NJ Quilter

I do BOM's at my LQS. It's $5-10 to join. Each month you complete your block your fabric for the current month is free. I get to learn new techniques. They are usually sampler quilts which I'm not overly fond of for myself but they do make great gifts. The only additional cost (if I do all my blocks on time) is the cost of the 'finishing kit' which they offer in a variety of sizes so I can be as frugal or extravagant as I want. I'm doing my third or 4th now. Some are more challenging than others but I do enjoy it. Yes, it takes a year to get your top done but it gives me time to do other projects in the interim.

klc

I am working on my first BOM - Stitcher's Garden. I decided to join this group because I loved the quilt and I had just bought my machine (2 1/2 months ago). It is a great way for me to get to know my machine and everything it can do. This is a large quilt with more than 12 blocks. Some months we get more than one block to work on. As someone else mentioned, we get together once a month, talk about what we did last month and what is involved in this months blocks. We chit-chat, have a good time, and get ideas for other projects from the other quilters. I also end up buying more fabric and supplies for other projects. Our quilt store does not try to make a large profit from these groups. It is their way of getting us in the store to see what is new and spend our money on other things. I guess it depends on your LQS as to how much your BOM would actually cost. I am really enjoying going. If I didn't like the quilt so much, I wouldn't have joined. I'm really glad I did.

Scissor Queen

There are several different types of blocks of the month. Not all of them are expensive. Some of them are downright cheap if they're the "bring back a finished block and your next one is free" type. Some of them are pretty expensive. I've seen some as high as $37 a month.

There are several really stunning quilts you can only get the patterns for as a BOM. Or if you find the patterns by themselves the run from around $50 to $65 bucks.

Not everybody likes to pick their own fabrics. There are lots of color challenged people that just want a beautiful quilt they didn't have to stress over picking the wrong fabrics for.

eparys

Actually - a local LQS here, Quilted Threads, has a $5 BOM. You purchase the first block for $5 and if your block is finished the next month you get the next one for free (you must be at the shop at 8AM on your assigned day and stay the entire hour). Now that being said, in that hour you sit through a what I commonly refer to as a shameless presentation (which is really not too bad) of what is new in the shop (fabric, patterns, new classes etc). If you work it right - you could get 12 blocks for $5.

As to all the others - I cringe at $25 - $35 per block. But now after working at a LQS, I find the a lot of that price is the individually wrapped patterns for each month. I was shocked at what their cost was for each separate pattern. I have never done one of those.

SharBear

I think it's a great way to try / learn a new technique in a non-threatening way - espically if it's a Sampler type quilt that has a lot of new challenges. A whole quilt of xxx might be too overwhelming but one block - hey, I can do that!

Of course, if you need the instant gratification of a quick finish quilt you are sunk!

Glassquilt

It's great marketing for the store. Who can go in once a month, spot some you just have to have and not buy it?

eparys

It is not uncommon to get 2 or more blocks in one month, on that type of quilt.

arkansasquilter123

I like BOM for several reasons.

1. It gets me out of my house.
2. It gets me into the quilt shop.
3. I get a project to do every month with no pressure.
4. I see lots of new stuff at the shop.
5. Best of all.....I have met some of the best friends in my life at the BOM.

klc

I agree with all of your reasons! :thumbup:

brookemarie19

I love the way shelbie's quilt shop does their bom! that would be cool to get all of that for just $20. The reason I do a bom at my qs is because they dont make us pay extra for the stuff. We pay the price of fabric, pattern, and a whole wopping $1.75 for the lessons that she gives us every month. This is the only time every month that I get to get out of the house and have a break from all the kiddos, so it is definitely worth it to me.