I've never done a BOM, but I'm interested in the theme idea. However, I'm happy with whatever you choose. I bought a group of fabrics at a consignment shop with various sizes of fabric. Obviously someone had a pattern in mind. I didn't know what to do with them, so maybe I'll pull those out for the BOM. (It was a dumb purchase, as they are not really my colors and the price was not that great. But you know how it is, the fabric can always seduce. )

I'm in, Val. Picking a theme sounds great. If everyone picks their block ahead of time, I volunteer to calculate total fabric requirements. This will be useful if someone wants to use same/similar fabrics for all blocks.

Does the BOM sponsor need to make a sample block?

Vasu

So, each month will be a different theme? Or the same theme all year long? I think I would get bored with the same theme. Say February is Hearts......any heart as long as block is 12 1/2" unfinished? maybe in TOT reds and pinks with white background? Or 4 6 1/12" blocks put together???? December with Christmas trees and gift blocks?

I'm understanding a different theme each month, and you can choose your own block to make based on that theme.

When I threw out the theme idea, I meant for the whole year, so each BOM for 2019 would be a variation on the same theme, like each month would be a different block, but the same, theme, ie. Variations of star blocks or log cabins, etc. Seems like we are of differing opinions.....some want a theme for the year, others each month is different theme.

To answer Vasu’s question, I would hope each month’s sponsor would post a pic of their favorite block and as previously noted include the link where others can find the directions to making it if they choose to do so. i can’t even think about fabric requirements

for a. year. if you want to make it, great, if you like it so much you can make many blocks, figuring out the fabric requirements for a full year is up to the individual. quilter.

This BOM, was only meant to keep us engaged, there are no real rules except only post blocks that are avaliable in the public domain.

lets keep the thoughts coming and We’ll get this wrapped up within the week!

I like Donna's idea of a basket theme. Lots of various patterns...... Would the winner prefer all blocks the same pattern per month? Or a variety as in a sampler? As in a sampler of basket patterns....... or star patterns.....or fan patterns...or houses, barns, etc.

All...there is no winner, this BOM idea is not a lottery, no one is sending blocks to someone else. If you want to do that, fine...I’m happy to bow out and perhaps someone else can take over from here.

I tried to be clear in the original post, this was only an idea to share your favorite block each month, - if you wanted to make it fine, if not, that is ok to. It was a way to stay engaged with each other, but it appears there are other ideas, so perhaps someone else should pick up the reins.? Any volunteers....

I am sensing confusion here. Those of you who have done BOMs from quilt shops or websites know what is involved. You follow the plan. You make the block, you keep it and at the end of the year, you will have a good start on a quilt or in some cases, a whole quilt.

Some of those BOMs follow a theme for the entire year while others present a different style or pattern for each month.

What Val was trying to determine was if you prefer a theme, such as stars or pinwheels or any other pattern, each month, or would we rather a Quilters Choice, which means you pick a favourite block. As an example, if Val posts a log cabin on Jan., Sharon could do a heart in Feb., in March, I might do a Pin wheel. No prescribed colours as in the Lotto. You decide on colours. It all works out in the end and if I do my blocks in one colour family, I will have a fairly well coordinated sampler at year's end. We have newer members so blocks should not be trerribly difficult. And even if we do a Quilters Choice, there may be several blocks from the same style. One star block doesn't mean there can be no more star blocks. Or pin wheels or baskets. They don't all have to be totally different.

it is the middle of the night so I may not be too clear. ( It is 3:30)

I see this Forum as my quilt guild. Regular guilds do have activities for their members, who can take part as they wish. See Teresa's latest posts about hers. And so I see this BOM as one such activity. Take part or not, as we did in the Lotto. but we can post photos of our version on the month's block for all to admire.

I applaud Val for trying to keep us all engaged and I, for one, would hate to see her efforts lost.

Amen. Off the soap box and try to get back to sleep.

Theresa

Wow Theresa, well stated! ( Especially for 3:30 am!) Thank You!

Ok with that let’s roll as follows....

>Jan: Valarie

>Feb: Nannykins, Theresa

>Mar: Vasutx

>Apr: Bev2009

>May: Geezerfolk, Sharon

>Jun: Msmeow, Donna

There are only TWO things you need to do...

1. Post a picture, or two, of your favorite block on the forum on the first of your assigned month

2. Include the public link where the block instructions can be found so any and all forum members can make it if they wish to do so.

For everyone else on this forum Please post a picture of any BOM BLOCK you make so everyone has the chance to ogle and ahhh over your block....ya know we all love pics of your blocks!

Simple, easy, different, no mailings, make one or make them all, pick what colors you want to use!

Thanks, Theresa! That was exactly my thinking as well.

Valarie, thanks for giving me six months to decide on a block! LOL

Donna

And just another thought and then I will zip my lip.

To be clear, this is Quilters Choice.

And then there are six more months of the year. So anyone who would like to share their favourite block can let Val know and you will be assigned a month.

And Oh yes, you do not have to collect to make a sampler, but use the block for a potholder, place mat, runner, whatever.

That was three thoughts but I am still foggy from lack of sleep.

Theresa

Confused is my middle name, lately. Yes, I didn't catch the 'no lotto, no post office' this year.....I like that. Oh boy, now to decide on a favorite block. :-)

Yippee....thanks Theresa for clarifying...Quilters Chioce BOM It is!

I’ve got my favorite ready to go....tee hee......Donna...Happy to oblige!

This is is OPEN to all who visit, post or read this forum. If you’d like to join in, please post your interest and I’ll be happy to give you your very own quilters choice BOM month!

V.

This sounds great. I'll use the group of fabrics I bought and can't wait to see how many months I can keep it going.

I'm really excited to get started. Did we decide on a block size? 12" finished?

Vasu

Ummm... Might just be me but I don't understand. Seems like the originator of this BOM lilHelen, Valarie, is saying each participant can make her own choice of block each month. Partipant would post photo of what she chose and the link to the pattern. Next month she may chose to make another block of same pattern theme (eg., a star) or different type/theme but maybe she choses to select coordinating colors (or not) and again post photo & pattern, and so on each month. What then is the role of each coordinator for BOM activity? All I think of if it's quilter's choice on block, is the monthly coordinator starts the post for each BOM month. Seems like I'm missing something (or a lot of somethings) if this is what it is. If I chose to participate, would Isimply be posting to show you what block I've made that month?

Hi Ginny,

You have it! This is just a way to keep us all engaged with each other as the block lotto is on a sabbatical.

Each month, the sponsoring quilter will post her favorite block, and you may choose to make the block, make more than one or not, it’s up to you. We will share pics of our block or blocks and if any of us make a quilt or table runner at the end or really at ay time, we will show it off.

Pretty darn simple....would you like to join in? The July quilters choice BOM Is open.... Love to have you

Vasu, good question on block size, but since this is quilters choice... I, for one, don’t want to tell someone what size is required. Someone’s favorite could be 15” , another’s could be a 9”. ....Quilters Choice!

Unless of course, if anyone plans to make a sampler. Then they should all be the same. Can we vote? My vote is 12".

Theresa

I like the idea of a uniform size, but if we go with any size, we could take inspiration from the block and make our own size. I'm happy with whatever is decided though.

Or.....have a uniform size, but whatever 'fits' that size. Say the size is 12 1/2" unfinished and there are 4 different star blocks at 6 1/2" ,,,,,,, sewn together = 12 1/2".

I'm with Ginny, I'm not sure of the game. My first (or maybe, second) understanding was that we were going to all make the same block each month. There was discussion on whether there would be a theme. Then, my understanding was that there was no theme, but we would still make the same block, but it would be the host's choice of the block. Now, I understand each person makes their own favorite block? Make it whatever size you want?

Is this a sampler type quilt, where every block is different? Is there going to be enough continuity for a nice quilt? Of course, 12 blocks won't make a quilt.

I'm totally confused.

bkay

Still talking........nothing set in stone yet......just throwing out ideas......

There aren't that many people who participate here, so whatever is done needs to be acceptable to the most people. On the I Spy Yahoo swap group, they post all the different swap types (ABC, boys only, animal, matching, etc.) that have been done (and current suggestions) on a list. You vote on which ones you will participate in. The themes garnering the highest votes are the ones that are chosen for the year (1 per month except December). Once the votes are tallied, the themes are posted and volunteers are recruited to host for each month.

So far we have the suggestion of a themed BOM, which makes sense to me. Just making random blocks makes no sense to me. I think it needs some structure. Whether it's size, number of colors or some kind of theme, there has to be something that ties what everyone is doing together.

You all know I'm not very experienced at making quilts. I think I average 3 or 4 per year (mostly lap quilts) and I've only been quilting 2 or 3 years. So, what I'm saying may not work, but might spur someone else to make a suggestion.

Maybe we say that the block have to be 12.5 unfinished or a multiple thereof. Maybe the block has to use a focus fabric and at least 2 solids or tone on tone. Or, maybe it should use all solids and tone on tones. Or, maybe it has to feature calicos or batiks. Or, maybe we choose the blocks and someone hosts, like the Yahoo group. Or, maybe we make really special hot pads for next year's Christmas gifts, instead of quilt squares. Or, maybe we make totes or a combination thereof.

I just think we need something that puts everyone on the same page and we end up with something useful. The last thing I need is more UFO's.

Anyone else have some suggestions? I ran out.

bkay

I'm game for whatever y'all decide. I just need some motivation to get back into the sewing room!

Happy Weekend & Happy Quilting! :)

Bkay, this is how I plan to take part in the BOM. I have been thinking about doing a blue/yellow quilt for a while. So I will take each block as it is presented, no matter what the style, and do it in my colours. That will make this consistent for me. And twelve blocks can make a decent sized lap quilt with the addition of sashings and borders. Or I think I will make two blocks each month and end up with 24. Probably better.

I Googled sampler quilts and found quite a variety. Some had theme blocks, such as all stars, pinwheels or any number of block patterns. And some had various blocks but used the same fabric or colour to keep it cohesive.

The purpose of this BOM, as I see it, was just to keep some activity going on the site since the Lotto was not going to be done this year. Each person, in her designated month, will post a sample of her favourite block, using her own colour, fabric. Then anyone who wishes can make the same block in her own colour and fabric and post a picture to say "This is what I did with your block". And if they are really ambitious, they can do a whole project with it and post that. Wouldn't that get us all moving?

No one has to make any of the blocks if they don't wish, but it was meant as a way to share favourite blocks and keep us connected, and sometimes be the challenge or motivation needed, as Geraldine just pointed out.

Val's role, as moderator, is just to assign a month to anyone who has shown interest in this. And she has offered to do the first month as a trial.

Lord knows I have enough projects of my own but I am looking forward to this new activity.

And as in any new venture, it will take a bit of time to get it all working smoothly.

Let's give it a good try.

Theresa

Hi Geraldine... Nice to see your post again! Do you have a favorite you want to post?

Hi Larri, Just based on your hand decorated mailing envelopes,you have lots of creative mojo, I think I kept one or two...if I can find them in my mess of a sewing room, I’ll post for everyone to see. I hope the BOM provides some motivation!

All, Nannykins has it right! At least for the First 6 months, each quilter assigned will post her favorite block along with the link to find the directions to make her favorite block. If you make it, post a pic.! You can make one block, two blocks, etc, or none, it’s your decision. You can make it with your fabric choices, make them all or make none, make a wall hanging, table runner, lap quilt...it’s up to you

The FUN part is sharing our personal favorites, and seeing what, if anything, we do with anothers favorite. I personally am thinking of making a sampler of everyone’s favorite blocks, maybe I will, maybe I won’t...

By by the way: I’m not creating quilting “rules“ for Your favorite block. Two guidelines only:

1. Please post your favorite block within the first 3 days of your assigned month

2. Post only publically available blocks, and the link. We don’t want copyright outlaws!

I’m looking forward to seeing others favorites!

happy sewing ya’ll

Ps...If anyone would like to prepare and run a lotto for 2019, please feel free to do so as it sounds like there may be some interested in a block lotto. Go for it!

Thanks so much for responding, Theresa. I'm sure your blue and yellow quilt will turn out as nice as the others you have posted.

bkay

Valarie, have any months beyond June been assigned? Just curious.

Donna

Valarie, I sent you an email the other day.

Hi Sharon,

Nothing beyond June has been assigned as no one else has come forward . We only need a few volunteers to fill out through November. I’d be happy to pick up another month, anyone else?

btw: I’ve had issues with my email, and then I got hacked so the little Helen email is no more. my current email is vgmcneese at Comcast dot net, feel free to drop me a note..

V.

I'd be happy to do another one. August or later would work for me.

Valarie, I sent the email to the latest email.

Hi Sharon...rec’d email and understand; will do!

What is the finished size we are looking for in a block again?

Char, so far they have all been 12" blocks.

Donna

I think I can do a BOM, but I will need some help in exactly how to post. I am technologically challenged, lol. I have looked a a few free blocks already online. ;-)

Char, when you find a block you like, go to the address bar at the top of the page and copy the URL. That's the long line that starts with "http". Then when you come here and start the thread for the block, you will see it says "link" below the text box. Click the word "link" and it will open a window where you can paste the URL and give it a name. That's what makes it appear green in your message and makes a link to get to the web page where the block is.

Donna

Alrighty, I just have to decide which block I want to do. If you want to assign me a month, I'm in! :D

Thank you for the help/info, Donna.

Valarie, If you are still assigning months for the remainder of the year for BOM, I can post a block. I was going to message you, but I didn't see any way to do that other than posting. Just let me know if you need me and which month you would like me to post. Thanks so much :-D

Char, This is an email address Valarie posted in an earlier post to reach her.

vgmcneese at Comcast dot net

Hi Char....and welcome to the BOM. I’m happy to assign you July for the BOM! Does this work for you? Any questions, email me at the address Sharon posted vgmcneese at comcast dot net.

thank You!

Valarie

Does anyone have a BOM block planned for December? If not, I can do it. I can't believe we're almost through this year!

Donna

Go, Donna, go!

Theresa

Go for it, Donna!

I look forward to seeing what everyone's quilt top looks like. There have been some really nice blocks.

bkay