Hi Everyone,

I'm now two months into a 12 month BOM called Heartland Heritage by Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts in collaboration with the Fat Quarter Shop. Pam is an awesome pattern designer, quilter, instructor, etc., always coming up with wonderful patterns, many featuring fabrics from the Kansas Troubles collections by Lynne Hagmeier for Moda.

I don't usually do mystery quilts, especially BOM's, but when I saw that Pam was involved and the fabrics used were from Wildflower Serenade II, a Kansas Troubles collection, I knew I wouldn't be disappointed.

Even though there are many pieces to these blocks, the directions are so well written that I didn't have any trouble stitching them up. Can't wait for block #3 which should be here any day now. Until then, here are my first two blocks. Is anyone else out there doing this BOM?

Happy quilting,

Karla

I like both of those blocks!

I have never done a BOM.o you get to choose your own material?


Ninnie

Very nice work Quiltgranny. You can tell the care you took with them.

Hi Ninnie,

This BOM, like many you purchase from quilt shops comes with fabric that has already been selected and cut (with some extra, bless their hearts), into strips. You follow the directions to cut out the pieces from each fabric provided. There is generally a set fee for the quilt kit that is spread out evenly over the 12 month period. Some BOM's are only 6 or 8 months.

There are some shops tho, that "kit" their BOM's putting together their choice of fabrics, not necessarily those the original pattern used. As well, there are other BOM's that you get the pattern and use the fabrics of your choice. A good example of that would be the Moda University classes given at many shops, brick and mortar as well as some online shops. I am also involved in a Moda U BOM at my local quilt shop.

There are also FREE BOM's usually found at online through quilt shops, individuals and groups. They supply the pattern each month, you use your own choice of fabrics for those, too. Silly me, I am also involved in a couple of them. LOL

BOM's can be quite addicting, as many of us feel hey, we can do a block a month, right? Well, what happens when you get yourself involved in a few or more of those? Eventually, it's time to put them all together. Then, the real work begins! Hope this helps.

Happy quilting,

Karla

Hi RedGarnet,

Well, with 72 pieces in that first block, there's not much room for error, lol. Accuracy is certainly a benefit. Thanks so much!

Karla

Those are both beautiful. I can't wait to see the quilt.

Hi littlehud,

Thanks! I can't wait to see the finished quilt, too!! It's a mystery, so it's only unveiled a block at a time. The suspense is killing me!! :shock: :)

Karla

Your first two BOM blocks, are fantastic!! :D
I love everything about them, they are so pretty.
Please keep sharing with us, as you continue
adding to your quilt. Can't wait to see more.
:D :D :D :D :D

WOW!!! Those fabrics are gorgeous and your piecing is awesome :D :D :D

Karla

Wow - I'm in love LOL.
Your blocks are absolutely beautiful & so perfect.
I keep hearing a good friend here on the board mentioning Kansas Troubles fabrics. I can now see why she has an addiction to this line.
Is this the FQ quilt shop in GA that you are talking about, where you got this BOM. I've purchased fabrics from them befroe they are so friendly there.
I am currently doing a BOM - Home Sweet Home - by Alma Allen & Barb Adams. It's applique - I'm taking the bull by the horns so to speak & doing it by hand !!!!!!!
Will post my first block when it's done.
In the meantime Karla enjoy :wink:

Tisha

Like everyone said the fabric is gorgeous and the blocks you have made are beautifully pieced, something I can´t do well unfortunately unless its PP. Looking forward to seeing the next one, please post when you have it done.

Elle

You're doing a great job!

ooooooooo i like those. very pretty

Those are really beautiful!!! I can't wait to see more!! :D

Hi Tisha,

This Fat Quarter Shop is in Manchaca, TX. At least, that's where they mail the BOM's from. You can find them online at fatquartershop.com An awesome shop, great selection of fabs, frequent sales, awesome customer service and a super blog, The Jolly Jabber (no affiliation, just a very happy customer).

I am not familiar with the shop you speak of, but how nice that they are local to you, all the better! Thanks for your reply.

Happy quilting,

Karla

They are very pretty. I am doing 4 BOMs, one at my LQS and 4 with online sites. Two are 6" and two are 12". BOMs are a great way to learn patience and yet feel like you have accomplished something in a short amount of time. I am looking forward to the end of the series when I get to put them together.

judee

You girls are all so generous in your compliments, thanks so much!! :) I'll surely continue to post my blocks as I do them.

I have the blessing of few interruptions, as I no longer work due to disabilities. I used to be an accountant for a school district, so guess I've retained my penchant for accuracy. Don't be fooled, I own a seam ripper and use it plenty! :D Health problems have naturally slowed me down, maybe that's been a good thing, causing me to take more time in the measuring and cutting process. I do always square up each unit as I go along, too.

Still, I do have problems, I can't seem to make a flying geese unit that isn't wonky! :? Is there a secret? I've tried several different specialty rulers, even.

Again, thank you everyone for your encouragement and kind words. I've been lurking around here for quite a while and have taken notice. You're all such a talented, caring and thoughtful bunch of folks! :) Looks like I've found a new home.

Happy quilting,

Karla

Hi Judee,

Yes! We do learn patience with these BOM's, there's no instant gratification for sure. I've found too, that I usually learn some new techniques, too. Seems the BOM's I've done have all been a little different somehow, so have afforded me the opportunity to grow in my experience.

Gee, I hope your BOM's are kinda spread out and not all ending at the same time! That could be interesting. :wink: Thanks so much for your reply.

Happy quilting,

Karla

Hi Elle,

Hmm, paper piecing? Now, there's something I hadn't yet considered. I've heard there's great accuracy with that method, too. Thanks so much for your info, I will surely give that a try! :)

Happy quilting,

Karla

I also hear that Eleanor Burns shows a great way to do this, might be worth checking that out as well.

Elle

Hi Tisha,

Forgot to add that I looked up your Home Sweet Home BOM - WOW, what an undertaking that one is!!! Beautiful!!! I saw this one at a recent show in Denver and was in total awe!! Bless your heart, especially for choosing to do all the applique by hand. Would love to see your progress, have you posted it yet?

Happy quilting,

Karla

Beautiful all around!! I love the blocks and adore the colors!!

Thanks for the suggestion Elle. I have her flying geese rulers, maybe I just need to get them out and play with them again.

Karla

YEAH, Karla!!!! Thanks for posting these!! I love them!!!!! I just love those KT fabrics and your blocks are to die for!!!! All those pieces in that first block--and it is perfect! You just have to keep this thread going until you are finished with every single block so we can all follow your progress.

I am also going to do the Home Sweet Home quilt that Tisha is doing--but I have not started it yet---and it is going to take me FOREVER to do it. Applique is painstakingly difficult for me. But, I am looking forward to the challenge.

Karla, those blocks are fabulous!!! I can't wait to see how this mystery goes. I love that fabric line also. Great job!

Hi Marcia,

Thanks for your encouraging, kind words. :) Okay, okay, if you think I should continue posting each monthly block, I will. I am sure enjoying them. I don't even get out of the Post Office before I rip open the package to see what the new block is all about.

Boy, you and Tisha are braver than I am. That's one gorgeous BOM!! I have next to no experience with applique, but I am in awe of those who do it, by hand or machine. Hope you enjoy it when you do get going on it.

Happy quilting,

Karla

Tisha and Marcia...I checked out the applique quilt you are both tackleing...wow!!! That will be beautiful! Please post your progress...I want to watch that one progress too. I'm afraid I'm not quite to that level yet...may keep my eye on it for the futrue though... And you are both doing it by hand???

Thanks so much!! They are truly beautiful. Pam Buda is such a talented designer. I just love her patterns! I'll keep posting my monthly blocks too, I'm just as curious as everyone here! :)

Karla

Those are gorgeous! Great fabrics!

Beautiful colors, I'll bet this turns out to be a stunning quilt!