Personally I love the BOM clubs. The most I have ever paid is 20 dollars a month, yes I know this is still a lot, but it gives me a pattern and the fabric needed to make a quilt and at the end I have something really nice that I wouldnt have been able to afford all at once. I have a limited monthly budget and it just works out nicely for me. (all of my BOM's have been from the fat quarter shop)

I'm very sorry that you feel that way. I teach BOM classes for the fancy embroidery quilts, usually Jenny Haskins quilts since she has some of the most beautiful quilts. As an instructor I have to make sure all of the designs will work for each student, this can mean hours of re-sizing or splitting designs to fit on smaller hoops, or combining designs for larger hoops so that person is able to maximize the large hoops and have fewer re-hoopings. Often times I have to fix small mistakes on the designs, I feel that the people who take my class should have perfect designs. Also, I'm available for students who have problems or questions with a block everyday, they feel that what they learn is worth more than the $25. each month. They not only learn how to hoop for precise placement, they learn how to maximize their machines advanced features, they learn how to fix mistakes so that they don't have to start a blocks over or pick as much. They also develope friendships with other students, get advice with fabric and thread choices, have the opportunity to see first hand different colors and how those colors work for a totally different look.

I know this is much more advanced than the simple BOM that it seamed to be discussed on this thread but I was very hurt by your comment and wanted to let you know that I put many hours in every month to ensure that my students have the very best outcome possible. If I were to break the money down that I make every month by the hours I put in it would probably be way less than $2.00 per hour. Most of us that teach these classes "Do not do it for the money" we do it for the love of quilting and the joy of seeing our students become confident and accomplished quilters. When you go to a show and see a quilt from your class with a ribbon on it you are as proud of you student as you were when your own children succeeded beyond your expectations.

Sorry this is so long but I did feel like you needed to hear from a different perspective so hopfully you will think about this before you make such general negative statements next time.

I do not work for the LQS or own a LQS, I'm an independant instructor.

Yes that is way too expensive

You got that right girl!!

I think most of these responses were pertaining to BOM programs where you just get a pattern and fabric each month, to finish at home alone. No personal instruction, or class time. That is a whole different story. Any of us that have taken quilting classes, with dedicated teachers, knows how very valuable those are.

I think it's too expensive for some and not for others. Nothing wrong with that. You can find something in your price range. It's like shopping for a car.

I'm doing two BOMs now. One is supporting a brick and mortar shop I really enjoy and one is supporting an online shop I like.

The Dear Jane BOM is totally worth it. And, every BOM I've ever received comes with enough fabric to make at least two blocks. So, it's really two quilts worth of fabric.

I think that cost (well for me) is prohibitive. Sorry - too expensive for my tastes. Also I find that I like to change the colors of the fabrics to personalize the kits (good money after bad as the old saying goes).

I mentioned this topic to my LQS owner last week when I was paying for my Thimbleberries. As to the Thimbleberries I have never done one so I signed up for 2010. I having a little buyers remorse now that I see what else is coming out for 2010.

As to the BOM she said it is the patterns that make them so expensive.

She also mentioned that it was a thangles BOM. Maybe the sheets of Thangles are expensive! That may include backing, batting, and binding--I do know that many of the BOM online have a larger price at the end for the backing etc.

I can't imagine what would make 1 quilt block worth $25.00. Even considering a fee to the designer and a cutting fee, that strikes me as too pricey.

I find that gals will often complain about fabric being 9 or 10 dollars a yard; but will commit to a BOM that ends up costing around $300. You can buy alot of fabric at full price for that amount of money!!!

I am in agreement that $25 a mo or more is too expensive for me. I have done only 1 and that was the Oklahoma Centennial
quilt and I just had to have it. I ended up making 3 blocks ea month so I had a quilt for ea of my children. Of course I had to buy my own fabrics for the extra two but I found much of the same fabric on line and some fabric I like better than the shops selection. By making 3 quilts at once I didn't think it was to high.

It sounds WAY expensive. I just got back from one of my lqs and thought $185 was too much. This included the fabric, patterns and classes for 12 appliqued blocks. I am still considering it however.

I haven't checkout out BOM's lately at our quilt shops but I used to participate at several different shops. Here's the way they worked:
sign up and attend at appointed time, usually before the shop opens.
The first block costs $10, you get pattern and fabric to make it. If you bring your completed block the next month and you'll get the next block free. But if you miss that day you have to pay another $10 to get the next block. I think I have 3 sets in my UFO pile. The blocks are done - I just have to put them together.

I have never had the desire to do a BOM, but I can see why lots of quilters enjoy them. As well as having a set task, there are the personal interactions and the fact it does support LQS. It's a bit structured for my way of working, does seem a bit expensive and I just can't see myself getting into it.

Hi, there are a lot of quilt sites that offer really nice quilts as a block of the month. You get one each month and they are free.

It seems expensive to me, but Ive never really done one, so I cant compare. I would check out the free ones too, see if you can find something simalar?