Tuesday, January 31, 2023

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.




Charisma - Charisma's Corner

Olesya - Olesya L Design





Lisa - Quilty Zest







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

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Sunday, January 15, 2023

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.









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?


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

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Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook page.

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Sunday, January 1, 2023

2023 January Monthly Color Challenge

 Happy New Year! Let's welcome 2023 with a new Monthly Color Challenge.




I'm so excited to get the New Year and the new Color Challenge started!




January's color is pink.
For some reason when I think "classic cars," pink always comes to mind and it's this style that I think of.




I had a time trying to find a pink car for pictures for this month. The first car I found and ordered was about 2 times too big, but was it perfect or what?!

To know me is to know I have a heck of a time figuring out size when I order things. I'm wrong 99% of the time. True story.




The second car I ordered said delivered, but it was nowhere to be found. I asked my husband, I made a report and two days later I found it in the packages that had arrived for Christmas. Might as well have a hard time the first month of the Color Challenge and get it out of the way, right?

This year the fabric is sponsored by Benartex. I'm using one of their basics lines called Cotton Shot.




The dark is Cerise and the light is Peony.


Taken by Fanghong, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons
Image from: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PaeoniaSuffruticosa7.jpg


The peony is one of my absolute favorites. We had them years ago at our house in South Dakota, but we don't have any here. Unfortunately, I have a brown thumb and I don't dare plant any, I'm sure they would die and that would make me sad.




This year we are doing things differently with the bloggers. There will be just one quilter a month that will be featured. January's blogger is Raylee. 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 and check out ALL that she has to offer!


You can also find her at @sunflowerquilting on Instagram.


All of that to say "here's the block!" It's a different take on the Flying Geese units than we've had in the past, but as I do every year I include a "How To" video. You will definitely want to reference it for the trimming part of the instructions.




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 hope you like this new take on the Flying Geese unit! I can't wait to see all of the pink 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 January! Each set of instructions includes a "How To" video.

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



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.