A Simple 2009 BOM?

[Margo C.]

I really understand some quilters are intimidated by all the pieces of Sue's 2009 BOM design, and/or just don't want to commit to the time to make such a complicated piece. I just wanted to show you what I played with in EQ6 this morning. I've just replaced the complicated elements with much simpler ones! Overlook the colors if these don't work for you (they are for my niece), but I wanted to show you that every element can be replaced with much simpler ones! There WILL NOT BE DIRECTIONS for this version, but all you have to do is replace your own block designs for the ones in the pattern. Just make sure that they finish to the specified size!
The center feathered star or the alternate center finish at 15", so just replace that unit with one of your own. Any 9 patch design will work nicely! Just enlarge the scale to fit 15"!

[Barbara B.]

Margo, you're such a great cheerleader--helping everyone find a way to make it their own! Thanks for all you do.

I am looking forward to the whole year--I love piecing and there's no such thing as too much fabric for me--I love scrap quilts with many fabrics. But this project does lend itself to simplification--everyone can play!

Barbara

[Paula D.]

Gosh - that's why it's BLOCK OF THE MONTH! And a little intimidation is good for the development of your quilting creativity and stretching your quilting muscles! I would have been disappointed in a simpler quilt. This will be a special project, as was Sue's first BOM. (MHO)

[Margo C.]

It would still be a block of the month, but the blocks would just be a simpler format. Sue's directions for adding the "floater" strips will make it all fit together, so, in theory, even just squares of fabric could be used!

This could help some folks stretch into the area of designing their own creations instead of just following exact patterns.

Just trying to offer options! Everyone is welcome to do their own thing. I just hope everyone will share their results with us!

[Lynn K.]

Yes, I'm thinking - hmmm ---not really BLOCK of the month but ROUND of the month, right?

[Lynn K.]

How are they going to brake it down for each month

[Margo C.]

Nope! Not a ROUND each month! That section with 24 pieced 6" blocks would be a real bear! :shock:

Sue has broken it down so that each month is about the same amount of work, and for several months we will do a few units from 2 different sections, then assemble them after they are all done. I'm amazed that her directions with the "floater" strips really do make everything fit together....even though my finished measurements weren't exactly like what she said they "should" be!! It all worked!! Cool, huh?

One month at a time.....WE CAN DO THIS!!

[Sandy F.]

My favorite technique is needle turn applique so 2008 BOM was a perfect fit for me. I do piece quilts but it is usually one pattern throughout the quilt so the 2009 is going to be a challenge for me but it will be a good way to improve my piecing skills and finally master that quarter inch seam. I Haven't decided yet if I am going to to by machine or by hand.

[Margo C.]

Sandy, the first month is the feathered star center and Sue recommends paper piecing it by machine. She includes directions for an alternate block that could be pieced by hand or machine. So you can decide when you download the pattern which way you want to go with it.

A good way to test your 1/4" seam allowance is to cut three strips of fabric about 12" long by EXACTLY 1-1/2" wide.
Stitch the long sides together with EXACTLY 1/4" wide SA, and measure the result.
You should wind up with a piece about 12" long by EXACTLY 3-1/2" wide. If your final measurement is not right, see if your cutting is not accurate, or if your stitching is not accurate. Make adjustments until it is right.

In a large quilt with this many seams, it's really important that you get as close to 1/4" as you can, because it will really make a difference in how the thing fits together!

[Margo C.]

Yay Margo -- She is keeping us all on track before we even have a chance to get started! The new quilt has a lot of piecing in it... but hey - you only have to do it one month at a time. No sweat! And after the new year has passed, what better way to kick it off than to pick up a new project?!!

Until January 1.... happy sewing!
Sue Garman

[Margo C.]

Margo,
when you post a photo like that you almost make the new BOM look too easy. Pin wheels the framing I love it. I think I will try both. :shock: LOL :lol: Here I go again jumping in head first. Hopefully I will be able to get it finished this year. :lol:
Rachel

[Margo C.]

Here's something to put this in perspective. Margo got hers done in less than one year! And it sounds like we are going to get manageable monthly assignments that most likely won't take the whole month to do, unless we are major procrastinators!

Maggie in E. Central Illinois

[Margo C.]

One month at a time!! It is definitely do-able! It's just one bed sized quilt with a few more pieces than most of us are used to and it will be fun to work through it together!

[Betty J.]

I actually think I'm going to do the BOM in 2009. Where is the list of required fabrics? Do we have that somewhere already?

[Frances L.]

if you look under the forum Block of the Month there's a thread called 2009 BOM fabric requirements. It's in there.
Frances in Austin where it was 36 today