Guild BOM
 

Hi, Just wanted to take a survey. I belong to two quilt guilds. Each has a BOM. I rarely participate since I have had the experience of winning and having a horrible time putting the blocks together as they are always various sizes no matter how well they were made.
My question is about how your group or guild does BOM. The guild I have belonged to the longest has had the same person doing BOM for at least 20 years. She made up the rules when the group was less than a dozen members. If you win you are obligated to make at least six different blocks in the next 9 months. Until you fullfill that obligation you are not eligible to win again.
The other problem I have with her rules is that she picks the pattern and they seem to be getting harder and harder. This month's pattern takes 48 pieces in a 12 1/2" block. Last months had 54 pieces. It has gotten to the point where there may be 20 or more blocks in the drawing but only one or two people are eligable to win. The other thing that bugs me is that she picks the pattern, the colors and even provides some of the fabric, at the guild's expense of course. There are 100+ members in the guild so she provides at least 80 pieces of fabric and that many copies of the pattern each month.
Here excuse for the rules and the quild providing the fabric etc. is to help beginners etc. After 49 years of quilting I am not willing to take on a single block with 54 pieces. The only way I would use most of her patterns is to enlarge all the pieces enough to make a whole top out of one block.
Just interested in hearing your comments.

sounds like it is time for you to retire from the Guild's BOM.
It appears to be to controlled.

It doesn't seem like a fun BOM.
However, unless someone else is will to take on what appears a big responsibility - you participate or you don't

Why do you participate if it is no longer fun? Quilting for me, is for enjoyment. What is happening in your guild is why I am hesitant to join a guild. I think alot of us quilters do not belong to a guild because of internal politics and pecking order hierachy. Why do 100 members go along to satisfy one member's ego? It may be time for you to break away from that guild and start a new guild with like minded members.

Our guild, each month someone volunteers to select the BOM pattern, assemble the instructions and any fabric provided and they are sold for a $1 each. You are entered into the drawing the next month if you bring a completed block/s. The guild will reimburse the member for any materials provided if requested.

There is one volunteer/coordinator that keeps track and reminds the folks who is responsible each month.

Sometimes I participate and sometimes I don't. It depends on how I feel about the pattern/block that is given.
I haven't ever won, so don't have experience about putting them together but I think the size is a common issue based on the variety of experience you have of quilters and the difficulty of the pattern. I did one a few months ago and could not get it so points would not be cut off when assembled, so I didn't turn it in.

My guild has its quirks but I have made a few wonderful friends, so I can overlook, as it happens with all organzations. If I were you, I would suggest a change if possible, or just don't participate in that part of the guild.

That sounds like work to me. My quilting is for fun. Just choose the ones you want to try and skip the the others. I bet things would change if everyone in the group did that.

Gads, how intense. I don't understand why the guild has to buy the fabric and I imagine pay for the printing of the pattern too. You must belong to a very wealthy guild.

One of my groups posts the pattern online - or an e-mail could be used. Two of the groups I belong to we each furnish our own material.

I wonder who really runs this guild. Hmmm.

ali

I've just joined our local guild, so I can only give you the information on the block lotto that was started this month.

They do 4 BOM or Block lotto's a year. They have a committee that works together to plan these. The one they introduced at the last meeting was a scrappy house block. It costs $1.00 to get a kit, which includes the pattern, a color pallet to work from your own scraps or fabric, and the neutral background fabric to use. The ladies who signed up are supposed to bring back their completed block next month and all those who bring it back are put into a lotto to win all of the blocks. There is no limit on not winning for so long or taking part for the next so many block lotto's that I know of! :) The blocks seem prety dooable even for a newbie like me. :) Here is a link to the block for our current block lotto: http://quiltville.com/happyscrappyhouses.shtml

I'm actually quite excited about our guild as they have SO much going on I'm sure to find something to take part in!! :D

Rhapsdy, I just went to the site you provided. I love that cute house block. I added it to my favorites. Thanks for sharing. As for the guilds, I have never joined one. I will just let this QB be my guild. Teresa