January 2026 Monthly Color Challenge

2026 Monthly Color Challenge January blog header with tree frog on a branch and Patterns By Jen logo

 Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means if you click and decide you really do need that fabric, ruler, or notion, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It helps support Patterns By Jen and keeps my sewing room stocked with thread and rotary blades. 😉 You can read my full disclosure HERE.

We have finally arrived at the beginning of the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge. I am so excited to bring back this favorite block of the month program, and from the comments and messages I have received, you are too. So let’s get started.

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

This year I am getting our color inspiration from frogs. As I was trying to decide what I was going to use for inspiration, I was a little worried that choosing frogs might not give me much color to work with. As always, though, Mother Nature knows what she is doing. We have a year of beautiful color to look forward to, brought to us by our friend, the frog.

Photo credit Todd Pierson
Olive green tree frog with white underside sitting on green branches.

Our color this month is an olive green, and I’m “taking” it from the tree frog. As I have found with all frogs, tree frogs come in many different shades of green, from bright lime green to dusky olive. The American Green Tree Frog only grows to 2 1/2", which seems like such a nice quilty measurement, doesn’t it?

Two fabrics for the January Monthly Color Challenge quilt block folded with a small toy frog on top on a green fabric background.

The fabrics I am using this year are sponsored by Benartex. They are from their basics lines, Whisper Weave and Whisper Weave Too. For January, I am using Pistachio and Pine.

Unfortunately, I do not have these available as a kit, but I have heard you, and I will be looking into that for 2027. Whoops! Did I just let it slip that this is continuing in 2027?

Each month comes with its own How To video. I walk you through how to cut, stitch, and trim every part of the block, so no matter your skill level, you can make each block with us. You can find the link to the How To video each month at the bottom of the PDF instructions.

This month we are making my favorite quilt unit, the half-square triangle (HST). If you are a beginner, I walk you through the cutting, marking, stitching, and trimming of this versatile unit. I want you to love the HST as much as I do, so I share exactly how I make them. I’ve paired it with an easy corner block, and we have some cute little spools to start off the year.

Close-up of the corner of the January Monthly Color Challenge spool quilt block on green background fabric showing fabric colors and piecing.

Should you ever have questions throughout the year, you are more than welcome (and encouraged) to email me at jen@patternsbjen.com. You can also join the Quilt and Learn with Patterns by Jen Facebook group, where you can share your finished blocks and ask questions. Follow me on Instagram and use #2026monthlycolorchallenge when you post your fabric choices and finished blocks.

Close-up of the opposite corner of the January Monthly Color Challenge spool quilt block on green background fabric showing fabric colors and piecing.

Here’s a look at the full block for January. You can download the pattern HERE and start sewing, I can’t wait to see your blocks when they’re finished!

January Monthly Color Challenge quilt block with green fabric background, lily pad, lily pad flower, and toy frog

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

The January block is free through the end of the month and is available in my Payhip shop. If you’re finding us after January, the block will still be available there for just $1.

While it’s too late to receive the January instructions by email, you can still subscribe to have the February–December Monthly Color Challenge blocks (plus the final layout!) delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up HERE.

I’m so happy to be back with the Monthly Color Challenge and to have you here 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.

Announcing the 2026 Monthly Color Challenge

 I am so excited to let everyone know that the Monthly Color Challenge is back baby!

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support keeps the fabric flying and the creative chaos alive! Find out more about Affiliate Links Here.

This year our color inspiration is coming from the amazing frog. I was a little concerned as I started researching frog colors that there wouldn't be enough colors for the year, I mean, they are all green, right? 😉 Imagine my delight when I found frogs of (almost) every color of the rainbow, as well as a black frog that makes me want to take him home and love him. Are you ready for the colors? Watch the unboxing of Benartex Basics fabric line Whisper Weave and Whisper Weave Too.

                                       

The 2026 Monthly Color Challenge Colors

Sponsored by Benartex; Whisper Weave (WW) and Whisper Weave Too (WWT)

January - Olive Green (Pistachio WWT and Pine WWT)

February - Green (Peppermint WWT and Evergreen WWT)

March - Aqua (Aqua WW and Blue Grass WW)

April - Light Blue (Ice WWT and Bluebell WW)

May - Blue (Denim WW and Navy WW)

June - Grey (Cloud WW and Slate WW)

July - Black (White WWT and Midnight WWT)

August - Tan (Almond WW and Oatmeal WW)

September - Brown (Toast WW and Ginger WWT)

October - Orange (Marigold WW and Pumpkin WWT)

November - Yellow (Daffodil WW and Amber WW)

December - Red (Salmon WW and Cardinal WWT)

The general rule for fabric amount is a fat quarter of dark and a fat quarter of light. This year in the how to videos I will be cutting from 1/4 yards of fabric, which is technically the same amount of fabric, just a different way. Each block finishes at twelve inches.

If you don't want to use two different fabrics, and would prefer to use the same background throughout, I have that all figured out for you as well. You can download the cutting instructions HERE.

Blocks are available for free during the month. After the month has passed, blocks are available for $1 in my PBJ Payhip shop.

Do I need to use my stash?

Absolutely not. If you want to go shopping, go shopping, I won't stop you. Gift yourself some pretties. If you have a stash to pull from, though, this is a great way to use some of it up. *I* bring in new fabrics because I try not to keep a huge stash on hand. There may also be colors that you don't have in your stash. We are drawn to our favorites, and those tend to fill our stash faster than others. Or maybe it's the opposite and you're low on your favorite color because you use it all of the time. Whatever your fabric situation is, don't stress over it. This is meant to be a fun and colorful year of quilt blocks, whether you use fabric pulled from the bottom of your stash, or new off the shelf. Either way, you will have a beautiful quilt at the end of the year.

Will there be a layout?

Yes! Every year a new layout is provided for you. The layout is revealed July 15th, giving you plenty of time to stitch it up and have a pretty finish at the end of the year. What if you don't like the layout? No problem, I have you covered my quilty friend. Every layout from the past Monthly Color Challenges will work for your blocks. You can find them in the PBJ Payhip shop for $1 each, find them under the "Monthly Color Challenge Layouts" Button at the top of the page.

Here are the fabric requirements for the layout coming out July 15.

I'm a beginner, is this for me?

Definitely! This is the perfect time to join! Each block is beginner friendly AND comes with a "how-to" video linked right in the instructions.  The Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook group is full of helpful quilters, too, so make sure you join and ask any questions you may have.

To get started I recommend you check out the link  Beginners Unite. A post that has great information and "how-tos" for beginners.

What supplies do I need?

You will need all the pretty fabric colors listed above (or colors of your own choosing), a cutting mat, rotary cutter, rulers, fabric marking tool, pins, iron and a sewing machine.

To help with squaring up the units we are making, a 6 1/2" square ruler or 6 1/2" x 12 1/2" rectangle ruler will be helpful, but are NOT required. If you have the 6 1/2" x 24 1/2" ruler that will work just fine.

You can find the 6 1/2" square ruler here.

You can find the 6 1/2" x 12 1/2" ruler here.

To have the block sent directly to your inbox you can sign up HERE. If you signed up in past years there is no need to register again.

I'll see you January 1st for our first block! Until then. . .

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.

Snippets with Patterns By Jen Challenge 9

 Do you have any “orphan” blocks lying around? You know, those lonely quilt blocks that never quite made it into a finished quilt? Maybe it was a test block, maybe the colors weren’t quite right, or maybe you just changed your mind about a project. Whatever the reason, it’s sitting in a pile somewhere, waiting for its moment.

Well, today is that moment!

This Snippets challenge is all about taking one of those orphan blocks and turning it into something usable and beautiful—just by adding a border. It’s a simple step, but it makes all the difference in giving that block new life.

Now, if you’ve been following me for a while, you know I have my fair share of orphan blocks. (You’ll see proof of that in the video! 😉) Instead of letting them collect dust, we’re going to give them a little love and turn them into mini quilts.

Since Snippets challenges are all about quick and doable projects, we won’t go all the way to a finished quilt—but you absolutely can! Add some quilting, a bit of binding, and just like that, you’ve got a completed mini quilt ready to display. And let me tell you, it feels so good to have one more project move from the "unfinished" pile to the "look what I made!" pile.

Once you’ve added your border, don’t forget to share your progress!

📌 Post in the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook group.

📸 Share on Instagram with #snippets to inspire others.

📧 Not on social media? No problem—email me a picture! I’d love to see what you create.

New to Patterns By Jen?

 

 Sign up for the new Inspire, By PBJ monthly digital subscription.

Inspire, By PBJ sign up

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

Patterns By Jen YouTube Channel

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.

Snippets with Patterns By Jen Challenge 8

Snippets Challenge 8: Prepping Your Binding!

This week’s Snippets challenge is all about getting that binding prepped and ready to go! Some quilters love this step, while others… not so much. No matter which camp you’re in, binding is the final step in bringing your quilt to life, and I’m here to help make it easier.

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I love hand-stitching my binding. There’s something so satisfying about seeing that pretty roll of prepped binding, all ready to go. But getting it there? Not my favorite part. 😅 I do it because I have to… and only because I have to!

Maybe it’s because I tend to put it off until the quilt is quilted, and by then, I just want to sew it on and be done. Or maybe it’s because I’m this close to finishing, and binding feels like one more hurdle before I can call it complete.

Either way, in Challenge 8, I’m walking you through my binding prep process—quick, simple, and (hopefully) painless!

💬 How do you store your prepped binding? I’d love to hear your tips!

📸 Don’t forget to share your challenge in the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook group or on Instagram using #Snippets to inspire others! Not on social media? No problem—email me at jen@patternsbyjen.com.

Alright, quilter—go make something you LOVE! ❤️

New to Patterns By Jen?

 

 Sign up for the new Inspire, By PBJ monthly digital subscription.

Inspire, By PBJ sign up

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

Patterns By Jen YouTube Channel

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.

Snippets With Patterns By Jen Challenge 7

Challenge 7: Making the Most of Your Batting Scraps

If you’re a quilter, you know there will be batting scraps. And if you’re anything like me, tossing them feels like such a waste—especially when they’re so close to being a usable size! 

This week’s challenge was all about making the most of what we have by piecing those leftovers together into something we can actually use.

In my how-to video, I walk you through the simple but important steps for joining batting scraps. I personally use 100% wool batting in all my quilts, but this method works for just about any type of batting. 

The key? A straight edge—just like when piecing fabric, a clean edge makes all the difference when sewing batting together.

One of the nice things about working with batting is that it’s more pliable than a full quilt sandwich, which makes stitching it together quick and easy.

Have you tried piecing your batting before? I’d love to see how you’re using this technique! Share your projects in the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen Facebook group or on Instagram using #Snippets. 

Go make something you LOVE. 

New to Patterns By Jen?

 

 Sign up for the new Inspire, By PBJ monthly digital subscription.

Inspire, By PBJ sign up

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

Patterns By Jen YouTube Channel

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.

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. 

New to Patterns By Jen?

 

 Sign up for the new Inspire, By PBJ monthly digital subscription.

Inspire, By PBJ sign up

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

Patterns By Jen YouTube Channel

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.

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.

New to Patterns By Jen?

 

 Sign up for the new Inspire, By PBJ monthly digital subscription.

Inspire, By PBJ sign up

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

Patterns By Jen YouTube Channel

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.