A BOM Years in the Making
Week 9, Quilt 4
Do you have a UFO that you absolutely love but just… haven’t ever finished? I have so, so many. This week’s post in the 52 Quilts Challenge is all about my Christmas BOM from wayyyyy back.
I love a good sew-along. I love mystery quilts. And I love Block of the Month (BOM) patterns. They give me the same feeling as walking into an office supply store — neatly organized, full of potential and possibility, everything clean and ready to be used.
Weird? Probably. But also… deeply satisfying.
This particular BOM was released by Fat Quarter Shop and was called the Designer Mystery Block of the Month. Circa…? Honestly, I have no idea. Suffice it to say: it was years ago.
I loved receiving the package each month — a surprise block paired with coordinating fabrics from the gorgeous Peace on Earth fabric line by 3 Sisters for Moda. Absolutely stunning.
So What Happened?
I sewed a few blocks as a beginner quilter. Then I cut one of the fabrics wrong — and didn’t have any extra.
And so… it sat. For a few more years.
By the time I came back to the project, I searched high and low online and couldn’t find that exact fabric anymore. That alone was enough to paralyze me for another good while.
A couple of years ago, I pulled it back out again and finally finished the remaining blocks. That’s when it dawned on me that I could simply piece together scraps to create the size I needed.
Yes. I know. Duh.
Many of my UFOs involve a duh moment.
I let go of my desire for perfection and decided: Done. Is. Better. Than. Perfect.
(A lesson I need to remind myself of frequently.)
I bet you didn’t even notice the pieced replacement. And if you did… don’t tell me 😊
The Layout Dilemma (AKA: Paralysis, Round Three)
Once all the blocks were complete, I got stuck again trying to decide on a layout. That indecision alone was enough to stop me.
Months — maybe years — later, I pulled it back out and decided on:
- 3.5” (3” finished) cream sashing
- Red cornerstones to match the existing fabrics (or close enough — progress!)
- A 5.5” (5” finished) border
My early sewing skills produced somewhat irregular block sizes. With some careful easing in here and there and I was able to match cornerstones at the block junctures just so.
I had pre-purchased coordinating background fabric when I bought the BOM (a rare moment of foresight), so I was all set there.
Once the top was finished, I loved how it looked — simple, clean, and letting the blocks shine.
The Almost-Finish
I finished the top during my first attempt at the 52 Quilts Challenge and packaged it up to take to the longarm at The Quilt Peddler, confidently counting it as a “finish.”
Here’s a photo of us choosing thread and an edge-to-edge design (spoiler alert: we went with a holly-inspired quilting pattern).
I may have counted my eggs before they hatched.
After receiving the gorgeous quilt back from the longarmer… it sat again. Waiting for binding.
Just the binding… All the hard, slow, complicated parts were already done…
The Real Finish
And now — the binding is finally done.
So once again, my Christmas BOM officially becomes a finished quilt for the 52 Quilts Challenge. (Clearly, I jumped the gun last time.)
Y’all — each step of this quilt (piecing, quilting, binding) was separated by years.
Please hear me: It’s never too late to finish something you love. ❤️❤️
“Finish. The. Quilt.” has become the theme of this challenge for a reason. I started all of these projects because I loved them. By letting them sit unfinished, I robbed myself of the finish line.
Join me in finishing your lovingly selected UFO.
You won’t regret it.
You might regret the existential guilt of letting it sit forever.
All this quilt needed to be finished was the binding — and it was one of three quilts I completed over Thanksgiving break during our family trip to the mountains. ⛰️
Scroll down for the mountainside reveal!
🎥 Check out the full reveal on Instagram, Bloopers not included 😊
🧵🪡✂ Maker’s Notes:
Pattern: Designer Block of the Month (Christmas-themed) by Fat Quarter Shop (circa ???)
Fabric: Peace on Earth by 3 Sisters for Moda
Finished Size: 45” x 61”
Batting: Funny story – I brought my own, but the longarmer used theirs… so 🤷♀️
Thread: Too long ago to remember!
Quilting: Edge-to-edge holly design by the longarmer at The Quilt Peddler
(Note: I enjoy supporting my local quilt shops but I do also buy online as well. I’ve included links to online options but highly recommend checking out your local quilt shop – there’s nothing quite like building community locally when possible.)
Full list of Quilt Blocks for this Designer Mystery Block of the Month by Fat Quarter Shop
- “Cross Stitch” by Brenda Riddle at www.acornquiltingandgiftcompany.com.
- “Star Struck” by Sandy Gervais at www.piecesfrommyheart.net
- “Peace in Flight” by Joanna Figueroa at www.figtreequilts.com
- “Double Treats” by Bunny Hill Designs at www.bunnyhilldesigns.com
- “Peppermint Star” by Vicki Bellino at www.bloomcreek.com
- “Sunrise Star” by Margot Languedoc at www.thepatternbasket.com
- “Sawtooth Patchwork Block” by Debbie Beaves at www.violetpatch.com
- “Star Party” by Bonnie Olaveson at www.cottonway.com
- “Pinwheel Wonder” by Deborah Schoof at www.deborahs-designs.com
- “Steppin’ Up” by Camille Roskelley at www.thimbleblossoms.com
- “Anka’s Star” by Heather Peterson at www.ankastreasures.com
- “Harmony” by Me and My Sister Designs at www.meandmysisterdesigns.com
💡 Tips
- Finish the quilt. (Seriously.)
- If you don’t have enough of a fabric, piece together scraps or use a close alternative — once the quilt is finished, it’s very hard to spot small substitutions.
- If you want your backing to match your top, buy it when you buy the fabric for the top. Future-you will be grateful.
🌟 Final Thoughts
“Finish the quilt” continues to guide this 52 Quilts Challenge. Thanksgiving week I also finished up a fall themed quilt and a Christmas themed mini-quilt as part of an online quilt swap – so much fun and I’m looking for another one.
With the scraps from that project, I also sewed up a QAYG (quilt as you go) casserole hot pad, which I’ve been seeing everywhere on Instagram – what a great way to use up scraps. I’ll be including this one in my 52 Quilts Challenge as well – stay tuned!
If you missed my first few quilt finishes in the challenge, you can read about them here and here and here.
See all quilts from the 52 Quilts Challenge in the Challenge Index.
Follow along:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoopsandhoots
- Etsy store: https://hoopsandhoots.etsy.com
More quilt finishes are coming — stay tuned!
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