Sew Sampler Subscription Box Review – September 2017

Sew Sampler is a subscription box from the Fat Quarter Shop that includes sewing notions, fabrics, and patterns for quilters!

This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

The Subscription Box: Sew Sampler

The Cost: $0.99 to join, and the box is $24.95 plus $4.95 for shipping for US customers, $12.00 for shipping for Canadian customers, and $16.00 shipping for International customers.

The Products: "At least 5 specially chosen items which may include fabric, notions, patterns, thread, and anything in between." They promise that the retail value will always be more than the cost of the box.

Ships to: Worldwide

Check out all of our Sew Sampler reviews and the Craft Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

The theme for September is Farmer's Market! This colorful card was the first thing I saw when I opened the box. I love the presentation this month!

As always, there was a shop promotion card for FatQuarterShop.com, a fold-out card explaining the items and a 'hand made' sticker. 

Good Life Tin with Window, Medium – Value $5.24

I love the colors and pattern of this little tin. The window is useful too  –  I have a lot of storage boxes and am always having to open them to remind me what's inside. The window makes it easy to see without having to open the box. 

The Good Life Charm Pack – Value $9.98

This pack contains 42 5" squares from this Bonnie & Camille pattern for Moda Fabrics. I enjoyed the retro vibe of this collection. I like the quality of Moda fabric and am always happy to see it in this box. 

Quilt Popsocket Device Media Stand – Value $8.98

This little device fits on the back of your phone and pops out to make a stand. It's lightweight and didn't support my phone in portrait mode, but works in landscape orientation. It's a cute item but seems more like a promotional freebie than something you'd pay for. 

Freshly Picked Tablerunner Pattern – Value $9.98

This pattern is exclusive to Sew Sampler! It's meant to be used with this month's charm pack. I am not quite sure how to use a quilted table runner in decorating, but I like its retro patchwork look.

Basket Block #6 Recipe Card – Value $1.48

Each Sew Sampler box includes a basket block pattern for a sew-along quilt that uses fabric from Riley Blake Designs.

Moda Fabrics Matchbox Quilt Kit #7 – Value $13.98

This kit includes nearly everything you need to make a 6" square quilt! I believe there were variations with this item; I received kit #7. The fabric has lines printed that show you exactly where to cut the fabric. It even includes a long piece for binding.

The instructions are printed right on the fabric. The assembly diagrams were easy to follow, but I had to look up tutorials on Youtube to find out how to add the binding in the final step. I'd still recommend this kit to beginners because it gives you a chance to go through all the stages of making a quilt without a huge investment of time and supplies. 

The first step was to cut the pieces along the dashed lines. 

Next, I started sewing them together. 

This quilt square is only about 3" big and has 17 pieces. I've only ever sewn two or three quilt squares before, so this is the most complex one I've made. 

Here are all four squares sewn together. The backing fabric is on the bottom and cotton batting is in the middle. This is what it looked like right before quilting. 

Here's the finished quilt. I've never bound a quilt before and accidentally did it backward, but I think it turned out well. It definitely looks handmade but in a cute way. Usually when I review this box, I just do a quilt square for practice. I loved that this month's box included a complete project. It took me about 4–5 hours, but an experienced quilter wouldn't take as long. (On the other hand, if you hand sew it, then it would take longer.) 

Verdict: This box had a retail value around $50, which is great for a $30 box. This was easily my favorite Sew Sampler box that I've received. The items fit the Farmer's market theme well and the presentation this month was particularly nice. I loved the pattern of the tin box and fabric, and the quilt kit was a lot of fun to make. 

What do you think of September's Sew Sampler? Do you know of any good uses for a tiny quilt besides a coaster or potholder?