Thursday, December 15, 2022

Announcing the 2023 Monthly Color Challenge

 It's true, we're doing another Monthly Color Challenge! Are you in?




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Car colors have gotten so boring, but goodness were they awesome back in the days before I was born. 🤣 We're going to use the colors of classic cars to inspire us each month in 2023.
Please note: I know nothing about cars, I'm going completely by color. Ha




Benartex Designer Fabrics is sponsoring the 2023 Monthly Color Challenge with their Cotton Shot Basics fabric line.






2023 Monthly Colors





How much fabric do I need?

The general rule is a fat quarter of light and a fat quarter of dark will be enough. This year we will be making just one size block. The finished size of each month's block will be 12".  


There is also the option to have all of the same background, instead of using the color for that month. If you are using the same background throughout the year you can download the cutting instructions for the background fabric HERE.

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


Image credit: https://www.carcovers.com/articles/how-old-is-a-classic-car

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 they ARE your favorite, so they get used all the time and your stash is low on the color. I hope you will take a look at what you have on hand and try to use it. ⌣

Here are a few bundles that I think would work for the Color Challenge. NOTE: Most of them will still need a couple of colors added to the bundle, so make sure you take a look at what color we are using so you aren't surprised/disappointed.



The Blossom line from Christopher Thompson for Riley Blake has great colors. Currently it's 20% off. The bundle doesn't have all of the colors, but there are other colors available to purchase as well.







Dabble Dot by Riley Blake Designs








Sugar by Sarah Watts for Ruby Star Society


Will there be a quilt layout?

Yes!  Early December the layout instructions are given to you and are free until the end of January. A bonus is that the layouts from the previous years work for the current year, so if you don't like the layout, you can find instructions for different versions in the Payhip Shop for only $1.


Here are the fabric requirements for the layout coming in December.



Image credit: https://journal.classiccars.com/2018/10/01/dusk-rose-is-what-ford-called-pastel-pink/


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


Definitely! This is the perfect time to join! Each block is beginner friendly 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  Beginners Unite. A post that has great information and "how-tos" for beginners.


Image credit: https://www.pxfuel.com/en/photos



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.

This year our blocks are taking a little bit of a modern twist (still beginner friendly). To help with squaring up the units we are making, a 6 1/2" square ruler or 6 1/2" x 12 1/2" rectangle ruler will be helpful, but are NOT required. If you have the 6 1/2" x 24 1/2" ruler that will work just fine.


You can find the 6 1/2" square ruler here.


You can find the 6 1/2" x 12 1/2" ruler here.


Image credit: https://www.pxfuel.com/en/photos



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

NOTE: If you signed up for previous Monthly Color Challenge Emails you do NOT have to sign up again.


Start looking through your stash then come back December 27 for:


Meet the bloggers!



Make something extraordinary!


Jen


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18 comments:

  1. I love the pics of the vintage cars. since I am vintage also, hey are for the most part crs I have seen in m lifetime., I plan to try the blocks this year. Modern blocks are somewhat strangers to my quilting life. I'm thinking I need to broaden my horizons.

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  2. The 2023 Monthly Color Challenge looks like it will be a lot of fun and creative. The color palates you suggested help me to get a good idea of what fabrics to use. This will be a great project to sew with some friends. I will be making multiples of this year's challenge. One of my sewing groups always donates quilts to a local HOSPICE and a Seniors at Home Center, so two of the quilts that I will make will be donated. Thank you for planning this challenge.
    D.Weeks (aka Momma Llama)

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    Replies
    1. I absolutely love when the Color Challenge Quilts get donated for projects like these. A worthy place for your work to go.

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  3. My very first car was bought in 1976 and was a 1967 Chevy Caprice. It was had lots of steel and other metals; it was heavy and huge. Before I sold it, I had over 100,000 miles. Then I went to the opposite end of the spectrum and bought a brand new 1979 Triumph Spitfire. A two-seater, red of course. I still have this vehicle stored in the garage. Next was a used Pinto, so I did not need to drive the Triumph in the winter. Since then I have only bought Subaru cars. My first one had over 260,000 miles and it was body rust/rot that did it in.

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    Replies
    1. I'm so impressed you remember all of that! I only know my first car was blue. LOL

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  4. My first car was 1977 Ford mustang in a baby/powder blue. Looking forward to this challenge. Thank you for hostessing.

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  5. From an annonymous commenter whose comment I accidently hit delete instead of publish:
    Thank you so much!!! Love the colors!! I've owned cars that were orange, red and boring! Funny, because the colors of my cars are warm, for everything else I prefer the cool colors!!

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    Replies
    1. So interesting that you choose warm for your cars!

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  6. My first car was a red 1957 Chevy pickup for $150 in 1973. I bought it from an old farmer who looked skeptical that this 9 months pregnant hippie chick knew what she was doing LOL

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    1. 9 months pregnant hippie chicks can do anything! LOL

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  7. Hi Jen: I am looking forward to this new MC challenge. I have enjoyed the past 3 years that I have been doing this. Thanks for hosting such a fun challenge.

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    Replies
    1. Oh goodness, thank you so much for following for so many years!

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  8. I absolutely love the vintage cars. My Hubby has a 1947 red truck and he loves driving it. I have been doing the Monthly QAL since 2019. Looking forward to this new year.

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    Replies
    1. I love hearing that so many have been doing the challenges for multiple years. Warms my heart! Now that we don't need a minivan to schlep all of our kids around (sad face), my husband is looking at getting his first truck, he also prefers red.

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  9. MY first car was a 1960 VW Beetle exactly the cars shown. So glad to work on this BOM

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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.