New Thimbleberries Clubs...

The end of the year marks the end of some of our Block of the Month's (BOM's) and Clubs for the year. For those of us who have been taking part in the monthly classes, we are now seeing the fruits of our labor! We have now announced our new Thimbleberries Club for 2013! It's exciting because this year you have the choice of two different options! You can do one OR both!!

For 2013 you can either participate in the Block Party BOM to make a one large quilt or you can participate in the Block Party Club that will make 4 different smaller quilts! The board displaying the patterns and fabrics is now in the store for you to view.

What I love about taking part in a BOM or Club is that you have a large project to work on, however it's broken down for you into manageable chunks! Anyone can find time for a block or two per month! Then at the end of the year you have this wonderful large quilt or several smaller quilt tops done!! The smaller ones make perfect throws or lap quilts.

This years last small quilt has a Christmas theme. The beauty of that is that we should have it done in time for Christmas! If you were ambitious you might even be able to get it all quilted.

For each club there is a "joining" fee, in the case of Thimbleberries it is $20. Then there is a small kit fee each month. So your cost and your work is spread out over the year. If you haven't considered a BOM or Quilt Club in the past, maybe consider one for the new year! Stop in the shop or watch the website for registration information.

Happy stitching and may your bobbins always be full!

Block of the Month...

Did you know that quilters had a lingo? Well, they do. As a new quilter myself, it took a little while to learn all the terms. Ladies that have been quilting for a while, usually have a Block of the Month or BOM that participate in or other clubs that they are involved with.

When most of us hear the word club, there are many things that come to mind. In the world of quilting clubs are a bit different. Often times 'clubs' offer a class time during their meeting. I have to say when I began quilting, in January, YES last January! I jumped in with both feet. I signed up for both clubs and classes. I wanted to learn as much as possible! My addiction was forming and taking hold!


January's Block



The first thing I did was sign up for the BOM. I went to my first class and thought, 'Oh my, what have I gotten myself into?' I felt like I was in way over my head. So then I went back and signed up for a beginning quilting class through the Parish Academy Series. I learned so much in such a short time! Taking a  beginning class and signing up for a BOM or other club is a great way to build your skills fast.



February's Block

 

Back to BOM, Block of the Month is just that. You build a large quilt month by month. It's a great way to build a complicated quilt, especially when you're just learning, by just taking it one block at a time. By the time 12 months have past you have 12 completed blocks and then you can sew them together to finish it up. Clubs are a great way to get into quilting and makes it more affordable than trying to do everything at once.




This year's BOM fabric

Since we are now in September we are winding down the current BOM, however the new one will be announced in just a few short months. So if you've been wanting to learn to quilt and were overwhelmed by the task, take a beginning class and then sign up for a BOM! You'll be glad you did!

Now doesn't this finished quilt look intimidating? However, I've taken it just one block at a time and we are almost done! It's quite an amazing accomplishment for a 'newbie' quilter!! And you CAN do it too!

 

Have a wonderful day! Happy sewing and may your bobbins always be full!