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Thursday, April 1, 2021

April 2021 Monthly Color Challenge

Hello April and a new quarter for the 2021 Monthly Color Challenge!




The dark, shiny red skin of the cherry is our color inspiration this month.


Picture from: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/health-benefits-cherries


I love a good cherry, and could sit and eat them until I had a very impressive pile of cherry pits. At least they are healthy!

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This block looks like it might be more difficult, and if you are making the 6" finished size those seams are awesome ha, but with some strip piecing and careful pressing you will be done in no time! Don't forget the recipes the 2021 Monthly Color Challenge bloggers share, too. It's going to be a great month!

**Reminder! Each month there is a How-to Video included at the bottom of the instructions. Simply click on the link provided to watch.**


April Bloggers


Ashli - Quilt2endalz

Sarah - A Quilted Diary

Crystal - Daybrook Designs

Andi - True Blue Quilts

Raylee - Sunflower Stitcheries and Quilting

Joanne - Everyone Deserves a Quilt 

Sheila - So This is Kentucky

Kris - Scrap Dash

Kathy - Penny for my Thoughts

Don't forget: This year two block sizes are offered, you can choose to make the 12" finished blocks or the 6" finished blocks, or both! If you have enjoyed the Monthly Color Challenge, but are looking for a bit more of a challenge, the 6" blocks are for you!



Quarter 2 Sponsors

There's a new group of sponsors! The Monthly Color Challenge has a great group of sponsors who have given generously to make this year an amazing year for you. Winners are chosen quarterly; April 1, July 1, Oct 1 and Jan 1, 2022. To enter you simply add your block to the Link Up at the end of each month. One entry per quilter and it needs to be the block from the current month. Finish each month and you will have 3 entries each quarter!





Bea Quilter - PDF Pattern

For the Love of Geese - PDF Pattern

True Blue QuiltsBook: Monochromatic Quilts Amazing Variety*

Make Modern Magazine - 6 month subscription

Island Batik - Fat Quarter Bundle*

Benartex - Fabric Bundle*

Quilters Dream Batting - 60 x 60 Dream Poly*

The Warm Company - 90 x 108 Warm and Plush 100% Cotton

Appliques Quilts and More - $10 gift certificate

Fat Quarter Shop - Gift Certificate

DayBrook Designs - 2 PDF Patterns

Patterns By Jen - Tucker Trimmer 1® ruler*

Those marked with * are for US residents only. Prize laws vary throughout different countries.





Tips

Here are my top tips for keeping those pieced strips straight.



When strip piecing always sew the strips in opposite directions. In this case I sew with the same color strip on top every time, that way I know my stitching is going the opposite way each time. This keeps the fabrics from bowing. See more in this month's How To Video included with the instructions.




Once you have sewn your strips together, set the seam with a hot iron, then open up the strip and finger press before finishing with the iron.




Trim as little as possible for your starting cut.




Line up the lines on your ruler with the seams when you sub-cut your units. Do not use the outside edges.




If your stitching on your corner is off and doesn't' come to the corner. . . 




. . . it will effect the look of your center unit. Use your seam ripper and stitch that line accurately for a nice center.





Ready to get your pattern? Go to Payhip and download it now! The block is free for the month of April.

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

It's too late to have the January through April blocks emailed to you but you can download them from Payhip and get ready to have the rest of the year arrive in your email inbox.

Make something Extraordinary!

Jen

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3 comments:

  1. Great easy block. Yea for the beginning of April. Liked how the other blogger used other than two reds.
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  2. This looks challenging. Thanks for all the tips, Jen! Thank you sponsors, this is a fun year of blocks!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hubs is a huge cherry fan. I'll have to make this block in his honor :-)

    ReplyDelete

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