Rant ahead...... How do people afford a BOM?! I love Sue Spargo's work. She is creative and has brought a fresh and fun look to wool applique and embellishments. I got an email today announcing her 2012 BOM in wool. (I know that is expensive) Finished size 41x43. Your cost if you live in the US? $646.00. I can buy a lot of wool, thread and fabric with that kind of money. I guess I am too tight with a buck to pay that much. I can just about buy an inside cabin on a cruise ship for that price!
Does anybody else besides me think that is crazy?!
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I just saw Sue's BOM too and I love it, but yes that is a lot. I prefer to get the pattern and use my own materials, but she does have some nice embellishments to go with them.
Debbie
I think that Sue's prices are way too high for regular working or retired people. I love her patterns but can not afford to buy her BOMs.
HOLY COW!!!!! and that doesn't include the optional additional threads at $7.50 and $3.50 each! Do you think ANYONE will subscribe at these prices? It is a terrific design, but not one I could afford to do.
Oh, I so agree with you about the prices.It's lovely that some people can afford it and thus keep the fabric companies and designers in business, but unfortunately I'm not one of them.We all have old clothes (wool as well as cotton) than can be reutilized (and of course, the odd yardage too, eh?).Glad to read your post about the subject and to know I'm not the only one who thought that....i enjoy reading your blog! Take care...
I have done ONE bom and ended up changing the colors (learned a hard lesson, I cannot sew something that someone else has chosen the fabric for). It wasn't near that expensive but it was still higher than I can really afford. I still love simple scrappy quilts the very best. BTW I love your quilts, this one will be so wonderful when quilted!
I sure can't afford that kind of money. That's RM2,060 here!!
As much as I would like to dabble with wool I cannot bring myself to pay for its high costs.
I definitely can't afford that. My most pricey BOM was Primitive Garden in Wool... which I about had a stroke when I found out the cost of the borders that first year they put it out, but I was in for a penny in for a pound by that time. But there is no way I could justify with my salary being able to spend this much on a medium sized wool project, no matter how gorgeous.
Amen...all bom are that way. Add on the price of the batt, backing and, if you quilt by check , the quilting and quilting has gotten ridiculous. Hey designers...write a book for bom...so much cheaper than $8+ a month for just the pattern...at $8 a 12 month bom pattern is $96... I'm not playing anymore!
I"ve loved Sue's stuff too, but getting her kits is way out of my budget. Which lately is good because I don't have time anyway!
The only BOM I have ever done was with a group where we worked from traditional patterns (FREE) and brought our own fabrics. I have always thought BOM kits were pricey, but this one takes the cake!
I love Sue's quilts but I wouldn't pay that price for a kit. I did lash out and do a couple of workshops with her when she was in Australia. I got to see her quilts up close and how she does her embellishments and thoroughly enjoyed the days.
as much as I would have loved to do one of her bom's I just can't justify spending that much money either.
I find when I have done bom's I wind up switching out fabrics anyway I have stopped buying them too!
I will wait till the pattern comes out in a book or a pattern if I love it
Kathie
I have just come across Sue Garman's new BOM on an Australian website and if you purchase the PATTERN ONLY you pay a cool $ 312 over twelve month, plus fabrics.
I have ordered the pattern direct from the US for $ 96 and I think even that is high enough.
Your latest block is wonderful! You are the second blogger to rant about the cost of BOMs. The only one I did was hugely expensive, so I prefer to pick my own fabrics now. The patterns can still be costly though.
Here, here. I so agree. I've seen many BOM i'd like to do but not at those prices. But even if you want to buy the patterns and do your own they are priced too high. I can buy three books for a set of patterns. Sorry but I just won't pay it. PattiO
Yikes! I do the occasional BOM - but sure would never sign up for one that pricey! Yes...lots of wool and cotton could be purchased for that!
I do agree that designers should be paid for their talent but when the fees are so high I think they can price themselves out of business. I have not participated in a BOM because I prefer to make my own selections (good or bad) but they are mine. I buy books and magazines and the like but I am very happy and grateful that there are many designers/quilters that will provide patterns/designs for free and I do take advantage of them. Quilting is a very expensive hobby!
The quilt is cute, but holy cow that is a lot of money for a little wall hanging. I echo every one's comments, patterns that end up costing close to $100 for just one quilt is getting out of my reach also.
I am doing the Sue Spargo BOM this year because I have always wanted to do it and I thought I needed the direction. I do love it and the fabrics and threads are amazing but it is a real splurge!
Love your Bible block too.
I completely agree about BOM prices. That's why I never do them. Even though most I've seen aren't this expensive, they still seem to average around $200. And I don't want to make something that looks like everyone else's. I guess someone must buy them or no one would put them out anymore. That's my rant.
I rarely purchase block of the month kits as they are budget breaking. I like to have all the patterns at once and choose my own fabrics. I do know of a couple people who purchase Sue's BOM quilt kits and they are wonderful projects. I just think they are for people with a lot bigger income than we have. I feel that the designers have found a way to increase their profits by doing block of the month pattern sets. I wish they would do a book instead or put them all in one pattern. Even purchasing the patterns in BOM's that are available that way can be expensive.
I so agree with you and your follower's comments on BOMs. When I was notified of Sue's BOM I thought holy cow who can afford this. I've also become quite discouraged at the high prices that fabric has taken along with the fact that they are not "made in America." So once again, I've made a vow to myself to use up my stash before purchasing more fabric (at least until a really good sale comes along). Thanks for your honesty and the avenue to vent.
Terry
Sorry I forgot to mention that I give kudos to Bunny Hill, Linen Closet, and Barbara Brackman among others for all the wonderful FREE BOMS they generously give us. They provide the patterns, and the incentive and we provide the fabric.
Terry
I purchase BOMs but not like I did in the past. I think the high cost is more about convenience than anything else. I completely understand your rant!
Yes, that is nuts! I cannot afford that...or just refuse to pay it...wow! I love your block, Lori!
I have done several BOMs but honestly, I do think they are extremely overpriced. I would rather buy a book than 12 patterns at $8-9 each plus kits. I also change out fabrics to suit my taste. I think I have done my last BOM - although it is hard not to be tempted.
I totally agree with you about the outrageous cost of BOMs that people pay - I often think they have more money than sense!
I'm With you!
way to much money to spend!! and for such a small quilt....I can think of a lot better things to spend that money on
starting with food and shelter
Tim
I enjoyed reading everyone comments and totally agree. I haven't done a paid BOM in a long time. We all seem to make up our own and enjoy the same fun.
I'm with you. BOM's are way out of my price range. I'love all of them from afar. Your new block looks great. I can't wait to see the finished quilt. Hugs
Well, I guess I'm one of the ones with more money than sense. I love Sue's stuff, you won't find better quality wool anywhere. All wools and velvets are hand dyed by her sister each month just for the kits, and the price has risen recently because we are getting a packet of spools, balls, and hanks of threads and embellishments each month. It's the only BOM I do, so I guess it's a splurge. I think it's a matter of what's important to you, as I'd rather do this than spend the money on a cruise, but I see I'm in the minority here.
There are so many BOM's out there and many are just wonderful, just like Sue Spargo's. I have refused to pay for BOMs up until now because they are so expensive, and I prefer to use my own fabrics. I recognize the fact that you are paying for the name, convenience, possibly beautiful fabrics and embellishments, but I just can't help feeling it's a bit commercial.
BOMs have their purpose in the quilting world, but for now I have to pass.
I've done several BOM's over the years and yes, I've paid way too much for them, but none have been as expensive as Sue's. I do love her work though and have been so tempted...but alas it's not in my budget.
I do think BOM's are a great thing for quilter's without a stash (yes there are some still out there), but I don't think I'll ever do another one.
Honestly, BOMs are so far out of my budget, I don't even think about them too much! There are a couple that I really dool over, but if I did save up the money to buy one, I think I'd be too afraid of making a mistake with such an expensive project to enjoy the process.
Hi! Greets from Finland! That quilt is lovely! Fantastic! It's so nice to find other quilters from the other side of the world! :)
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