Mystery Quilts and BOM, ways we quilt together. Update Jume 2016

Why quilt together? Well it's fun, and we humans are social creatures. We can do things alone, but I don't think I am alone when I say it is very satisfying  when we can quilt together. Connecting with other quilters helps us grows in this craft. I enjoy meeting others who share this love and I am constantly inspired by the work being done across the county by quilters of all ages and skill levels.

You don't have to be together to quilt together.  It is great fun when I am able to quilt with my granddaughter, and now my quilt guide. I have discovered other ways to network with quilters. I belong to the several online communities. Last year I joined QUILT WITH US site. It is sponsored by Connecting Threads. A sub group of members are working together on Bonnie Hunter Mystery quilts. There are also some very nice groups on Facebook. My favorites are Quilting for Accuracy and Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville site.

I am absolutely addicted to Bonnie Hunter's quilts, and especially her Mystery Quilts. Bonnie Hunter provides wonderfully detailed instructions with pictures. You also have the opportunity to share your work, and see others progress.

A previous fall mystery-Celtic Solstice.

I also like the Craftsy site. My granddaughter completed the 2012 and 2013 Craftsy Block of the Month quilt. In the picture above you can see Jana sharing her foundation pieced block with  me (proud grandma).  This Craftsy class posted a new lesson each month. We watched the video lesson printed the instructions and did two blocks per month. Again quilters posted their progress as they completed the blocks . It is really interesting and fun to see the variety in fabrics choices and different looks, and to hear what others think of your progress and fabric choices. Everyone is very nice and complimentary.

Here is Jana's finished  2012 Block of the Month (BOM). I helped put the rows together. It was quilted by Sandy Erwin.

The completed 2012 Craftsy Block of the Month quilt.

Sometimes we didn't like the block of thought it was too hard. Examples are the Hex blocks, and paper pieced blocks. In that case we just replaced them with another block, and if we wanted to get a little funky or wonky we just made up some scrappy blocks. As my granddaughter says. "we're just having fun".

One of the earlier blocks in Craftsy Block of the Month 2012

Craftsy 2013 BOM

Growing up so fast

My quilting partner, now 14 years old.

We are growing as quilters through the online fellowship with quilters around the world. Online shopping sites have blogs as do many teachers. There is no end to the ways we can quilt together with online communities. Clothworks is hosting a free BOM on their blog. You can post pictures of your completed blocks on their blog.  Check it out here https://blog.clothworks.com/.  You can also see all the new collections and upcoming releases.  It's a very nice blog. Moda's Bake Shop is also a  nice blog, with lots of small projects. Check it out here: http://www.modabakeshop.com/.

 In a few months Bonnie Hunter will be announcing her fall Mystery Quilt.   This quilting together is great fun. TRY IT!  Click on the link on this Blog to connect to Bonnie's Quiltville blog. Fair warning, you may become addicted to her quilt patterns.

I belong to two Ohio Star quilt Guilds. One in Clermont County, Ohio. where I live, and one in Port Clinton, Ohio where I like to vacation. I am inspired by the craftsmen ship of these quilters, and by their giving and kind hearts. There is so much to be gained from the company of these fine women.

Be in an on line quilting community, family and friends, or a quilt guild. I hope you find time and a place to quilt together.