January 2021 Monthly Color Challenge Link Up

It's the first Monthly Color Challenge link up of 2021!

I liked starting the year off with a block featuring clean lines and open spaces.

I have truly enjoyed the blocks being shared on Instgram and in the Quilt and Learn with Patterns By Jen group.

Quarter 1 Sponsors

Dragonfly's Quilting Design Studio - Goodie Bag*

Bea Quilter - PDF Pattern

Love to Color My World - PDF Pattern

Designs By Sarah J - Fabric Bundle and Book*

Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabric - Monty Fabric Bundle*

Benartex - Fabric Bundle*

Quilters Dream Batting - 60 x 46 Dream Angel 100% Flame Retardant Fibers*

Quilters Dream Batting - 60 x 46 Dream Wool*

The Warm Company - 55 x 60 batting 80/20*

Appliques Quilts and More - $10 gift certificate

DayBrook Designs - 2 PDF Patterns

Patterns By Jen - PDF Patterns

Those marked with * are for US residents only. Prize laws vary throughout different countries.

The Link Up is open through January 31st. If you have a problem linking up, please use the "question mark" button next to the log out button. If you are trying from your phone, try it from a laptop/tablet if you have one.

Good luck and thank you so much for stitching along with me!

Missed the block? Find it HERE!

Happy Stitching!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Newsletter sign up

2021 Monthly Color Challenge

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. 

Please make sure to add your first name!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

2020 Monthly Color Challenge Quilt Link Up

We're finishing up the 2020 Monthly Color Challenge with a Quilt Show.

Thank you so much for stitching along with us. The Color Challenge was something that kept me grounded all year long and I hope it was something that helped you as well.

This will be a Link Up Quilt Show. There are not prizes being given for this link up, but I hope that we will visit the links shared and comment and encourage those who have shared their quilts and progress.

It is not a requirement to show a finished quilt! Confession, mine isn't quilted yet. So share your finished quilt, pieced flimsy (not yet quilted top), a picture of your sashing cut out, your finished blocks or even your fabric pull that you maybe haven't started on yet.

Bloggers

A few of the bloggers have quilts to share with you as well.

Joanne - Everyone Deserves a Quilt

Fawn - Quilty Creations by Fawn

Roseanne - Home Sewn by Us

Sarah - Sew Joy Creations

Alla - Rainbows Bunnies Cupcakes

Wendy - Pieceful Thoughts

Anja - Anja Quilts

I want this quilt show to be encouraging and uplifting, share away and then visit the others that have shared as well. The Link up with be open through February 28th to give you plenty of time to talk yourself into sharing your work. 😉 

Don't miss the 2021 Monthly Color Challenge! We're just getting started and would love to have you join us.

Happy Stitching!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Newsletter sign up

2021 Monthly Color Challenge

Find paper and digital patterns, gifts and more 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.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Introducing Winter Trees

 I'm so excited to introduce you to the first pattern from Patterns By Jen for 2021!

Winter Trees is the perfect quilt to keep around all winter long.

I love this quilt. When I started sketching it I wanted something simple that brought to mind the quiet in the winter woods.

There's a special silence that takes over the woods when the snow is falling, it's something that can't be described, but I hope this pattern brings it to mind.

It's not just a quilt pattern, it's a bed runner, too.

Add a modern touch to any bedroom with this bed runner.

Tester Quilts

Quilted using Milky Way in the Sky Wendy's quilt shows the blues of a wintery Minnesota.

Melva's Bed Runner is striking and will be a center piece in any room.

Brandy's Bed Runner was made before we made the change to add the extra bottom piece. She made this more "hers" by adding her own snowflakes.

Janice's evergreens remind me of trees after a snow, a white wonderworld with touches of color throughout.

Bevery's quilt brings on the fun. I love that she used a print for her background to show how those trees still stand out and make a statement.

Winter Cheer

Printed pattern (available for pre-order)

PDF pattern from Etsy

PDF pattern from Payhip

For a limited time get Winter Cheer for $8.

Happy Stitching!
Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Newsletter sign up

Find paper and digital patterns, gifts and more 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.

January 2021 Monthly Color Challenge

 Happy New Year and Welcome 2021!

Who wants to start the year off eating healthy? Not it! But if you do you may find this years Monthly Color Challenge inspiring. We are taking our colors from fruits and veggies this year and throughout the year various bloggers will share recipes with you. I'm excited to get started so here's the block!

12" Block

We're starting the year off with my favorite color inspired by the eggplant. This block goes together so quickly.

*Don't forget! Each block comes with a How To video right in the instructions.*

January Bloggers

Visit the January Color Challenge bloggers for inspiration and maybe a yummy recipe!

Anja - Anja Quilts

Wendy - Pieceful Thoughts

Joanne - Everyone Deserves a Quilt

Jen - Faith and Fabric Design

Ashli - Quilt2EndAlz

Kathy - Kathy's Kwilts and More

Crystal - DayBrook Designs

Raylee - Sunflower Stitcheries

Andi - True Blue Quilts

6" Block

This year two block sizes are offered, you can choose to make the 12" finished blocks or the 6" finished blocks, or both! If you have enjoyed the Monthly Color Challenge, but are looking for a bit more of a challenge, the 6" blocks are for you!

Quarter 1 Sponsors

The Monthly Color Challenge has a great group of sponsors who have given generously to make this year an amazing year for you. Winners are chosen quarterly; April 1, July 1, Oct 1 and Jan 1, 2022. To enter you simply add your block to the Link Up at the end of each month. One entry per quilter and it needs to be the block from the current month. Finish each month and you will have 3 entries each quarter!

Dragonfly's Quilting Design Studio - Goodie Bag*

Bea Quilter - PDF Pattern

Love to Color My World - PDF Pattern

Designs By Sarah J - Fabric Bundle and Book*

Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabric - Monty Fabric Bundle*

Benartex - Fabric Bundle*

Quilters Dream Batting - 60 x 46 Dream Angel 100% Flame Retardant Fibers*

Quilters Dream Batting - 60 x 46 Dream Wool*

The Warm Company - 55 x 60 batting 80/20*

Appliques Quilts and More - $10 gift certificate

DayBrook Designs - 2 PDF Patterns

Patterns By Jen - PDF Patterns

Those marked with * are for US residents only. Prize laws vary throughout different countries.

Tips

A few tips for putting the block together, you can also find these in the How To video in the instructions.

When sewing the triangles together start with the right angle, not the point, to keep from getting the fabric bunched up.

Chain piece whenever possible, it cuts down on sewing time.

Trimmings to show there is extra fabric to play with.

Twist the center seam.

If you are a beginner and want more tips see Beginners Unite!

Ready to get your pattern? Go to Payhip and download it now! The block is free for the month of January.

To have the block sent directly to your email sign up HERE.

It's too late to have the January block emailed to you but download it from the link above and get ready to have the rest of the year arrive in your email inbox.

NOTE: If you signed up for the 2020 Monthly Color Challenge Emails you do NOT have to sign up again.

Happy Stitching!
Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Newsletter sign up

Find paper and digital patterns, gifts and more 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.

Prepping for the Monthly Color Challenge

 We are days away from the start of the Monthly Color Challenge! Now is the time to get organized. PS this isn't just for the Monthly Color Challenge, this is great for all quilt alongs or block of the month programs.

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains Affiliate Links. When purchases are made through these links I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your purchases help support my small business and keep my husband's head from exploding every time a new quilting notion arrives in our mailbox. Thank you for that. Find out more about Affiliate Links Here.

In today's post I'm sharing how I like to get ready for a quilt along. Doing these steps, or even just a couple of them, can keep things going smoothly which means greater chance of finishing. 😉

Clean your machine

The very first thing is to make sure you are starting with a clean machine...and a new needle. Dealing with tension issues because there is fuzz in the bobbin or thread breaking because of a burr on your needle can really cut into the joy that sewing should be. Don't forget to put a new blade on your rotary cutter! I love a cheap pipe cleaner for cleaning out the fuzz under the bobbin.

My favorite seam ripper, you know you'll need it, is the Clover Seam Ripper. It stays sharp longer and fits in my hand nicely. I use Organ needles on my Baby Lock Brilliant Bernard.

Wind Bobbins

Wind those bobbins! I love to have a bunch of bobbins wound and ready to go. I always piece with grey thread so I can wind a bunch of bobbins ready for a major sewing session. This bobbin saver keeps them from unwinding and driving me crazy. I love spring green, it makes me super happy, but had the purple one been available when I bought this one you know it would have been purple!

Prepare fabric

Washing or not washing your fabric is a personal choice. The Color Challenge focuses on fat quarters and scraps, if you choose to wash your fat quarters I recommend washing by hand to reduce shredding.

Once you have decided whether or not you are going to wash your fabrics, next it's time to starch. I like to starch all the fabrics I'm working with, whether or not they are small pieces or yardage. If you do starch it's important to starch before you start cutting, as starch will shrink the fabric, so don't do it after you have cut your fabrics for stitching. I like Best Press, but there are many different brands, you can even make your own if you so choose. I absolutely ADORE my mister. I have had this gallon of Best Press for over a year, and I starch every piece of fabric that comes into my space.

Storage

Have you ever started a quilt along or block of the month program and halfway through panicked because you've misplaced the fabrics? Finding a way to keep your project together will help you enjoy the process and help you finish!

I like to use plastic bins that are shoebox size to keep my fabrics together. I will even keep my 6" blocks in these. I like this storage bin for my 12" blocks.

If you have any questions about getting ready for a quilt along or block of the month, ask in the comments!

Happy Stitching!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Newsletter sign up

2021 Monthly Color Challenge

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. 

Please make sure to add your first name!

December 2020 Monthly Color Challenge Link Up

 It's the last link up of 2020! Is your block ready?

This block really got me into the holiday spirit.

Sponsors October thru December

Said With Love - PDF Pattern

For the Love of Geese - PDF Pattern

P & B Textiles - Fabric Bundle

Quilters Dream Batting - 60" x 60" Dream Blend

Warm Company - 45" x 60" Warm and Plush

Warm Company - Light Steam and Seam 2

Island Batik - 3 1/2 yards of assorted fabrics

Patterns By Jen - Superior Thread S-Fine 50

Patterns By Jen - PDF Pattern

Make sure to visit the Quarter 4 sponsors to see what other goodies they have to offer.

The link up is open through January 1st. If you have a problem linking up, please use the "question mark" button next to the log out button. If you are trying from your phone, try it from a laptop/tablet if you have one.

Good luck and thank you so much for stitching along with me!

Missed the block? Find it HERE!

Happy Stitching!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Newsletter sign up

2021 Monthly Color Challenge

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. 

Please make sure to add your first name!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Meet the 2021 Monthly Color Challenge Sponsors!

 It's just over a week until a new year and a new Monthly Color Challenge!

The continued generosity sponsors, after a year like none other, is truly a gift. As you read through this post and get excited for the year, please take time to comment here to thank them. This will also be up on my Instagram with links to their Instagram accounts. A follow and a comment makes a great day!

Once again the prizes will be given out quarterly.  To enter you must link up a pieced block each month, one block link up per month, per quilter. If you link up each month during the quarter you will have three chances to win. (Don't worry, I will be here to help make sure you get your block linked up!)

Prizes will be randomly selected on April 1, July 1, Oct 1 and Jan 1, 2022.

Beaquilter

Faith and Fabric

Fat Quarter Shop

Island Batik

Carole Lyles Shaw

For the Love of Geese

True Blue Quilts

Quilter's Dream Batting

DayBrook Designs

Quilter Chic

Make Modern Magazine

Designs by Sarah J

Love to Color My World

Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabrics

P&B Textiles

Said With Love

Benartex

Patterns By Jen

The Warm Company

Appliques Quilts and More

Dragonfly's Quilting Design Studio

Sunflower Stitcheries and Quilting

If you haven't heard about the Color Challenge yet you can find out more of what is coming at "Announcing the 2021 Monthly Color Challenge" post.

Meet the 2021 bloggers.

Check out the previous Monthly Color Challenges: 2018, 2019, 2020

Sign up to have the block sent directly to your email! Each block comes with a "how to" video right in the instructions.

**If you signed up for the the 2020 Color Challenge you do not need to sign up again.**

It's almost time! Go gather your colors, visit the bloggers and sponsors and sleep with visions of pretty blocks dancing in your head!

Happy Stitching!

Jen

New to Patterns By Jen?

Newsletter sign up

2021 Monthly Color Challenge

Find paper, digital patterns, and Studio 180 Design rulers 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.