Monday, July 9, 2012

BOM Rehab . . .

When Sinta decided to host a BOM Rehab, to help her and quilters everywhere with unfinished BOM projects, it made me remember this old BOM I signed up for a couple of years ago. 

Northern Lights is a pattern designed by Marti Michell and carried by quilt shops.

I signed up for this BOM based on this picture of the finished quilt.  I loved and still love the soft neutral colors used to make the blocks.




When I got my welcome to the BOM letter from the shop it mentioned that "great care and time has been used to choose fabrics that closely match those shown in the pattern photo so that your quilt will have the same look".  I did not think the fabric sent each month closely matched the pattern photo at all, not only did it not match the photo, it didn't match itself.  I knew I was in trouble when the background fabric and the main focus fabric did not appeal to me, but I figured I would at least be able to use the other pieces sent to construct the blocks.  No such luck, this turned into a very expensive pattern since I wasn't using the "carefully chosen" fabric.

I've since learned that when I sign up for a BOM or pick up a kit in a shop to ask, "is the fabric provided the exact fabric as in the sample?" Most of the time it is, but when it's not, I've found that the shop was able to tell me what was different in the kit versus the sample.  It pays to ask.

So basically I just brought my envelopes in from the mailbox, threw them in a project box and watched for that $24.95 monthly fee to show up on my credit card.  I sure was happy when my 12 months were up and I could forget about the project entirely.

Well that all changed this weekend when I got all the monthly blocks out, studied the pattern photo, and read all the pattern requirements.


I figured out that once I picked a background fabric and a focus fabric, and the three border fabrics, that I would have a good start on getting on track and finishing this project.


I also figured that if I made all the setting blocks, it would be easier to select fabric for focus blocks.

So that's what I did.  This is the setting block.


The blocks are huge, 16 1/2 inches.

I  made all eight.



Now it's on to the 7 focus blocks.  

I'm hoping to make one a week, that way I'll have all the big blocks pieced before Labor Day, stay tuned!

Thanks Sinta for hosting BOM Rehab!

20 comments:

  1. Люблю гамму приглушенных цветов! Будет очень благородно - чувствую. Успехов!

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  2. I really like where you are going with this BOM! How disappointing to have a shop make such significant changes and to be stuck with it too. Can the fabric you did receive go into something else?

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  3. I love these blocks - you have done a great job with the fabrics. I keep seeing wonderful neutral quilts out there, but I don't know if I'm capable of choosing the fabrics for one myself. Too bad the BOM wasn't good, but glad you are making the best of it now!

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  4. Trèss jolie la couretepointe, que faites vous avec vos yoyo
    Félicitation!!!
    Gisèle du québec Canada

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  5. I can't wait to see what you come up with. I know it will be better than the original design. I suspect you will make more than one block a week!

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  6. What an undertaking, but then deadlines do keep me on track as well. It's good to know about these monthly packages--I've never done one, but have been tempted. I'll make sure I ask if they're exactly like the sample. Happy Quilting, dear friend, XOXO

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  7. Congratulations for pulling this one out of the fire. You will be sure to end up with a quilt that suits you with the alterations you are making.

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  8. those are wonderful blocks. now how are you going to sneak a little red in there? You will be so happy getting a UFO done!

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  9. How wonderful for you to pull this BOM quilt out of the closet ! These neutral fabrics are just gorgeous ! I bet you make more then 1 block week ;-)

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  10. I am so thrilled to see your BOM that was a lemon... turned into lemonade! I am glad you have made it your own too. Your approach is brilliant. Getting the setting blocks finished and then filling in. The other fabrics can be used another time another place! Way to go Thelma!

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  11. I too have been tempted by this BOM. I love the serenity of the neutrals all working together. One of the shop listing said that the fabric included was Michael Millers Fairy Frost. Is that what came with your blocks? I'm so in love with the neutral quilts out there, like White Chocolate that I've been collecting a dedicated box of neutrals as I come across pieces I like. Can't wait to see your progress.

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    1. I LOVE White Chocolate also. Yes, the main light background fabric for my BOM was the white on white Fairy Frost fabric. Some folks really like the fairy frost fabric, It just didn't appeal to me.

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    2. I recently got a little square of one of the fairy frost prints in the mail...then sheen didn't especially appeal to me either. My reaction when I first saw what it was, was, "Thank Goodness I didn't purchase the Northern Lights BOM...I also saw NL offered in more of a primary selection too which didn't appeal...I really love the selections you've made tho' looks more like my growing stash of neutrals.

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  12. i to have been tempted by bom only to find the fabric they choose is not apealing i thought when i was ask to choose between pastels and kansas troubles i would actually get kansas troubles fabric NOT SO mostly used from my stash and hated every minite of the applique process

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    1. It seems everyone has at least one bad BOM experience, I hope this is your one! But really, when you pick the Kansas Trouble version why wouldn't you get Kansas Troubles fabric!

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    2. not sure i will not do that again either i think i got 2 maybe 3 fat quarters of one line kt

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  13. I passed on a very popular BOM because I didn't care for the fabric. I've seen the blocks online and I wish I could use another fabric line. I have been tempted to just go ahead, sign up and suck it up.

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  14. Thelma, you have such a knack for matching fabrics to a quilt pattern, that I have no doubt you'll have another stunning quilt when this one is finished.

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  15. I love your blocks, how can you go wrong with French General? Were those your colors or the ones they sent? I think it will look great!

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