2026 Monthly Color Challenge Layout

It is here, the layout for the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge from Patterns By Jen. I am excited to share it with you and hear what you think. A few notes about the layout.

1) The layout instructions do not include the instructions for the blocks, those are separate. 

2) If you don't like this layout, every layout from the past 7 years of Monthly Color Challenges, will work with the Challenge blocks. You can find them in the PBJ Payhip Shop. Just choose the "Monthly Color Challenge Layouts" button at the top. Each one is just $1.

3) I upped the original fabric requirements for Colors 2 and 3 from 7/8 yard to 1 yard. You will still have enough fabric, but there was no room for error.

Here she is! Blocks that haven't been released yet and not included are not shown, you have to be patient! 😁

Get your set of layout instructions here.

My hope in giving the Monthly Color Challenge Layout in July is that you can work on it throughout the rest of the year and when the December block drops you can make it and pop it into your quilt.

Once your top is pieced I'd love for you to send a photo of it to jen@patternsbyjen(dot)com and I will include it in the quilt party in January 2027. It doesn't need to be quilted. If what you have is blocks and no quilt, I'll celebrate that with you, too, so send a photo of those.

Grab your Monthly Color Challenge Instructions here and if you haven't joined the Monthly Color Challenge yet, there is still time to get the August - December blocks sent to your inbox. January - July can be found in the Payhip Shop. Sign up here.

Go make something you LOVE,

New to Patterns By Jen?

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Join the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge.

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Shades of Grey - Friendship Block

 

Welcome back for my second week with the Shades of Gray Tour! This week I'm sharing my take on the Double Friendship Block. 

Yellow is the universal color of friendship. I thought it was the perfect pop of color for this block. I decided to go with a lighter gray for the smaller star points. I chose this direction as a nod to those friendships that are the backbone of our lives. The friendships that you know will always be there, no matter how much time has passed, no matter how busy lives get, they are your people. I also made it the center of this block. Those friendships keep us centered and steady.

Get your free block here.

While yellow is the color of friendship, I love the idea of making multiple blocks in our friend's favorite colors. What a rainbow of joy that would be. 

A few previous designers to check out (these are direct links to their blocks):

Jen of Faith and Fabric

Kate of Katie Mae Quilts

Tonya of Memory Barn Studio

A few upcoming designers to check out (links to their pages):

Sue of Sue Perry Creative

Ashli of Ashli Montgomery

Kathryn of Dragonfly's Quilting Design Studio

Thank you so much for stopping by! Don't forget to grab your free Double Friendship Block before you go! 

And check out the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge if you like a good Block of the Month challenge. 💜

Go make something you LOVE.

New to Patterns By Jen?

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

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for Snippets with PBJ and 2 Minute Tips.

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

Inspire, By PBJ is my monthly digital subscription that delivers a wall hanging sized design, color inspiration and more right in your inbox.

Join the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge.

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

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring.

Shades of Grey Tour - Butterfly Block

 

Welcome to my stop on the Shades of Gray Tour. I'm glad you stopped by! My block is designed in honor of my sweet cousin's daughter who has Dravet Syndrome. Purple is the color used for epilepsy advocacy and, while the butterfly is also used for all epilepsy awareness, the Dravet Syndrome Foundation is heavily tied to it.

I designed not just one butterfly block, but seven. The first is a simple block using the Signature Block units. The pieces are small, but worth it. Press those seams open to get the points to match up nicely without pins.

Then I thought how different each person with Dravet Syndrome is. Their journeys and personalities each unique and special. The sweet miss I had in mind when I designed this block is fire and she's got the best laugh. Just like butterflies, each with their own uniqueness they bring into the world.

And so began the design process of pretty, quilty butterfly wings. 

These butterflies are not for the faint of heart. There a little pieces and you are going to want a nice, new sharp needle in your sewing machine.

I think each one is worth the time (and possibly frustration 😉 ) of piecing and quilting. 

Get your free Block here.

Don't forget to check out the rest of the Shade's of Gray Tour blocks and designers. 

A few previous designers to check out (these are direct links to their blocks):

Jen of Faith and Fabric

Kate of Katie Mae Quilts

Tonya of Memory Barn Studio

A few upcoming designers to check out (links to their pages):

Sue of Sue Perry Creative

Ashli of Ashli Montgomery

Kathryn of Dragonfly's Quilting Design Studio

Thank you so much for stopping by! Don't forget to grab your free Butterfly Block before you go! 

And check out the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge if you like a good Block of the Month challenge. 💜

Go make something you LOVE.

New to Patterns By Jen?

Newsletter sign up

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

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for Snippets with PBJ and 2 Minute Tips.

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

Inspire, By PBJ is my monthly digital subscription that delivers a wall hanging sized design, color inspiration and more right in your inbox.

Join the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge.

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

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring.

July 2026 Monthly Color Challenge

Hello July! Can you believe we are now past the midway point of 2026. Crazy. In two weeks I'll be sharing the layout for the quilt and that will really make it feel like we are almost to the end. For now let's just enjoy the amazing block for July. There is something about black and white that just adds a little zing to a quilt. This block does not disappoint.

2026 Monthly Color Challenge: A Free Block of the Month Program

I have loved sharing the frogs with you through the last 6 months, but I have been dying to share this month's frog with you. Oh my gosh, I just want to give him squeezes!

Our inspiration this month is the Black Rain Frog. This little guy is "sometimes compared to an avocado because of its dark bumpy brown or black skin." (World Wildlife Magazine) He only grows to 1 1/2 to 2 inches, making him even *cuter!* He also has such a plump body, and short legs, that he can't hop, he walks. That part kind of makes me sad, I think he would be so cute doing little hops. He truly is the reason I added black this year. I want one.

The fabrics I am using this year are Whisper Weave and Whisper Weave Too. They are basics from Benartex and have a wonderful texture to give these blocks some movement. This month our dark is Midnight and our light is White.

Each set of instructions comes with it's own how to video, so no matter your skill level you can make the Monthly Color Challenge blocks with us. My goal is to design blocks that not only help you work on your piecing skills, but also build your confidence as a quilter. The how to videos are a big part of that.

This month we use Hourglass units and Flying Geese units to make a stunning block.

Join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns by Jen Facebook group and share your blocks, cheer each other on, and ask questions along the way. If you post on Instagram, be sure to tag me and use #monthlycolorchallenge so I can see your fabric pulls and finished blocks!

Here’s a look at the full July block. You can download the pattern HERE and jump right in. I can’t wait to see what you create! It will be a black tie affair.

If you’d like each Monthly Color Challenge block delivered straight to your inbox, be sure to subscribe using the sign-up link below.

The July block is free through the end of the month and available in my Payhip shop. If you’re finding this later, don’t worry, it will still be there for just $1.

While the January – July emails have already gone out, you can still sign up to receive the August – December blocks (plus the final layout!) delivered directly to your inbox. Join us HERE.

I’m so grateful to be continuing the Monthly Color Challenge this year, and even more grateful you’re sewing along with me.

Go make something you LOVE.

New to Patterns By Jen?

Newsletter sign up

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

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for Snippets with PBJ and 2 Minute Tips.

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

Inspire, By PBJ is my monthly digital subscription that delivers a wall hanging sized design, color inspiration and more right in your inbox.

Join the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge.

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

Find fun PBJ merchandise at Teespring.