It’s that time of the year again… time for a preview of next year’s BOM project. The new BOM will be in my favorite theme again – seasonal! I love making seasonal blocks so I figured why stop now? You will be able to make four wall hangings from each set of seasonal blocks or you can use each block individually however you like. You can have separate mini wall hangings or even make pillows. The main thing is to just have fun!
BOM Blocks
So here they are! I grouped them by season, each season has 3 blocks.
Starting with the top left, are the spring blocks, then summer to the right. And below those are fall and winter. Hopefully, the cuteness of these blocks entices you to take part in this BOM.
Like in previous years, the patterns are all free throughout the year. However, on December 31, 2025, these patterns will disappear from my website. To get started, I have some starting instructions that you can find here: 2025 BOM Starting Instructions.
Information on the fabric I’ve used for this BOM is in the starting instructions, but I’ll repeat it here. As in previous years, the exact fabric may no longer be available from the manufacturer, so try to get something close if you want the same look as mine.
For the block backgrounds, I used a dark grey print from Henry Glass fabrics, from the Folio collection.
And here is the fabric that I will be using for the sashing and borders. It’s a black on black print (it’s actually darker than it shows in the photo) from Robert Kaufman from the 6th Street Cottons collection by Julie Letvin.
Tips & Tools
These are the tips and tools I like to use every time I am doing wool stitchery. Feel free to adopt them or not. Also, search the internet for other wool appliqué enthusiasts. You never know where you’ll find the tip or tool you can’t live without.
Tip #1: Since my wool appliqué is done on fabric, I recommend treating the edges of the fabric background with Fray Check to prevent the background from fraying too much from handling. This helps save your seam allowance.
Tip #2: If you are stitching wool onto individual blocks, cut the background fabric and inch larger than needed.
For this BOM, the blocks be 9 1/2 x 12 1/2″ (includes seam allowance) for piecing them into the wall hanging, however, we are cutting them 10 1/2 x 13 1/2″. So to keep your motif from getting into the seam allowance or the area that will be trimmed away, draw a line 3/4″ around all sides of the square (photo below). This defines a center 9 x 12″ space for your design. Then try to keep your stitching at least 1/8″ inside that line.
Tip #3: Templates. For pattern templates that need to be used several times over for tracing, I reinforce them. I do this by either copying them directly onto card stock from the pattern or by gluing the template page to a piece of card stock and then cutting them out.
Once you have them cut out, you can write the number of shapes needed for the pattern and the color of wool on the template. Save them in a plastic bag attached to the pattern for future use.
Tip #4: Use the thread color that will complement your project. I like to use Valdani Perle Cotton threads in size 8. I often use an array of neutrals from light to dark, depending on the color of my appliqué piece.
You can also use threads that match the color of your wool appliqué piece so your stitches blend in and don’t show.
If you don’t want to use perle cotton, you can use embroidery floss like DMC. You’ll need to use 3 to 5 strands to mimic the thickness of perle cotton.
Tip #5: Even if you use fusible web to secure your appliqué pieces, it’s always a good idea to keep some fabric glue by your side in case a piece loosens while you are stitching. I use both the large size and a smaller size that I keep in my thread box.
Now That You’re Ready…
The first block will appear on January 15, 2025 and there will be a limited amount of wool only kits available in my shop on that day, as in previous years. If you want the block instructions early, sign up for my newsletter here on my web site. You often receive the block at least a week before the public release.
That’s all for now! If you have not downloaded any of the 2024 blocks but still want to do that BOM someday, download the blocks before 12/31/24. After that, the blocks will disappear and will no longer be free.
If you are interested in being notified about when the kits are available in my shop, please e-mail me at: snugglesquilts@hotmail.com and say you want to be on the list. Please put 2025 BOM in the subject line so your e-mail does not get lost.
Happy Quilting and Stitching!
Deanne
