Tuesday, December 06, 2011

This should be lots of fun!

The Blog Hop starts from December 10th until December 17th!




Blog Hop Party with Give-AwaysWell this is something different but I thought I'd try it out! I'm giving away one of our Crazy Patchwork packs(winner to choose from the two examples shown) and also 2FQ's of our hand-dyed fabric! The fabric pieces are examples and again the winner may choose the basic colour that she or he would like!




To enter the give-away:Leave a comment answering the following questions:   What’s the one thing you now know that you wish you knew when you first started quilting? What do you look for when buying kits for quilting?  Winner will be randomly chosen on December 17th. 

Click on the panel at the top to visit all the participating blogs. Have fun!  

The Give Away is now closed! Thank you for participating. I will announce the winners later tonight! 

105 comments:

  1. Not a quilter, but I do enjoy your work. Good luck to all the quilters who enter!

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  2. I wish that there was more info about machine quilting when I started! I want everything to be included when I get a kit.

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  3. I am new to quilting, so there is still a lot I don't know and I wish I knew!

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  4. oooh those look fun! Thanks for the chance :)
    Ummm.... well.... that is quite a hard question! lol
    I guess maybe I would have liked to know from the beginning that there is no one "right" way to quilt. Because my initial demonstation was from quite a traditional quilter who only does straightline quilting and handstitched binding etc... of which there is nothing wrong with those things whatsoever but it was just nice to learn that there were other ways to do things too which were faster for me.

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  5. Oh these look lovely!
    I do wish I knew that there where 1/4 inch presser feet with guides! That would have made my first few years of quilting/sewing so much more pleasurable! That along with the 505 basting spray instead of pin basting, my hate of pin basting nearly made me stop quilting =)

    In a kit I want everything to be included, including any stabilizer or any other stuff needed to finish the project. This I live in Malta and have to order everything from abroad and if something is missing in a kit I can't make it for weeks waiting for the right stuff to arrive - which really bums me out.

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  6. I wish I had known about cotton batting. I used polyester because I didn't know any better, but everything looks and feels so much nicer with the nice batting.
    I would look for colour when chosing a kit, interesting colour choices that I wouldn't have known to put together

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  7. New nothing when I started but wish I had realised how important it was not to go up at the end when sewing a 1/4" seam
    thank you

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  8. Back when I started quilting I wish I would have known what a scant quarter inch was. I don't buy kits very often. But when I do I want something unique that isn't seen everywhere else. Your crazy quilt kit is a perfect example of something I would buy.

    Thank you for the chance to win!

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  9. Hi, new follower here... hmm that's a tough question, one thing I would have liked to know about a year ago, is a freezer paper method for paper piecing where you fold the paper back and never stitch onto the paper, I now have a whole top that has paper inside and it's taking a long time to rip out- also reducing the stitch length would have been good to know- I KNow NOW!!

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  10. I love this give away, espessially the black and white pack! Su cute. When a started quilting (I leaned it my self, no classes) I used cheep fabric from market, now I know i prefer quiltfabric fot the better quality. (and colors) I am busy blog hopping already and I am a participant as well! So much fun! Kind greetings from the Netherlands!

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  11. nice giveaway..thanks....I didn't realize the fabric differences when I started. I've never bought a kit

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  12. I'm still new to quilting. I wish I know more about batting and machine free motion quilting.
    Thx for the chance to win ^^v

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  13. I wish I knew that I could machine sew bindings - I hate hand sewing (I have arthritis and being able to machine sew them has changed my quilting life!). In a kit I look for clear instructions and that all the components are there. I hate having to but extras when using a kit.

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  14. I love the bright floral pack! I am new to quilting (just made 1 so far) so I feel like I got some great sewing basics for it (took Chasing Cottons quilt 101 class!) thanks for the chance to win!

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  15. I wish I'd known that I could make a quilt without ANY rules involved. It would have had me stitching them up years earlier. And...I don't use kits or patterns!!!

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  16. I wish that i new it didn't have to be perfect! thank you for the chance to win!

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  17. I wish I knew I'm the only one who has to love it!

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  18. I wish I had known to only use 100% cotton. I used a poly in one and it became a nightmare when joining up the blocks.

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  19. I wish I had known about rotory cutters.

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  20. I have never bought a quilt kit so I have no idea what to look for but will be watching the comments to find out.

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  21. I wish I knew that I didn't have to buy every piece of fabric that I saw and liked even a little bit. Thank goodness for scrappy quilts.

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  22. I wish I had known how to quilt, LOL. I just picked up a book, saw a quilt I liked, and started doing it. Putting it together was easy, it was the quilting that was horrendous.
    I've never bought a quilt kit, but I guess the one thing I would look for most would be color combinations that I liked.

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  23. I wish I had known how addicting it would be. The thing that I look for the most in quilt kits are accurately measured fabrics and pattern instructions that make sense. The first pattern I ever used was terribly written and the designer had not worked within the parameters of on of her fabrics. Luckily I was able to make do. Thank you for the great giveaway! :)

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  24. I wish I would have known about leaders and scan 1/4" ... makes a big difference and also what I look for in a kit is easy patterns and all is included ... thank you for the chance to enter me in your giveaway..happy stitching.

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  25. I started quilting so young that I have no idea what I would have wanted to know, we didn't even have rotary cutters then. I like kits that have plenty of fabric in them so you won't come up short. Great giveaway!

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  26. That not every stitch has to be exact and that you can always hide a mistake under crazy quilting. I don't quilt per say anymore as my thumb won't let me, but, I do machine applique and quilt. I miss piecing by hand.

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  27. I've only been quilting for a month, but what I wish I knew at the beginning is that starch is a godsend. I had so much more trouble with fraying fabric and more difficult piecing, and now a month later, I always starch (I found a homemade starch recipe online and it works great) and quilting is much more pleasant. As for the second question, I haven't purchased a kit yet, but what I would look for is bright colors and block designs that do not need a million tiny pieces. Thank you for the great giveaway - I love the hand-dyed fabrics and the Roses color scheme.

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  28. When I started quilting I wish I had known there were such things as rotary cutters. I did every cut by scissors. LOL. I don't buy kits often but when I see a sample made up sometimes it tells me to take the kit home. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  29. I wish I knew how to paper piece when I first started, because than I probably wouldn't have taken the long break from quilting that I did.

    Thanks for a chance to win!

    kelly (at) mysimplewalk (dot) com

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  30. I wished I had known how much fun I would have and then I would have started quilting sooner. I've bought many kits. I think if it was a place I hadn't shopped at before, I would get a small kit to make sure they provided enough material. My favoite BOM place is the Fat Quarter Shops Designer Quilts, because there is always enough fabric.

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  31. I wish I knew that you should square up your quilts before binding. Uggg. I love kits because the colors are coordintaed for you.
    Thanks for sharing!

    Angie

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  32. I'm new to quilting but I think I'll say how important it is to sew with a 1/4" seam allowance. I have not bought a kit yet but I like that everything is all coordinated for you. Great giveaway!

    missmoozie/at/gmail/dot/com

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  33. When I started quilting I wish I had known to buy good quality cotton fabrics. When I buy a kit I want the instructions to be clear, step-by-step and hopefully a picture or two. Thanks for having a great giveaway. Your crazy quilt kits look wonderful.

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  34. When I started I wish I'd realised the importance of an accurate 1/4 inch seam!!
    When I buy kits I like good pictures of finished articles and alternatives!

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  35. Two things...I wish I'd know how important a true 1/4 inch seam was and that machines aren't always set to 1/4 inch with the "regular" foot. I didn't know for a long time that I have to move my needle over quite a bit when I use a regular foot if I want a 1/4 inch seam! The other thing is I wish I knew how important it is to square up as you go. It can really make a difference. I've never bought a kit, but I think I'd look for appealing colors and design and good instructions (with pictures!). Thanks for the chance.

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  36. When I started quilting, I didn't know about the walking foot. So, my first couple quilts were quilted using a regular foot. Oh well, I still love those quilts. Lol!! When I buy a kit, I look for good instructions, and nice fabric selection! Thanks for the giveaway!!!

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  37. Color is the most important thing in buying kits. It has to be colors I love and inspire me. I wish I knew that it is more important to follow my heart than follow the rules.

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  38. i'm still a newbie quilter... so i don't know of anything except iron, iron, iron! i've never bought a kit, but i would like to!

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  39. Great Giveaway. I wish I had taken quilting classes before I just jumped in and started on my own. I may still go back and take classes as there is a lot that I need help with.
    I've never bought a kit, but if I did, it would probably be based on the overall design and fabric that goes with it.

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  40. What’s the one thing you now know that you wish you knew when you first started quilting? Be careful when selecting fabric

    What do you look for when buying kits for quilting
    Uniqueness

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  41. Hi, i wish I knew that my sewing machine came with a 1/4 foot when I started found it about 2 months ago when a friend ask me why I didn't use it. They have the same machine,dummy. When I buy a kit I want everything I need with it or at least listed what is not included. Thanks for the giveaway and Happy Holiday to You and Yours.

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  42. So many things! One important thing I've found over the years is to use GOOD quality thread - my grandma loved buying those cheap 4/$1.spools - I'll bet any quilts using that stuff are falling apart now - plus cheap thread is messy for the "innards" of your sewing machine! It costs more, but worth it! Thanks for the great giveaway.

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  43. i wish i knew to buy with something in mind - when i buy just to buy, it tends to sit there.. when i buy with a purpose, it gets used

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  44. I wish I had known that every stitch didn't have to be perfect and that it was okay as long as I was happy with it. The main thing is to just enjoy what you are doing. I don't buy kits, but if I did, I would want it to have colors that I love. Thank you for the giveaway. Joyce-- ccarter13@windstream.net

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  45. I wish I would have known the difference from Walmart fabric and quilt shop quality so I wouldn't have wasted so much money and time making things that fall apart in the wash. Your giveaway is really neat.

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  46. I wish I knew then how to use my rotary cutter accurately. Through trial and error I finally mastered it. It got better with time. Thanks for the giveway.

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  47. Oh my goodness what I would not give for that Rose crazy quilting package!!

    If I had known about crazy quilting when I first started quilting I would have many pieces of heirloom sewing to leave to my children and grandchildren! I found crazy quilting a little over 3 years ago and fell in LOVE!!

    When I am buying kits for traditional quilting, I always look at the fabrics first...

    Crazy Quilting kits.. I look at the type of fabrics and how many embellishments there are...

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  48. Wish I knew about freezer paper back then. Applique is much easier now.

    Not much kits bought but fabric is appealing first,

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  49. Your fabric is beautiful! I really wish that I had know to use cotton fabric when I first quilted. I had all sorts of fabrics, even polyester, when I first started!!!

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  50. I'm still new to quilting... I wish I had someone to help me out in person when I need help. I am learning to quilt all by myself, so reading all this info is very helpful! When I go looking for a quilt kit (or any other sewing kit) I make sure that everything is in the kit. I hate buying extras later... Thanks for a chance to win this great giveaway! :)

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  51. I wish I had known to use lots of different colors, sizes of pattern and contrast. Many of my first projects just blend too much.

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  52. Let's see. I wish I hadn't been so afraid of the "rules". It doesn't matter so much. In a kit? I look for price and quality of fabric. thanks

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  53. I have never bought a kit either..so.. cant comment on that.. but as far as knowledge.. I wish I had more about batting choices.

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  54. Well it isn't quite right they didn't have the items yet but I wish I knew about rotary cutters,mat and rulers. They have made quilting so much easier for me. All materials needed to complete the top.

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  55. I wish I knew that I could have confidence in my ability to pick colours. I like kits to have everything included, or at least everything except possibly the batting. Thanks for entering me in your draw.

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  56. I'm not afraid of the quilt police now, LOL!

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  57. I wish that I knew how important the quality of the fabric you use is... It doesn't have to be the most expensive, but it surely needs to be of good quality.
    When I look for a kit, the most important thing to me is that it have *correct* and easy to follow instructions-- not all do....

    Thank you for a chance to win your one of your wonderful prizes!!!!

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  58. I wish that I knew that you don't have to follow rules but that you can change a pattern. I never buy kits. Thanks for the giveaway

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  59. Love your packets in the give away!
    I wish I had know how important ironing was to the quilting process. I now iron after every single step!

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  60. I wish I knew how to make HST the easy way when I was just starting to quilt. As for quilt kits...very clear instructions are absolutely necessary. Thanks for the chance!

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  61. When I first started quilting I wish I knew how important a 1/4" seam was. I came across some blocks I made when I first started and the seams are so random in size - lol! Thanks for the opportunity to enter your great giveaway!

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  62. I wish to know the fabrics color matching.
    Thanks for the generous giveaway!

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  63. Wish I knew you don't need big stash. When I look for kits I am really looking for pattern and fabric to fit my preferences together.

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  64. When to hold em and when to fold em. By that I mean when it fights you walk away. Nothing is more frustrating as when things don't go together as they should. Fighting it is usually a battle you can't win until you have stepped away and had a cuppa something! Return later it's usually much easier then. :-)

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  65. I wish I knew how important it was to "set the seam" before pressing half square triangle blocks (and other blocks as well). Thanks for the chance to win your giveaway. Happy holidays.

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  66. I am just a beginner, so I can know much. this is a great opportunity to try crazy quilting,which I love much. hugs

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  67. I am new to quilting, so didnt bought patterns before. Thank you!

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  68. I wish I knew more block patterns, I have only made a baby quilt from a kit and I loved makeing it.

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  69. I wish I had known that a quilter doesn't have to learn every technique..nor does she have to have every tool ever made..and that many of these tools don't work for every quilter. But nobody could have told me, I had to learn for myself.

    I have had a class with Judith Baker Montano on crazy quilting thru our guild several years ago and it was a lot of fun. I should get that project out and finish it.. I would love to win the rose pack..such pretty things in there! Thanks for the chance

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  70. Hmmmm that is a difficult question...I wish I had of known there was so much information online. I have learned so much from great quilters like you. Thank you for a great giveaway

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  71. I wish I had known more about thread. I have come so far in the past year. Also fabric, I always had to buy what I could afford and now I know that I can't afford to waste my money that way.

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  72. I wish I knew it was my quilt and I was free to make any changes I wanted to instead of following the pattern to the law.

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  73. I wish I had known more about binding. I definitely learned by trial and error!

    Desi
    weeshareblog@gmail.com

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  74. I wish I had known how important it is to sew with a 1/4" seam allowance.

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  75. The one thing that I wish I had was a 1/4" presser foot!!

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  76. The one thing I now know that I wish I knew when I first started quilting is to pre-wash the fabric!
    I look for quality fabric at a fair price when I buy kits for quilting.
    nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  77. I wish I had known about cotton batting instead of polyester....I like having everything I need in the kit when I buy it...thanks for the give-a-way...Happy Holidays.

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  78. There is so many things I wish I knew before! I wish I had learned to quilt sooner in my life, seams like I took to long to discover this passion! Happy Holidays!

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  79. I wish I had known that it would last!! I would have bought soooo much more of the cheap fabric I left behind!!! I occasionally buy pack and I look for COLOUR!!!!! This blog hopping is somewhat addictive ...but FUN xx

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  80. I wish I had known how much it would all cost....Very expensive hobby....lol Haven't bought a kit yet, but would probably look for one that has as much in there as possible.

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  81. I wish I knew how fun it is to be part of a group of other quilters...I would have found some folks to join up with back then! As far as what I look for in a kit, I have to love the fabric first. The pattern is secondary.

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  82. I am a fairly novice quilter, so I don't even know what I don't know!! I do like quilt kits that include all the fabric I need (though I can see where a more experienced quilter would rather choose their own). Thanks for the great giveaway!!

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  83. The importance of pressing seams when quilting. Learnt the hard way!

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  84. I wish I knew how important it is to use good quality fabric every time. In kits I look for something unique that I can't find everywhere.

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  85. I wish I had know about exact measuring! My older quilts look pretty bad! Thanks for the chance.

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  86. I wish I had known how expensive fabric would become. I would have started hoarding MUCH earlier. I look for COLOR first when selecting kits. If the colors are attractive, I will look at the technique used to complete the project. I'm not much on come types of quilting projects, but passionate about others.

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  87. I wish I had known the quality of fabrics, and I look for the requirements on the pattern and if the kit comes with what the pattern requires. I have purchased a kit once that there was not enough to complete the quilt because it came with just tiny pieces inside. Can not make a mistake ...

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  88. I love crazy quilts. ^^ I think I would have known to iron the fabric when paper piecing, so it stays folded in the right place and to pre-wash everything. -grin- Also, to hoard fabric, because, like other people have said, it is surprisingly expensive and hard to find the exact color and pattern you want without breaking the bank. I look for color and design with the kits; if I don't like them or they don't appeal to me, I won't do it. Thanks for the giveaway!
    kessilari (at) gmail (dot) com

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  89. I just wish I had been more careful when I first started. I go back and look at my earlier efforts and I just think I could do so much better now. When I look for kits I just look for patterns and fabric I like. I have even been known to buy kits and use the fabric for something totally different because I liked the fabric but not the pattern.

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  90. I suffered from fear of starting to quilt for a long time and I wish I had found that it only took a good teacher via dvd to start the ball rolling. I like the idea, though I have never used one of a kit with everything prepared for you, the benefit would be a desirable result. Personally I am in for the challenge of doing it myself for the experience and skill building. However, it is possible also to learn by tracing your hand over the master's work too, so a kit has it's value for me too.

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  91. Something I know - and love - is the quilters knot. Where you make a "lasso" and wrap the thread around you needle then slide to the bottom and ta da there is your knot.
    I love the pink and green - very girly girl:)
    Thanks for the chance to win.
    Cathy Byrd
    byrd@gulftel.com

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  92. I wished I known that it was more complicated than just sewing fabrics together. From choosing fabric - quality and colour. To choosing thread - weight and colour depending on what you are doing. To getting those seams lined up properly. But I am having lots of fun learning as I go.
    Thanks

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  93. To start with your own machine, because if you get attached to someone else's you will not want to give it back because you know exactly how it works. I have yet to use kits, I look on utube and other sites for projects I have yet to really use kits. lnb1191(at)aol(dot)com

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  94. When I first started quilting, I wish that I didn't waste time buying fabric just because it was on sale, with the thought that I could use it someday. I have learned not to buy fabric unless I love it, or have a specific project in mind. It has cut down on my "what was I thinking?" pile dramatically.
    I like when quilt kits have very clear instructions and give a little extra fabric to allow for sewing differences.
    Thank you for offering such a lovely giveaway. I particularly like the Elegance kit.

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  95. Very nice dyed fabrics! I wish I had known to get a rotary cutter back at the very beginning, and also to shop for high quality fabrics instead of the cheap stuff.

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  96. Beautiful fabrics. I don't quilt; however, I do make tote bags, walker bags, and wheelchair bags for my group, World of Charity Stitching and I would share the fabric (if I win) with some of the members who make the lap quilts for us-the quilts are donated to a senior citizen center and a domestic violence shelter.
    Thanks,
    Peggy
    peggy_verdongibbs@att.net
    http://keepmeinstitches-peggy.blogspot.com

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  97. When I first started quilting I wish I didn't buy so much fabric. I like buying for the project I'm working on but now I look in my stash first, and then I go buy what I need.
    Thank you for a great giveaway

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  98. What I wish I knew - sewing machines matter. I always figured the more expensive ones just offered more stuff .. stitches, threaders, cutters, ect. Now I know better, they really are more accurate. I usually only buy small kits, nothing too big. If it is big, I usually don't like one of the fabrics.
    Thank-you for the chance to win!
    kario66@hotmail.com

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  99. I wish I had had access to a rotary cutter back then! I look for kits with good directions. Thanks for the chance to win your giveaway and thank you for giving it!

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  100. I wish I didn't buy more than I could use in a reasonable amount of time. I have a lot of "what was I thinking" fabric.

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  101. I needed to just learn to start. Once I get started, it all seems to flow, but taking the first step was the hard part for me. And as for kits, I've never bought one because it's so much cheaper to just buy the supplies.

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  102. I wish I has known about paper piecing before I tried to make templates for TINY blocks! Don't use lits; prefer to use my own ideas, although I might go for a kit full of supplies with suggestions on use rather than a pattern.

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  103. The best tip I learned is this continuous binding tutorial:
    http://heatherbailey.typepad.com/photos/continuous_quiltbinding/index.html

    Thanks for the opportunity to win! :)

    sarita0818 at comcast dot net

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  104. I wish I knew all of the talented quilters when I first started quilting that I know now. For kits I look to see if there is backing included and how much I'd need to buy to complete the project. I love the pink and green packet. Thanks, Kd

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  105. I wish I would have known that a designated work area is a must! I started quilting, quickly became a fanatic for fabrics, and have no designated place for my work...which only leads to frustration for me... maybe someday!

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