Pantone Quilt Challenge 2026

Did you hear? The 2026 Pantone Quilt Challenge kicks off today and will run for 8 weeks through April 27. This year's challenge is hosted by Sarah Ruiz @bysarahruiz and Audrey Esarey @cottonandbourbon, and the challenge will feature Cloud Dancer, Pantone’s 2026 Color of the Year.

Now I know that Cloud Dancer got a verrryyyy mixed reception when it was announced in December, and even I felt some disappointment. But if the challenge is on, I'm in!

Per tradition, my daughter Rachel @snippetsofsweetness ordered us both Pantone COTY Swatch Cards, and yes, knowing I'd need plenty of Cloud Dancer-colored fabric for my challenge project, I've ordered a couple fabrics to see the closest match, just like I usually do. Though the challenge rules say to Make a white-ish quilt, I was still curious. All I know so far is that Kona White is not it. Not that I won't use some of that, but it's not a match. So stay tuned for more there, but meanwhile, here's a link to Pantone Quilt Challenge 2026 – Week 1. Are you in? 

Utterly Blue

Ok, this was fun. I mentioned last week that even though the 2020 Pantone Quilt Challenge isn't happening this year, I still planned on doing my own Classic Blue challenge, and so I did! I mean, really, it's as good as it gets, and I wasn't about to break tradition.

It started with stripes. Basically lots and lots of improv stripes. I considered adding a few other fabrics/colors into the mix, but when it came right down to it, I left well enough alone. The blues were just too rich as they were.

Somewhere along the line, once I had the top done, I mentioned on Instagram that there was a design in there that probably only I could see. And that design was inspired directly from my recent Vista Toscana quilt and the way the blocks wrapped around each other. You (maybe) can see it most clearly in Utterly Blue if you look at the left side of the quilt.

I "mirrored" that same effect in the opposite side of the quilt in different proportions. Maybe you see it, maybe you don't, but if was definitely fun fabric play for me, and I can't promise that this will be the last project exploring that concept.

For the back, I went really simple - and solid.

From that viewpoint you get a really good look at the quilting, don't you? The design is "Fancy Straight Line" from Jacquie Gering's Walk book, and I'd used it several times before, always with great results. I used Auriful 50wt #2730 [Delft Blue] after considering several options including a variegated thread (a red, white, and blue!). In the end, again, I decided to just stick to the blue.

And then to finish, matched binding in one key spot seemed appropriate. The quilt finished at 25" square.

There's one more tidbit about this little blue quilt! Just as I was getting started, I learned that the current challenge with Quilt Improv Studio was a Blue Repetition Challenge, so I couldn't resist joining in and will be entering this quilt soon. There's lots of time to join in - the quilts are small - and the deadline isn't until January 10, 2021. Plus they're a very welcoming bunch, so consider it, ok? 

#blueimprovrepetition #quiltimprovstudio

October Fabric Usage

True confession: I purchased 6 yards straightaway when the month began, but 5 of them had a very specific purpose, so I didn't feel too bad. They were bound for a baby quilt that is now finished and ready to mail as soon as I hear the little one is here. So I'm not actually going to show you that fabric like I usually do. But soon, I'm sure.

But I did quite happily pull out the two blue solids I'd purchased for the Pantone Color of the Year challenge that apparently isn't happening. So I'm creating my own personal one, so all is not lost, and tradition remains unbroken.

You may remember that I deemed Painter's Palette Lapis from Paintbrush Studio, in my limited research, the closest match to Pantone's Classic Blue [shown on far right]. But Kona Regatta was a very close second [second from left], so I went ahead and pulled that too. Also added [left to right] were a blue/black crossweave, Grid in Denim from Kimberly Kight for Ruby Star Society, and Spectrastatic in Yonder from Giuseppe Ribaudo. I attempted to add a couple more fabrics once I got cutting and sewing, but they got ruled out, so these five are it. So now I'm piecing away and hope to have a finish to show you soon. Ends up not the best month for fabric usage by a long shot, but it'll have to do.

October Fabric Usage
Used up: 10.78 yards
Brought in: 6.0 yards
Net: -4.78 yards
Year to date: -111.13 yards

Timeless

It's tradition, dontcha know? This is the 8th year of my intentionally creating with the Pantone Color of the Year, including the year there wasn't even a Pantone Quilt Challenge. So there really was no question if I'd want to dabble with this year's Living Coral.



Finding a fabric 'match' for my official Pantone swatch card was the first order of business. Thanks to my daughter, Rachel, who orders us both a card each year once the color is announced, I had proof positive. So in my unscientific research (ordering a handful of options) I decided Cotton Couture Coral was the best match for me. I rounded out the palette for my challenge quilt by including Kona Nectarine and Kaleidoscope Persimmon from Alison Glass, accented by Konas Grellow, Silver, and Graphite.



As for a design, I'd been loving the approach of repeated shapes and sizes in my recent Home Away from Home and Nine of Ten quilts, so I decided on doing that again, this time inspired by the improv hourglass blocks found in Free Range Triangle Quilts by Gwen Marston and Cathy Jones. The blocks were fun to make, and I love how there are places in the finished quilt where some hourglasses are misshapen. That really adds to the overall piece, I think. My secret to success with this project really was less is more.... meaning adding more 'tone on tone' blocks really let the others shine.

For the backing, I happily started with a good-sized length from stash, and pieced in some bits to bring it to size. 

Early on, I knew that this one would be matchstick quilted, and time-consuming as that was, I never really second-guessed myself. I used Aurifil 50wt #2220 [Light Salmon] - very nearly an entire spool of it - and it really was perfect. 

And then, as you've already figured out, I finished it all off with a faced binding, using the tutorial by Anita/@bloominworkshop. It really makes for a nice, neat finish.

So I'm super happy with the improvisational hourglass design, and in spite of it being oh so unique for me, my choice of fabrics. And as luck would have it, I finished just in the nick of time!

Quilt Stats

Name – Timeless     Category – Quilts

Size – 45" x 52"     Country – USA

Linking up with the Pantone Quilt Challenge and Meadow Mist Designs' Favorite Finish.
This project was on my 2019 Q2 Finish-A-Long list! 
Linking up my finish!

Reporting In On Living Coral

So I've been plugging along on my Pantone Quilt Challenge project, and I'm really liking where it's headed. I've made and added more 'tone on tone' blocks, and I think they add some needed resting spots. At first I was adding in strips of fabric to accommodate for rows that didn't match up, but I decided that wasn't the look I was after and removed them. I'm preferring to trim to fit rather than add to fit. I really love how the hourglass blocks are definitely recognizable, but every once in a while there's a random misshapen one. 

So it's growing bit by bit. I have a couple of more rows to add, and I should be able to share a quilt top soon. Already looking forward to quilting this one!

The Unfolding of Living Coral

So..... with my palette and fabric all chosen for the Pantone Quilt Challenge project, I figured it was time to at least get started. I'd been perusing one of my Gwen Marston books - Free Range Triangle Quilts, coauthored by Cathy Jones - and for the nth time, stopped to admire the "Mardi Gras" hourglass quilt. That was enough to set my direction, and I'm so glad I went with it. Making improv hourglass blocks in (mostly) two sizes, for now I'm just putting them randomly up on the design wall.

I love it! But the more I admired it, the more I realized I wanted the contrasting colors to have more 'space.' So I made a bunch more 'tone on tone' (Cotton Couture Coral + Kona Nectarine) blocks to spread things out some. And I think it's an improvement!



I plan on making a few more tone on tone blocks, though I may get started sewing blocks together first, we'll see. But it's a start!

A Living Coral Palette

So I declared my planned participation in this year's Pantone Quilt Challenge, and of course, first things first is deciding on my fabrics. For a palette, I was inspired by a photo on the Sherwin-Williams ColorSnap site.

Palette by Jennifer F.

As far as actual fabrics go, I'll be using the following (top to bottom in photo below):

• Cotton Couture Coral
• Kona Nectarine
• Kaleidoscope Persimmon from Alison Glass
• Kona Grellow
• Kona Silver
• Kona Graphite

And just to be prepared, I purchased a spool of Aurifil 50wt #2220 [Light Salmon], thanks to the recommendation of Daniela/@blockmquilts. So I'm all set! No idea whatsoever what I'll be making, but there's still time for that, right? 

I'm SO In!

If you've been around A Quilter's Table any length of time, you know that the annual Pantone Quilt Challenge is something I really enjoy! This year's challenge was just announced and is once again hosted by No Hats in the House and Bryan House Quilts.

There's even a posting schedule this year, and this week, it's just making yourself known as a joiner! 

Soooo.... are you in? The project doesn't have to be huge - see, mine from previous years have been a variety of sizes. Whether you love Living Coral or not, it's just fun to join in and create around a color theme!

Grape Fizzy

Nothing like deciding you need to drop everything to make a little something against a deadline. That's what happened with me and the 2018 Pantone Quilt Challenge: Ultra Violet Edition. I had declared early on that I'd be participating in the challenge, as it's basically been a years-long tradition for me, so I'm glad I was able to make it happen.



"It" being a small quilt [21 1/2" x 29 1/2"] that began with a length of Kona Bright Peri, a couple of gray stash solids, and bits of blue and burgundy. The improvisational courthouse steps design evolved well after I began, but I was more than happy to let that happen. Quilting was done with King Tut 40wt thread #403 (Crushed Grapes) in a variable grid. Though the thread was the most purple-y I had on hand, quilted onto that Bright Peri, it leaned a bit toward the burgundy, which oddly, seemed pretty awesome.



I bound it all in more of the Bright Peri - it just seemed to let the design stand on its own. The whole time I was working with the purple, I kept thinking of Grape Fizzies, a carbonated beverage I enjoyed as a child when I visited my grandparents. So Grape Fizzy it is.



Thanks to Sarah/No Hats in the House and Rebecca/Bryan House Quilts for hosting the challenge. I'm anxious to see all the entries. And for the record, I live in the USA!

Ultra Violet

I saw a sliver of time and I took it. After reading a friend's post about her Ultra Violet project, I commented that I hadn't had the chance to join in the 2018 Pantone Quilt Challenge: Ultra Violet Edition. My focus has just been elsewhere, I guess. But the challenge, hosted by Sarah/No Hats in the House and Rebecca/Bryan House Quilts is a bit of a tradition for me, and when I realized I wouldn't have access to my sewing machine during much of the time between now and then, I set everything aside and did a bit of reward sewing. You know - the kind where you got your chores done and then you get to play!

Luckily, I had a yard of Kona Bright Peri on hand in preparation for this moment, so I curated a few other solids from my stash and started in. At first I was thinking something with improv dots in varying densities, then somewhere along the line I got caught up in the idea of an improvisational courthouse steps design. It's kind of funky, a bit oddly shaped, and with the shortest side being under 30", it'll fit in the mini category. But though I'm just showing a progress photo here, the top is done, and I'll move right on in to quilting soon, glad for the chance to dabble just a bit and stick with tradition.

Here's a link if you'd like to see my previous Pantone challenge projects.