Join the Monthly Color Challenge!
A free, 12-month mystery block of the month program designed for quilters of all skill levels.
Don't miss a block!
Sign up to receive each Monthly Color Challenge block in your inbox. This is an ongoing, yearly challenge that rolls over each year. You can unsubscribe at any time.
The Monthly Color Challenge
With Patterns By Jen
The Monthly Color Challenge is a 12-month mystery block of the month program designed for quilters of all skill levels. Each block is traditionally pieced and finishes at 12". This year’s blocks include a how-to video, perfect for new quilters. In July, a traditionally pieced layout is released to accompany the challenge.
Each year, Jen selects a new theme to inspire your color choices. Past themes have included flowers, birds, spices, classic cars, and more. The "Challenge" is to use fabrics from your own stash, making each quilt uniquely yours.
How it works:
Free blocks: Each Monthly Color Challenge block is available for free during the month it’s released.
After the month: Blocks are available for just $1 each.
Delivered to you: Sign up for the Monthly Color Challenge email to receive the instructions directly in your inbox on the first of each month at 12 AM Central Standard Time.
What you will need
Gather your favorite fabrics in the colors shared before the challenge begins (color inspiration is usually released around December 1st), then grab a few basic quilting tools:
Cutting mat, rotary cutter, and rulers
Fabric marking tool, pins, and an iron
For squaring up your blocks, a 6½" square or 6½" × 12½" ruler can be handy, but they’re not required. If you already have a 6½" × 24½" ruler, that’ll work perfectly!
Join the Challenge today
Sign up to get the block instructions sent rignt to your inbox.
Curious about the Challenge?
Don't worry, we got you. Here are some answers for your questions.
Yes! Patterns By Jen is all about helping you fall in love with quilting, and the Monthly Color Challenge is the perfect place to start. Each block is beginner-friendly and comes with its own step-by-step video. Plus, Jen is only an email away if you need a little extra help!
Nope! You just need a few basic quilting supplies: a sewing machine, pins, cutting mat, ruler, and rotary cutter. That’s it—simple and ready to sew!
A good rule of thumb is one fat quarter of dark and one fat quarter of light for each color. When the colors are announced, you’ll also receive the fabric requirements for the full quilt layout, including backing and binding—usually just a few yards.
You can jump in anytime! You’ll start receiving the new monthly blocks for free right away, and any previous blocks are available for just $1 each. The layout, released in July, is free for the entire year—so no matter when you join, you’ll have everything you need to complete the quilt.
Yes! Each year, a new quilt layout is designed and shared in July. The layout is free for the entire year, and after that, it’s still available for just $1. That means if you don’t love the current year’s layout, you can browse previous years and pick one you like for just $1.
Nope! Part of the challenge is to use fabrics from your stash. If you’d like to treat yourself to something new, that’s perfectly fine too—this challenge is all about having fun and making something you love.
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