Patterns By Jen

05/28/2026

For the first time I'm joining the art challenge. Big cats is this week's challenge. This is my little attempt at a big cat. Meow! 🐯

05/25/2026

🌈 From tips on how to sew so you don't lose your points to how to press your seams open without stressing about them coming apart, the Monthly Color Challenge is all about teaching those every day quilting skills that give you a block you can be proud of. Each month's new block comes with it's own set of instructions. Perfect for the new quilter wanting to learn this amazing hobby. One skill, one block, one month at a time.

https://patternsbyjen.blogspot.com/2026/05/may-2026-monthly-color-challenge.html

05/22/2026

I haven't shared anything on social media in over a week. 🤯😱 But I had my head down working on something dear to my heart that will some day be shared in full. I barely ate, drank or slept. Kidding. I was super focused, though, and everything else got put on the back burner. I'll start up again after the holiday weekend. For now, enjoy these gorgeous color palettes I've been playing with.

05/18/2026

🌈 We are sewing through the year in the Monthly Color Challenge. This month is Flying Geese, next month is. . . You'll have to come back to see, but it's guaranteed to grow your skill one step at a time. Each month's set of instructions comes with it's own how to video, so you learn to cut, stitch, press, and trim accurately. May's block is free. Find all of the information on the PBJ Blog.

https://patternsbyjen.blogspot.com/2026/05/may-2026-monthly-color-challenge.html

05/11/2026

🌈 May's Monthly Color Challenge Block is the lovely, traditional Flying Geese Unit, just at an untraditional size. We are still making them the same way, using the no-waste method, but if you haven't tried this yet, no worries! My How To video that comes with the instructions walks you through the whole block, including that size twist.

Are you stitching along this year? There's still plenty of time to get your blocks. 💜

Read all about May and get your block on the PBJ blog:

https://patternsbyjen.blogspot.com/2026/05/may-2026-monthly-color-challenge.html

05/11/2026

Quilty friends, have you signed up for your chance to win an Electric Quilt for You Starter box yet? It has everything you need to start bringing your quilt ideas to life; from the EQ8 software, to a lesson book, to a cute little mouse pad. 😉 You can see it all in my unboxing video on my YouTube channel.

https://youtu.be/W7zKsXMDZFg

Sign up for your chance to win!

https://form.jotform.com/patternsbyjen/eq-for-you-starter-box-giveaway

The giveaway through Patterns By Jen ends May 31. No purchase necessary. Facebook is not a part of the giveaway.

1 like. "EQ for You Starter Box Unboxing"

05/10/2026

Today is for the moms in the thick of it. Raising little ones and wondering if they’re doing it right. (Your are.) It’s for the moms with grown kids who are watching them build lives of their own. 🙋‍♀️ It’s for the grandmas, the stepmoms, the bonus moms, the foster moms, and those who step in and love like a mom when it’s needed most.

It’s for the ones who carry their children in their hearts instead of their arms. For the ones still waiting, still hoping. For the ones missing their moms today, and the ones navigating complicated relationships.

Motherhood isn’t one story. Some are joyful, some are messy, some are hard, and every single piece matters. If today feels full and happy, I hope you soak it in. If it feels a little heavy, I hope you give yourself some extra grace. 💜

Happy Mother’s Day.

05/07/2026

✂️ Trimming Flying Geese (FG) units is my favorite thing to do, after trimming Half Square Triangle (HST) units. In this 2 Min Tips with PBJ episode I share how I trim them using a regular ruler. No specialty ruler needed.

Do I have specialty rulers? Yes I do and I like using them. I also know not everyone can get all the rulers when starting this awesome craft. I share the method I use to trim FG units in the Monthly Color Challenge How To Videos.

Comment Geese and I will DM the link to you. Or check the comments for the link.

05/06/2026

‼️New Giveaway post! ‼️
Due to an issue with the comment section on my blog I have had to come up with different way to enter the giveaway for the EQ for You Starter Box. So if you were one of the early commenters please re-register using this form:

https://form.jotform.com/patternsbyjen/eq-for-you-starter-box-giveaway

If you are reading this post and you have no idea what I am talking about because Facebook isn't a very good share-er, I am hosting a giveaway of the new Electric Quilt for You Starter Box! It contains everything you need to start designing your own quilts. You can read all about it on the PBJ blog:

https://patternsbyjen.blogspot.com/2026/05/eq-giveaway.html

Facebook is not a part of this giveaway.

*I am an Electric Quilt affiliate. Links included in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Patterns By Jen 💜 Read the full disclosure HERE.

05/05/2026

I love strip piecing and I love designing blocks that use strip piecing. It's such a good use of fabric and time. But it can be so frustrating if your strips start to curve. Here is how I keep that from happening.

Step 1) Set the seam with a hot iron
Step 2) Finger press (Be Careful! You just used a hot iron on that seam,)
Step 3) Press straigt down on that finger pressed seam

Because no one likes a curved seam when they are sewing strips of fabric.

05/04/2026

🌈 The May Monthly Color Challenge block is here!

From first straight edge cut to last press, through sub-cutting and marking, I walk you through each step. Grab your block today.

Link in bio.

Thank you for beautiful fabrics for this year's quilt. If you need some gorgeous basics in your stash, Whisper Weave and Whisper Weave Too are definitely to be considered.