Monday, October 18, 2010

Block of the month Prep

I decided that one of the projects that I wanted to take with me on retreat was the 2009 Mystery Quilt BOM that the Fat Quarter Shop offered. It uses Glace by 3 Sisters for Moda. I just love that line! My only issue with taking it to the retreat was that I wanted the fabric cut out first for easy piecing and I wanted it to be easy to take along.

Last month, when Barb and I were shop hopping, she was buying the block kits from a lot of the shops. They usually have the fabric and the pattern in a ziplock bag, but this year they handed out binders to everyone who signed up and the block kits were packaged in neat little envelopes to put in your binder. It was very cool!!

I remembered this little trick for the BOMs that I am working on and decided to put the Mystery blocks in the binder. First, I had to find the binder and get some 9 by 12 envelopes.

100_3157

I cut off the top part of the envelopes to make them 9 by 11 and then put them all through the 3 hole punch.

100_3158

By trimming the envelopes down, they won't extend past the top of the binder.

100_3159

I then punched the instructions and put the baggie with the pieces inside the envelope. I tried to put the extra fabric in the envelope with the cut pieces, but it made the binder super bulky. I also put the instruction pages in the binder in front of each envelope.

100_3160

And here it is all finished! This BOM has 12 blocks and is ready to be loaded in the car for retreat!

100_3175

I can't tell if Maxie was more impressed with this way of organizing or his bone....

100_3170

16 comments:

Cheryl Willis said...

good job. now you can have a TO DO when ever you choose to get around to it. cw

Brenda said...

That is a great idea!!! Now you have a binder of blks instead of a tote or bag full of little bagged up blk kits!! Organized and easy to manage! Love this idea!!! thanks for sharing it!!

Gina said...

What a great idea. I'll have to pinch this for future use

Love and hugs Gina xxx

Michelle said...

That is so cool. What a neat idea. I have to say Maxie did a good job too!
I know you can't wait for retreat. I bet work is hard this week, huh? It will be here soon!
love ya!

Jackie's Stitches said...

I have this same BOM from last year completely untouched. I actually just got the backing fabric yesterday (on sale at FQS for less than $30). I love the way you've organized this. I have a retreat in February and was thinking of taking this project along. I'd love to hear how all your preplanning works for you at retreat.

Kristie said...

That is a great idea! I will have to remember that for all of mine! :) I think that would work better than ziploc bags that I usually put them in.
Kristie

Anonymous said...

Super idea! It helps keep those slippery ziploc bags in line. I will have to try this sometime. Regina and I are headed to the quilt shop in a few minutes. We'll try to stay out of trouble! :-)

scraphappy said...

What a great organizational tip. I usually use page protectors, but the envelopes are more stable. Now that they are all cut out and organized, I hope you can get them sewn together at your retreat.

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

I really like that idea! Thanks for sharing it.

Deb A said...

Great Idea! I may have to use that for a few of mine.

elizabeth said...

WTG JILL, I BET YOUR ARE GETTING REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE RETREAT SINCE IT IS SO CLOSE. HAPPY QUILTING ...I MISS BEING ABLE TO SEW ON MY QUILT TOPS :(( STILL HAVENT HEARD FROM MIKE TO SEE IF HE CAN REWIRE MY PETAL.

Jennifer said...

Oh, that is a great way to organize, but I might have to tease you a little about being OCD ;)

Deanna said...

Good tip! I look forward to seeing the contents when you return.

Deanna said...

Good tip! I look forward to seeing the contents when you return.

InfinityQuilter/Knitter said...

What a GREAT way to store BOM blocks. I might have to do that with my Vintage Memories! Thanks for sharing.

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

What a wonderful idea. I am working on a BOM and it looks there will be enough fabric left to make another block for each month (2 quilts for the price of one!) I'm going to start the binder idea now before I misplace any of the parts and pieces. Thanks!