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popular for quilters to participate in something called the Block of the Month (BOM). This usually involves a monthly or bi-monthly distribution of a block patterns - sometimes with fabric choices already included for the quilter. Sometimes the BOM is part of a quilt shop promotion or it can be a monthly guild program or an exchange or challenge between friends. Many times in the quilt shop BOM the last month includes the design and fabric for the setting/sashing of the quilt and the border. The resulting quilt is usually a sampler quilt of some kind. (A sampler quilt is a quilt in which each block is a different design or pattern.)

You could see where in this case, especially in a quilt shop BOM that provides fabric where there might be a lot of "regurgitated" identical quilts floating around "out there". About the only way to add diversity and creative difference would be during the quilting process. Unless...

In the 1990's I started participating in BOM activity, but I made a decision. Each quilt would have MY stamp, MY interpretation and MY creativity infused through out the design.

I've done this in different ways. In some cases I've used colors and fabric of my choice. Other times I have totally redesigned the blocks. In one case for an applique quilt I totally redesigned and drew each block. I added embellishment to some blocks by adding embroidery work and buttons. For a pieced BOM I redesigned some of the blocks by redrafting them using high school geometry.

In other BOM quilts I have designed my own settings and borders to create a unique and individual overall design and look. Finally, I added my own inspiration with the quilting stitches and design. I have named these quilts my Maverick series.

I think it's unfair and short sighted to look at what a quilter does and simply relegate it to "arts and crafts", hobby or a pastime that requires little or no talent based simply on the medium a quilter works with - fabric and textiles. There is a complicated creative process involved in a well thought out and executed quilt. It also takes talent and ability to produce a high quality end product.

So, is quilting a regurgitation of pattern? I say, "Hardly!"

Learn more about this author, Beverly Hicks Burch.
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