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

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2023 Monthly Color Challenge

Find paper and digital patterns in my Etsy shop.

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring

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Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for daily sneak peeks and updates. 

2023 February Monthly Color Challenge

 We're headed into a new month, and I love that the Monthly Color Challenge gives me something to look forward to.

I adore this block. I don't know if it's the style or the color, but I hope you enjoy making it as much as I love looking at it.

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

February's color is Aqua. These first two cars that I used for inspiration make me want to take a cruise along the ocean with the top down.

I have to give a shout out to my sister-in-law who went through cars for me to choose from, and my brother who also sent me cars. It takes a village to do this Monthly Color Challenge, even villagers who don't quilt.

This year Benartex is sponsoring the 2023 Monthly Color Challenge with their basics line, Cotton Shot.

The light is "Aqua" and the dark is "Peacock."

Photo credit: https://www.britannica.com/animal/peacock

My grandfather had peacocks on his hobby farm. The male's finery is a thing to behold when they strut with their feathers up. Let's be honest though, nothing can prepare you for the sound a peacock makes when you are home alone, taking a shower in the basement, and it screams right outside the window. It really does sound like a woman screaming and it's terrifying when you aren't expecting it. 🙃

This year we are doing things differently with the bloggers. There will be just one quilter a month that will be featured. February's blogger is Joanne. I *adore* the pink fabric she chose as her main fabric. Definitely hop over there and give her some quilty love. I encourage you to grab your favorite warm (or cold if it's hot where you live) drink and stay awhile to check out ALL her fun makes!

Joanne - Everyone Deserves a Quilt

You can also find her @everyone_deserves_a_quilt on Instagram

Ready for the block? Here it is! We're making the same Flying Geese units that we made last month, 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 to find the link.

The rest of the block goes together simply. Make sure to join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook group 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 aqua 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 Februay! Each set of instructions includes a "How To" video.

It's too late for the January and February instructions, but you can still sign up to have the March - 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!

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. 

Benartex Ambassador Challenge ~ Tote Bag

 Are you ready to see the first challenge for the 2023 Benartex Ambassadors?

First, I need to share: bag making is NOT my strong point. At. All. So I chose to focus on my piecing skills and then put it together in the hopes that it looks like a tote.

I love the cutting and piecing part of quilting. When I saw the gorgeous box of the basic solids line, Burlap, I really wanted to try and use them all.

That's a hard job for one tote bag. How would it be possible? A pixilated look came to mind, so I started drawing it out.

A truly pixilated look wasn't really possible, because I lost the "X" design in all the squares, but that's ok because I adore Half-square triangles.

There was a LOT of strip piecing involved in this tote. . .

lots. . .

more. . .

With all of these strips and squares, there was also a lot of pins involved. Bernard got quite the workout.

I chose to keep the front in neutrals so the Benartex "X" would stand out more.

The back, however, got ALL the color.

 I also used all the colors on the strap.

Once all of the piecing was done I used Pellon SF101 on the wrong side of the front, back and strap to give it a little more strength.

For the inside of the strap I used a solid blue, and on the inside of the tote I used the lighter purple. I like to use a lighter color in my bags so it's easier to see what's inside.

 The bag finishes at 18" x 19" and the strap is 3" x 36". The squares all finish at 1 inch.

Don't miss the other totes made from the Benartex Ambassadors. Each one is different and represents the designer so well.

Carol - Just Let Me Quilt

Nancy - Masterpiece Quilting

Michele - Flower Box Quilts

Charisma - Charisma's Corner

Olesya - Olesya L Design

Robin - Nestlings By Robin

Laura - Orange Blossom Quilt Design Studio, LLC

Marie - Underground Quilter

Nancy - Nancy Messuri Designs

Lisa - Quilty Zest

Brianna - Sew Cute and Quirky

Benartex will have a post on their new blog on Wednesday, February 1st with all of the totes as well. They have a new Facebook group, Create, Inspire, Delight as well, make sure to join to see goodies made in their fabrics.

Do you like making bags? What is your favorite size to make? Let me know in the comments.

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. 

2022 Monthly Color Challenge Finished Quilts

It's time for the 2022 Monthly Color Challenge Quilt Show.

The 2022 blocks filling my Facebook feed all year were such a joy to see. They definitely brightened the year. We have some great quilty finishes!

Bloggers

First I'll share a couple of the 2022 bloggers quilts. Click on the links to read what they said about their finishes.

Andi from True Blue Quilts

Raylee from Sunflower Stitcheries and Quilting

To see who the bloggers for the 2022 Monthly Color Challenge were see THIS POST.

2022 Monthly Color Challenge Quilt Show

Thank you to the quilters who sent in pictures of their tops.

Annette's quilt top using the 6" blocks. I'm looking forward to seeing her finish using the 12" blocks.

Jan's quilt uses 2 years of the Color Challenge quilt blocks, plus a “x’s” block to get 25 blocks. They are 6” finished and set on point

Here is Sue's top. She's hoping to join in the 2023 Monthly Color Challenge, but she has 3 wedding quilts to make. Whew!

Susan's finish is a pretty cool use of quilt blocks.

The tie for her apron uses 4" and 6" blocks.

She says she has a lot of quilts and wanted to do something different. I love this finish!

I love Tina's decision to use pinks in each block. A fun way to do the Color Challenge.

Have you downloaded your 2022 Monthly Color Challenge layout pattern yet? You can still get it for free through January 31. Find it in the Payhip Shop.

We've just started the 2023 Monthly Color Challenge. You can still get the January block for free. Read more about it in the Announcing the 2023 Monthly Color Challenge post.

I hope you will join us!

Let's make something Extraordinary!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Newsletter sign up

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.