Block of the Month
What is Block of the Month?
BOM isn’t a very creative or inspiring name for a program that is full of opportunities to learn new techniques, experiment with colours and build your quilting skills. It is, however, self-explanatory. Each month members have the opportunity to pick up a pattern for a quilt block to take home and sew on their own. The block will include a picture of the block, suggestions on fabric selection and cutting and piecing instructions.
There are many different ways to run the BOM program. For example, throughout the year there may be a theme common to all the patterns (e.g., all applique, all using half square triangles). Sometimes the blocks have a theme so when the member completes all the blocks during the year there is cohesion for a quilt design (e.g., a common colour scheme, the blocks are all stars). Some years the BOM program is based on a theme and the final product is a row quilt with a theme such as “summer at the cottage” or “my Canada” or “winter holiday”. Another option is that the guild can charge a fee for the fabric or the patterns and rebate the cost if you return the block the next month that can be used for a member draw or for the guild charity program.
The most exciting part of the BOM of the program is to see at the end of the year or at the next quilt show, the quilts that members create. The techniques, colours, layouts and personal touches that each quilter brings to his/her quilt combine for an incredible visual experience.
BOM Program for 2011-2012
The goal of the BOM program is to help members improve your skills and learn new techniques and to have enough blocks at the end of the year for a quilt! This year, the program is designed to encourage both new and experienced quilters to participate. Each month there are two blocks available: one for a beginner quilter and another for an experienced or advanced quilter. You can do either or both.
Over the year the blocks will become increasingly more complex. At the end of the year you should have 12 blocks (12” finished; 12½ unfinished). Some months you will have to do 2 blocks! This is enough to make a lovely lap sized quilt of 36” X 48” (pre-sashing and borders). Your choice of sashing, borders, or perhaps adding extra blocks would increase the size accordingly.
In addition to the block pattern, we are providing links to websites so that you can watch demonstrations or read about techniques that will be helpful in constructing the blocks. We will also share websites so that you can learn more about colour or basic quilting tasks like pressing or information on the right batting to use for your quilt.
A note about Copyright
The Mississauga Quilters Guild respects and supports of the work of talented quilt designers. The BOM program acknowledges and credits the source for each BOM and seeks copyright approval. See our Copyright tab for a fuller discussion on Copyright.
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