what is a Block of the Month?
But what is a block of the month program? You have to admit that “Block of the Month” is kind of a funny term. Even more mysterious when it’s abbreviated as BOM. But, there’s good reason that this format is so popular with quilters and with designers like myself. My upcoming Positivities club is a BOM program. Let’s pull back the curtain and unpack this Block of the Month concept.
It’s a Club
Firstly, a Block of the Month is something you join. It’s a club with paid members who have chosen to sew-along on a project. In 2020 I hosted the Penny Sampler Pattern Club, and in 2022 I hosted Pas de Deux. I like offering a year-long club only every-other-year to keep it fresh and save room for other things. With a BOM club, there is one main “block” or patchwork group to sew each month as we progress through the year.
It’s a Longterm Project
Yes! I love longterm projects. They weave themselves into our lives, becoming memory time capsules, symbols of those moments of our life. Plus, I love that a quilt spread out over a year is one that you can do alongside other projects.
Each month with Positivities, you’ll sew about the equivalent of (2) 12” blocks for your sampler quilt. If you did Pas de Deux, Positivities is a bit less sewing in comparison, as a result of the use of negative space in the Positivities design. Thus, this can be your one and only quilt project, if you’re tight on time for hobbies. On the other hand, if you’re an avid quilter, I’m sure you’ll make many other quilts in 2024 as well!
It’s a Sampler
A BOM program is by definition going to offer you something new to sew each month. Sometimes it’s a mystery BOM, where you don’t know how the different elements will work together in the end. Still you receive a new pattern to sew each month. As quilters we love to try new things. It’s easier to stay engaged with an evolving project, and it keeps our hobby interesting.
It’s Subscription Style
A lot of block of the month programs, including Positivities, offer subscription-style payment spread out over the year. This can be nice, since it is not a big investment and you can actually cancel the monthly subscription if you find the club doesn’t suit your needs. With Positivities you can choose to subscribe for a monthly fee of €9.50 or pay for the full year in one lump sum of €85.
Registration opens on January 3rd. Opening week the annual membership is on sale for €72. Don’t miss it! As of January 11th the regular annual price of €85 applies for the rest of 2024.
Positivities is Not About Fabric
Some BOM clubs combine monthly pattern delivery with monthly fabric delivery. This increases the cost of the club by quite a lot, naturally!
Positivities is simply a pattern club. In fact, the pattern is designed to be scrap-friendly so that you can sew with fabric scraps or stash already on hand. The only fabric that you probably do need to buy is a background fabric, since we use 4 yards of background with Positivities. I’m all for fabric-shopping, but I also appreciate that we all have different budgets and different stash realities. As a pattern-only BOM, Positivities can be for everyone, wherever you live in this great, big world.
Ok, have I answered all your questions about the ever-popular BOM concept? I hope so! If not, add your questions to the comments here, and I’ll be sure to reply.
I am totally floored by your enthusiastic response to Positivities’ intro. Thanks for indicating your interest to hear more and to be the first to know when registration opens! If you are hungry for more info right now, pop over to the Positivities FAQ page.
Thanks, friends!