2026 Color Challenge

Jen of Patterns by Jen has announced the 2026 Color Challenge. 

Jen always has fun ways to introduce the colors each month. She has used flowers, birds, classic cars, fruits and vegetables, fish, etc. to introduce the monthly colors and it is always fun!  The 2026 the color theme is frogs. Who would have thought that there would be enough different colored frogs for her to use them?  LOL 

In the introduction of the challenge, Jen shares the featured colors for each month. The 2026 Monthly Color Challenge Colors are listed below:

January - Olive Green (Pistachio WWT and Pine WWT)

February - Green (Peppermint WWT and Evergreen WWT)

March - Aqua (Aqua WW and Blue Grass WW)

April - Light Blue (Ice WWT and Bluebell WW)

May - Blue (Denim WW and Navy WW)

June - Grey (Cloud WW and Slate WW)

July - Black (White WWT and Midnight WWT)

August - Tan (Almond WW and Oatmeal WW)

September - Brown (Toast WW and Ginger WWT)

October - Orange (Marigold WW and Pumpkin WWT)

November - Yellow (Daffodil WW and Amber WW)

December - Red (Salmon WW and Cardinal WWT)

For 2026, Benartex is sponsoring the challenge and Jen is using Whisper Weave (WW) and Whisper Weave Too (WWT) - two of my favorite blender fabrics. 

What I typically do after the introduction is to decide a secondary theme (batiks, solids, etc.) and then go on a search for my fabrics. Here are a few of my choices over the years... (I have not made my decision for 2026.)

I have participated in this challenge in various capacities over the last few years (since 2019, actually) and always enjoy myself. Most years, I have made two blocks - either reversing the color placement, using two different background fabrics (one black and one white), or I've made two different size blocks (12" and 6" finished). It still surprises me how one simple change can make everything look different.  LOL

Below are samplings of what I've done over the years. Some pictures are just the blocks while others are some finished projects. 

Reversed Fabric Placement Examples

Reversed Fabric Placement Examples and Two Different Layouts

Two Different Backgrounds Examples

Exactly the Same Layout - Just Two Different Backgrounds 

On each of these quilts, I incorporated snippets of fabric, 

in the order used, into the binding. 

Two Different Sizes - Resulting in Placemats and Mug Rugs each Month

One Block Repeated to Make a Baby Quilt

I am excited to participate in this challenge again. Who wants to join me?