm glad to know that this will be something that will get me started. You're right about the cost of making a quilt from scratch, and since I'm so new to it I'd rather get a taste of it from a kit first to see if it's something I want to pursue in the future. Thanks so much for sharing your page and your work-I'm saving your link for future viewing.
Cookie
LadySlo...yes am I, but hey, I'm gettin' there! Are you sure it's supposed to look like this?! Proud owner of Singer Quantum Decor 7322 & Singer Quantum Futura CE 200.. "A balanced diet is having chocolate in both hands!" |
User: LadySloPokes
Member since: 08-15-2005 Total posts: 198
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From: Zabelle
Date: 10-24-2005, 01:06 PM (16 of 18)
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Thank you so much! I bought that kit for exactly the same reasons. I enjoyed quilting but I can't call myself a quilter. I love to sew, embroider, etc. so I can't use up all my "craft budget" to buy myself a quilting stash. I was very happy with the fabrics they'd chosen in my kit. Really nice! Of course you don't have the thrill of choosing your own fabrics, but... it's great for a start.  Happy quilting then! English sewing journal: Kitty Couture
In French: Journal d'une cousette |
User: Zabelle
Member since: 02-25-2004 Total posts: 98
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From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 10-24-2005, 05:43 PM (17 of 18)
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Hi mgf, and than you! I'm afraid the tray topic is a little too off topic in this thread, so I'll create a new one about it, OK? Thanks for sharing the info~I'm sure others will be interested as well! Off to check it out~  mgf~
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288
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From: MyGirlFriday
Date: 10-24-2005, 05:47 PM (18 of 18)
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Oh dear, EXCUSE ME for getting off topic....................believe it or not, more than one person reads these threads.................... Thousand strikes with a wet noodle for us BOM posters. I didn't read that the beatings were to begin~ Don't worry about it....Look what I started~I wasn't even talking about quilts or BOM!  I just enjoy chatting & didn't think there were rules about posting!  Call me clueless~ mgf~
Blessings & Smiles
Frogs have it easy....they just eat what's buggin' them. |
User: MyGirlFriday
Member since: 12-05-2004 Total posts: 288
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