I wasn't going to do it. I waited until the last minute. In fact, I waited until all the BOM subscriptions were sold out. Then they released a few more, and I caved in and signed up. This is the Fat Quarter Shop's Designer Mystery Block of the Month for 2025. The featured fabric is Abloom by Corey Yoder, which is just beautiful. The BOM is truly sold out now…
I posted a photo of my first block a couple of weeks ago:
And now the second block has arrived, along with the finishing kit:
I won't lie, I was super disappointed in the Designer Mystery BOM for 2024. I loved the fabrics, which were rose, pink, and aqua from the My Summer House collection by Anne Sutton. It was the setting that just wasn't for me. Each block was framed by a "house", and I found at least four of the blocks to be "hokey" (the puppy dog, the dragonfly, the watering can, and the birdie). I will definitely use that fabric and the blocks that I liked in another project, but I will have to add in blocks to replace the ones I didn't care for, and come up with a different setting. It will be a challenge, but those fabrics are too pretty to waste. I only made the first two blocks in that sew-along!
This was the first block from the 2024 DM BOM. I just hated that "roof" fabric. It was cut in two pieces and it was impossible to get the design lined up right. Luckily, I only made two blocks before I quit, so I have loads of fabric left to play around with. Some day.
Anyway, I signed up for this year, and so far I really like the fabric and the setting design.
So, tell me in the comments: Are you signed up for this BOM? Do you always blindly sign up for each FQS Designer BOM? (No judgment here from me). If you did sign up this time, what drew you to it? The fabric, the designer, seeing the first block?
As far as my other works in progress, I finished six more churn dash blocks for the Pumpkin Gatherings sew along. I still have those boring X blocks to finish up for the Strawberry Garden project. I hope to get all that done this weekend.
Have a grand weekend everyone!
9 Responses
Wow, you are having a super productive summer! Everything looks fantastic. So, no, I would not sign up for a mystery quilt, except for Fig Tree who I totally trust. In the past I have only signed up for ones that show the finished product— I did A Ribbon Runs Through It, Moonbeams, and the Sweet Sixteen one Laundry Basket put out a few years ago. I do enjoy the one block a month concept though. And I would think nothing of paying through the nose for a Designer Mystery on eBay or a swap group if I saw the finished one and loved it—haha!
I signed up for 2025 because of the fabric. I scored a bundle from a shop that had one from Houston Market early. I made Triple Barnstar and had tons left. I started 2023 3 months ago -yes, started- and have all the blocks and first borders done. I just need to keep going! As for your post yesterday, I also have a wool presser bar. I never thought to use it as a clapper also! A definite light bulb moment! Thank you!
I’ve had issues with a lot of the mystery BOMs out there; especially Moda’s and the Designer FQS mysteries. I’m more likely to do one if I know the designer. I do some of Pat Sloan’s because I know and trust her work. My other favorite is Barbara Brackman’s themed BOMs. Now there’s a challenge for you!
I did a ‘mystery quilt’ with the guild I belonged to 15 years ago. I actually found the complete directions online & finished way ahead of time as I was recovering from knee surgery! I didn’t enjoy the concept (which led me to cheat 😵) & I haven’t been tempted since! I do, however, enjoy reading about your adventures in BOM’ing! Have a great weekend of sewing!
Have I ever caved and purchased a BOM? Yes. it’s FOMO. did I finish it? nope. it’s wool applique by Fig Tree and I loved working on it.
after 4 blocks I got bored and moved on. instead of making a unusable wool quilt I thought I could make a runner for my kitchen. I still might.
I’m still trying to figure out the wool clapper vs. a wool mat. they both have different utility. do you use both?
have a wonderful weekend and try to stay cool.
I used to design mystery quilts for my local guild. 25-30 years ago. It was so long ago, I don’t remember what they were or how we handed out the directions.
Now, way too many projects on my list to take on anything else.
I signed up for the 2024 BOM as the fabric was so pretty – but like you I didn’t like the four of the blocks, hokey is a good word for them. So I sewed alternative blocks those months.
But I have not sewn it all together as like you I am not keen on the houses.
I need to do something with the blocks because it was really expensive getting it all sent out to New Zealand each month. I will feel very guilty if I don’t complete it.
I gave up after only two block of the month quilts. I don’t like the pressure to work on an unknown project. I rarely do kits either. I enjoy finding patterns I love and fabric I love. I also don’t like to quilt in the summer. I can’t imagine doing all you can do in such a short time. Your work is perfect.
lol I felt exactly the same way about last years designer mystery and did the same thing for this years! I really like this years fabrics and layout so far, last years really did not motivate me to make the blocks but the fabric is so pretty! I will follow along to see how you remake it.