Does it ever bother you to do a block of the month quilt?
I saw one yesterday that was just beautiful and thought I could fit it in to my already crowded sewing schedule. The part that makes me a little uncomfortable is that everyone will be getting the same kit..... do I really want to be making a quilt exactly like so many other people? Does anyone else fret over this kind of stuff?

The quilt is Out of the Darkness and the sample blocks were stunning in person.

I have never done one and yes chosing the fabric and planning it is one of the aspects I like best about quilting so I am not very likely to give it up. The flip side is that hopefully you get a quilt in exactly the colors you want. Often I am drawn to a quilt because of the colors.

one of the parts of quilting that I treasure is my own input. I deplore having something like "everyone else"--guess my mom's telling me not to be like everyone else remains a chorus in my head. So, I would buy the patterns and use my own choice of fabrics.

Laurie

I am doing the patriots in petticoats BOM but only using the patterns, not the fabric line chosen for this quilt.
I am using my own CW repro fabrics instead. I do not like cookie cutter quilts...you know everyone's will be the same!
But some prefer that.

It wouldn't bother me having a quilt the same as others have. I would just be happy to have a beautiful quilt in the house. My problem would be keeping up with the BOM. It would probably end up a UFO :shock: because I would feel bad about getting so far behind on it.

I think they want way to much.I agree with you,you want your own quilt.How many quilters are going to have the same quilt.
Connie in CO

You can buy the "Out of the Darkness" patterns separately and use your own colour choices. That's what I did, tho' I am pretty sure the kit would have been nicer than my fabric choices!

Pam Bono is a wonderful designer isn't she?

I've done them before, but also struggle with having one just like everyone elses (which is why I don't buy kits), but I just swapped a couple of the fabrics for something else and then it was more my own.

DiTTo!!!!

I do not like the block of the month kits. it takes all of the fun of aniticpating the final results out of the work. I like the suspense and the revealing as the project progresses. It so exciting when I pick my own fabrics and pattern. Its what keeps me going back to the machine!

I've only done 2, did it because I fell in love with the fabrics, it's the Patchwork Party, 12 different shops feature a block, each shop finishes their quilt differently so you can choose one of their ideas or do your own. Marti Mitchell designs the blocks and she sells templates or the patterns have a paper template printed on them. with the templates you can makes LOTS of different blocks, all the triangles fit perfectly!

I'm starting the Michael Miller Clubhouse BOM next month. This will be my first one. It doesn't really bother me that others will have the same quilt, I'm the one doing the work! :)

I love Pam Bono's designs and that is one of my favorites. I would want to pick my own fabrics though.

Well good! I can't tell you how reassuring it is to have other people echo my thoughts. When I go to the shop, this one in paticular, and there are 30-40 people making the exact same quilt it kind of gives me the willies. Quilt clones.


I can see the safety in someone else designing and planning it all out and choosing the fabrics, an easy way out I guess is what I think. The blocks I saw were real stunners, maybe I'll ask about sewing along with my own fabrics.

Some people really need the fabrics pre-picked for them. I don't. But, that being said, I've never been able to swallow the costs of BOM kits, so I doubt I'd EVER do one with pre-packaged fabric, just based on cost. Now, I could buy the pattern and do my own thing for much less...

Honestly, I'm self taught and I find it very hard and irritating to follow a pattern. Seems like every time I try I end up with my 12" block measuring up at 8"s. I just got done with one that was a pattern and I had to remake my sample block 3 times and change all the sizes of the pieces to get it to a 12" block! Don't they add the 1/4 inch seam allowance to the piece measurements? It's frustrating, I was offered to do a block of the month and I backed out, not because I didn't want to play but because I knew it wouldn't turn out right. It's down right embarrassing.

I am a new quilter and looking for lessons. I found a new shop nearby and they are doing a BOM. I was put off because they won't show what it will look like when finished. You are just supposed to show up for a demo and pay for your kit and be in the dark about what you will be making.

Would that bother anyone else? This shop also has a strip club on Sat. You show up, pay the fee and get a kit. No idea of what you will be making. All fabric is their choice.

I want to take classes, but I want to know what I will be making. Do I just have a control issue?

I go to LQS's for Block of the Month, not just to learn but to meet more people who quilt. Opens a lot of avenues. I think this is a way to bring those together locally. Would not do a mail one. Pre-cuts are a break sometimes. And, bless their hearts, we have some members who are color blind for one reason or another , and they love the kits. So guess what I am saying is, to each his/her own. We are all so creative in our own ways. So go for it.....

I would be real tempted to do that BOM. You can do one in their fabrics and do a second one at the same time in your own fabrics. You'll end up with two gorgeous quilts at the same time that way.

I've never done one but I have a full set of monthly blocks that I purchased years ago from Keepsake Quilting. They kept coming every month and I never had time to do them.

But I don't think it would bother me one iota to do the same quilt that others are doing. I do like picking my own fabrics but if I loved the BOM, I'd do it. After all, chances are that I won't have any mutual friends with one of the other quilters who will see the same quilt in our homes.

Agree with cost - definitely wouldn't sign up for one that had an entrance fee.

GAgal - maybe it's a mystery BOM. I've seen those. Unless it's a mystery BOM, I've always seen the final product shown when you sign up.

no i dont fret over the small stuff

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I've done it and its beautiful! And so have a couple of others on the board. The fabrics come with it, or did when I got it several years ago.

I've done others, like my avatar, and am still getting compliments! It was a good way to learn to quilt. If you like it, do it!

I like blocks of the month, but not the kits. I would much rather chose my own fabrics, colors etc. I have never bought a kit, and don't think that I ever would

You can always add your on flare to it, like sashing, extra blocks, borders, the way it's quilted,... This is the 2nd year I've gone and I take my mother with me, we meet new people, have show and tell, door prizes,... and can't wait to see how everyone's turns out. Although the blocks are basically the same, they all seem to have their own uniqueness to them. We are always learning new things and new tools. Love it.

I went on a quilt shop hop one time where you recieved one block at each store (9) and you could buy an additional block. Each store had the blocks done and each finished into a quilt. Not one quilt looked the same because they all designed the finished quilt different. I took pictures of each quilt as I went store to store. It was amazing that they used the same blocks, but set them different ways.

I've done one and got so bored with waiting for one block, then another, that it took me forever to finally get it all finished.

I have never done one from a kit.Only the internet freebies!

I have done a couple of BOMs in the past with a friend and my daughters. We all ended up with the exact same blocks and then it was up to us to get our own fabric for the settings. It is amazing how different they all turn out. some on point, sashing between, triple sashing between, lone star in center. List goes on.

I've only bought in to one block of the month project - bought all 12 months, started the first block but the rest are sitting on a shelf to be done someday. They are applique and just seem to take so much time since there are so many little pieces. I think it made me realize I like folk art applique much better because the pieces are bigger and they seem to go quicker.

Yes it does. I have only bought one, and that was many years ago. It was an applique that used many, many fabrics and colors, so it would have meant buying lots and lots of small pieces of fabric to do it on my own. But I didn't use all of the fabrics sent to me, I changed it up. My aunt recently sent me a BOM set that she thought she would never get done. I love it, but I know I will exchanged some of the fabrics. I have to make it "mine".

I want my quilts to be all my own so I have only used one pattern. I used my own choice of fabrics. I usually think about what I want and then make it up as I go along. It does get tricky when it comes to the math of the whole thing. I know how big I want the quilt to be and with my DH's help we figure it out as I go. So far so good.