Snippets with Patterns By Jen Challenge 6

Welcome to the 6th challenge in the Snippets series.

We’ve made it to the sixth Snippets challenge, and this one might just be the most important step in finishing a quilt: adding a label.

Are you a dedicated quilt labeler? Or are you like me—only labeling the ones that really need it? (No judgment here!)

I get it. Adding a label can feel like an extra step, and sometimes, it’s hard to know what to write. But years from now, I promise the person who owns that quilt—whether it’s you or someone you love—will appreciate knowing its story.

What Should You Put on a Quilt Label?

Labels don’t have to be fancy or filled with something profound. While a heartfelt message is always nice, it’s perfectly okay to keep it simple. Here are the basics:

1) Quilt name
2) Who made it
3) The date
4) Who it was made for (if applicable)

That’s it! No need to overthink it.

This Week’s Challenge:

Find a finished quilt and add a label. If you need some inspiration, I walk through my labeling process in this week’s Snippets video. I’m also sharing a peek at the exclusive quilt labels I send to quilters who sign up for my weekly newsletter, Bites of PBJ. (Not on the list yet? You can join HERE.)

Share Your Work!

I’d love to see how you’re labeling your quilts! Here’s how you can share:
Facebook: Post in the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen group
Instagram: Use #Snippets to inspire others
Email me: jen(at)patternsbyjen(dot)com if you’re not on social media

Now go grab that finished quilt and make it official!

Snippets with Patterns By Jen will resume 13.

And as always…

Go make something you LOVE. 

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Snippets with Patterns By Jen Challenge 5

 This challenge is about finding inspiration in the unexpected.

Sometimes, the best color inspiration isn’t found in a fabric store—it’s right outside your door. Last week’s Snippets by PBJ challenge was all about using a found object to pull fabrics and create a small project.

My inspiration? A pheasant feather.

There’s something about the earthy mix of warm browns, deep golds, and soft neutrals in that feather that just felt right. So, I dug through my stash, pulling fabrics that captured that same natural warmth and texture. Once I had my palette, I kept the project simple—a small patchwork piece that let those colors shine.

This little challenge was a great reminder that inspiration is everywhere. Nature, everyday objects, even something tucked away in a drawer can spark a fresh idea. I’d love to see what you come up with! Did you join in last week’s challenge? If not, take a look around—find something unexpected, pull some fabrics, and just play.

What found object would you use?

🧵 Share in the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook group

🧵Use #Snippets on Instagram

🧵 Send me an email if you aren't on social media

Have fun choosing your inspiration and make sure to. . .

Make something you love.

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Snippets with Patterns By Jen Challenge 4

Thursday's challenge was, well, a challenge for me. Improv is tough, I'm not exactly great at letting go. 😂

Making an improv block can be intimidating. I, for one, like to be told what to cut, how to cut it, how to sew it, etc. Improv blocks feel like too much freedom. I did it though, and I believe you can, too.

Grab your scraps, it doesn't matter if they are squares, triangles, rectangles or all sorts of wonky, just gather a bunch of them and bring them to the cutting mat.

I like to make sure that each piece, while not an exact square, etc, has straight edges to make stitching them together easier. I don't worry about the sizes, I just sew.

And sew.

And sew.

For this particular piece I chose to make a 6 1/2" square to have a nice 6" finish for a mini quilt.

I encourage you to play with your fabrics and units as you sew. Flip, turn, trim. Let go of any perfectionism you (me) have and have fun with this.

I'm excited to use some fancy stitches on my machine to finish this up.

Do you have a small space that needs a little fun improv? Or will you expand this challenge and just keep sewing and building until you have a full quilt?

I have an old tutorial from my very first improv sewing HERE.

Don’t forget to share your work

• Post in the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook Group.
• Share on Instagram using #Snippets to inspire others.
• Not on social media? No problem—email me a picture of your improv block. I’d love to see it.

Grab your fabrics, start cutting and stitching and. . .

Go make something you LOVE!

 

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Snippets with Patterns By Jen Challenge 3

Have you joined in on any of the Snippets challenges yet? If not, here’s your chance. This week, we’re dusting off our sewing machines and trying out a stitch—who’s in?

Many of us have machines packed with decorative stitches, but let’s be honest... they can feel a little overwhelming. Maybe you’re not sure how or when to use them, or maybe they’ve just been sitting there, waiting to be explored. Well, today we’re changing that with a quick and simple finish.

Your Challenge:

Choose a stitch and use it to finish an orphan block. No orphan block? No problem. If you just want to practice some finishing stitches, here’s what you’ll need:

• A 12 ½” x 12 ½” fabric square (this will act as your top)
• A 16” square for the backing
• Batting cut to 16” square (optional)

Now, let’s layer everything:

Backing – Place it wrong side up and tape it down.

Batting – Add this next (if you’re using it) and tape it down.

Top fabric or orphan block – Place it right side up and pin, keeping no more than a hand’s width between pins.

Choosing Your Thread

Are you looking for a stitch that blends in, or do you want your stitches to pop?

Tip: If your quilt has multiple colors and you want your stitching to disappear, try a neutral thread like gray or beige. Light pink and light blue also work well.

Let’s Stitch!

• Gloves help. Quilting gloves (or even gardening gloves with rubber tips) make guiding the fabric easier.
• No fancy equipment needed. I usually use a walking foot for quilting, but in my YouTube video, I used my "J" foot to show it can be done without one. Since we’re using programmed stitches, no free-motion foot is needed!
• What if your machine doesn’t have fancy stitches? No worries! Play around with your zig-zag stitch—make the zigs and zags shorter or wider and experiment with different looks. Even basic stitches can add a fun finishing touch.

Once you get comfortable using decorative stitches, you’ll be excited to try them on larger projects.

Don’t forget to share your work

• Post in the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook Group.
• Share on Instagram using #Snippets to inspire others.
• Not on social media? No problem—email me a picture of your coaster. I’d love to see it.

Take out your orphan block, pick some pretty thread and. . .

Go make something you LOVE!

 

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Snippets with Patterns By Jen Challenge 2

Challenge 2 was all about finishing a project—mini Half Square Triangles (HSTs)! Did you jump in and give it a try?

I’ve always had a soft spot for HST units, but I know not everyone feels the same. Are you team love 'em or team hate 'em when it comes to these classic quilt pieces?

Let me tell you, the moment I discovered you could make HSTs larger than needed and trim them down to the perfect size, I was hooked. My perfectionist heart couldn’t get enough of trimming those little triangles into spot-on accuracy.

I know, I know—I'm always telling you not to let perfectionism get in the way of quilting. But I was younger back when I learned that trick, and honestly... I still love trimming. 🙈 There’s just something satisfying about those crisp, even edges.

Instructions for one coaster using two fabrics

1) Cut eight 2" squares from each color

1a) Mark the diagonal on one side of the darkest

2) Make sixteen HST units

2a) Trim to 1 1/2" inches

3) Make four pinwheel units

4) Combine into a coaster

5) Cut a 4 1/2" square for the back

6) Right sides together, sew around the coaster, leaving an opening

7) Turn right side out

8)Top stitch all the way around, making sure to close the opening.

With this quick sew, you’ve got the perfect coaster for your favorite mug, cup, or bottle. The real question is—will you stop at one, or will you dive into your scrap pile and make a whole bunch?

Don’t forget to share your work!

• Post in the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook Group.
• Share on Instagram using #Snippets to inspire others.
• Not on social media? No problem—email me a picture of your coaster. I’d love to see it!

OK, quilter, grab those favorite scraps, sew up a cute coaster, and most importantly...

Go make something you LOVE!

 

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2024 Monthly Color Challenge BLOGGERS Quilt Parade

 Today is all about the bloggers of the 2024 Monthly Color Challenge who worked to finish the quilt top.

The 2024 Monthly Color Challenge bloggers aren't required to make the entire top, just the block that they signed up for. A few choose to make the whole quilt though and I'm going to spotlight them in this post.

Marlene of KISSed Quilts has a fun finishing post for you. She shares her thought process on how she chose her colors and her quilting. I think it's an insightful post that will help inspire your own finish.

Patti Carey's finish is coming February 4th on her blog. I will update the Patti's Patchwork link when the day comes, because we are all going to want to read more about this finish.

We can all feel Raylee's pain of a broken machine messing with our deadlines. I will also update a link to her Sunflower Stitcheries and Quilting blog when she is able to share it with us. From past finishes, we know she's going to do a great deep dive into her finish as well. Dang technology!

Thank you all for stitching with us this past year!

Go make something you LOVE!

 

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Snippets with Patterns By Jen Challenge One

 Big Changes Are Here: Goodbye Monthly Color Challenge, Hello Snippets with Patterns By Jen!

It’s the end of an era, friends. After years of fun and creativity, we’re saying goodbye to the Monthly Color Challenge. But don’t worry—I’m not leaving you without something new to spark your quilting joy!

Introducing Snippets with Patterns By Jen—a weekly video challenge designed to inspire you, help you dive into your gorgeous stash, and maybe even teach you something new along the way.

Here’s the best part: Snippets are quick, easy, and totally stress-free! Each challenge is completely self-contained, so no worrying about falling behind.

Every Thursday, a new challenge will drop on the Patterns By Jen YouTube channel. Prefer written instructions? No problem! The following Tuesday, I’ll share a blog post breaking it all down for you.

Our first challenge is all about using what we already have—so go grab five monochromatic fabrics from your stash and one pop of color. You’ve got 10 minutes to pull your fabrics! Ready? Let’s go!

With your fabrics in hand, we’ll make a simple 9-patch block. Here’s the nitty-gritty:

1. To make a 12" finished block, cut your squares at 4 ½" each.
2. Make one block or make a whole bunch—it’s entirely up to you.

Feeling like a quick finish? That single 9-patch block is perfect as is. Got a bit more time (or stash) to play with? Create a few more blocks and see where your creativity takes you.

Photo taken from the video, because I forgot to take a picture of the single block.

For my example, I made three blocks and turned them into a simple table runner. I’m thinking this one’s going to be a fall runner, so I’m playing around with quilting ideas.

That’s it—short, sweet, and fun!

Once you’ve made your block (or blocks), I’d LOVE to see what you create!

Post in the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook Group
Share on Instagram with #Snippets to inspire others
Not on social media? Email me a picture of your block—I’d still love to see it!

So grab those monochromatic fabrics, make your block, and most importantly...

Go make something you LOVE!

 

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