Cut to the Chase

What makes a pre-cut quilt kit worth picking up?

There is something pretty wonderful about opening a quilt kit and realizing someone else has already done some of the work.

The fabrics are chosen. The pieces are cut. The pattern is ready.

You can skip the measuring and cutting and go straight to the part you really wanted to do in the first place: sew!

But if you've ever shopped for a quilt kit, you know they aren't all the same. So, what makes one worth adding to your sewing room?

Here are a few things we think are worth looking for.

What does “pre-cut” actually mean?

Start here.

Some kits include pre-cut fabric such as strips, squares or fat quarters, but you'll still need to cut those pieces into the shapes required by the pattern. Others include the individual pieces you'll need to sew.

Neither option is wrong. Just know what you're getting.

If your goal is to skip the rotary cutter altogether, make sure the kit actually includes the pieces cut to the sizes and shapes you'll need. That's where a pre-cut kit can really save you time—and maybe a little frustration, too.

This is a great quilt kit. It is color-coordinated, but the fabrics arrive in 1/4 yard strips. You still need to cut out the rectangles and squares before sewing.

Take a good look at the fabric—and the color options

Of course, you want to like the quilt you're making!

Look at the colors and prints. Do they work together? Is there enough variety and contrast to make the design interesting? Quality matters, too, so look for quilting cotton from established fabric manufacturers.

But there's another question worth asking:

Does the kit offer colorway choices?

I've seen quilt patterns I absolutely loved, only to look at the available color options and think, Nope. Not for me.

And I've seen the opposite—a color combination that really caught my eye but the pattern did not appeal to me, or looked more complicated than my skill level can handle. 

That's because the pattern and the colorway have to work together. A beautiful design may not catch your attention if the colors aren't your style, and a great color combination may not work if you don't love the pattern.

Look for options that let you find that combination that makes you stop and think, “I want to make that!”

And don't be afraid to choose something outside your usual color comfort zone. One of the fun things about a kit is letting someone else do some of the fabric-matching work for you.

Know what you're getting

“Quilt kit” can mean different things depending on who is selling it.

Does it include the pattern? Binding? Backing? Batting? Thread?

You don't necessarily need all of those things in one package, but you do want to know what you're buying. A quick look at the product description can prevent that classic sewing-room surprise of realizing you're missing something important halfway through your project.

And if you're paying for pre-cut pieces, you want those pieces to be accurate. This is especially important with triangles, points and other shapes that need to fit together precisely.

After all, if someone else is doing the cutting, you want them to do the hard part well!

This is one of my first completed quilts. I sewed it while doing my first PMQ each month. It came with all fabric, including the binding and the backing. It was all coordinated and ready to sew from start to finish. A quilt kit is a great way to hone in your sewing skills when you are a beginner.

Don't overlook the instructions and support

Great fabric can't rescue confusing directions.

Look for instructions that clearly explain each step and include diagrams or illustrations when needed. Make sure the project matches your skill level, too.

Even experienced quilters appreciate directions that don't make them stop every five minutes and say, Wait...what does that mean?

And sometimes a little extra support can make all the difference. Tutorials, videos, a quilting community or someone to turn to when you get stuck can make a project much more enjoyable.

Most importantly, will you enjoy making it?

This may be the biggest question of all.

Look at the finished quilt—or, if it's a mystery project, look at the colors and general style—and ask yourself:

Do I want to make this?

A great quilt kit isn't necessarily the most complicated one or the one with the most pieces. It's the one that makes you want to clear a space on the sewing table, turn on the machine and get started.

A good pre-cut quilt kit should take away some of the work without taking away the fun.

The fabric is chosen.

The cutting is done.

The directions are ready.

Now it's your turn.

Sit down, start sewing and enjoy watching the quilt come together.