Announcing the 2020 Monthly Color Challenge!

Welcome to year THREE of the Monthly Color Challenge!

There is so much to be excited for this year, and I will try to keep the exclamation points to a dull roar, but I think year three is going to be better than ever! There are over 30 bloggers joining the Color Challenge this year and over 15 sponsors. Yes, that's right, sponsors, which means prizes are back! Who's ready to get into the nitty gritty?

This year's color inspiration is "Birds." This is going to have us diving deep into our fabric stash! I've added a few colors we haven't used in the past, but don't start throwing bird poop at me, what good is a stash diving challenge if we use the same colors every year?

2020 Monthly Colors

January - Finch (yellow)
February - Indigo Bunting (aqua)
March - Oriole (orange)
April - Honey Creeper (purple)
May - Budgerigar (green)
June - Blue Bird (blue)
July -American Robin (rust)
August - Flamingo (pink)
September - Cinnamon Teal (cinnamon)
October - Ruby-crowned Kinglet (olive)
November - Buff-breasted Sandpiper (buff)
December - Cardinal (red)

How much fabric do I need?

The general rule is a fat quarter of light and a fat quarter of dark will be enough. If you are using scraps the longest strip you will need is 19" and the largest piece you will need is a 7 1/2" square.

***NEW THIS YEAR***
This year includes the option to have all the same background, instead of using the lighter color for that month. Download the file HERE.

Blocks are available for free during the month. After the month has passed blocks are available for $1.

Do I *have* to use my stash?

No. If you want to go purchase some new fabrics to play with you are more than welcome to. *I* do, because I don't keep a stash. There may be colors you really don't have, maybe they aren't your favorite to work with, maybe the ARE your favorite, so they get used all the time and your stash is low on the color.

I'm a total beginner, should I even try?

Definitely! This is the perfect time to join! Each block is beginner friends AND comes with a "how-to" video linked right in the instructions.  The Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook group is full of helpful quilters, too, so make sure you join and ask any questions you may have.

To get started I recommend you check out the link to Beginners Unite. A post that has great information and "how-tos" for beginners.

What supplies do I need?

You will need all the pretty fabric colors listed above, a cutting mat, rotary cutter, rulers, fabric marking tool, pins, and an iron.

We will be making half-square triangles (HST), Flying Geese (FG), Square in a Square (SIS) blocks as well as some tradition four patch units. I like these specialty rulers for trimming these blocks. They are NOT required, but they definitely make trimming a little faster/easier.

Tucker Trimmer for HST
Wing Clipper for FG
Square Squared2 for SIS

You can find these in my Etsy shop HERE.

***Now through December 31,2019***
Receive FREE SHIPPING on any ruler with code 2020MCC

To have the block sent directly to your email sign up HERE.

NOTE: Even if you signed up for emails for 2019, you will still need to sign up for the 2020 emails this year.


Start looking through your stash then come back for:

Meet the bloggers! December 18th.

Meet the sponsors! December 20th.

Happy Stitching!
Jen

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