Welcome to the 2019 Monthly Color Challenge!
If you are joining again after the 2018 Monthly Color Challenge: Welcome back and thank you for sticking around! If you're new, this is the post for you!
We have some changes this year that I will go over, but some things will remain them same, like you get the color list now, but the blocks are a secret.
Quilt Setting
Uh oh! You may have to do a little digging to figure out those colors, though some are very common. I look forward to hearing which flowers you know on the list and which ones you have to look up. Let me know in the comments!
The goal of the challenge is to use your stash. You may have to dig, but if you can't find something you shouldn't need more than a FQ. The only exception is December where you need a few longer strips, although going scrappy takes care of that problem. Needed squares go from 3" up to 7 5/8" and their are some strips that are over 10."
This year there is only one block size offered: 12" finished. The blocks will be available free for the month, then will be available for a small fee after that month has passed. A setting will be shared (also free for a month) in December and there will be a last post in January to share your finished quilts.
I am not doing monthly prizes this time, but will continue to have the link up at the end of the month for those who want to share their blocks.
We have bloggers joining us throughout the year to help encourage you. Each post will have a link to the bloggers joining that month. I hope you take a little extra time to visit each one and let them know they are awesome!
Supplies
What do you need for the Monthly Color Challenge?
Pretty fabrics in a rainbow of colors, scraps are awesome! All the usual sewing supplies; cutting mat, rotary cutter, thread, sewing machine and rulers.
There are a few specialty rulers that I use that I highly recommend, but are not required.
Tucker Trimmer - this is great for trimming Half Square Triangles, Hourglass units and the pieced squares we will be making.
Wing Clipper - this is the ruler I use for all of the Flying Geese units I make. I love it!
Square Squared - this makes trim Square in a Square blocks easy peasy!
Find all of these rulers
HERE.
I'm a beginner, should I join?
Yes, yes and yes!! These blocks are designed to be beginner friendly and are the perfect starting point. If you are worried about being able to make the blocks there are a few links I recommend. The first is
Beginners Unite! You will find multiple posts all for beginners. The posts that will be most helpful for the blocks we are making are:
That crazy scant 1/4" seam allowance
HST
Flying Geese
Strip Piecing
If you haven't yet make sure you join
Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen on Facebook. It's a great place to ask questions and receive help.
When do we start?
The Monthly Color challenge begins January 1st and continues throughout the year on the 1st of each month. The link up for your finished blocks will be the last 7 days of the month. That's a whole month to make one block! Come back here on the first of each month to see the block and get the instructions and then visit the bloggers who have joined the blog hop to see their versions.
What do we get?
This year I decided not to do prizes. There are a few reasons why, and I know it can be disappointing. So. What do you get for finishing each block each month? Well, a quilt for starters. Encouragement and cheering from your fellow quilters at the end of the month. You get to use up some of those scraps you may or may not be hiding.
So who's ready to start the new year and a new Color Challenge?! I know I am, and I hope you will join us. I really enjoyed putting these blocks together and prepping for another year of color.
To get the block sent directly to your inbox join the
EMAIL LIST.
Happy Stitching!
Jen
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Join the 2019 Monthly Color Challenge coming soon!
