Buying a quilt kit on ebay can save you lots of money and time compared to buying quilt kits in a store or online.  There are many choices offered but you can avoid "surprises" by educating yourself.

There are two kinds of quilt kits offered on ebay.  The first kind of quilt kit is manufactured and is prepackaged.  Be sure to find out if the packaging has been opened; if so, make sure the kit is complete.  The second kind of quilt kit is handmade, put together by an ebay seller.  Here are some tips that will help you choose a good kit.

Tip #1 - Is the fabric precut?  Most kits sold on ebay include the fabric and the pattern, but the pieces are not cut. 

Tip #2 - Is the fabric 100% cotton?  There are many kits that are made of cotton/polyester blend fabric.  Usually this fabric is "second" quality fabric, but not always.  Also, you would not want both cotton and cotton-blend fabric in the same kit since cotton shrinks much faster than cotton-blend fabric. 

Tip #3 - Is there a seam allowance included in the kit?  This applies to precut quilt kits.  My first kit that I bought on ebay was handmade by a seller who did not include a seam allowance.  It was impossible to make the quilt blocks.  This is especially important if your pattern contains triangle pieces.  A triangle requires a 5/8" cut instead of the normal 1/2" cut.  Even though the seller eventually got kicked off ebay, she sold hundreds of her defective kits. 

Tip #4 - Is the kit coming from a smokefree or petfree home or store?  There is nothing worse than paying for a kit that you have to hang piece by piece on the clothesline to air out the smoke odor.  Even though we quilters are notorious for our love of pets, there are those of you who would not be able to tolerate the pet hairs on some of the kits being sold.

Tip #5 - What is the finished size of the quilt?  Make sure you get the actual measurements.  I am still amazed at what some sellers consider to be a king-size quilt!  Sometimes the seller will include borders in the measurements but not in the kit.  Read the fine print!  You may also want to find out the size of each block.

Tip #6 - Most importantly, do not leave feedback until you have sewn at least one block of your quilt kit.  That way you can be sure the fabric pieces and seam allowances are correct.

Tip #7 - Are instructions included?  Many ebay sellers assume that you already know how to sew the block you are buying.  If you need the directions, make sure they are included.

Tip #8 - Is the kit precut traditionally or is it cut for strip-piecing?  Strip piecing means you will have to do some cutting yourself.  Traditional cutting means all the pieces are already cut and you will not have to do any further cutting.

Tip #9 - What quality is the fabric?  There are generally three qualities of fabrics in the kits.  Quilt shop quality includes those excellent fabrics that you normally only find at quilt shops (Thimbleberries, Jinny Beyers, etc.)  The second quality is the fabric sold at Walmart and Joann's Fabrics stores.  The third quality fabrics are the "seconds" fabrics. Do the fabrics have metallics or texture?  Many quilters prefer to stay away from these fabrics because they shrink at different rates and can tend to be "scratchy."  Usually it is obvious by the picture whether or not the fabrics have texture, but if you're not sure, ask!

Tip #10 - If a kit is made in new fabrics, do not be concerned about whether or not the fabrics have been prewashed for shrinkage.  According to Lynette Jensen of Thimbleberries, today's fabrics are made in such a way that there is minimal shrinkage.  She actually prefers unwashed fabrics because they are crisper and easier to work with.  However, if you are buying a vintage quilt kit, you may want to preshrink the fabric yourself or ask if it has already been preshrunk.  Especially if you are buying quilt blocks made from vintage fabrics. 

Don't be afraid to buy quilt kits on ebay!  There are many sellers who have sold thousands of kits.  If you don't see what you are looking for, ask a seller!  Several times I have received requests that I passed on to other sellers; likewise, I appreciate being recommended by other sellers.  Most of us are very appreciative of the wonderful opportunity of selling on Ebay. 

So enjoy browsing all the auctions and make sure you check out the feedback comments before deciding to purchase.  Then do you part by leaving appropriate feedback.

Enjoy quilting!

PS ~ If this guide has helped you, then please click on "yes" at the bottom of this page.  Thanks!