newbie block of the month question
 

Okay, I have been quilting about 3 years, and I have ignored our guild's block of the month...but suddenly I have decided I want to do this. (This is because of a recent thread on here about challenging yourself instead of only doing stuff you know you can do...)

However, I really don't understand the overall idea. Each month I will get instructions for block to make. That is about all I know. Is the idea to then put these 12 blocks into one quilt at the end of the year? Do we show our blocks each month when we make them? Should I make more than one block each month? Should the blocks all be made of the same fabrics? Am I making a sampler...and it will only have 12 blocks?

I suspect the answer is I can do whatever I want, and I know I should have asked more questions when I picked up the instructions. But can anyone give me an overview of how a Block of the Month things sort of works.

Thanks a lot,
Dina

Okay, still Dina here....I just read the instructions I have, and I now know I am supposed to select all my fabric for the year right now. She suggests 3 or 4 colors...but her stack of fabric shows several patterns of each color. I guess that is a place to start.

Dina

In our guild, it's called "Lotto Block" and we usually make two blocks every other month. One month is "giveout" month, the next month you bring both blocks back and they're put in a drawing for all the blocks. You are allowed to keep the instructions if you wish to make a block for yourself from your stash. In the kits we're given, they provide 1 or 2 fabrics and you come up with the rest from your stash.

So far, I haven't won any, but it was a lot of fun making them, and a learning experience!

Yes, you are making a sampler quilt. And yes you can do whatever you want. Such as a lap quilt, table runners or what ever. You could work from your stash and make it 'scrappy' or color co-ordinate ~ quilters choice.

I will assume that the blocks are 12 inch finished (12.5 unfinished). So if you put all the blocks together in one quilt and add boarders, you will end up with a comfortable size lap.

It sounds like you have the answer. Our guild you make a block each month and turn it in at the meeting. Then there is a drawing from all who turned in to win the blocks. Then you do what you want with them. I have a couple of sets I have won and not put together in anything. Sometimes you will see them again in the guild auction.

I started doing BOM on the board hear. I picked out some fabrics and then did them each month. I plan to make a sampler out of them.

It is a good way to learn and to try new technique and see if you like them.

Okay, thanks. This does help. I guess I need to find out if I turn the block in or keep it for myself. I want to learn new blocks, and this sounds like a way to do it. I have mainly avoided traditional quilts, but they are becoming more appealing to me.

I am going to call a guild member, admit my ignorance, and find out if I turn the block in or keep it for myself. That will make a difference in my fabric selection....as I lean towards purple and most folks don't. :)

Thanks again,
Dina

When blocks are to be turned in for a drawing, the guild usually tells you what colors to use for that particular block so they will go together... sort of... Since they told you to select your own colors, I would hazard a guess that you will be keeping your own blocks.

You are correct. When I called a guild member and asked, she said that we will keep our own blocks. For me, for now, that is good news. :) Maybe I will get in on the other type of BOM some other time.

Dina

I don't belong to a guild so their rules will apply but I agree that if you're selecting your own fabs you'll be keeping the blocks. Just wanted to say that my LQS does a sampler BOM each year. You select your colorway (usually from 4 different available). Pay for the first month - usually $5 or $10. Each month you bring in your completed block, that month's (next) is free. In theory you get 12 blocks for your initial $5 or $10 investment. Finishing kits in varying sizes (lap to king) are on you. Although I've been quilting for about 10-15 years now, I still do this each year as a skill building exercise. And even though I'm generally not a fan of sampler quilts, it gives me something to use as a gift if I don't like it for myself. I find that even if the blocks are those that I've done before, the directions/methods have a tendency to be different so it's still building skills - even just cutting/sewing. Sometimes, like this month's block, it amazes me how horrible my blocks will turn out for this event. But when I'm doing an otherwise 'normal' quilt, cutting/sewing seems to go much better. Do as many as you can. It's worth the investment.

Like NJ Quilter, I did sampler $5. Blocks for two years. One year, we used 1930s fabrics. The second year, I used off-white and shades of blue to make different kinds of star blocks. With wide sashing, the finished quilts were twin size. For the 1930s quilt, I used a log cabin sashing. I gave that quilt to my aunt for her 102nd birthday. She is now 104 and is still using the quilt. I so enjoy doing BOM quilts! I find myself attempting blocks that I would never try otherwise. I have learned so much through doing BOM.