Quarter 1 Challenge
(January 1 - March 31)
Use your stash:
Fabrics that you couldn’t resist, patterns that called out to you - over time, we quilters tend to collect these things and build up a stash. Now is the time to use those items! Quilt something amazing using at least 50% stash materials.
Quarter 2 Challenge
(April 1 - June 30)
Art Quilt:
Art quilts are created using a quilting method that is led by the art, not by the pattern (like patchwork quilting). An art quilt is a quilt to be looked upon rather than snuggled under. Art quilts can be ‘broadly classified’ under the following categories:
Abstract, Improvisational, Collage, Landscape, Nature, and Portraits
The challenge for this quarter is to create your own art quilt. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just give it a try and enjoy the process!
Mr. X Stitch explains art quilts - pretty much all of the information above was gleaned from this post.
How to design a simple art quilt
Quarter 3 Challenge
(July 1 - September 30)
Jelly Roll Race:
The race is on to create a fun quilt using either precut jelly roll strips or strips you’ve cut yourself. Whether you choose to make an original Jelly Roll Race quilt (you can have a completed quilt top in an hour or less 
), create your own unique variation of said Jelly Roll Race, or simply race to your machine with a favorite jelly roll pattern, the challenge is to create a quilt project using 2.5" strips of fabric.
Quarter 4 Challenge
(October 2 - December 31)
Complete your project:
I think we may have had the same goal last year around this time. The point of this challenge is to encourage everyone to complete their 2023 quilt projects before the end of the year. Whether it’s a project you started some time earlier this year or a project that you’ve been meaning to start all year (I have more than a few of those!), the challenge is to finish it by the end of this quarter.
This year’s monthly prompts are intended to help you learn (or possibly just practice) a variety of skills.
January Prompt
Improv Piecing:
Free yourself of the structure of quilting and let the fabric guide you. According to jitterywingsquiltco.com, “Improvisational Quilting is quilting without design rules, boundaries, or specific intentions…the design is free, fluid, and flexible.” Create something fun using the improv piecing technique.
February Prompt
Foundation Paper Piecing:
Explore the unlimited possibilities of foundation paper piecing (FPP). "According to this article on how to foundation paper piece, “Foundation paper piecing is when the outline of a quilt block is printed on a paper foundation and fabric is sewn together on the paper using the outline as a sewing guide. When the block is complete the paper foundation is removed.” Make a block using the FPP method. Who knows? Maybe that block will be the foundation of your next big project!
Foundations of foundation paper piecing
Free FPP patterns:
Wombat Quilts (includes the star pattern above)
Simple Simon and Co. (includes the diamond pattern above)
Carol Doak (includes the cat in a pumpkin pattern above)
March Prompt
English Paper Piecing:
Last month was about foundation paper piecing, this month is about English paper piecing (EPP). After reading through multiple definitions on EPP, I think wikipedia offers the best definition - “English paper piecing is a method of patchwork where fabric is wrapped around fabric shapes made of thin paper cardboard or heavy paper. Once the shapes are wrapped and ready, the sewer will hand sew the shapes together one at a time until the shapes become an intricate design. The paper or cardboard is removed once the shape has been sewn to another shape on all sides.”
One of the shapes I see most commonly done using EPP is hexagons, but it works for other shapes as well, including diamonds, triangles, and circles. Create and share at least 2 EPP shapes this month.
EPP Tutorial (with a video)
How To: English Paper Piecing
April Prompt
Applique:
Sewing your fabric/design on top of a larger piece of fabric. So many different designs can be achieved with the use of applique and this is the month to showcase that technique! Whether hand stitched, machine stitched, or even just fused, quilt something lovely using applique.
May Prompt
Free motion quilting:
The art of using your domestic machine to stitch through your quilt sandwich without the aid of the feed dogs. Designs can be made freehand or by following a design traced or drawn onto the quilt. Quilt a project using free motion quilting. It doesn’t have to be perfect, you just have to try!
Simple Free Motion Quilting Tutorial
Free Motion Quilting - helpful hints from @MistressJennie
June Prompt
Quilt with templates:
Templates can be used in a few different ways when it comes to creating a quilt. You can create a template in a certain shape and make a patchwork quilt consisting of fabric pieces cut from that template, you can use a template for applique shapes, or you can even just use a template to stitch out fun designs when doing the actual quilting process. How you choose to use a template is up to you, but whatever way you go, we want to see the results!
Quilting Templates Explained
July Prompt
Hand Quilting:
The original quilting method! Add some hand quilting to your next project. This is only a monthly prompt, so there are no big expectations. Coasters, a mug rug, a small wall hanging - any of these would be great way to explore the art of hand quilting!
Traditional hand quilting tutorial
Big stitch hand quilting tutorial
August Prompt
Embellishments:
Buttons, rickrack, lace, there are so many ways to embellish a quilt. Embellishments are a great way to add an extra bit of fun to a quilt, so this month, take your project to the next level by adding embellishments!
What is quilt embellishment?
13 Ways to Embellish a Quilt
September Prompt
Quilt As You Go (QAYG):
The quilt as you go technique allows you to do your quilting as you’re creating your quilt, as opposed to quilting after you’ve finished your entire quilt top. There are a few different ways of doing this. You can do a stitch and flip method as portrayed in this June Tailor video (the preprinted batting is helpful, but not necessary), you can quilt around appliqued pieces of fabric before joining your blocks together, or you can also quilt individual blocks and join them with or without sashing to create a final product that’s already quilted.
ShinyHappyWorld - This website offers information on the QAYG process including videos, quilting pattern ideas, and a variety of tips for QAYG.
October Prompt
Piecing curves:
Drunkard’s path, double wedding ring, orange peel - all of these patterns involve piecing curves to create beautiful quilt designs. Curved patterns can be used to create something classic and timeless or something fresh and modern. If you haven’t tried curved piecing before, now is the time to give it a whirl. If you have tried it before, we’d love to hear any tips you have to offer and see you put your skills into action!
Tips, Tricks, & Tools for Piecing Curves
7 Tips for Piecing Curves
November Prompt
Trapunto:
According to this introduction to trapunto blog post by Shannon Brinkley, “Trapunto is a quilting technique where you add extra stuffing or batting to create a more 3 dimensional effect in your design.” If you click on the link above, you can also see pictures that show this technique in action. With Christmas coming, this could be a great technique for creating an heirloom ornament!
Creating a Trapunto Design With a Sewing Machine - Step by Step Tutorial
Trapunto Quilting Video Tutorial
December Prompt
Strip piecing:
This time saving method helps you piece your quilts together more quickly. Strip piecing is done by sewing strips of fabric together and then cutting them down to individual blocks, or units that will be used to create a block.
Strip Piecing Basics
Strip Piecing - 3 Different Ways (Video tutorial)
