Y'all, I need HELP!!! Australian pattern designer Sarah Fielke is relaunching her popular BOM (Block Of the Month) programs from previous years, ALL of them, running simultaneously in 2022. I have admired her designs for several years but have never done one of them before, and I can't decide between three of them. So I am going to show you the three BOM quilts, and then I am asking you to help me decide by either commenting here on the blog, or if you get my blog posts as an emailed newsletter, you can just hit reply to that email. If any of you are planning to join one of these BOMs for next year, please let me know -- I'd love to have "virtual company" on the journey!
Down the Rabbit Hole (BOM from 2017)
Okay, here is Bachelor BOM Number One, the first of Sarah's patterns to catch my eye because I am totally smitten by the huge folk art style rabbits in the outer borders. They remind me of William Morris and The Velveteen Rabbit and the fable about the Tortoise and the Hare:
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| Down the Rabbit Hole by Sarah Fielke, BOM from 2017 |
Happy Days (BOM from 2016)
Bachelor BOM Number Two would be sure to hold my interest over the year because it involves such a great variety of techniques and skill challenges. Do you see the sweet singing birdie with the sixteenth note to indicate that he's singing? There is appliqué, English Paper Piecing, Hawaiian appliqué in this project... Never a dull moment and only Happy Days with Bachelor Number Two!
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| Happy Days by Sarah Fielke, BOM from 2016 |
Simple Folk (BOM from 2018)
But then there's Bachelor BOM Number Three who is also tugging at my heart strings. Sarah warns in the pattern description that "Simple Folk" does not mean this is a "Simple Pattern" to execute. I don't know -- it doesn't look too bad to me, if you take it one block at a time. So many opportunities to customize these designs too, don't you think?
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| Simple Folk by Sarah Fielke, BOM from 2018 |
Now, those of you out there in Quilt Bachelor Nation who are Mean Haters might click on the "Works In Progress" tab at the top of my blog and point out how many quilts I've already started and tell me that I ought to just work on those instead. Those of you who know and love me will not be surprised that I've considered signing up for ALL THREE of them in order to avoid having to choose at all, because finishing quilts is overrated (ironic statement, coming from a longarm quilter, isn't it?). I make quilts to enjoy the creative journey of making them, not so I can have a quilt when I'm finished. (Does that mean I'm one of those Bachelorettes Who Is Not Here For the Right Reason??? Ha!). I just love the whimsy of these designs, the variety within each project, and I think I would have so much fun digging through my fabric bins to make the blocks each month.
Sarah's BOM programs are a bit pricey, but they do include unlimited "forever" access to video tutorials to guide you through the project every step of the way, so I'm not worried that any of these projects would be too difficult or that I would get stuck. And I have a few friends who are pattern designers, so I do understand the monumental amount of time, creative energy and drudgery that would go into creating written patterns and a complete set of video tutorials for complex quilt designs like these. Honestly, the only thing stopping me from signing up for all three of them is that, in the very likely scenario that I'm not able to keep up with all three BOM schedules simultaneously, that would probably be discouraging and I'd be crying at all of you about it through my fake eyelashes about how "these group dates are so much harder than I expected them to be!!!"
But Is Our Quilt Bachelorette REALLY Ready to Commit to a New Project???
Now, I should also probably confess that I've got a few Boyfriends Back Home tugging at my heartstrings that will be competing for my time and affection in 2022. There's that Deco QAL that I bought fabric for and started cutting into before setting it aside to get caught up on customer quilt commitments. I did finish the graduation quilt for my nephew (check back this Friday for TGIFF to see that finished quilt), but I still have 7 quilts in progress in various stages, plus I bought this kit several months ago that I haven't started yet:
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| American Jane Under the Stars Kit |
Under the Stars will need tweaking because I don't love the border treatment and I'm really not a fan of the machine appliquéd smaller stars. I bought extra fabric from the collection the kit was pulled from, though, so I'll have options when I finally get around to that one.
I also bought this Laundry Basket Quilts antique quilt reproduction pattern recently:
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| Stars Upon Stars pattern from Laundry Basket Quilts, available on Etsy here (affiliate link) |
Even more complicated than the kit quilt! Don't you love it? My concern with this one is that I really love the look of antique quilts, but I don't know whether I can force myself to work with a traditional color palette in order to yield that look in the finished quilt. Remember what happened with my pineapple log cabin quilt that got a little brighter and funkier than planned...
There is one more quilt pattern from an independent pattern designer that I'm also really drawn to. Surprise, surprise -- it's another complex project, but this time it's intricate foundation paper piecing rather than appliqué or traditional piecing with a bazillion little diamonds.
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| Tattoo Quilt Pattern by Berene Campbell, available on Etsy here (affiliate link) |
Not sure whether I'd make this quilt exactly per the pattern or whether I'd change up the setting and personalize it somehow, but I love the concept, the "wide open space" for background quilting, and I do enjoy foundation paper piecing. Like the Sarah Fielke BOM projects, this one is appealing because it's a sampler where each block is going to be different rather than something like the star quilts where you're doing the same thing over and over and over and over again...
See why I'm so TORN?! There are just SEW many amazing men quilting projects that are vying to sweep me off my feet but I don't know if there will be enough roses for all of the ones I want at the next Rose Ceremony!!! Or enough hours of sewing time in 2022 to work on ANY of them! How many BOMs can a girl take back to the Fantasy Suite without feeling icky? Asking for a friend...
[Special apologies to those of you who do NOT watch ridiculous "reality TV" shows like The Bachelor or The Bachelorette, because you're probably very confused right now. Just tell me which new quilt(s) you think I should take on in 2022 and don't worry about the rose ceremonies. 😊)
Ooh, and one more thing -- once I got my nephew's quilt down off the design wall (Final Reveal for that quilt is coming this Friday when I'm hosting the TGIFF linky), I used that opportunity to lay out the 6" novelty Christmas print tumblers I cut out a year ago:
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| 52 x 72 Christmas Tumbler Throw, Blocks Currently On the Design Wall |
So now there is a possibility that I might get these tumblers sewn together into a top, if only I wasn't pulled in so many different directions.
Okay, now seriously I am DONE because it's nearly midnight and tomorrow is a full day. I am looking forward to hearing which BOMs y'all think I should do next year, so please comment/reply and weigh in on that. I'd put a poll right here in the blog post, but I am too tired to try to remember how to do that. And please come back and link up your recent finishes with me on Friday for TGIFF (Thank Goodness it's Finished Friday). Have a wonderful week, everyone, and Happy Quilting! I'm linking up today's post with my favorite linky parties, listed in my blog sidebar. Thanks for humoring me!
All 3 of the BOM's are lovely but my favorite is Down the Rabbit Hole with Happy Days coming in as a close 2nd. I love quilts with dark background fabrics and bright fabrics. You can never have too many quilts in the quay to be made (says the lady with 20 projects bagged and waiting underneath the cutting table!) Happy stitching!
ReplyDeleteHappy Days because of the variety of techniques, which I know you love. Personally, I'd go for Down the Rabbit Hole (such an appropriate title for YOU!). Accept that you are process driven and feel no guilt about the existing UFO's.
ReplyDeletethe first one.
ReplyDeleteOkay, here goes, Rebecca Grace! I'm a one-quilt-at-a-time kind of quilter, so the very idea of having so many projects going at once makes me dizzy. ;) However, I do know that I'm in the minority. If I had to choose one of the BOM projects you're considering, I think I'd go for Happy Days. That one has lots of variety and the possibility of your being able to rearrange/change/tweak a lot of what's there. Besides, I like the colors (if you don't choose to change them)! Good luck!
ReplyDelete"So many opportunities to customize these designs," she says. Seriously, if you were to get all the patterns and start tweaking them, it would take you a couple of extra days. Just sayin'. I am too much of a coward to try to choose just one for you. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteBunny Hole gets my vote (or rose, know about The Bachelorettes but don't watch it. We have fallen down the Billions hole while we get the channel for free.)
ReplyDeleteDecisions, decisions!! Have fun with whatever you decide...or ALL!
ReplyDeleteThe bunny quilt, hands down. What is it about bunnies that are so endearing? Don’t know but they always catch my eye.
ReplyDeleteLove your Christmas tumbler quilt. I can't help with choosing the project for next year. I have studied their intricate detail and thankfully have my wits about me this morning, knowing full well those are projects I would never finish............ maybe next year tho. lol
ReplyDeleteI always liked the Down the Rabbit Hole and thought of doing that one at one - I didn't know she had them available again. And like you I have the American Jane and need to get going on that one too and bought extra fabric so I could change up the border must get to that one too LOL - the Edyta Sitar pattern I have too as I bought the book it is in - thought about it - well I ever do it. I have a thing about historical patterns - I get them and then never finish them since I did the Dear Jane quilts, (I did finish them but none since then)I get too sidetracked by other quilts.
ReplyDeleteI always liked the Down the Rabbit Hole and thought of doing that one at one - I didn't know she had them available again. And like you I have the American Jane and need to get going on that one too and bought extra fabric so I could change up the border must get to that one too LOL - the Edyta Sitar pattern I have too as I bought the book it is in - thought about it - well I ever do it. I have a thing about historical patterns - I get them and then never finish them since I did the Dear Jane quilts, (I did finish them but none since then)I get too sidetracked by other quilts.
ReplyDeleteGertie thinks you should do all three! I like Simple Folk because you could customize the motifs if you wanted and you are all about changing up the design to fit you! They are all wonderful opportunities. I look forward to seeing what you choose!
ReplyDeleteI like option number one, but I'm always happy to spend other people's money...so go for all three!? I LOVE the American Jane one. And only seven WIP? Impressive!
ReplyDeleteHappy Days! I am always drawn to sampler quilts… in fact, the first quilt I made, about four decades ago, was a sampler quilt. I love the variety of blocks in samplers… I always have several projects going at once, and that does not bother me at all. Adds to the variety aspect so I never get bored. I am predominately a hand piecer and hand quilter, so taking a long time to complete a quilt obviously does not bother me!
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to seeing which one(s) you choose!!
Sandra B
scb304@juno.com
Well, I have to say first that I love reading your posts. This one has me chuckling. Second, I'm so glad there is someone else out there with loads of WIPs because it's all about the making and not so much about the finishing, something I finally realized or am willing to admit. I don't watch the shows, but all of your references had me smiling. I'd opt for Down the Rabbit Hole, just because I like it best. Since you're thinking tweaking - maybe all three and tweak them into one?? Hahahaha! Just kidding (sorta). You have some really fun ideas going on. Will be fun to see what you choose!
ReplyDeleteDown the Rabbit Hole would be my choice. That center medallion is so fun and those corner flowers! So cute!! I might have to consider joining you!
ReplyDeleteI think I've enjoyed reading the comments almost as much as your post, Rebecca Grace! I wouldn't be able to decide on which of those BOMs to participate in either, so I'm just going to chime in and say I'm also one of those quilters with a ton of WIPs, and I love them all. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, lol!
ReplyDeleteSo many inspiring and challenging projects! What if you do your own thing and work with your Deco QAL WIP, but replace the stars you don't like with motifs from Simple Folk? Whatever you decide, have fun!
ReplyDeleteOh my, Rebecca Grace, I think all of these projects would make adorable quilts. But I must confess I'm drawn to Simple Folk for a refreshing look, which I think would also provide space to show off your exquisite quilting!
ReplyDeleteI vote for Down the Rabbit Hole. I like it because it isn't a sampler quilt. They all have unique charms it's just I loved the rabbits and the town -- irony in its own way. Have fun deciding and proceeding. Somedays I can stand strong against starting a new quilt (or buying new fabric) and somedays I can't. Maybe I should check some of my UFOs.
ReplyDeleteThe bunny, the bunny, got to love the bunny.
ReplyDeleteStars beyond stars is great too.
Those are my choices. You are not me. Do what you want.
Enjoy the process.
So many projects and so little time.Thats me. I have 50 projects on the go and enjoy every one of them.
Love them all! Down the Rabbit Hole gets my vote (then I'd have to keep the others for the When I retire pile!) But I love the little village of houses at the other end of the rabbit hole - like a reverse universe - we see the rabbit go down the hole in real life - but this might be how he sees us at the end of lane! Will certainly look forward to seeing your personal touch on any of them. Thanks for asking!
ReplyDeleteI like Happy Days quilt and American Jane and the Laundry Baskets pattern. Hugs,
ReplyDeleteYup, I laughed out loud when I read that you might just buy all 3. That said 'Happy Days" would be my choice, except that I would be intimated by all the applique and never get it finished. But you live for a challenge so go for which ever one challenges you the most.
ReplyDeletePat
They're all adorable! I vote for Simple Folk because it looks do-able. You've got a thriving business going now, Rebecca!!! You've got to keep it simple!
ReplyDeleteMy preference would be the Happy Days quilt. But pick whatever makes you happy! And good luck with whichever new “project” you choose!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Rebecca Grace! I did smile while reading it... and then smiled all the way through the comments! If I were picking, I'd chose "simple folk" 'cos I like the open spaces and the circular 'storm at sea' vibe. However, I suspect you will dive into all three... maybe with the view to spread them out during the year?
ReplyDeleteI really love all 3, but I'm more inclined to do Simple Folk or Happy Days myself. I am having a hard time deciding but I do see lots of different ideas hitting me with both of those designs. Yummy quilts, all three.
ReplyDeleteI'm not an applliquer, so those quilts aren't speaking to me, but the Tattoo Quilt has been calling to me since Berene first posted it. I've had the pattern since then, but haven't made the time to start making it. Maybe, if you start it, I might get motivated! Anyhow, that one is my favorite of your options.
ReplyDeleteHappy Days is my favourite of the Sarah Fielke BOMs, but I think you should do my friend Berene's Tattoo Quilt, because she is such an awesome person and it's a truly unique design! She writes excellent patterns - you will have so much fun with it!
ReplyDeleteI love your enthusiasm. That's what quilting is about. I agree with your statement;
ReplyDelete"I make quilts to enjoy the creative journey of making them, not so I can have a quilt when I'm finished."
These 3 quilts tempt me too but I'm a finisher and have been working on my UFOs over the past two years. I've made quite a dent and am a bit hesitant to start another mammoth project.
Sarah Fielke is so talented and her quilts just make me happy. I look forward to following your journey. . . whatever you choose.
New projects to come!! Les 3 sont superbes, je les avais vus aussi... My favorite is the Rabbit Hole, I love the medallion style ;)
ReplyDeleteHave fun!
I'm only superficially familiar with that Bachelorette program but I can hear Herb Alpert playing the theme song from The Dating Game. I'm dating myself. (Bad pun intended.) Were I choosing for myself it would be the Happy Days quilt. I'm not a sampler quilt fan but that baby uses those stars to twist the typical sampler layout and I'm a fan of twists. BTW, don't most patterns offer opportunities to customize, one way or another?
ReplyDelete