I do not want to get my posting deleted so I will not mention specific shops or companies. I need help understanding though. Many of the 12 month BOMs and even a couple of 13 month ones are running from $30 to $40 not including start up of at least $30. I am thinking of one in particular that is a wool BOM in this price range. I would like to do it and I think my skill level may be right for the project but I am having a difficult time justifying the cost. Is there really $40 worth of wool in each packet? Does it make that much of a difference to choose one's own fabrics? Specifically wool.

Does anyone have any insight on this? I am not trying to cast apsersions - I am just trying to understand what else goes into the pricing on these projects and whether or not it is worth it to maybe just purchase the pattern and begin collecting fabrics rather than doing a BOM.

As a thought ... the BOMs that I have seen have had fabrics so well coordinated, I don't think I could ever come up with such perfect choices in doing it on my own.

No doubt you can do it on your own ... and if that's what you choose, there's nothing wrong with that.

I want to do another one myself but I was actually discouraged because of the bad experience I had with the company from the one I did this year. I do think they are pricey because you spend a couple hundred bucks for the kits over time, and usually that is just for the tops. If its ryan mckenna I can justify it because her patterns by themselves are usually close to a hundred bucks, and fabric for a top is usually cost me the same. If its something you like go for it, I think it just makes it more affordable over time you don't have to shell out a couple hundred bucks all at once

we could just surf online and pick out free quilt block patterns and make them ourselves

I'd say most of the BOMs are not worth their cost. Some you pay a lot for because of the uniqueness and small print run of the pattern. It is rarely the fabric that is the top cost.

Calculate out the total cost of the project. Would you pay that much for a kit? Do you love this quilt that much? If so, it's fine, go for it.

I'd say most of the BOMs are not worth their cost. Some you pay a lot for because of the uniqueness and small print run of the pattern.

Calculate out the total cost of the project. Would you pay that much for a kit? Do you love this quilt that much? If so, it's fine, go for it.

I am subscribed to quiet a few BOM programs and most are around $30 after joining fee. I am happy with the fabrics that come with each one. I use the well known online shop programs. I sometimes use the fabrics for other projects! I'm not that committed to the BOM quilt as it is suppose to look. LOL. My DDs sign me up for a lot of the BOMs for birthday, mother's day, anniversary, Christmas. They never get the backing package.

Have you ever gone to a guild show and there hanging all in a row are 5,10, 15 quilts ALL EXACTLY ALIKE? All the same size, all the same colors, all the same design, ....
That's what you get with a BOM kit quilt....

I actually bought a BOM at Joanns - it was on the markdown and each 'block' was $3.97 and the finishing kit was $20... it was 'ok' but not something I'll do again..

Most of the BOMs from quilt shops are only sold as BOM. You can't buy just the pattern until long after it's out of print and then only if you happen to run across an unsold one in a quilt shop.

Basically if you want it you have to pay for it. If you don't want to pay for it then you just do without.

There was one BOM online, and the pattern alone was also available. The patterns alone were $24-$26. The kits were likewise higher priced than most others.

As was said before, not to criticize but just to understand why the prices are so high. Maybe it is the creator's name that was costing so much. I don't know. Just inquiring.

Yup, when you do find just the pattern each block pattern can be 20 bucks plus. I have found a couple of fairly old BOM patterns for $65 for all 12 patterns but they were out of print and the shop's last one or two unsold patterns.

You're also paying full retail for the fabrics. A lot of times the fabrics are only available as a BOM to start with and you'll only find them on the shelf after the shop has sold all of the kits.

They're pretty expensive for the shops to get into to start with.

I would just get the patterns and pick my own fabrics usually you can buy the same fabric and it is alot cheaper than the price they charge for a kit.The kits are great for some people but I cannot justify the cost or paying a start up fee

I don't have any online BOM experience - only my LQS. There it's typically a $5-$10 fee for first block. If you complete your block by the following month's meeting date, that month's block is free. You then purchase the finishing kit from the shop with either their choices for sashings/borders/backing or your own selections. They usually offer several different colorways and sizes raning from lap to king. I've ended up with a king top/back for about $250. I like doing this because there are usually a variety of techniques throughout the year and gives me a chance to practice those I'm not as familiar with.

Have you joined any of the BOM's here on the site...I joined the three...Hses, Stars and Balt Blocks...they are great...

If you are going to make the quilt that comes in a BOM then I think the price equals out to about the same if you had to go buy all the fabric of the same quality. The time you save is worth the extra dollars. I count my time in money when deciding if the cost is worth it.

If it's something I just LOVE and feel that the fabrics just Make the quilt, I might do it if I felt that I could afford it. I've only seen one that I felt that way about but didn't have the money at the time. Also, I don't live near a quilt shop or fabric store so that would limit my access to those particular fabrics..if they were specific ones. If you had to search all those fabrics out, it could take a lot of time. All those things could affect your decision. The one I loved is the Primitive Garden one shown recently on here. Just love it.

Its not my thing to waste that much money that could be spent on more fabric.
I will buy a new Quilt in a Day book with Joanns coupons then go on QIAD website and buy the same material that is in the book and make the quilt.
Kits are very reasonable thru Connecting Threads also. Just got the new catalog and love the new fabric lines.
The only BOM quilt I was crazy about was the Back To Nature quilt but found the kit at Hancock of Paducah instead, it was still expensive but not as much as BOM. You are paying so much for shipping each month.

I do several BOM with or LQS. At mine we always have plenty of fabric to the block plus alot extra. It's high quality and then I'm also paying for the teachers time each month. I pay 30 each month. Now I'm lucky; mine are Civil War BOM's and we get lecture each month that goes along with the war and time frame and we learn about the block as well. Our teacher goes over the pattern with us and is in the store each Friday if we need help.

I would talk to the store; not all are the same. I know someone taking the same class as I but at a different store and she says she rarely has enough fabric to complete on block. Not all stores are the same; voice your concerns before you decide

I think BOM's rely on people paying extra for the convenience of not having to buy small bits of each of the fabrics in each block. Many people also join a BOM through a LQS for the companionship of making the quilt with other quilters. My LQS offers free group sessions for those participating in the BOM. I personally prefer to select fabrics from my stash, so my quilt is never the same as any other. For me, the price of most BOM's is too high. For someone else it might not be.

Even though the fabric we get each month is great I have such a large stash of reproduction fabric and I go thru it and if something draws my attention for that pattern I use my stash; most of mine are unique. I agree w/the companionship; it's great to see what others have done.

I rooted around and found the book.. used my own stash and found others to add to the block . very happy not 25 start up and 25 / month.

BUT will say.. It is like anything else. Go to a Mall and you will drop 30 dollars easy on "just bought it " stuff.

on the fence. solved my own dilemma. really liked the quilt I made by book.

good luck.

I have often wondered about the cost to the shop. It makes sense particularly if they have to hold the fabric back until the BOM run is over. I would not pay $25+ for a BOM where the fabrics are not exclusive. I'm doing the Thangles BOM right now and I'm paying $1 for 2 strips of fabric and the pattern. I purchased the setting materials but not the backing yet. I would consider that exceptional value and not the norm. Also, the fabrics are ok - not mind blowing or anything.

I would love to do Cotton Club. In real life it is so beautiful but I am going to pass on it. Not only due to the cost but I don't exactly have the skill set for it yet and I would hate to have it sitting unfinished.

I like the idea of having a little lecture and then the possibility of getting help if needed. My LQS is doing the Cotton Club BOM but without out any presentation. I think the presentation adds value. And it is always great to work on projects with others.

Wool can be quite expensive if it is hand-dyed and 100% wool. If the BOM cost is about the same as for a regular top, it might be worth it in wool.

That is an excellent point.

I like your way of thinking :D I'm doing a BOM that was free online that I am thoroughly enjoying and also I am able to use my own scraps.