Benartex Ambassador Dreamers

It is my turn to share my project for Quarter 1 as a Benartex Ambassador.

I was sent the Dreamers fabric collection designed by Jessica Flick for Benartex.

You can see the unboxing video below. The fabrics are so soft and pretty, with just a touch of sparkle.

I ended up making two quilts (with a pillow or two yet to come) because you know I hate to have leftover fabric.

Here is the back of my main quilt. I used a light blue minkee from Benartex. I love a quilt with such a soft backing.

I tried a new to me quilting pattern. I free hand, so none of them are close to perfect or at all the same. Ha! I enjoyed trying something new though, and while not perfect I love the end result.

Here is the back of my bonus quilt. In a continued effort to use all that I have, I pieced the back.

I had accidently made the star block for my main quilt, but I didn't need it, so used it as part of my pieced backing.

For the quilting on this one I just did a medium sized stipple pattern.

Ready for the reveal of my main quilt? 

I used my The Border Quilt 3 pattern for this, and I adore how it turned out.

I had to piece the center panel to get it the right size, but I really like how it turned out. Plus, I think it gives you an idea on using a piece that isn't exactly the size you need.

I love the pinwheels around the panel, I think they add a fun touch.

Oops! Look! A book snuck in there. I love to give a book with a quilt as a gift when gifting children's quilts. "That's not my Unicorn" was the perfect one to go with this quilt. If you would like your own copy, you can find it on my friend Courtney's PaperPie site. I love supporting small businesses!

Ready for the bonus quilt reveal?

With the large panel came six smaller panels. I thought about doing a pillow, but I had all of this extra fabric. Instead, I made a simple patch quilt. Now that I'm looking at it, I kind of regret not tying it, for a more "old fashioned" feel. I love a tied quilt.

I laid out my squares and then took pictures, turning them to black and white, to see if there was anything that didn't read right. That was probably the most time consuming thing with the bonus quilt. Well, that and the pieced backing. Ha!

I had to sneak in the little rocking chair my grandmother painted for my 1st birthday, many (many) years ago. PS: Don't call me Jenny. 😀

I hope you love the quilts I made with this beautiful fabric. They were so fun to piece and quilt.

PS Don't miss our March Mad(e)ness fun in the PBJ newsletter! There is still time to sign up for the newsletter so you can join in in the fun. It starts March 15th! Scroll down to find the link.

Let's make something Extraordinary!

Jen

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2023 Monthly Color Challenge

Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

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2023 March Monthly Color Challenge

 I'm shaking off the snow to welcome in March!

Before you scroll down to see the block, I am making you a promise that this is the LAST block of the year that uses Flying Geese units. So don't leave me yet!

Photo credit: https://www.pxfuel.com/en/free-photo-erdyi

This month our color is red. It's difficult to find a light red that doesn't look pink, but it's worth finding it!

When thinking about props for this year's photos, I knew I had to get tires. What I will do with them after this year,  I have no idea. 😂

This year Benartex is sponsoring the 2023 Monthly Color Challenge with their Basics Line, Cotton Shot. I am loving these fabrics. They are easy to work with and saturated with color.

This month we are using Rose, the light, and Red, for the dark.

Last spring we tore out our living room carpet in preparation for our youngest's graduation party. Unfortunately, those gifted in laying flooring were month's out from being able to replace it, and the subfloor was about as bad as the carpet (thank you children and pets, ha). In an effort to hide it I painted the subfloor with a brick red patio paint. I adore it and wish I could keep it.

This year we are doing things differently with the bloggers. There will be just one quilter a month that will be featured. March's blogger is Kathy.  I encourage you to grab your favorite warm (or cold if it's hot where you live) drink and stay awhile to check out what she's working on.

Kathy - Kathy's Kwilts and More

You can also find her on Instagram kathyskwiltsandmore

Ready for the block? Here it is! We're making the same Flying Geese units that we made the last two months (though different sizes), but as I did last month I've included a "How To" video, so make sure to scroll all the way down the instructions page and click on How To Video.

This is probably the most time consuming block of the challenge, so once you get past this point it's all down hill from here.

Make sure to join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook group (make sure to answer the questions so I know you are a real person 😉) where you will get a lot of support and questions answered! If you aren't on Facebook you can also follow Patterns By Jen on Instagram. Use #2023MonthlyColorChallenge when sharing so I can be sure to see your block.

I can't wait to see all of the red flood my world this month! Take your time on the Flying Geese units, and make sure to watch the How To Video for trimming.

Ready to get the pattern? Go to Payhip and download it now! The block is free for the month of March! Each set of instructions includes a "How To" video.

It's too late for the January and March instructions, but you can still sign up to have the April - December blocks (and the layout!) sent directly to your email. Sign up HERE.

Let's make something Extraordinary!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Don't forget to sign up for the Bites of PBJ newsletter while you are here for early releases and sales just for subscribers!

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2023 Monthly Color Challenge

Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring

Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook page.

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for daily sneak peeks and updates. 

Softly Circled Class

My local quilt shop Graceful Marilyn Quilt Shoppe in Marshall, MN asked me to teach my Softly Circled Class, and I was so happy to accept! 

It's the first time in four years that I've had a chance to teach this class, but it's one of my favorites, even when I'm rusty. There were seven students who came, from experienced to this is their very first quilt (!) and it was a good day.

The first step was learning about our Corner Beam® ruler from Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design. We started with our beams.

Next we cut our side triangles.

The ruler can seem complicated at first, and definitely takes a minute to learn, but once you get in the groove (cut lots of units) muscle memory kicks in.

And then. . . we sewed. . .

. . . and sewed, then trimmed. . .

. . . and, well you get the picture.

And at the end of the day there were blocks and units to show.

I love how there were such individual fabric choices.

Solids to prints.

To Tula Pink.

Two quilters chose purple (the one pictured above has other colors to go where the purple is), but one chose it as the main and the other as the background.

As happens quite often in the quilting world, the seam ripper did make an appearance, a few times.

In the end, I think it was a good day for quilting.

P.S. Can you believe this is her first quilt!!

Here is a shot with what will eventually become part of the pieced border.

Rachel gave me permission to share her fabulous quilt plan. The Aqua is her background and then she cut pieces of her fat quarters to plan out her blocks. So dang smart. Each piece is labeled on the back as well. Yeah. Smart!

All in all, a good day of stitching, lucky flamingo socks and all.

P.S. Don't wear heels when you are used to tennis shoes. 😉

If you are interested in a class, please send me an email and lets talk!

jen(at)patternsbyjen(dot)com

Let's make something Extraordinary!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Don't forget to sign up for the Bites of PBJ newsletter while you are here for early releases and sales just for subscribers!

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2023 Monthly Color Challenge

Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring

Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook page.

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for daily sneak peeks and updates. 

2023 February Monthly Color Challenge

 We're headed into a new month, and I love that the Monthly Color Challenge gives me something to look forward to.

I adore this block. I don't know if it's the style or the color, but I hope you enjoy making it as much as I love looking at it.

Image credit: https://www.carcovers.com/articles/how-old-is-a-classic-car

February's color is Aqua. These first two cars that I used for inspiration make me want to take a cruise along the ocean with the top down.

I have to give a shout out to my sister-in-law who went through cars for me to choose from, and my brother who also sent me cars. It takes a village to do this Monthly Color Challenge, even villagers who don't quilt.

This year Benartex is sponsoring the 2023 Monthly Color Challenge with their basics line, Cotton Shot.

The light is "Aqua" and the dark is "Peacock."

Photo credit: https://www.britannica.com/animal/peacock

My grandfather had peacocks on his hobby farm. The male's finery is a thing to behold when they strut with their feathers up. Let's be honest though, nothing can prepare you for the sound a peacock makes when you are home alone, taking a shower in the basement, and it screams right outside the window. It really does sound like a woman screaming and it's terrifying when you aren't expecting it. 🙃

This year we are doing things differently with the bloggers. There will be just one quilter a month that will be featured. February's blogger is Joanne. I *adore* the pink fabric she chose as her main fabric. Definitely hop over there and give her some quilty love. I encourage you to grab your favorite warm (or cold if it's hot where you live) drink and stay awhile to check out ALL her fun makes!

Joanne - Everyone Deserves a Quilt

You can also find her @everyone_deserves_a_quilt on Instagram

Ready for the block? Here it is! We're making the same Flying Geese units that we made last month, but as I did last month I've included a "How To" video, so make sure to scroll all the way down the instructions page to find the link.

The rest of the block goes together simply. Make sure to join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook group where you will get a lot of support and questions answered! If you aren't on Facebook you can also follow Patterns By Jen on Instagram. Use #2023MonthlyColorChallenge when sharing so I can be sure to see your block.

I can't wait to see all of the aqua flood my world this month! Take your time on the Flying Geese units, and make sure to watch the How To Video for trimming.

Ready to get the pattern? Go to Payhip and download it now! The block is free for the month of Februay! Each set of instructions includes a "How To" video.

It's too late for the January and February instructions, but you can still sign up to have the March - December blocks (and the layout!) sent directly to your email. Sign up HERE.

Let's make something Extraordinary!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Don't forget to sign up for the Bites of PBJ newsletter while you are here for early releases and sales just for subscribers!

Newsletter sign up

2023 Monthly Color Challenge

Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring

Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook page.

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for daily sneak peeks and updates. 

Benartex Ambassador Challenge ~ Tote Bag

 Are you ready to see the first challenge for the 2023 Benartex Ambassadors?

First, I need to share: bag making is NOT my strong point. At. All. So I chose to focus on my piecing skills and then put it together in the hopes that it looks like a tote.

I love the cutting and piecing part of quilting. When I saw the gorgeous box of the basic solids line, Burlap, I really wanted to try and use them all.

That's a hard job for one tote bag. How would it be possible? A pixilated look came to mind, so I started drawing it out.

A truly pixilated look wasn't really possible, because I lost the "X" design in all the squares, but that's ok because I adore Half-square triangles.

There was a LOT of strip piecing involved in this tote. . .

lots. . .

more. . .

With all of these strips and squares, there was also a lot of pins involved. Bernard got quite the workout.

I chose to keep the front in neutrals so the Benartex "X" would stand out more.

The back, however, got ALL the color.

 I also used all the colors on the strap.

Once all of the piecing was done I used Pellon SF101 on the wrong side of the front, back and strap to give it a little more strength.

For the inside of the strap I used a solid blue, and on the inside of the tote I used the lighter purple. I like to use a lighter color in my bags so it's easier to see what's inside.

 The bag finishes at 18" x 19" and the strap is 3" x 36". The squares all finish at 1 inch.

Don't miss the other totes made from the Benartex Ambassadors. Each one is different and represents the designer so well.

Carol - Just Let Me Quilt

Nancy - Masterpiece Quilting

Michele - Flower Box Quilts

Charisma - Charisma's Corner

Olesya - Olesya L Design

Robin - Nestlings By Robin

Laura - Orange Blossom Quilt Design Studio, LLC

Marie - Underground Quilter

Nancy - Nancy Messuri Designs

Lisa - Quilty Zest

Brianna - Sew Cute and Quirky

Benartex will have a post on their new blog on Wednesday, February 1st with all of the totes as well. They have a new Facebook group, Create, Inspire, Delight as well, make sure to join to see goodies made in their fabrics.

Do you like making bags? What is your favorite size to make? Let me know in the comments.

Let's make something Extraordinary!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Don't forget to sign up for the Bites of PBJ newsletter while you are here for early releases and sales just for subscribers!

Newsletter sign up

2023 Monthly Color Challenge

Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring

Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook page.

Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for daily sneak peeks and updates.