Sunday, August 1, 2021

August 2021 Monthly Color Challenge

We've reached the "dog days" of summer, but here in SW Minnesota it's been the "dog day" since June. I don't remember a summer that has been so hot.



August has always been a hard month for me. I loved having my children home all summer and August means the end of that. This August I have only one "child" heading to school and it's his senior year in high school. August needs to go slow!



This month's food inspiration in the mushroom. Honestly I'm not a fan, but my husband would eat them for every meal. Blech. I love a good dark brown in a quilt, though.



The block for August is super, super easy. I'm not up for something difficult at this point in the year, so I was very conscious of which block I was choosing for this month.


**There is a How-To video in each pattern to help complete the block**


August Bloggers

Anja - Anja Quilts

Sandra - Textile Time Travels

Raylee - Sunflower Stitcheries and Quilting

Andi - True Blue Quilts

Crystal - Daybrook Designs

Patti - Patti's Patchwork

Ashli - Quilt 2 End Alz

Kate - Katie Mae Quilts


This year two block sizes are offered, you can choose to make the 12" finished blocks or the 6" finished blocks, or both!




Quarter 3 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 (Please note that winners will be chosen July 12 when I return from the lake), 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

Faith and Fabric - $25 Gift Certificate to Faith and Fabric


Carole Lyle Shaw - $50 gift certificate to your choice of shop

Cherrywood Fabrics - Mini Monty (fabric bundle)*

Benartex - Fat Quarter Bundle*

Quilters Dream Batting - 60" square Dream Cotton*

The Warm Co - 90 x 60 Soft and Bright Needled Polyester*

Appliques Quilts and More - $10 Gift certificate

Said with Love - PDF pattern

Daybrook Designs - 2 winners, PDF pattern to each

Patterns By Jen - PDF pattern


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




Tips

Here are a few tips for piecing accuracy.




I use Frixion pens to mark my lines on the back of my fabric. I like to use the Quilters Magic Wand for marking double lines. You can also mark just once on the diagonal as shown in the How To Video included in the instructions.




Chain piece whenever possible. I do this for *everything* possible, including Flying Geese units.




Whenever possible sew with the point of your "goose" on top so you can watch where you are sewing and keep the point.




Instructions call for you to press a seam open. When doing so I recommend pressing that seam open with your fingers first and then following with a hot iron. I demonstrate this in the How To Video included in the instructions.

If you feel that your seam is weakened by pressing open, you can adjust your stitch length to a smaller stitch or simply press to one side.




That's it! August is done! 

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

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

It's too late to have the January through August 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

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!




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. 

3 comments:

  1. Trust me, I understand your feelings about August. I have one wonderful granddaughter and she too is a senior. Melancholy has been my shadow realizing how fast time has gone. Printing out her school schedule was hard knowing it was the last time. May your August go slowly.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I like the block in any colors, and it's a good one for August, as you said. Flying Goose blocks fit in anywhere.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for a new 'easy' block, Jen. So many things happening in quilt guild right now that I'm so happy to have a simple block. Enjoy the heat!!!

    ReplyDelete

I love to get your comments and hear your ideas. I always respond to comments (though it may take me a few days), if you haven't heard from me it might mean you are a no reply commenter. If you haven't heard back from me, check back here, because I will reply to the comment.