2023 September Monthly Color Challenge

I love summer. It comes from having my children at home for a few months. Now that they are all grown up, I've come to realize that I like the idea of lazy summer days, but I'm not a fan of the heat. Ha! So bring on the cooler weather here in the upper midwest.

This month we're doing a bit of a twist to the good old Half Square Triangle. Don't let that scare you! As there is every month, at the end of the instructions is the link to the How To Video.

The classic car color this month is Mustard.

I love this color. Just like brown, it's a warm comfy color to me. Yellow in any shade or hue just makes me happy.

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.

The light yellow is "Butter" and the dark is "Dijon."

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

Sandra - Textile Time Travels

Find her on Instagram

Ready for the block? Here it is! I love the look of this squatty little star. Make sure to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the instructions page for the link to the How To Video.

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 different mustards flood my world this month! They will go beautifully with the changing leaves.

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

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

Make something extraordinary!

Jen

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Twisted Flight Quilt Along

2023 Monthly Color Challenge

Find paper and digital patterns, gifts and more 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 Quarter 3 - Spicy Windmills

 I'm sharing my next project as a Benartex ambassador today.

I've called this quilt "Spicy Windmills" as a shout out to the fabric line I used, Pumpkin and Spice, by Valentina Harper.

This fabric was so fun to work with. I'm sure I say this every quarter, but the colors in Benartex fabrics are so vivid, it's hard not to be inspired to make all of the things.

I have to say my favorite fabric in the line is the mushrooms. Each top is a different design, and they are fun and whimsical.

When laying out scrappy blocks I like to take a picture and then change it to black and white or greyscale to check and make sure the lights and darks are spread fairly evenly.

I felt like this one flowed well.

I had to find another way to use the mushroom fabric, so I decided on a Seminole Patchwork border.

I love the look of this border, but it's a scary thing to take these pieces and trim them to size. Quilty math doesn't always work out for me the first time. Ha!

Have you done a Seminole Patchwork border before? Did you like making it? If you haven't, is it something you are interested in?

Make something extraordinary!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

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Twisted Flight Quilt Along

2023 Monthly Color Challenge

Find paper and digital patterns, gifts and more 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.

Twisted Flight Quilt Along - Fabric Prep

 Let's get this party started!

For the next two weeks your "assignment" is to get your fabrics prepped, cut and marked. I love this part of the process. Every square is perfect, every mark is straight and it all looks so good in happy little piles. It's after this, when I start sewing, that things can get hairy, so those fresh cut lines are a joy to me. 😅

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains Affiliate Links. When purchases are made through these links I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your purchases help support my small business and keep my husband's head from exploding every time a new quilting notion arrives in our mailbox. Thank you for that. Find out more about Affiliate Links Here.

Fabric Prep

Prepping fabric can mean different things to different quilters. For me, it simply means using starch (Best Press and a mister for me) and giving the fabric a good pressing.

I buy my Best Press by the gallon, only scent free because of sensitivity, but there are many different sizes and scents.

Using a mister means the gallon lasts forever.

For other's it may mean washing first or pressing without starch. I'm here to tell you: do what works best for you. If you've been quilting for a while you have found what you like. If you are a new quilter, I encourage you to try different ways of prepping your fabric to see what you like and what gives you the results you are looking for.

Cutting

When you have your fabric prepped and you're ready to start cutting I encourage you to read through the cutting instructions.

First, read through all of them. Go ahead and grab a pencil or pen to circle or highlight the sizes and/or number needed for the quilt you are making. Take the time to also write in the colors you are using for each section, just to keep yourself organized.

Next, read them again, but just the section for the fabric you are going to cut.

*Tip* I like to do any marking that is required as I cut each fabric. If I have 40 squares that the diagonal needs to be marked on, I will cut those 40 out and mark them right away. Then move to the next cutting step. This keeps me from getting bored. Plus, it breaks up the monotony of cutting and marking, which when you are making a large quilt like I am for this quilt along, really helps to keep it from becoming a chore.

Finally, make sure to check off each set as you finish cutting. That way if you are called away, or get distracted by the puking cat 🤦 you can start again as soon as you get back.

*Tip* As you finish each cutting set, mark the sizes. I simply write the size on paper and pin it to the top piece (I reuse these pieces over and over again). Then, put them in the storage bin you are using for the pattern. I love shoe box sized buckets for this. You might be surprised at how much you can fit into one. Label it, put the pattern in with it if you have it printed, and you are ready for the next "assignment."

How do you keep your pieces organized when you are participating in a quilt along? I'd love to hear!

Missed the Introduction to the Twisted Flight Quilt Along? You can find it HERE.

Come back September 7th for tips on making our Flying Geese units!

Make something extraordinary!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Newsletter sign up

2023 Monthly Color Challenge

Find paper and digital patterns, gifts and more 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.

Twisted Flight Quilt Along

 It's been a few years since the last PBJ Quilt Along and I'm excited to get this one started.

The Twisted Flight Quilt pattern is a customer favorite and I think we will have a great time stitching it together.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains Affiliate Links. When purchases are made through these links I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your purchases help support my small business and keep my husband's head from exploding every time a new quilting notion arrives in our mailbox. Thank you for that. Find out more about Affiliate Links Here.

Twisted Flight comes in multiple sizes and is beginner friendly. It's a three color quilt and I love how when the blocks are sewn together you get a second pattern.

Schedule

*NOTE! The dates have changed a little. My husband and I are moving from Minnesota to South Dakota and I'm condensing it just a bit.*

Aug 10 (today) - Introduction

Aug 24 - Fabric Prep/Cutting

Sept 7 - Flying Geese

Sept 21 - Quarter Squares

Oct 5 - Assemble the Quilt

Oct 19 - Quilting/Finishing

This quilt along will have two weeks between each new section. This will hopefully keep the Twisted Flight Quilt Along a light and enjoyable time for all of us. I will share my tips for each new section as we go and we'll finish in time to give as a holiday gift if you so wish.

Supplies

Twisted Flight Pattern:

Etsy - Printed

Etsy - PDF

Payhip - PDF

Cutting Mat

Rotary Cutter

Sewing Supplies

Rulers:

6 1/2" x 24 1/2"

6 1/2" x 12 1/2"

6 1/2" square

Recommended specialty rulers (NOT required):

Tucker Trimmer™

Wing Clipper™

Fabric Requirements:

You can choose the size that works for you. I am taking the opportunity to make a new quilt for my bed, so I'm going for the King Size. 😲 My favorite size though is the 76" square.

Thank you to Benartex for sponsoring this quilt along with fabric from their beautiful basics line, Whisper Weave. I'm not actually going for a Halloween colored quilt, but I am redoing my bedroom in orange. Fingers crossed I don't have to decorate with pumpkins all year long!

Joining in?

If you are stitching along with us I hope you share your progress! Use #twistedflightquiltalong when you share on social media so I can see your work.

You are also invited to join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook Page. We love to ooo and ahhh over your pretty work.

Want to get a head start on finishing your quilt, but aren't sure if free motion quilting is for you? Check out String and a Story's HollyAnne and her Introduction to Free Motion Mini Class! It's available for you to take at your convenience and is a great way to get ready to finish your Against the Grain Quilt.

Get your pattern and come back August 24 for fabric prep and cutting.

Make something extraordinary!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Newsletter sign up

2023 Monthly Color Challenge

Find paper and digital patterns, gifts and more 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 August Monthly Color Challenge

 Bring on the "dog days" of summer. 

Remember last month when I said the block was easy peasy? What I meant was, THIS month would be easy peasy. Ha!

Photo Info

This month our classic car color is brown.

Brown is such a comfy color. When I think of brown I think of logs on the fire and comfy sweaters. Which really doesn't work well in August. I'll have to do better next year.

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.

The light brown is "Coffee" and the dark is "Chocolate." Two more reasons I love the color brown.

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

Kate - Katie Mae Quilts

You can also find her on Instagram: KatieMaeQuilts

Ready for the block? Here it is! So simple, yet such a cool look. Make sure to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the instructions page for the link to the How To Video.

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 different browns flood my world this month! It will get me ready for the cooler weather that we know will get here eventually.

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

It's too late to receive the January and August instructions through email, but you can still sign up to have the September - 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. 

Christmas in July with Benartex

 I am so excited to share this new pattern with you, using the fabulous Peace On Earth - Winter fabrics from Amanda Murphey and Benartex fabrics.

Peace On Earth - Winter is an amazing fabric line of blues and greens.

I designed Peaceful Circles to show off this amazing fabric line, and I couldn't love it more.

Benatex is having a Virtual Fabric Show for Christmas in July and you can watch the reruns on their page. (I'm in the third session.) You aren't going to want to miss the amazing fabric lines coming now and the projects made by my fellow Benartex Ambassadors.

The Peaceful Circles pattern is coming in August!

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. 

2023 July Monthly Color Challenge

 It's my favorite month of the whole Monthly Color Challenge! Why? Because we're using purple of course.

I chose a simple design for this month again as this is my "vacation" month. It needed to be easy peasy.

Photo Info

This month our classic car color is purple.

I have loved purple for as long as I can remember. I have no memory of an ah-ha moment, or something so beautiful that inspired it. I've just always loved it.

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.

The light purple is "Lilac" and the dark is "Amethyst."

I chose the fabrics for this month just based on their hue, so when I saw that they were named "Lilac" and "Amethyst" I knew I had chosen correctly. Lilacs is one of my favorite flowers, I love spring when the air is filled with their scent. My love of Amethyst actually comes from Anne of Green Gables.

This year we are doing things differently with the bloggers. There will be just one quilter a month that will be featured. July's blogger is Brianna.  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.

Brianna - Sew Cute and Quirky

You can also find her on Instagram: Sew Cute and Quirky

Ready for the block? Here it is! I love that quilting allows us to take simple shapes and form them into beautiful blocks.  Make sure to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the instructions page for the link to the How To Video. I share a quick tip for getting bonus Half Square Triangle units easily.

I love a block with movement.

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 purple flood my world this month! It's truly going to be my favorite month.

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

It's too late to receive the January and July instructions through email, but you can still sign up to have the August - 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.