First Look: Greenhouse Garden 2024 Block of the Month (BOM) + Quilt Sew Along

Hey there quilters,

Ready, set, sew! Sow your stitches, see your Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) skills grow, and watch your own Greenhouse Garden Quilt bloom. I am thrilled to introduce the Greenhouse Garden 2024 Block of the Month (BOM) and quilt sew along. We’ll sew these blocks together, using foundation paper piecing (FPP)—one quilt block at a time, each at our own pace. Not only will you have a complete greenhouse scene at the end of the project, but you’ll also gain valuable skills and have fun!

Want to know what a Block of the Month (BOM) and Quilt Sew Along is all about?
Let’s get into all of the details!

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION/PRICING IS NOW OPEN!
Price increases after December 18, 2023.

WHAT IS A BLOCK OF THE MONTH (BOM)?
HOW DOES THIS WORK?

Each month throughout 2024 (January–December), you’ll be emailed a link to download a detailed PDF Foundation Paper Pieced (FPP) pattern for a block in the Lower/Main area of the Greenhouse Garden quilt. You can make one block a month or “binge” sew whenever it’s convenient for you. This is a low-stress BOM sew along and we’ll all work at our own pace. Each month, we’ll practice our FPP skills and at the end of the year have a beautiful quilt top to show for it! I’ll be here with you on this adventure to encourage you but during any month if you don’t have time to finish the block, no worries.

In addition to the patterns, there will be other bonuses including monthly content on the blog where I’ll be sharing piecing tips, tricks, and inspiration. The bonus content will be up on my blog indefinitely. There are special hashtags on Instagram (#GreenhouseGardenquilt and #greenhouseBOM) so we can all check out everyone’s beautiful blocks come together and cheer one another on! We’ll also have the opportunity a few times a year to meet up on Zoom to meet quilters from all over the world who are working on this project, ask questions, and have a voluntary show & tell of blocks.

Immediately after you purchase the Greenhouse Garden Block of the Month, you’ll receive an email with the link to download the Welcome Packet, which includes detailed fabric requirements for all of the options as well as Coloring Sheets and other helpful planning information.

WAIT, THIS IS FOUNDATION PAPER PIECED (FPP)?
WHAT ABOUT THOSE CURVES?

YES! This is TOTALLY Foundation Paper Pieced (no curved piecing or applique).

The awesome thing about FPP, other than it being incredibly precise, is that you can sew a few straight lines near one another at angles and then it looks like it’s a curve. It’s an easy way to achieve these organic, curvy plants! If you look closely, you see the straight lines but if you step back, they look like curves.

I’VE MADE A QUILT BEFORE, BUT I’M NEW TO FOUNDATION PAPER PIECING (FPP), COULD I DO THIS?

Yes—totally! If you know the basics of quilt piecing and are ready to learn and practice a new technique, you can make this. The blocks are geared towards experienced paper piecers, but if you’re an adventurous beginner, YOU CAN DO THIS! I break down these detailed blocks into easy to follow steps. We’ll gain experience with tiny pieces, piecing at different angles, and matching alignments. We had many beginner FPPers during the 2021, 2022, and 2023 BOMs —they made beautiful blocks and learned new skills!

It is recommended that participants get familiar and practice FPP before we dig in. I have a free FPP video tutorial/mini-class here. While general FPP instructions are NOT included in the Greenhouse Garden patterns, I will be sharing tips, tricks, and best practices that relate to the blocks (which can be used for other projects in the future) on my blog.

Wherever you are with your FPP skills, by the end of 2024, you’ll have lots more practice and improved your paper piecing skills. You’ll gain more piecing confidence while making beautiful, unique quilt blocks.

WHAT IS THE TOTAL COST AND WHAT DO I RECEIVE?

For $69.95* total (a one-time charge), you’ll receive:
(note this is Early Bird pricing for those who register November 30–December 18, 2023).

• 12 Foundation Paper Pieced (FPP) Quilt Block PDF patterns to make the main, lower greenhouse scene.
For those who want to add the OPTIONAL roof section and cacti side borders—required for the Twin and Queen size quilts— the OPTIONAL Greenhouse Garden Add-On Block Pack is required (sold separately for $16.95).

• Monthly Tutorials and Tips
Each month you’ll receive my tips and tricks for paper piecing for that month’s block on the blog. We’ll piece the blocks together each month. You’ll sharpen your foundation paper piecing skills while having fun! These tutorials will remain on the blog indefinitely so you can go back and review at any time.

• Exclusive Online Zoom Get Togethers
Connect with me and other quilters face to face from the comfort of your home. I’ll be hosting a quarterly series of Zoom get togethers so we can do “show and tells” of our blocks, meet new quilters, exchange tips, and receive encouragement.

• Planning Resources
Immediately after purchasing, you will receive an email with a link to download the Welcome Packet in Adobe PDF format so you can start planningUse one of my planned colorways or create your own color scheme with the supplied coloring sheets. Use the same fabrics that I used—download the fabric requirements and specifications here or plan your own. This pattern is perfect for all types of quilting fabric—solids, blenders, prints, or a combination. For those who like to keep it loose: plan as you go and use what you have in your stash or pick up fabric as we go along.

• Instructions for Putting It All Together
Instructions will be included for how to assemble the blocks into:
• 4 runners / wall hangings (each measuring 12½” x 57½”) — each runner contains 3 blocks
• Throw Quilt: (48½” x 57½”) — all 12 blocks
• Throw Quilt with Mullions/Sashing and Borders: (61″ x 69″) — all 12 blocks
• Twin Quilt* (72″ x 90½”) — all 12 blocks plus Add-On Blocks
• Queen Quilt* (88½” x 90½”)— all 12 blocks plus Add-On Blocks

*OPTIONAL Greenhouse Garden Add-On Block Pack is required for roof section + cacti side borders in Twin & Queen Quilt
(sold separately for $16.95)

Sew your blocks into a quilt or incorporate them into other projects—abstract mini quilts, wall decor, placemats, table runners, bags… the options are endless!

• Lots of Fun and Skill Building
This Block of the Month was designed for quilters who have some experience with foundation paper piecing (FPP) and are looking for a fun but challenging project. That said, beginners are totally welcome as I’ll be sharing all of my tips and tricks. Wherever you are with your FPP skills, by the end of 2024, your piecing skills and confidence with have grow. I’ll be here to share all of my tips and cheer you on every step of the way. We’ll all go at our own pace. There’s no pressure to finish the block each month, but for those who want to keep to a schedule we’ll keep each other accountable and have a finished quilt top by the end of the year.

WHAT SIZE ARE THE BLOCKS?

• Blocks 1-12 each measure 12½” x 19½” unfinished.
• The measurements of the OPTIONAL roof section + cacti side borders (required for the Twin and Queen size quilts) are listed in the Greenhouse Garden Add-On Block Pack

WHAT SIZE IS THE FINISHED QUILT?

The finished quilts measure:
• 4 runners / wall hangings (each measuring 12½” x 57½”) — each runner contains 3 blocks
• Throw Quilt: (48½” x 57½”) — all 12 blocks
• Throw Quilt with Mullions/Sashing and Borders: (61″ x 69″) — all 12 blocks
• Twin Quilt* (72″ x 90½”) — all 12 blocks plus Add-On Blocks
• Queen Quilt* (88½” x 90½”)— all 12 blocks plus Add-On Blocks

*OPTIONAL Greenhouse Garden Add-On Block Pack is required for roof section + cacti side borders in Twin & Queen Quilt
(sold separately for $16.95)

I HAVE SOOOO MANY QUILTS. IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE I CAN MAKE WITH THE BLOCKS?

I totally get it! The grid blocks (unfinished size: 12½” x 19½” each) are flexible. Here are just some of the things you can make with the blocks:
• abstract placemats
• table runners
• abstract wall art (framed or unframed)
• abstract mini quilts or swap quilts
• incorporate into a bag or a garment

WHAT ARE THE FABRIC REQUIREMENTS AND WHAT FABRICS DID YOU USE FOR YOUR QUILTS?

Fabric requirements depend on which option of the quilt you’re planning on making.
Click here to download the PDF with the fabric requirements and see which fabrics I used for all of the options.
Here are some of the fabrics I used (and will be using) to make my Greenhouse Garden quilts — all of the details and specifications are listed in the PDF link above:
• Chalk and Charcoal (shown in photo above) by Jennifer Sampou for Robert Kaufman Fabrics
• Grunge by Moda Fabrics
• Speckled by Rashida Coleman Hale for Ruby Star Society
• Chrysanthemum by Alison Glass + Century Solids for Andover Fabrics
• PURE Solids by Art Gallery Fabrics
• Kona® Cotton Solids by Robert Kaufman Fabrics

This is also a great quilt to get scrappy on and use fabric you have in your stash!

CAN I BUY A FABRIC KIT FROM YOU?

I don’t sell fabric, but I’ve teamed up with some fabulous quilt shops that do!

Here are a few shops that offer various fabric options (my recommendations and other options too). They are familiar with the Greenhouse Garden Block of the Month and can help with fabric. If you don’t see a specific option listed on their website, give them a call or email and they can assist you:

• Sewing Arts Santa Monica (CA) | 310-450-4300 | www.sewingarts.com

• Cotton Candy Fabrics (CT) | 203-885-0792 | www.cottoncandyfabrics.com

• Pink Door Fabrics (CO) |www.pinkdoorfabrics.com

• Jennifer Sampou (CA) — Chalk and Charcoal Fabrics | www.jennifersampou.com

• Pinwheels (GA) | www.pinwheelsquilting.com

• Calliope Quilts (MI) | www.calliopequilts.com

• Keystone Modern Creative (CANADA) | www.keystonemoderncreative.com/

I’M HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME CHOOSING WHICH OPTION TO MAKE. ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR DECIDING?

No pressure to decide—you can wait until we start making the blocks. All of the layouts (Runners, both Throw options, Twin and Queen) use the same Blocks 1-12.

If you would like to make a Twin or Queen size quilts, the Greenhouse Garden Add-On Block Pack is required (sold separately for $16.95). Instructions for integrating the add-on blocks to the main Greenhouse Garden Blocks 1-12 are included in your monthly BOM instructions.

The Greenhouse Garden Add-On Block Pack is an immediate download after purchase, so if you wish, you can get started on all of your roof and cacti blocks right away.

CAN I GIVE A REGISTRATION AS A GIFT?

Yes! Giving the experience of making is an awesome gift—and one that lasts a whole year and beyond. How wonderful is to have an heirloom quilt at the end of the experience? To purchase a registration as a gift, be sure to check the “Is this a Gift?” box at checkout. After the purchase goes through, I will email you within 24 hours to obtain/confirm the recipient’s info.

MY GUILD OR GROUP OF QUILTING FRIENDS WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS BOM/SEW ALONG TOGETHER. ANYTHING WE SHOULD KNOW?

This is a great project for groups of quilters to experience and work on together! In past BOMs, quilting friends gathered together regularly on their own either in-person or on Zoom, sewing together while chatting and having fun.

Please note that each quilter must purchase their own registration to the Block of the Month. Sharing the patterns, instructions, and related materials is not permitted. The patterns are provided for the registered quilter’s individual use only. By purchasing the BOM registration, the buyer agrees not to copy, reproduce or distribute copies or reproductions of this pattern to any person or group, or to allow others to do so.

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY PATTERNS?

Immediately after you purchase the Greenhouse Garden Block of the Month, you’ll receive an email receipt with a link to download the Welcome Packet so you can begin planning. You’ll receive the first block pattern along with links to the quilt along bonus content in your email on January 8, 2024. The remaining blocks will be emailed out on the first of the month February–December 2024. Quilt top assembly instructions will be sent out with the July and again with the December block.

WHY SHOULD I REGISTER AND JOIN THE BOM + QUILT SEW ALONG? WILL I ENJOY THIS?

Each month, we’ll practice our foundation paper piecing skills and at the end of the year have a beautiful quilt top to show for it! See what other quilters had to say about our previous BOMs + quilt sews along below. I’ll be here with you on this adventure to encourage you but during any month if you don’t have time to finish the block, no worries. Work at your own pace!

We’ll also have an opportunity a few times a year to gather on Zoom and meet quilters from all over the world who are making the Greenhouse Garden blocks. It’s a chance for us to gather informally, chat, and those who are comfortable can do a “show & tell” of their blocks.

Curious about other quilter’s experiences? Here are what some of the participants in our previous Block of the Months said: