2023 May Monthly Color Challenge

 Did you get April showers to help bring in May flowers? Or are you headed into fall where you live?

I'm looking forward to spring flowers and blue skies. Which makes this month's fabrics perfect for where I live.

This month our color is baby blue.

Anyone else's family play "Slug Bug" when they see one of these on the road?

Benartex is sponsoring the 2023 Monthly Color Challenge with their Basic's Line, Cotton Shot. It's a lovely line to work with, and I've used some of the leftover fabric in other projects, because they truly work well with so many fabric lines.

Our light baby blue is called "Sky" and the dark baby blue is "Meadow Mist."

I find it so interesting that the blue of the sky changes hues, not just during the day, but with the season's as well. I am definitely looking forward to the blue, blue sky of summer.

This year we are doing things differently with the bloggers. There will be just one quilter a month that will be featured. May's blogger is Anja.  I encourage you to grab your favorite warm (or cold if it's hot where you live) drink and stay awhile to check out what she's working on.

Anja- Anja Quilts

You can also find her on Instagram at Anja Quilts

Ready for the block? Here it is! There are a few more pieces to put together than last month, but still an easy block to put together. Laying out the units in the correct order, and not messing them up on the way to the machine Ha, is probably the most time consuming part of this block.

I love this fun take on the tradition Card Trick Block. With just two cards "showing" up it's a bit of a play for the eyes.

Make sure to join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook group (don't forget to answer the questions so I know you are a real person 😉) where you will get a lot of support and questions answered! If you aren't on Facebook you can also follow Patterns By Jen on Instagram. Use #2023MonthlyColorChallenge when sharing so I can be sure to see your block.

I can't wait to see all of the blues flood my world this month! Take your time laying out this block so your units line up correctly. You can also find the How To Video at the bottom of the instructions page.

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

It's too late for the January and May instructions to be sent, but you can still sign up to have the June - December blocks (and the layout!) sent directly to your email. Sign up HERE.

Let's make something Extraordinary!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

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2023 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. 

Quilting Basics ~ Fabric

Let's dive into the amazing world of quilting!

There is something about fabric. The colors, the patterns, the feel, the endless possibilities when you see bolt upon bolt. There is a reason we become addicted to the buying of fabric.

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There is so much to learn and say about fabric, that I decided to just touch briefly on a few things. I think I'm going to have to have a series for "fabric" alone!

Choosing Colors

One of the most difficult things in quilting is choosing fabric colors. There are so many to choose from, and if you don't have a plan in place when you start searching, it can get overwhelming. Then you add fun prints or amazing texture inspired prints and it can make choosing the fabric colors the most difficult thing. So where to start?

If I am unsure of a color pallet I will head to Pinterest and start scrolling through pins. I like to put in a color combo to start, like "red and blue," "purple and green" or just "teal" color pallet. I have a couple of boards that I pin to when I find one I like.

General Color Inspiration

Color Inspiration: Winter

You can also do a search for certain colored quilts to see if you actually like the combination.

Don't rule out the trusty Color Wheel! I used to have one, but it disappeared when I moved from my old sewing space to my new one. Since it was literally just a room around the corner, I'm not sure *HOW* it disappeared, but I'm also not surprised.

Based on reviews I have ordered these two color wheels to replace it. I'll give you my thoughts on them after they have arrived. Click on them to get their information.

Healifty Color Wheel

Mandarin Moose Color Harmony Wheel

I'm excited to get these and try them out. Have you used a Color Wheel to help with your color choices? I would love to hear about your experience.


To Wash or not to wash, that is the question.

And what a doozy it is! You will find quilters have their own opinions on this subject, and they are passionate about it. The wonderful thing about quilting is that you can take all the information given to you and use what YOU like. It's a craft that lets you express yourself, yes, even in the wash or no wash discussion.

I will be (and have been) asked what I do, so I'm going to share, but again, this is what I prefer. If you do something differently I think that is great!

I don't prewash. Ever. Ok, that's not true. If I'm sewing garments, then I will wash the fabric, otherwise I don't. Not even flannel.

Why?

I'm lazy. 🤣🤣🤣 Ok, that's not true either, but I AM impatient. When I buy fabrics it's usually for a planned project and I want to get going on that project ASAP. I could say it's all about the crinkle after that first wash, and I DO love that look, but if I'm going to be honest, it's because I am an instant gratification fabric buyer.

My tip, for if you DO wash your fabric before use, is once it's out of the dryer, fold it end to end, not selvedge to selvedge. This way you know it's been washed and you don't have to worry if you are using prewashed fabric with unwashed fabric. (Just don't forget to fold it selvedge to selvedge when you are ready to cut.) I also encourage you to take it out of the dryer right away while it's hot and fold it, to keep those wrinkles from setting in. If you forget and leave it sit, don't worry, we're going to talk about pressing in this series, too!

Suzy Quilts has a great article on the wash or not subject, you can find it HERE.


Keep it or let it go?

I was looking for an article I remember from a few years ago about using your fabric, not saving it, and it was funny because all I could find were articles on building your stash and saving your scraps. Since I can't link you to that specific article (PS if you wrote it, please let me know so I can share it again!) I'll share my thoughts on the subject. It is, as so many quilting ideas are, a personal choice, and as such, quilters feel very strongly about their choice.

I try really hard not to let my stash get too big. None of my children are quilters and I just don't want to leave them with boxes and boxes of sewing notions and fabric to go through. It doesn't feel joyful to me. Instead, I buy for specific projects. I use what I buy and I use as much of it as possible, which is why I love pieced backings. I do have shoebox sized bins of colors, but quite honestly it's time to go through and get rid of them, it's causing me stress, not joy, seeing them. The only fabric I tend to "stash" is fabric with flamingos on it. Someday I'm going to have a very scrappy flamingo quilt!

Whether you think a stash is needed or not, I would encourage you to look at your fabrics. Does it bring you joy sitting there taking up space? Or could you use it and find joy seeing it in a quilt on a bed, or on a quilt your snuggling under on a cold winter night?

Audrey of The Cloth Parcel posted this on her Instagram and I love the photo and the sentiment. You can see the post HERE and join in the discussion.

Heather Valentine of The Sewing Loft has some great ideas if you are looking for ways to destash you stash! Read the article HERE.

If you want something to hold your scraps and want to try and keep them to a minimum, these are the containers I use. I also use them to keep my projects in. You may be surprised how much they can hold, but if I'm cutting out an entire quilt, it will usually fit in this bin and stay all together until I'm ready to sew.

We've talked a little bit about color, washing or not, storage, what else would you like to know about fabric? I feel like a deep dive may be needed with all of the information out there. Put your questions in the comments!

Speaking of pretty fabrics. . .

Benartex is having their Virtual Fabric Show April 26th! There are limited spots available so make sure to register sooner than later! See their spring lines coming out, hear what the fabric designers have to say about their gorgeous pieces and get the design inspiration from the pattern designers. I'm excited to share about the pattern I designed for the Sunshine Days fabric line designed by Nicole DeCamp. Will I "see" you there?

Register HERE.

Let's make something Extraordinary!

Jen

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2023 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. 

2023 April Monthly Color Challenge

 As I write this I have no idea if March will go out like a lamb, but I'm pretty sure, as an experienced Minnesota girl, that I'm totally looking forward to April and the slow warm up that is coming.

As I promised last month, we are done, done, done with those Flying Geese units. I know they were different and new, but I'm going to miss them a little.

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

This month our color is Olive Green. 

Benartex is sponsoring this year's Monthly Color Challenge with their basics line, Cotton Shot. These fabrics are so nice to work with and the colors are just saturated.

This month the light olive is Chartreus, the dark is Olive.

It's one of my favorite colors, but as I told someone recently, I really like ALL of the colors. As far as greens go, I love trees, and there are so many greens when you are surrounded by trees, that it is just a restful color for me.

This year we are doing things differently with the bloggers. There will be just one quilter a month that will be featured. April's blogger is Suzy.  I encourage you to grab your favorite warm (or cold if it's hot where you live) drink and stay awhile to check out what she's working on.

Suzy - Suzy's Sitcom

Find her on Instagram: @suzyssitcom

Ready for the block? Here it is! We're done making the Flying Geese units, but we're still adding a "modern" touch to each block. Modern for me, I'm a traditional quilter to the marrow of my bones, but I really enjoyed putting a little twist to these traditional blocks.

Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook group (make sure to answer the questions so I know you are a real person 😉) where you will get a lot of support and questions answered! If you aren't on Facebook you can also follow Patterns By Jen on Instagram. Use #2023MonthlyColorChallenge when sharing so I can be sure to see your block.

I can't wait to see all of the olive green flood my world this month! 

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

It's too late for the January through April instructions to be sent, but you can still sign up to have the May through December blocks (and the layout!) sent directly to your email for free. Sign up HERE.

Let's 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!

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2023 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. 

Benartex Ambassador Dreamers

It is my turn to share my project for Quarter 1 as a Benartex Ambassador.

I was sent the Dreamers fabric collection designed by Jessica Flick for Benartex.

You can see the unboxing video below. The fabrics are so soft and pretty, with just a touch of sparkle.

I ended up making two quilts (with a pillow or two yet to come) because you know I hate to have leftover fabric.

Here is the back of my main quilt. I used a light blue minkee from Benartex. I love a quilt with such a soft backing.

I tried a new to me quilting pattern. I free hand, so none of them are close to perfect or at all the same. Ha! I enjoyed trying something new though, and while not perfect I love the end result.

Here is the back of my bonus quilt. In a continued effort to use all that I have, I pieced the back.

I had accidently made the star block for my main quilt, but I didn't need it, so used it as part of my pieced backing.

For the quilting on this one I just did a medium sized stipple pattern.

Ready for the reveal of my main quilt? 

I used my The Border Quilt 3 pattern for this, and I adore how it turned out.

I had to piece the center panel to get it the right size, but I really like how it turned out. Plus, I think it gives you an idea on using a piece that isn't exactly the size you need.

I love the pinwheels around the panel, I think they add a fun touch.

Oops! Look! A book snuck in there. I love to give a book with a quilt as a gift when gifting children's quilts. "That's not my Unicorn" was the perfect one to go with this quilt. If you would like your own copy, you can find it on my friend Courtney's PaperPie site. I love supporting small businesses!

Ready for the bonus quilt reveal?

With the large panel came six smaller panels. I thought about doing a pillow, but I had all of this extra fabric. Instead, I made a simple patch quilt. Now that I'm looking at it, I kind of regret not tying it, for a more "old fashioned" feel. I love a tied quilt.

I laid out my squares and then took pictures, turning them to black and white, to see if there was anything that didn't read right. That was probably the most time consuming thing with the bonus quilt. Well, that and the pieced backing. Ha!

I had to sneak in the little rocking chair my grandmother painted for my 1st birthday, many (many) years ago. PS: Don't call me Jenny. 😀

I hope you love the quilts I made with this beautiful fabric. They were so fun to piece and quilt.

PS Don't miss our March Mad(e)ness fun in the PBJ newsletter! There is still time to sign up for the newsletter so you can join in in the fun. It starts March 15th! Scroll down to find the link.

Let's 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

2023 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. 

2023 March Monthly Color Challenge

 I'm shaking off the snow to welcome in March!

Before you scroll down to see the block, I am making you a promise that this is the LAST block of the year that uses Flying Geese units. So don't leave me yet!

Photo credit: https://www.pxfuel.com/en/free-photo-erdyi

This month our color is red. It's difficult to find a light red that doesn't look pink, but it's worth finding it!

When thinking about props for this year's photos, I knew I had to get tires. What I will do with them after this year,  I have no idea. 😂

This year Benartex is sponsoring the 2023 Monthly Color Challenge with their Basics Line, Cotton Shot. I am loving these fabrics. They are easy to work with and saturated with color.

This month we are using Rose, the light, and Red, for the dark.

Last spring we tore out our living room carpet in preparation for our youngest's graduation party. Unfortunately, those gifted in laying flooring were month's out from being able to replace it, and the subfloor was about as bad as the carpet (thank you children and pets, ha). In an effort to hide it I painted the subfloor with a brick red patio paint. I adore it and wish I could keep it.

This year we are doing things differently with the bloggers. There will be just one quilter a month that will be featured. March's blogger is Kathy.  I encourage you to grab your favorite warm (or cold if it's hot where you live) drink and stay awhile to check out what she's working on.

Kathy - Kathy's Kwilts and More

You can also find her on Instagram kathyskwiltsandmore

Ready for the block? Here it is! We're making the same Flying Geese units that we made the last two months (though different sizes), but as I did last month I've included a "How To" video, so make sure to scroll all the way down the instructions page and click on How To Video.

This is probably the most time consuming block of the challenge, so once you get past this point it's all down hill from here.

Make sure to join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook group (make sure to answer the questions so I know you are a real person 😉) where you will get a lot of support and questions answered! If you aren't on Facebook you can also follow Patterns By Jen on Instagram. Use #2023MonthlyColorChallenge when sharing so I can be sure to see your block.

I can't wait to see all of the red flood my world this month! Take your time on the Flying Geese units, and make sure to watch the How To Video for trimming.

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

It's too late for the January and March instructions, but you can still sign up to have the April - December blocks (and the layout!) sent directly to your email. Sign up HERE.

Let's 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!

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2023 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. 

Softly Circled Class

My local quilt shop Graceful Marilyn Quilt Shoppe in Marshall, MN asked me to teach my Softly Circled Class, and I was so happy to accept! 

It's the first time in four years that I've had a chance to teach this class, but it's one of my favorites, even when I'm rusty. There were seven students who came, from experienced to this is their very first quilt (!) and it was a good day.

The first step was learning about our Corner Beam® ruler from Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design. We started with our beams.

Next we cut our side triangles.

The ruler can seem complicated at first, and definitely takes a minute to learn, but once you get in the groove (cut lots of units) muscle memory kicks in.

And then. . . we sewed. . .

. . . and sewed, then trimmed. . .

. . . and, well you get the picture.

And at the end of the day there were blocks and units to show.

I love how there were such individual fabric choices.

Solids to prints.

To Tula Pink.

Two quilters chose purple (the one pictured above has other colors to go where the purple is), but one chose it as the main and the other as the background.

As happens quite often in the quilting world, the seam ripper did make an appearance, a few times.

In the end, I think it was a good day for quilting.

P.S. Can you believe this is her first quilt!!

Here is a shot with what will eventually become part of the pieced border.

Rachel gave me permission to share her fabulous quilt plan. The Aqua is her background and then she cut pieces of her fat quarters to plan out her blocks. So dang smart. Each piece is labeled on the back as well. Yeah. Smart!

All in all, a good day of stitching, lucky flamingo socks and all.

P.S. Don't wear heels when you are used to tennis shoes. 😉

If you are interested in a class, please send me an email and lets talk!

jen(at)patternsbyjen(dot)com

Let's 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

2023 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.