Quilt Smart kits? Anyone tried this?

[sandy01301]

Hello,
This is my first time posting here, please feel free to tell me I am posting in the wrong place..
I bought a "quiltsmart" kit on this site last month. I have been quilting about a year, and I just finished the Spider web quilt pattern I got from Quilt in a Day- love it! And it was FREE! OK, I have never used "fusibles" before, so I did not know what I was getting into (now I am not doing the Dresden plate that was my next project,as I saw that you need to use the product for the center circle.)
The directions say to read them through before you start, so I did, and I did not understand them, so I sent an email. The response was not impressive, and suggested I pay 10.00 for more instructions, but they did answer my question.
It was/is a "kit", if nothing else, does kit not mean it should have directions included, clear and concise instructions, and customer service?
With that said, this is monotonous to say the least, if I had not invested so much in the kit and the fabric I would have backed out of this a long time ago. I fell in love with quilting because I could "put the peddle down and go", and this isn't it!
Does anyone else have experience with this product, if so, please tell me I'll be happy when I'm done, I'm almost done cutting the fused pieces and I'm so BORED with this project. I thought I loved quilting, now I am not so sure...
Disappointed,
Sandy in Western Mass.

[sandy01301]

I'm sorry, I should clarify. The kit is for a "love ring" pattern quilt. The fusible material is supposed to make it easier to do the rounded edges, and almost 50% of the fabric is 'fused', hence, you sew the paper to almost half the fabric, on the lines, then cut it out, first with the rotary cutter, then the rounded parts with scissors. Then you turn all the pieces out, and put it together...I am at the scissor part now....
I guess I just had so much fun with the Spider Web quilt, you just got to pick up a scrap and go, this kit is just like a paint by number, you paint their colors or it's not going to work. I don't like staying in the lines so to speak...Ugh! Turned off fusable stuff, rounded edges, and kits! Sticking to the easy basics I've learned on watching "Quilt in a Day"! (WHIMP!)
Sandy
My first quilt was a strip quilt, and the next nine patch, then a "crazy nine patch" (I think that's what it was called, where you chop up your nine patch and turn it.)So my skills are very basic- and speedy! Never a rounded edge nor a fusable before!

[jcdeem]

wow Sandy, not sure where the problem is, I myself have never used fusible interfacing before, I have thought about doing the Dresden Plate sometime in the future, from the video that I have seen in the "media theater" on here, the center I do know that you need the fusible, you do need to sew around the edges of the center and trim the excess fabric at about 1/8".

I am surprised that the customer service at Quilt in a Day would want to charge an extra $10 just to help you, I have ordered from them only a few times, and I have to say that I was very happy with the service that I had received from there, the was one day that I was not able to complete an order online, so I called their customer service number, they were very nice and courteous to me.

you might try to call their customer service number and talk to them, just make sure that you are calm cool and collected.

[cindyg]

Sandy - you did grab a pattern that requires a little more than cutting big chunks and sewing them together. Look at it like this - you are broadening your horizons.....stepping out of the box.....working outside your comfort zone. But this method is not hard - it's just different than what you are use to. Using the fusible is wonderful for applique because it sticks down the piece which makes it easier to sew down on your quilt. I'm assuming that you know how to do the circles now with the fusible interfacing? If not, PM me. Have fun - quilting is not a chore and I'm proud of you for trying something a little more challenging.

[sadiedaisy1]

I have made a Lone Star using QuiltSmart and I loved it. After reading your comment again, it sounds like your pattern is different than the one I did. I didn't have to turn anything inside out. It's good to know that all Quiltsmarts aren't the same. Hang in there with it if you can as I'm sure it will turn out really nice and then you'll be proud of your accomplishment. I hope you'll share a picture when it's finished.

[Joannequilts]

Sandy, it sounds like you got in over your head with this kit. The fusible takes the place of conventional applique. If you've never done applique, by hand, you can't possibly appreciate the fusible technique.
If the only quilts you have done are the three that you listed then this quilt is advanced for you. Some quilting techniques require some patience.

Joanne

[khowardquilts]

Sandy I have seen the video for this quilt somewhere. It was either here or on Quilters TV.

It really looks like it simplifies this quilt pattern.

If you really aren't enjoying it, put it away for later. Most quilters have some UFO's (unfinished objects).

Or sew some of the arcs and have them at hand to take with you when you will be doing some waiting. You can use waiting time for trimming and turning. I just got a ball point bodkin from here to help me with turning applique backed with iron on interfacing.

Kathy

[sunsup]

Sandy, I'm sorry you're having a rough time, but don't give up. If you go to the home page and scroll down, there is a vedio theater. You can watch the shows that aired on TV for free. One of them is Egg money quilts and you can watch the one on dresden plate which should help with your current project. I hope this helps.