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.