September 2026 Monthly Color Challenge

 

I'm back with the ninth block in the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge! We are just a few months from finishing the blocks for the this quilt and I am here to remind you that the 2026 Layout was released in July. I'll link it at the end of this post, but if you receive the MCC emails, you can download it directly from there as well. September means back to school, state fair and hopefully some cooler air with crackling fires in the fire pit. Fingers crossed! It also brings to mind warm rich colors of reds, oranges, yellows and. . . browns.

2026 Monthly Color Challenge: A Free Block of the Month Program

This month our frog is nicknamed the Chocolate frog.

Credit: Steve Richards

How could I not choose this little guy to represent a month this year? I don't know that chocolate and frogs necessarily go together, but I love a good chocolate brown. It's official name is Litoria Mira, because Mira translates into "surprise." The closest frog to the Chocolate Frog is the Australian Tree Frog. This speciecs of frog was first spotted in 2016, so it's a very new member. 🐸

The fabrics I am using this year are Whisper Weave and Whisper Weave Too. They are basics from Benartex and have a wonderful texture to give these blocks some movement. This month our dark is Almond and our light is Oatmeal.

I film a how to video for each specific block, so no matter where you are in your quilting journey, you can follow along all year long. In this month's video making and trimming Flying Geese units is our focus.

Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns by Jen Facebook group and share your blocks, cheer each other on, and ask questions along the way. If you post on Instagram, be sure to tag me and use #monthlycolorchallenge so I can see your fabric pulls and finished blocks!

Here’s a look at the full September block. You can download the pattern HERE and jump right in. I can’t wait to see what you create! 

If you’d like each Monthly Color Challenge block delivered straight to your inbox, be sure to subscribe using the sign-up link below.

The September block is free through the end of the month and available in my Payhip shop. If you’re finding this later, don’t worry, it will still be there for just $1.

While the January – September emails have already gone out, you can still sign up to receive the September – December blocks (plus the final layout!) delivered directly to your inbox. Join us HERE.

I’m so grateful to be continuing the Monthly Color Challenge this year, and even more grateful you’re sewing along with me.

Go make something you LOVE.

New to Patterns By Jen?

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Inspire, By PBJ is my monthly digital subscription that delivers a wall hanging sized design, color inspiration and more right in your inbox.

Join the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge.

Find paper and digital patterns, gifts and more in my Etsy shop.

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring.

August 2026 Monthly Color Challenge

 

Well hello August, where did you come from? We are on the downhill side of the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge. How are your blocks coming along? Did you grab your layout yet? We are entering the dog days of summer here in the US, and hello heat wave, so quilting has been a must in the air conditioning. Hopefully that means some progress has been made on the layout. I can't wait to see what colors you have chosen. 

2026 Monthly Color Challenge: A Free Block of the Month Program

Last month's frog was my favorite, but this guy is almost as cute.

Our inspiration this month is the Borneo Eared Frog. It is indigenous to Borneo, Sumatra and other Indonesian Islands. This frog has prominent, sharp ridges behind the eye, and above the ear which is referred to in it's name.

The fabrics I am using this year are Whisper Weave and Whisper Weave Too. They are basics from Benartex and have a wonderful texture to give these blocks some movement. This month our dark is Almond and our light is Oatmeal.

Every month I film a how to video for the specific block, so no matter your skill level you can follow along. This month I go over how to sew strip sets and trim them accurately as well as half square triangles. In the video you can watch how I press each seam along the way. There is a lot of finger pressing to make sure my block doesn't get stretched accidentally as I piece it.

The strip piecing and the half square triangles come together to make four 9 patch blocks, which together, form the August block.

Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns by Jen Facebook group and share your blocks, cheer each other on, and ask questions along the way. If you post on Instagram, be sure to tag me and use #monthlycolorchallenge so I can see your fabric pulls and finished blocks!

Here’s a look at the full August block. You can download the pattern HERE and jump right in. I can’t wait to see what you create! 

If you’d like each Monthly Color Challenge block delivered straight to your inbox, be sure to subscribe using the sign-up link below.

The August block is free through the end of the month and available in my Payhip shop. If you’re finding this later, don’t worry, it will still be there for just $1.

While the January – August emails have already gone out, you can still sign up to receive the September – December blocks (plus the final layout!) delivered directly to your inbox. Join us HERE.

I’m so grateful to be continuing the Monthly Color Challenge this year, and even more grateful you’re sewing along with me.

Go make something you LOVE.

New to Patterns By Jen?

Newsletter sign up

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

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for Snippets with PBJ and 2 Minute Tips.

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

Inspire, By PBJ is my monthly digital subscription that delivers a wall hanging sized design, color inspiration and more right in your inbox.

Join the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge.

Find paper and digital patterns, gifts and more in my Etsy shop.

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring.

2026 Monthly Color Challenge Layout

It is here, the layout for the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge from Patterns By Jen. I am excited to share it with you and hear what you think. A few notes about the layout.

1) The layout instructions do not include the instructions for the blocks, those are separate. 

2) If you don't like this layout, every layout from the past 7 years of Monthly Color Challenges, will work with the Challenge blocks. You can find them in the PBJ Payhip Shop. Just choose the "Monthly Color Challenge Layouts" button at the top. Each one is just $1.

3) I upped the original fabric requirements for Colors 2 and 3 from 7/8 yard to 1 yard. You will still have enough fabric, but there was no room for error.

Here she is! Blocks that haven't been released yet and not included are not shown, you have to be patient! 😁

Get your set of layout instructions here.

My hope in giving the Monthly Color Challenge Layout in July is that you can work on it throughout the rest of the year and when the December block drops you can make it and pop it into your quilt.

Once your top is pieced I'd love for you to send a photo of it to jen@patternsbyjen(dot)com and I will include it in the quilt party in January 2027. It doesn't need to be quilted. If what you have is blocks and no quilt, I'll celebrate that with you, too, so send a photo of those.

Grab your Monthly Color Challenge Instructions here and if you haven't joined the Monthly Color Challenge yet, there is still time to get the August - December blocks sent to your inbox. January - July can be found in the Payhip Shop. Sign up here.

Go make something you LOVE,

New to Patterns By Jen?

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

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for Snippets with PBJ and 2 Minute Tips.

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

Inspire, By PBJ is my monthly digital subscription that delivers a wall hanging sized design, color inspiration and more right in your inbox.

Join the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge.

Find paper and digital patterns, gifts and more in my Etsy shop.

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring.

Shades of Grey - Friendship Block

 

Welcome back for my second week with the Shades of Gray Tour! This week I'm sharing my take on the Double Friendship Block. 

Yellow is the universal color of friendship. I thought it was the perfect pop of color for this block. I decided to go with a lighter gray for the smaller star points. I chose this direction as a nod to those friendships that are the backbone of our lives. The friendships that you know will always be there, no matter how much time has passed, no matter how busy lives get, they are your people. I also made it the center of this block. Those friendships keep us centered and steady.

Get your free block here.

While yellow is the color of friendship, I love the idea of making multiple blocks in our friend's favorite colors. What a rainbow of joy that would be. 

A few previous designers to check out (these are direct links to their blocks):

Jen of Faith and Fabric

Kate of Katie Mae Quilts

Tonya of Memory Barn Studio

A few upcoming designers to check out (links to their pages):

Sue of Sue Perry Creative

Ashli of Ashli Montgomery

Kathryn of Dragonfly's Quilting Design Studio

Thank you so much for stopping by! Don't forget to grab your free Double Friendship Block before you go! 

And check out the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge if you like a good Block of the Month challenge. 💜

Go make something you LOVE.

New to Patterns By Jen?

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

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for Snippets with PBJ and 2 Minute Tips.

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

Inspire, By PBJ is my monthly digital subscription that delivers a wall hanging sized design, color inspiration and more right in your inbox.

Join the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge.

Find paper and digital patterns, gifts and more in my Etsy shop.

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring.

Shades of Grey Tour - Butterfly Block

 

Welcome to my stop on the Shades of Gray Tour. I'm glad you stopped by! My block is designed in honor of my sweet cousin's daughter who has Dravet Syndrome. Purple is the color used for epilepsy advocacy and, while the butterfly is also used for all epilepsy awareness, the Dravet Syndrome Foundation is heavily tied to it.

I designed not just one butterfly block, but seven. The first is a simple block using the Signature Block units. The pieces are small, but worth it. Press those seams open to get the points to match up nicely without pins.

Then I thought how different each person with Dravet Syndrome is. Their journeys and personalities each unique and special. The sweet miss I had in mind when I designed this block is fire and she's got the best laugh. Just like butterflies, each with their own uniqueness they bring into the world.

And so began the design process of pretty, quilty butterfly wings. 

These butterflies are not for the faint of heart. There a little pieces and you are going to want a nice, new sharp needle in your sewing machine.

I think each one is worth the time (and possibly frustration 😉 ) of piecing and quilting. 

Get your free Block here.

Don't forget to check out the rest of the Shade's of Gray Tour blocks and designers. 

A few previous designers to check out (these are direct links to their blocks):

Jen of Faith and Fabric

Kate of Katie Mae Quilts

Tonya of Memory Barn Studio

A few upcoming designers to check out (links to their pages):

Sue of Sue Perry Creative

Ashli of Ashli Montgomery

Kathryn of Dragonfly's Quilting Design Studio

Thank you so much for stopping by! Don't forget to grab your free Butterfly Block before you go! 

And check out the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge if you like a good Block of the Month challenge. 💜

Go make something you LOVE.

New to Patterns By Jen?

Newsletter sign up

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

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for Snippets with PBJ and 2 Minute Tips.

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

Inspire, By PBJ is my monthly digital subscription that delivers a wall hanging sized design, color inspiration and more right in your inbox.

Join the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge.

Find paper and digital patterns, gifts and more in my Etsy shop.

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring.

July 2026 Monthly Color Challenge

Hello July! Can you believe we are now past the midway point of 2026. Crazy. In two weeks I'll be sharing the layout for the quilt and that will really make it feel like we are almost to the end. For now let's just enjoy the amazing block for July. There is something about black and white that just adds a little zing to a quilt. This block does not disappoint.

2026 Monthly Color Challenge: A Free Block of the Month Program

I have loved sharing the frogs with you through the last 6 months, but I have been dying to share this month's frog with you. Oh my gosh, I just want to give him squeezes!

Our inspiration this month is the Black Rain Frog. This little guy is "sometimes compared to an avocado because of its dark bumpy brown or black skin." (World Wildlife Magazine) He only grows to 1 1/2 to 2 inches, making him even *cuter!* He also has such a plump body, and short legs, that he can't hop, he walks. That part kind of makes me sad, I think he would be so cute doing little hops. He truly is the reason I added black this year. I want one.

The fabrics I am using this year are Whisper Weave and Whisper Weave Too. They are basics from Benartex and have a wonderful texture to give these blocks some movement. This month our dark is Midnight and our light is White.

Each set of instructions comes with it's own how to video, so no matter your skill level you can make the Monthly Color Challenge blocks with us. My goal is to design blocks that not only help you work on your piecing skills, but also build your confidence as a quilter. The how to videos are a big part of that.

This month we use Hourglass units and Flying Geese units to make a stunning block.

Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns by Jen Facebook group and share your blocks, cheer each other on, and ask questions along the way. If you post on Instagram, be sure to tag me and use #monthlycolorchallenge so I can see your fabric pulls and finished blocks!

Here’s a look at the full July block. You can download the pattern HERE and jump right in. I can’t wait to see what you create! It will be a black tie affair.

If you’d like each Monthly Color Challenge block delivered straight to your inbox, be sure to subscribe using the sign-up link below.

The July block is free through the end of the month and available in my Payhip shop. If you’re finding this later, don’t worry, it will still be there for just $1.

While the January – July emails have already gone out, you can still sign up to receive the August – December blocks (plus the final layout!) delivered directly to your inbox. Join us HERE.

I’m so grateful to be continuing the Monthly Color Challenge this year, and even more grateful you’re sewing along with me.

Go make something you LOVE.

New to Patterns By Jen?

Newsletter sign up

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

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for Snippets with PBJ and 2 Minute Tips.

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

Inspire, By PBJ is my monthly digital subscription that delivers a wall hanging sized design, color inspiration and more right in your inbox.

Join the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge.

Find paper and digital patterns, gifts and more in my Etsy shop.

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring.

June 2026 Monthly Color Challenge

 

Welcome to the halfway point of the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge. Six blocks in, six blocks to go. This month should be a fairly quick block to put together. It uses simple half square triangle units (HST) and rectangles. Once done you can go out and enjoy the spring/summer weather, or fall if you are in the southern hemisphere. 💜

2026 Monthly Color Challenge: A Free Block of the Month Program

The little froggies have just made the year so fun and the little guy who is inspiring this month's color is just the cutest froggy ever. Well, until next month.

Photo credit: Photo by Drew R. Davis

This month our color is grey. (How do you spell grey? E or A?) Our color is inspired by the Cope's Grey Tree Frog. This frog can actually be found in South Dakota, in the north eastern and south eastern parts of the state, though there is some evidence of them being out in the hills as well. 

The fabrics I am using this year are Whisper Weave and Whisper Weave Too. They are basics from Benartex and have a wonderful texture to give these blocks some movement. This month our dark is Slate and our light is Cloud.

Each set of instructions comes with it's own how to video, so no matter your skill level you can make the Monthly Color Challenge blocks with us. My goal is to design blocks that not only help you work on your piecing skills, but also build your confidence as a quilter. The how to videos are a big part of that.

Half square triangles are my absolute favorite quilting unit to make. They always have been, and at this point, probably always will be. In the how to video I show you how to trim them for accuracy using your regular quilt ruler, no specialty ruler needed.

Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns by Jen Facebook group and share your blocks, cheer each other on, and ask questions along the way. If you post on Instagram, be sure to tag me and use #monthlycolorchallenge so I can see your fabric pulls and finished blocks!

Here’s a look at the full June block. You can download the pattern HERE and jump right in. I can’t wait to see what you create!

If you’d like each Monthly Color Challenge block delivered straight to your inbox, be sure to subscribe using the sign-up link below.

The May block is free through the end of the month and available in my Payhip shop. If you’re finding this later, don’t worry, it will still be there for just $1.

While the January – May emails have already gone out, you can still sign up to receive the June – December blocks (plus the final layout!) delivered directly to your inbox. Join us HERE.

I’m so grateful to be continuing the Monthly Color Challenge this year, and even more grateful you’re sewing along with me.

Go make something you LOVE.

New to Patterns By Jen?

Newsletter sign up

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

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for Snippets with PBJ and 2 Minute Tips.

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

Inspire, By PBJ is my monthly digital subscription that delivers a wall hanging sized design, color inspiration and more right in your inbox.

Join the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge.

Find paper and digital patterns, gifts and more in my Etsy shop.

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring.