sewwhat85

no i dont fret over the small stuff

Jim's Gem

I have done some before and changed out one of the fabrics. It looks very similar to everyone elses, but just a little different. But usually, I like to change things around, different fabrics, different size, different layout.

CorgiNole

The "sameness" doesn't bother me as chances are that I'll never see another of the quilts, unless a family member were to suddenly take up quilting.

I'm currently starting the Sweet Sorbet BOM, and have decided to do this one by hand (something to do at hockey practice), which does mean that I have to sit down and re-figure the cutting instructions as strip piecing wont' work.

I chose this one because as a new quilter, I looked at the blocks involved and said "yes, I can make these." I've looked at some beautiful kits and BOM that are way beyond my abilities that would definitely end up as UFOs. I also like the color palette - some kits I've considered feature colors I'd never use.

I do enjoy the selection of fabrics for most of my ongoing projects, and in though the patterns themselves are a little out of my comfort zone. As it is not a mystery, I know what the end result will be.

Even though it is a kit/BOM, my quilt will be unlike anyone else's once I sandwich and actually quilt it - as I don't think they provide the quilting pattern, and even if they do, nothing says that one has to quilt exactly in that manner.

Cheers, K

Flying_V_Goddess

Yes. Espessily when I see patterns for things I've seen before. Too many times they'll take a traditional block, use a certain fabric line, and call it "new". I feel if I bought one of those kits I'd just be making a copy of an imitation. And even if the pattern is original I don't think I could follow it to a T because I think I'd be trying to find some way to put my own twist on it. I like trying to come up with original things or even if its not completely original I still put my own thought into it. So kits don't really appeal to me because they provide the fabric and pattern and that kind of takes away my creative drive and I'm making something so many other quilters are going to have. Patterns don't appeal to me either. Most of the time I can figure out how they're pieced together and it probably wouldn't end up looking like the one shown in the picture.

Prism99

I wouldn't sign up for a BOM when I couldn't see the finished quilt first. Some people like mystery quilts, but for that much money and work I want some assurance that I will end up actually liking the quilt! Unless you love absolutely everything that the quilt shop displays (and I have yet to walk into that quilt shop!), I would stay away from these mystery classes. IMO, it's not a control issue at all.

donnajean

I sometimes use BOM pattern sets, but use my own fabrics. Also, I usually adapt sized to me preference even if it means rearranging the blocks. This won was supposed to be much bigger than the one I adapted.

Melinda in Tulsa

My LQS does a buck-a-month BOM. You get to see the finished quilt before deciding to do it or not. The owner does a beautiful job of picking fabric. All you have to buy extra is the finishing kit...if you want to use her colors. The first one I did, I was knocked out with colors in it and I also learned new techniques with each one. Now, I'm on my 3rd one and very happy with her choices. And no, it doesn't bother me that others have one like it, as they don't have them at my house and I keep my BOM for my own use.

franie

It's whatever turns you on with quilting. There are no real rules. It's your quilt! Enjoy the process whatever or wherever it takes you.

Butterflyblue

Yeah, the aspect of not having a really unique quilt does bother me. I saw a beautiful BOM at a quilt store in a nearby city, but thought, "Now all these ladies are going to have the same quilt." I guess chances are slim that anyone is ever going to really NOTICE (how many people are going to come to your house, and the houses of several other quilters in the area, and see that you have the same quilt), but on some level, I want EVERY quilt I make to be unique to me.

sun3flower

I've been doing a BOM with a friend. She had very similar problems to yours. She didn't pay close attention to the cutting of the fabric, or the seams. My first quilt, I thought the first line on my sewing machine was close enough to 1/4". My blocks were smaller than the pattern. I've learned by trial and error, how much 1/16" can make a difference in the size of my block. I had a teacher say that is what sashings are for, to compensate for a mis-sized block. I have done at least 30 BOMs and finished two quilts because it is so scary to pick out my own fabric. I would say get into a BOM, I learned more there and at my own speed. My friend is learning more everytime also about accurate quilting. Erased some of your words to finish mine. Good luck. I love to watch friends learn to quilt.