I used to be indecisive....
 

...but now I'm not so sure:D

Joking aside, I'm in awe of all the lovely projects here that people here have made, but feeling more and more bewildered with regards to what my next project might be. Which design which fabrics when there are so many to choose from! So, your opinions would be gratefully received please.....

I would like to embark upon a large-ish quilt. But, budget is a consideration, as well as knowing where on earth to start. I have seen a few 'block of the month' clubs that are available (bearing in mind I'm in the UK, so there isn't as much choice as, say, the US), and my 'local' shop is quite a drive away. Would you recommend a BOM club as being a good choice? I'm thinking that apart from being able to spread the cost, which is a major consideration, only trying to make one block per month breaks the project down into manageable chunks too. I go to a craft club once a week, so there is designated craft time, as well as more spare time once the new year is here and my job is quieter. I rather like hand sewing too.

Thoughts/ opinions would be very welcome please!

The Block of the Month clubs seem so expensive to me. Some of the quilts are quite beautiful. If you figure the total cost of the quilt, and it doesn't bother you, then go for it. You are right, the cost is spread out over a long period of time. Living in the UK will probably add to the shipping costs. What I did is buy fat quarters and add to my stash. When I had enough, I started a scrappy quilt that is very labor intensive. It is about 3/4 done, and I'm in no rush to get it done.
Sue

Check out Craftsy.com their BOM quilt for 2012 was really cute and I learned a lot and it was free! Doesn't get any better than that and you can do any fabrics you choose. If you look at their website (I'm not affiliated at all with Craftsy other than I have done the BOM and bought a couple of classes) and you can see posts of other users.

oh that sounds interesting, will take a look thank you!

I feel that the BOM offered by online quilt stores, where they supply the pattern and fabric, is usually much too expensive for my taste. For one thing, paying for shipping on a monthly basis rather all at once adds a lot to the cost of the project. Local quilt stores can offer more reasonable prices, without the shipping expense, but you said that there is not one near you. I would recommend the Connecting Threads kits, but they don't ship overseas. I agree with Sue that the craftsy BOM might be a good choice, and you could buy the fabric all at once or as you go along. There are many other web sites with free BOM - just google "free BOM quilts". I admire those of you who persevere in quilting even though you don't have easy access to tools, fabric, guilds, etc.

Oh - that reminds me - search for guilds in your area. I found one in Penarth in South Wales, don't know if it's near you.

Thank you Dunster! Penarth is quite a long way away unfortunately, but I heard of a more local group today so when I'm brave enough to phone them I can find out more. I just signed up for the Craftsy course; looks great and also with the fabric requirements given up front it will make it possible to cost buying all the fabric up front v. a kit, so that will be a useful exercise.

What about the BOMs that run in magazines? (British) Patchwork and Quilting had a nice one this year. It ran from the January issue until December and the only cost is the price of the magazine (plus fabric which you might be able to use from your stash).
The Craftsy suggestion is good too. You can join one of their free classes to see if you like the format. If you like them, be on the lookout for Special Offers with money off.

I don't really have much stash (yet!), as I'm newish to quilting, so whatever I do I will have to buy the fabric if I want it to look even slightly 'cohesive'. Will take a look at the magazine too, a possible for my christmas wishlist perhaps.

Well, I signed up to the Craftsy free class, which looks really good thank you. They say you need 36 fat quarters, plus some other fabric.... I understand the importance of using 'decent' fabric rather than cheap stuff, but even the cheapest fat quarters I have found are £10 for 4...that's a lot of money!! I know I could probably buy stuff as I go along, but worry about not being able to get the same design/ colour if I didn't buy it all at once.

I think I might have to be a bit creative and a) not use fat quarters, but maybe see what I can find in terms of charity shop (thrift store) finds...

There is nothing wrong with using what you have. Old clothes, thrift store finds of fabric. Or you could look online for low cost fabrics and just buy the minimum allowed if it covers what you need. Some ship free. Nothing wrong with lovely scrappy quilt. Every thing matches that way. Enjoy!

I second the motion on this. I loved the tutorials (the free classes for the BOM) I printed out all of the patterns, directions, etc. for the year. The last month was only great tutorials with Amy showing the assembly and finishing process. And she had a great surprise!!:D

I feel for you with the fabric prices. The best I've ever found in a sale is 6 for £10 ($16) and tends to be stuff no one else wants, lol.
I do however use eBay US a lot. Most shops will post 8-9 yards in an envelope for around £10. Expect to pay about 1/3 per yard of what we pay here.

TinaRibena, I never use FQ, I always use what I have. Mostly yardage, sometimes FQ's. I buy a lot of fabric online in the US, mostly from fabricshack. They have great prices, good customer service and reduced international shipping costs. They ship up to 9 yards in a flat rate envelope for $ 8.50!
BOM's from a LQS are very expensive, I look for free ones too. Here on the board are great BOM's and as said before, you can google for free BOM's.

The Craftsy BOM doesn't use near as much fabric as it says it does. I bought some fat quarters and would have plenty left over after cutting the pieces, so I wound up using a lot of fabric scraps. The background material used the most and I think I bought 2 or 3 yards and had some left of that as well. Here's my blocks before I sashed and bordered. You can see that you don't use a lot of any one fabric except for the background.

Ah, never thought of Ebay US, looked at UK one but not much there. Wil definitely check out Fabricshack too, thank you!

That's useful too, thank you; it did seem like a heck of a lot of fabric to get started!

If you go to the Craftsy BOM class - there are pages and pages of samples of what people have done - some used just two or three fabrics and their quilts came out to be quite lovely. You could definitely use fabric from a thrift store - a dress, couple of shirts and backing ... sometimes less is more!
Do you know about www.quilter'scache.com - all her blocks are free. You can scroll through pages and pages, find a block that you like each month and do your own BOM. Also Bonnie Hunter at quiltville.com has just started a Block of the Week that will run for 6 weeks - you don't have to do it that quickly just copy the info and work at your own pace.

I didn't. but I do now; that's why this forum is so great!!

Tina - for eBay shops try Jordans of Oregon; Phillyfabrics, Twin Orchard Textiles and la Chakra. Quilter Alice has really cheap patterns. If I think of any more I'll post.
A lot of the big US online shops will send international, but can be a bit of a faff as sometimes you have to buy the goods first, they calculate the shipping, email you back and if you don't like the shipping charges you have to then cancel the order.
Also, a word of warning - you can sometimes get hit with Customs, which charge you VAT on the price of the goods including postage and a handling fee. I've only been hit a couple of times and it's still shed loads cheaper even if you have to pay a fee.

Nearly forgot - US shops sell by the yard, not metre. Shouldn't be a problem as most of the sites you are visiting will be giving you sizes in yardage anyway.

Speaking of the Craftsy BOM that was recently finished, I think she used all fat quarters except for the background fabric. That might be a real doable project for you.

Tina: Can you read something then sew it ? IF so go to your local Library, get some DVD's or books on quilting. Maybe even someone there maybe able to help you out as they maybe a quilter or sew (and have sewn quilts). Also go to as many quilting forums you have on the internet-pick up tips, ideas from them. This forum has some most wonderful ideas, and you can make some wonderful friends as well. Many on here will give you ideas, tips and are just plain wonderful.
I am a self taught learner, but the tips I have gleened from everywhere have helped me immensely for sure .. Right now I am reading old (1960's-1980's) magazines for tips and ideas (that were given to me when a friend's mother in law died and no one wanted the magazines she collected -Oh yea I will take em and get new ideas, tips etc from them !!).

Craftsy BOM 2012 was informative and helpful for a person new to quilting as I am. I didn't use fat quarters but yardage from sewing garments in the past. Along with the QB and the classes , I have learned so much. Take the plunge, it's well worth it.

Why not get a lot of background fabric (white, off white etc.) Then do some scrappy traditional patterns.(Jacobs ladder, windmills etc.) Many can be found here and on the net. Initial cost would be the background fabric, then get the rest little by little?

Are you aware of the web site http://www.quilterscache.com/QuiltBlocksGalore.html? I would think that you could choose what blocks you would like to try, all 12 1/12", in coordinating fabrics and create your own BOM. The instructions are pretty clear, but I am sure if you have a question, this board is the best resource you will find. I also am new at quilting and my biggest problem is figuring out how much material I would need. My latest venture I ran out of 3 and when going to buy more, 2 were gone. Had to find something that would work in replacement of.

Try making a scrappy sampler quilt
 

I attached a picture of my most favorite quilt - a Lori Smith Sampler quilt called "Patchwork Sampler" (about 63" x 76"). Every block was different - different colors, different patterns, and assorted sizes. Unless you choose a uniform background fabric, you don't have to worry about having to buy yardages - except for your backing. My blocks were made with bits and pieces of civil war era reproduction fabrics. Lori also designs samplers that combine applique and piecing - and almost all of her patterns would look wonderful as "scrappy". Larger quilt patterns cost vary between $9 and $14 - shipping to USA is free - but only $4 to ship overseas. She also does patterns for small quilts. Her website is: Frommyhearttoyourhands.com

Her pattern directions are simple and accurate. Regardless of where you get the patterns - a scrappy sampler quilt would probably be the most cost effective. Good luck and keep us posted on your project. Happy quilting. Jan

WOW, that quilt is gorgeous!

Good luck on your project and I hope you can find the "just right for you" fabric and patterns. If you lived closer, I would be happy to share some of my stash.
Pat

We are so lucky here in the US to be able to get fabrics at great prices and have a vast variety to choose from. Are there fabric warehouses in the UK like we have here? I almost feel like packing a suitcase full of fabric and playing Lady Bountiful :o

I think there might be fabric warehouses, but most likely in the centre of England. I'm right on the coast of West Wales, and it is a long way from 'civilisation'! BUT, life here has it's compensations, we live in a beautiful place, and the quality of life we enjoy here is far nicer than the big town we used to live in; especially for my teenaged daughters.

I think I need to ask for the gift of patience for Christmas, it never was my strong point!! I'm sure the fabric will make itself apparent to me at the right time. After christmas maybe, when I'll have a bit more free time. I have promised the girls some sewing time in the holidays too, they're both taking textiles in school, which is lovely.

Hi Tina........As there are quite a few of us on the board from the UK i wondered wether we couldn't perhaps help each other out, and perhaps even buddy up, swop fabric etc. I think that we would all agree that the price of fabric is becoming a real issue here with a lot of fabrics costing around £13 ($18) a meter.
I live just over the bridge so am quite close and would be really happy to send you bits of fabric etc, i have a reasonable stash, swop patterns etc....postage would only take a day or so.......anyway PM if you think I could help you out..........

I enjoy the patterns I have seen from Rose Smith. The only thing is you would be on your own for the shopping for materials. Here is a link: [email protected] or www.LUDLOWQUILTANDSEW.co.uk she has cute free patterns and goes step by step and there are lots of half square triangles.

Hi Tina,
I have found The Fabric Guild to be great for fillers and background fabrics. All are 100% good quality cotton. Ring them up if you can't see what you want online. They're really helpful. I now get most of my fabrics from there or from the two shows a year that I attend. It takes some planning but it works for me. I use Modabakeshop patterns a lot too.
Hope you haven't had a bad time with the floods in your region.
Annie

I wish! None in Scotland :(

Thankfully we are okay, we live on top of a hill and 1/2 mile from the coast, most of Pembrokeshire is okay; I think further inland was worst hit as the hills build up and the rain is more of a problem.

AnnieH thanks for the recommendation, will take a peek.

Little RoO, if you're that close are you (or anyone else) planning to go to the Malvern Quilt Show in the Spring? I went to the 'other ' craft show there last year and was really taken with the Quilters Guild display and stand, unfortunately I had a rather 'interesting' friend with me at the time and couldn't stop to talk to them for long. I'm hoping to get to Malvern for the Quilt show this time.

Well I'm very excited; I just had an e:mail from a lady on Freecycle, offering me a bag of old duvet covers and sheets! Off to pick them up in a bit, and if they're any good I now have the basis/ background fabric for my Craftsy BOM quilt!

:D or maybe not! Did you know there was such a thing as 'Butt ugly martians', and that they have character duvet sets! On the plus side, my girls think they are kind of cute, and have said that they want them on their beds. Waste not, want not and all that!