A Look Forward at 2023

It's a new year with new possibilities. I have a few secret things planned for this year, but a few to invite you to.

I'm excited to be a part of the inaugural year of Benartex Designer Fabric's Ambassador program. You can read a little more about it and see my past projects using Benartex Fabrics HERE.

I'm excited to be the designer for the Minnesota Quilters Inc's 2023 Mystery Quilt! This is my first doing a Mystery Quilt like this and I'm super nervous about it, but excited, too! Personally, I love the quilt. 😉 It's beginner friendly and bonus: you don't have to be a part of the guild OR in Minnesota. We start January 1st (but you can still sign up after the 1st) and I hope you will be joining us. Find the information page and registration HERE. 

A new year means a new Monthly Color Challenge! This year is inspired by the colors of classic cars. You can read more about it HERE.

The layout for the 2022 Monthly Color Challenge was giving December 7th. Look for the 2022 Monthly Color Challenge Quilt Show January 15, 2023. If you have a top to share email a picture to me jen(at)patternsbyjen(dot)com with "2022 Top" in the subject line. I'll add it to our quilt show.

I'm working on a new pattern that has been sitting and languishing all year long. It felt good to get a start on it. It helps to have beautiful fabric to work with.

Everything else is "top secret" so make sure to follow me on Instagram and/or Facebook for sneak peeks and class announcements coming up for 2023. If your guild is looking for teachers or trunk shows, please have them reach out. I'd love to come for a visit.

You might also enjoy A Look Back at 2022.

Make something Extraordinary!

Jen

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2023 Monthly Color Challenge

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

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A Look Back at 2022

I have skipped the annual "take a look back" post the last few years. For many of us it has been a long couple of years, and this year hasn't really been any different. I feel differently about the end of this year though, like I'm moving forward a little, so I'm going to enjoy the little things that happened this year.

 The Medallion Series from Patterns By Jen got it's forth addition with The Border Quilt 4.

The Medallion Series is one of my favorites, there is something about adding border after border to grow a quilt.

Early in 2022 I rearranged my sewing studio. . . again. I still have a few things on that final to do list to do.

Turning Wheels was the other pattern I released this year. While I only completed two patterns I am looking forward to getting more out there in 2023.

Releasing patterns means I was also able to share a few ideas on pieced backings. I love to use all the fabric, and pieced backings are a great way to do that.

Pieced Backings Using Yardage

Pieced Backings Using Fabric Chunks

The biggest thing that happened this year is that my husband and I became empty nesters. I decided last minute to make a quilt to send with our youngest for their dorm bed. Quilt Crush is a great pattern for a dorm quilt.

The last finish for 2022 is the 2022 Monthly Color Challenge Quilt. I love ending the year with a colorful quilt.

Make something Extraordinary!

Jen

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2023 Monthly Color Challenge

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

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Meet the 2023 Monthly Color Challenge Bloggers

 Let's meet the bloggers for the 2023 Monthly Color Challenge!

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains Affiliate Links. When purchases are made through these links I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your purchases help support my small business and keeps me out of my husband's new truck fund. We are both very appreciative. Thank you! Find out more about Affiliate Links Here.

This year we are finding our inspiration from Classic Cars. You can read all of the information in the Announcing the 2023 Monthly Color Challenge post.

We're changing it up a bit and going with one featured blogger each month. These talented bloggers are giving of their precious time to make the Monthly Color Challenge the success that it is. I hope you take a minute to meet each one.

I have asked each one these four questions:

1) If you have your drivers license at what age did you receive it?

2) What was the first car you owned?

3) Can you drive a stick shift?

4) Favorite snack for a road trip?

January Blogger

Raylee - Sunflower Stitcheries and Quilting

Instagram

1) 17

2) Ford Laser Hatchback, it was red!!!!

3) Yes, love a manual, have also taught my four boys to drive a manual. I once also drove a column shift ute.

4) Coffee, and some sweet treats, healthy comes when you come to the destination.

February Blogger

Joanne - Everyone Deserves a Quilt

Instagram

1) 16

2) Ford Escort

3) Yes

4) Pretzels - nice and crunchy to keep me awake ⌣

March Blogger

Kathy - Kathy's Kwilts and More

Instagram

1) 16 - I think it was on my birthday

2) A little Ford pinto that my grandpa gave me and I had to share it with my little sister.

3) Yes, I can drive a stick shift.

4) Anything. Particularly chocolate, but I also like licorice.

April Blogger

Suzy - Suzy's Artsy-Craftsy Sitcom

Instagram

1) 16

2) Cherry Red Vega

3) Yes! I've never owned an automatic.

4) M&Ms

May Blogger

Anja - Anja Quilts

Instagram

1) 16

2) Geo Metro Hatchback

3) No

4) Sour Patch Kids or jubes

June Blogger

Lissa - Lovingly Lissa

Instagram

1) 17

2) the first car I owned was a maroon ford escort with a blue pinstripe. I was so excited to have a cassette deck!!!

3) no, cannot drive stick shift

4) favorite snack used to be swedish fish, but now I try not to eat while I'm driving

July Blogger

Brianna - Sew Cute and Quirky

Instagram

1) 16

2) Chevrolet Chevette

3) Yes, it is particularly helpful when I travel to Europe.

4) Mixed berries

August Blogger

Kate - Katie Mae Quilts

Instagram

1) 17 - and I failed the first time

2) 1988 Buick Century that we nicknamed Oscar because my sister and I . . . left trash in the back. 😄

3) Nope. My father-in-law tried to teach me once. Once. 😂

4) Chips and Kit-Kats.

September Blogger

October Blogger

Kathryn - Block of the Month

Instagram

1) 17

2) Ford Escort

3) Absolutely. I can parallel park too. 😉

4) Swedish Fish

November Blogger

Debbie - Debbie Wendt

Instagram

1) 16. . . On my 16th birthday

2) Pontiac Grand Am

3) Love driving a stick! Grand Am was a stick.

4) G.O.R.P. (raisins, peanuts, and M&Ms. . . trail mix type)

December Blogger

Gail - Quilting Gail

Instagram

1) 16

2) white little car

3) The white little car was a stick shift and I drove a stick shift until a shoulder injury that prevented shifting.

4) Favorite food? The list is long. . . sometimes it's healthy: fruit and veggie slices. . . sometimes it's pure junk food. . .

This year our blocks are taking a little bit of a modern twist (still beginner friendly). To help with squaring up the units we will be 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 here.

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

Benartex Designer Fabrics has sponsered the 2023 Monthly Color Challenge this year. You can see the fabrics in this unboxing video.

Make something Extraordinary!

Jen

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2023 Monthly Color Challenge

Find paper and digital patterns, gifts and more 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.

Announcing the 2023 Monthly Color Challenge

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

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains Affiliate Links. When purchases are made through these links I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your purchases help support my small business and keeps me out of my husband's new truck fund. We are both very appreciative. Thank you! Find out more about Affiliate Links Here.

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

January - Pink

February - Aqua

March - Red

April - Olive Green

May - Baby Blue

June - Grey

July - Purple

August - Brown

September - Mustard Yellow

October - Blue

November - Green

December - Orange

2023 Monthly Color Challenge Layout

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.

Beyond Bella by Annie Brady for Moda

Dabble Dot by Riley Blake Designs

Pin Drop by Christopher Thompson for 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

New to Patterns By Jen?

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Find paper and digital patterns, gifts and more 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.

2022 Monthly Color Challenge Quilt Layout

 This year is another easy finish for our quilts.

I have loved sharing this years challenge with you and hope you like the layout. 

The 12" finished block layout has fun, pieced 9-patch posts. These come together quickly with strip piecing.

The mini version, with the 6" finished blocks, uses solid posts for ease.

Ready to get your finishing instructions? You can find them (for free through January 31, 2023) in my Patterns By Jen Payhip shop. If you have signed up for email notifications you will find it in your inbox.

If you don't think this is the layout for you, you can look through the layouts of past Color Challenges and use one of those. Find them at the Patterns By Jen Payhip shop. Just click on the Monthly Color Challenge Layout button at the top of the page. They are only $1.

Look for the 2023 Monthly Color Challenge Announcement December 15!

Thank you for stitching along with me this year.

Make something extraordinary!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

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2021 Monthly Color Challenge

Against the Grain Quilt Along

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.

December 2022 Monthly Color Challenge

Believe it or not we have reached the last block in the 2022 Monthly Color Challenge!

Personally, I can't, but here we are! This month's block/color is inspired by garlic. Yum! I love all things garlic.

While I simply love the flavor of garlic there are said to be many health benefits derived from this simple vegatable. Find out a few at the Chopra website. Don't stop scrolling until you've hit the yummy sounding recipes!

December's block is super easy so you can stitch it up and then continue with whatever holiday festivities you may have going.

December Bloggers

Lissa - Lovingly Lissa

Kathy - Penny for My Thoughts

Raylee - Sunflower Stitcheries and Quilting

Andi - True Blue Quilts

Ready to get the pattern? Go to Payhip and download it now! The block is free for the month of December! Each set of instructions includes a "How To" video, one for each size offered.

The setting instructions will be available Dec 7th!

Look for the announcement for the 2023 Monthly Color Challenge later this month!

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!

Newsletter sign up

2022 Monthly Color Challenge

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.