Today, I am sharing the first in a series of posts on trending design elements at QuiltCon 2026, focusing on one of the strongest trends: mixing black and white with bold colors. In 2022, I shared a post about neutral quilts trending at the show, including many designs featuring black and white with limited or no additional colors. This year, there were a few terrific black-and-white designs, but most incorporated many different colors, and those are what I’m showing you below.

How I Choose Which Quilts to Share

I do a series of posts following every QuiltCon I attend, looking at trends and key quilts from the show. Every show has some quilts, usually the award-winning pieces that get a lot of attention online, but there are literally hundreds of quilts that don’t win awards, and we all should have a chance to see them and think about how they fit into the landscape of modern quilting.

Selecting Quilts For “Trending” Posts

This is the first in a series of posts that I will share with trends I noticed during the show. Here is how I select the quilts to share:

At the Show:

• Walk the show floor relatively quickly to get an overview of the show and start identifying trends.
• Move through each section more carefully, actually looking for quilts that fit into what I saw as a trend. Sometimes there are a lot more or fewer quilts that fit into what I thought was a trend, and I may amend my list based on this walk-through.
• Take photographs of quilts, including the full quilt, one or more detail images, and the information tag for the quilt.

After the Show:

• I sort the photos and select the quilts that fit into each subject area I want to write about.
• Next, I eliminate quilts that won awards or received significant social media attention. Ideally, at least some of the quilts in this post are quilts you haven’t seen before, unless you were at the show.
• Whenever applicable, I try to select quilts that embrace a variety of techniques or styles that align with the overarching trend. For instance, today’s post on quilts in black and white with bold color includes everything from structured, block-based quilts to improvisational quilts to representational pieces.

QuiltCon Went Viral in 2026

Upon returning home, I was delighted to learn that QuiltCon had gone viral on social media, and people who had never heard of quilting, at least the modern form, were drawn into the artform. This attention from quilters and non-quilters alike was primarily due to the resistance quilts, which focused on cultural, political, and personal issues expressed through textile art. Here are just a few posts sharing some of these quilts: 

(Many of these links include topics and language that may make some people uncomfortable. If you are easily offended, please skip these links and continue reading about the design trends I noticed at QuiltCon this year.)

Quilts Mixing Black and White with Bold Colors

Pairing multiple bold colors with black and white (or dark grey and extremely pale reads-as-white pastels) was one of the strongest trends at QuiltCon this year, and the color theme ran through most categories and embraced a wide range of techniques. There were so many quilts using this general color scheme that I had trouble narrowing it down to just a dozen.

As you look through the following quilts, notice how we first see quilts using color in one area and black and white in another. Next, the colors begin to mix into the black-and-white elements in a block-based way. Then the blocks move into improvisational piecing, and we end up looking at quilts embracing abstract representation.

Chroma

By Corinne Sovey

Three

By Elizabeth Ray

Hue’s to Say

By Erin Kroeker

Big Slice

By Tara Faughnan

It Started With Circles

By Ann Marston

ItsyBitsy

By Susan Lapham

Memphis Madness (Who Threw the Christmas Tree Down the Stairs?)

Group Quilt by Ellyn Zinsmeister

Jazz Quilting

By Hannah Parks

Way Out

By Lenny VanEijk

Swan Song

By Annie Hudnut

Visitor

By Sharon Carrier

Lighting the Way

By Robert Lowe

Do You Want To See More Quilts?

Next week, I’ll share another trend I noticed at QuiltCon, but until then:

• The winning QuiltCon quilts are available for everyone to see online.
• If you are a member of the Modern Quilt Guild, images of the entire show are available online until the end of March. Check the weekly MQG email for details.
• Search for QuiltCon on your favorite social media platform.

QuiltCon has an entirely different panel of judges each year, so comment quality and even award decisions can vary wildly from year to year. Having a clear, consistent set of judging criteria can help, and in recent years, QuiltCon has been open about its criteria, even providing this list before the show.

In a highly competitive juried show, every quilt you see is already a winner just to be displayed. This year, there were 2,041 entries, and only 470 quilts (23%) were accepted into the show. Keeping that in mind, would you like to see the winning quilts? 

How are Quilts Judged?

Each show can determine how the quilts in its show are selected and judged. The following judging criteria are quoted directly from the QuiltCon Awards, Categories, and Judging Criteria page.

Judging Criteria

Each category is evaluated using the following criteria:

Design

• Elements of the modern aesthetic
• Visual impact
• Use of balance
• Use of color
• Use of contrast/value
• Fabric choices
• Innovation/Creativity

Workmanship

• Overall construction
• Piecing
• Binding or edge finishing

Quilting

• Execution
• Thread choice
• Complements the piecing/appliqué design

Additionally, some categories have criteria specific to them that judges look for. Those are listed below for each category. This year, I had a quilt in the Minimalism Category, but none of the other areas had specific criteria.

Appliqué

• Innovation/creativity
• Execution

Handwork

• Innovation/creativity
• Execution

Improvisation

• Innovation/creativity
• Execution

Minimalist Design

• Principles of minimalism

Modern Traditionalism

• Innovation and reinterpretation

Use of Negative Space

• Innovation/creativity

Mocha Mousse Mountain

Size: 20” x 20”

Note: This quilt sold at QuiltCon 2026

Category: Small Quilts

Quilts must have a total perimeter of 119” or smaller. The quilt can be any shape.

Why I Selected This Category:

This category was easy- outside of specialty categories (challenges, group quilts, etc), size dictates if a quilt needs to be in the small quilt category.

Quilt Description:

At a scenic overlook in Eastern Utah, you can see where the desert’s red rock begins to merge with the Rocky Mountains. This abstract mini quilt incorporates the 2025 Pantone Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse, with vibrant colors to evoke the hues of the desert formations.

Utah Overlook

Size: 50” x 68”

Category: Minimalism

Quilts must demonstrate simplification of content and form for maximum visual impact.

Why I Selected This Category:

This quilt is constructed from two fabrics and features straight-line quilting. These simple components lend themselves to a minimalist design.

Quilt Description:

When you look closely at the red rock formations rising from the Utah desert, you notice dozens of colors infused into the landscape. In this abstract interpretation, a scenic overlook thread imbues color into a vast field of brown fabric.

My Thoughts On the Judging Comments:

I’m thrilled that the judges liked the fabric choices. I have made many plaid quilts using this technique, but this is the first time I have used a print for one of the fabrics. 

I’m not surprised that they commented on the not-quite-flat edges. I ended the quilt blocking process a few hours earlier than usual this time, and it must not have been completely dry, even though it was dry to the touch, which caused the quilt to distort slightly as the drying process finished.

Where the Wild Quilts Are

Size: 65” x 79”

Category: Piecing

Quilts must be machine pieced and reflect a strong or innovative use of piecing.

Why I Selected This Category:

I flipped the design process upside down with this quilt: quilting and binding the components first, then piecing them together as the final step.

Quilt Description

When driving through New England, I loved seeing the dome-shaped individual trees interlocking along the hillsides, resembling a wild version of a clamshell quilt. Eighteen whole-cloth mini quilts are joined into a single quilt using a potholder quilt technique, where each individual component is quilted and bound as its own entity before being combined into a larger quilt.

My Thoughts On the Judging Comments:

The judges seemed to get what I was going for by using quilting to create texture and pattern. However, I’m very disappointed that the judges didn’t understand what I was going for with this category placement. I thought piecing a quilt after quilting and binding was innovative in relation to how quilts are typically constructed, but it sounds like this group of judges didn’t recognize it as pieced at all. 

Would You Like to See More?

If you would like to see more QuiltCon judging examples, check out these posts:

Contest Quilts

Most of the quilts at the show are juried into the contest and judged prior to the show.

Top Award Winners

Visiting My Quilts

Finding quilts, whether your own or a friends is always fun! Here are my quilts along with some of their textile neighbors.

Special Exhibits

The Quilts of Hillary Goodwin

Freedom Quilting Bee Legacy

Coming Next!

Watch for posts in the coming weeks where I share my favorite quilts and trends I noticed at the show!

Many people bring small items to swap with the other quilters at the show. In recent years, stickers have been the most common item to exchange, but buttons (the most popular item before stickers took over), badge ribbons, keychains, and friendship bracelets have also shown up. This annual tradition is a fun way to collect little pieces of art that you can infuse into your daily life once you return home, and it gives you an excuse to talk to new people and maybe make some new friends.

Quilters who have a piece in the show often have custom stickers made of their quilts, and this year I chose two of my three quilts to hand out as stickers. I was particularly excited to get die-cut stickers this year to depict my quilt with irregularly shaped edges. I’ll be giving these stickers out to anyone who wants one until they run out, so if you run into me, please ask!

Each year, the Modern Quilt Guild (MQG) hosts an official mini quilt swap. I participate occasionally, but this year I didn’t want to commit to a significant project. Instead, I am making a few micro-mini quilts on tiny canvases to share during the week. Watch my Instagram feed next week to see how you can win one of these fun mini quilts!

Each micro-mini quilt measures just three inches square.

The first micro-mini quilt is inspired by my quilt, Mocha Mousse Mountain, which is in the Small Quilts Category. The thin stripes are 1/8” wide, just like on its larger counterpart.

The original quilt is stitched in the ditch with monofilament, but since quilting isn’t the star of this piece, I decided to skip this step in the micro-mini version. To give it a bit of softness, I used Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 to adhere a scrap of batting to the canvas. 

Each piece is cut 1/2” larger in each direction to account for the seam allowance when adding the fabric for the edge wrap. These tiny canvases show every minor imperfection, so I stitched the edge piece in a continuous strip around the edge, clipping the seam allowance of the strip at each corner to allow it to pivot. This technique just leaves one corner to worry about turning under the ends.

I cut narrow strips of Steam-A-Seam and attached them to the mini canvas frame.

As I turn back each edge, I peel the protective paper off the adhesive and stick the fabric to it. This is repositionable until you press it with steam, so you can keep making adjustments until you are happy with how the edges look.

To finish the back, I added a piece of fabric backed with Steam-A-Seam.

The second piece is based on Utah Overlook, my quilt in the Minimalism category.

While the first micro-mini had no quilting, this micro-mini is a wholecloth piece entirely reliant on the quilting to create the design. I used all 12-weight Aurifil in the top of the machine to create the diagonal plaid motif.

For the next piece, I upcycled a scrap quilt sandwich that I used to test quilting tension on the Utah Overlook quilt. I then experimented with adding diagonal quilting stitches spaced 1/16” apart.

For the final piece (at least for now), I took inspiration from the color series I did a few years ago and worked with a mostly green palette to create improvisational trapezoid-like shapes.

I’ll have these, and maybe a few more, with me at QuiltCon, and I’ll be giving them out during the four days of the show. Follow me on Instagram to find out how you can win one to take home during the show!

Fabric orders have been coming in for a few weeks, and this photo was taken after the most recent delivery. More than 200 bolts have come in since the beginning of the year to put together fabric kits for the block of the month. I use my favorite solids, Painter’s Palette Solids from Paintbrush Studios.

For kits including the full amount of fabric at one time, I cut twelve kits at a time. If I cut more than that, there is no place to keep everything organized.

Once all of the colors for a dozen kits are cut, I label and stack the fabrics. These bundles get split between four clear plastic bags to protect the fabric during shipping.

After cutting the largest pieces of fabric, any remaining fabric on the bolts is used to cut monthly fabric bundles that require smaller cuts. Scraps at least a few inches wide that are still left go into scrap grab bags that I sell at quilt shows.

The empty bolts have been consistently stacking up.

I quickly learned that I get the most items shipped when I do a large batch of the same thing. Here, I am packing monthly kits. In the background, you can see boxes that include ruler purchases, and in the front, you can see the envelopes that hold purchases of fabric and patterns only.

Thank you to everyone who joined the block-of-the-month!

If you are heading to a show next month or at any point this year, there are some things you can do now to prepare and have the best possible experience once you’re at the venue. 

Beyond Class Supplies: 5 Important Things to bring to QuiltCon

This article focuses on QuiltCon, but most of it applies to any quilt show, so you can use most of the information to prepare. 

One thing I mention in this article that is very specific to QuiltCon is the exchange and sharing of small personal items such as buttons and stickers. The current trend is stickers with a photograph of one of your quilts or a fun saying. 

Here’s a preview of my stickers for this year. I chose two of my quilts from the show to feature. I’m particularly excited about the die-cut sticker to go with my irregularly shaped quilt.

Sew on the Go: Packing a Sewing Kit

If you are taking a workshop at a quilt show, a basic sewing kit is often on the supply list. We all have our favorite supplies, but it’s easy to overlook key ones when packing up. In this article, I go over the essential elements you should include in your kit. I refer back to it when I’m packing up for a workshop, sew day, or retreat.

3 Steps for Quilt Show Snapshots

Once you are at the quilt show, you will probably want to capture photos of some of your favorite quilts. This short article covers the three minimum snapshots you should take of each quilt to help you remember what you like about the piece and to find the maker online to see more of their work.

Creating Preset Hashtags on an iPhone

Do you plan to share your quilt show experience on social media? Hashtags aren’t as necessary as they once were, but if you want to add some of the same text to each posting, such as a sentence or phrase about the show and location, you can set up a keyboard shortcut to make posting your photos even more efficient.

Bonus

Are you inspired to enter your quilts in a show? Check out these articles to plan for next year!

Sign-ups are still open for the Going Full Circle Block of the Month, and today I’m sharing a few questions I have been asked about the quilt and the program.

I can’t thank everyone enough for signing up for this year full of fun and supporting my small (one-person) business!

Frequently Asked Questions

Logistical Questions

Where do I sign up?

Head to the original post to learn more about the design, sign up, and purchase any supplemental tools.

How long do I have to sign up?

You can join the Going Full Circle block of the month through Sunday, February 1, 2026. 

How long will it take me to make the blocks each month?

The amount of time you spend each month will vary from person to person. On average, I would estimate that each month will take most people 2-4 hours of cutting and sewing. If you have experience with curves, you may go faster at the beginning than quilters with less experience. Using the Classic Curves Ruler speeds up the process compared to printing templates to trace and cut out. The complexity of the blocks varies from month to month, and if you are choosing fabrics for each block as you sew, you may need more time to make these selections.

When do I get my first month’s pattern and fabric?

Shipments (and emails) of the first month’s patterns and supplies will start shipping during the last week of January and continue through the beginning of February. 

Digital Patterns

Digital files will get sent to everyone who has already enrolled during the last week of January, and then in batches through the end of the enrollment period. If you enroll towards the end of January, it may take a few days to receive your download.

Fabric, Printed Patterns, and Physical Products

Most of the fabric and physical products you have ordered are in stock, and more are on the way! Shipments will start at the end of January and go into the beginning of February. If you have already ordered, your products will go out easily within this timeframe. If you order near the February 1st deadline, there is a chance your order may arrive later if I need to order more supplies to complete it. (Don’t worry-everything is available from my suppliers! It may just take an extra couple of days.)

When will I get charged for my monthly payment?

Everyone who selected a pay-by-the-month plan will get billed on the 9th of the month for a total of 12 months.

When should I expect my pattern and fabric after the first month?

Emails and shipments will go out the last week of each month following the first month.

How long are supplemental videos available?

Videos will be available for at least a year following their release, but probably for much, much longer. I wish I could say forever, but as technology evolves, I may not be able to guarantee that time frame. 

Tools

Do I need the Classic Curves Ruler to make this quilt?

The Classic Curves Ruler makes cutting curves and circles efficient and accurate, and it is the ideal tool for this quilt. However, I am also providing downloadable templates you can print at home to make the quilt. This is a good option for quilters outside the US who may not be able to easily obtain the Classic Curves Ruler.

Which Classic Curves Ruler am I looking for?

You will want either the UPDATED Classic Curves Ruler or the Classic Curves Plus Ruler. The Plus version is larger, but both have all of the measurements you need for this quilt.

In 2023, the Classic Curves Ruler was updated to improve its functionality for full circles (among other things), and the instructions in this pattern are written for this updated version. The easiest way to tell if you have the updated version of the ruler is to look at the back. If it has a non-slip backing, you have the newest version.

How do I print the templates?

You only need to print templates if you do not have the Classic Curves Ruler. All templates are designed for letter-size paper. You will need to print the templates at 100% or “actual size.” Since many of the blocks are large, you will need to glue or tape some templates together before marking and cutting the fabric. This process is actually pretty easy, and instructions will be provided in the first set of templates.

Fabric

What fabrics are included with the block of the month?

You can choose to have the fabrics sent to you with a pattern, or you can get the patterns on their own without the fabric. If you order the fabric, you will receive nearly 35 yards of Painter’s Palette Solids from Paintbrush Studio Fabrics. 

Do I need to pre-wash my fabric?

Prewashing is a personal choice. All of the fabrics in the kit are Painter’s Palette Solids from Paintbrush Studio Fabrics. I have done test washes with most of their colors, including reds and turquoises that are notoriously apt to run, with color catchers, and have never noticed any color bleeding from the fabric or color on the color catchers. While I typically prewash most fabrics, I don’t prewash these solids. If you prefer prewashing, you can absolutely do it. I do recommend zig-zagging or serging the cut edges of smaller pieces of fabric. Generous amounts of fabric are in the fabric bundles, so you should have plenty of material to account for a small amount of fraying or shrinkage.

Will I actually use all of the fabric listed for this quilt?

Probably not. The amounts listed for this quilt are generous because this is a skill-building quilt. It’s frustrating to have a miscut when you’re quilting, but it’s easier to rebound if you have enough fabric on hand to try again immediately. Many blocks of the month offer a supplemental fabric pack to have in case of a cutting error. You won’t need that with this quilt. If you do end up needing an extra piece of fabric, just let me know, and we can get you what you need.

If you are making this quilt on a budget, you can consider using a mix of fabrics in the same color range and adding to it as you go. Many blocks require only pieces smaller than a fat quarter in a single color, making this a great stash-buster quilt.

Design

What design tools do you have for people using their own fabrics?

I can’t wait to see the palette you come up with! You can download a coloring sheet here:

In the first month, you will also receive a fabric key so you can place swatches of your fabrics next to the colors they will appear as in the pattern. Having this as a separate sheet lets you hang it up as a reference in your sewing space.

Supplemental Resources

Where will I find the supplemental videos and other resources?

The Going Full Circle Block of the Month will include a password-protected page with resources for each month and the quilt as a whole. In the first month, you will receive the page link and password so you can watch the videos and use any other resources for the quilt. I suggest bookmarking the page in your web browser for quick access.

Any other questions?

If you have other questions, ask them in the comments, and I will answer them there or update this post to include them.

The exhibit featured quilts and other textiles that incorporated indigo dye into their designs. These quilts came from different eras and employed wildly different aesthetics, making this small exhibit dynamic and engaging.

Today, I’m sharing a few of my favorite quilts from the exhibition and why I was drawn to them.

“Oak Leaf” Quilt

The Oak Leaf Quilt was my favorite among the historic quilts. I love doing (and seeing) detailed needle-turn appliqué, and this piece balances the visually heavy leaf and tree motifs with the visually lighter circular motifs dancing throughout the quilt, adding movement to the overall formal design.

Whole Cloth Quilt

The dyed indigo motif of this whole-cloth quilt caught my eye first, but what really held my attention was the use of red, green, and blue quilting stitches. The heavy thread in bright colors makes a simple two-color design lively, especially in areas with varying stitch density. 

“Feathered Star” Quilt

The tiny triangle piecing on a feathered star is always impressive, but this quilt was over the top even by traditional standards. This entire quilt was hand pieced, and I can only imagine the challenges the maker faced while piecing together all of these tiny pieces with bias edges.

Transition

Made by Nyx (Marie) Lyman 

Transition uses a variation on the familiar log cabin shape by constructing the block on-point, creating a similar secondary motif where the blocks join. The offset gradient, created with subtle colors and an unexpected material palette, made this quilt stand out.

“String Squares” Quilt

Made by Rella Hall Thompson

Typically, I’m not a huge fan of yellow, but it is perfect in this design- it caught my eye and drew me in from across the room. The motifs in this design are similar to those in the quilt Transition I shared above, but the improvisational piecing creates movement in a different way, developing an almost liquid effect across the blocks. Also, notice how the intermittent horizontal piecing shifts the linear flow of the composition.

“Nine Patch” Quilt

This on-point nine patch design uses a bold print in an unexpected way. While we may expect to see a large print cut to feature the printed motif, this design uses it as sashing, breaking it up in a way that creates a sense of swirling movement. The blocks float in a sea of print, with the composition anchored by the half blocks framing the quilt, making you question which parts of the quilt comprise the positive and negative space.

Britchy Quilt

Made by Maggie Smith

I saved my favorite quilt for last! When I first saw Britchy Quilt, I thought all the color shifts were pieced, but as I approached the piece, I realized the pocket shapes were created over years of wear on the surrounding surfaces, while pockets protected the base fabric. Particularly in an idigo exhibit, this quilt captures the effects of time, wear, and exposure on the textiles that surround us. The large stitch hand quilting adds curves and softness to the generally graphic piecing.

These seven quilts were my favorites in the exhibit. What did you think? Do you prefer the quilts made more recently, or the most historic examples of indigo? The best part of this type of exhibit is that we have the opportunity to see how wildly different quilting techniques and designs can share common elements in their construction.

February 1, 2026 is the last day to sign up!

Month 1 patterns (print & digital) and all supplies are sent and shipped the last week of January and the first week of February.

A Skill Building Block of the Month

Over the course of a year, you will create a queen-sized quilt embracing piecing techniques to strengthen your skills. By the time you finish this quilt, you will be able to:

• Cut and piece quarter circles using the Classic Curves Ruler or downloadable templates.
• Cut and piece semi-circles using the Classic Curves Ruler or downloadable templates.
• Cut and piece full circles using the Classic Curves Ruler or downloadable templates.
• Add 1/8” wide pieced sliver inserts into your designs.
• Balance improvisational and structured piecing by learning where precision is required and which areas allow for adaptation.

What You Get Each Month

Each month, participants receive written instructions and links to instructional videos for all techniques used in the quilt. 

You can choose to receive these written instructions as a PDF to print at home or read on your favorite device. Or you can choose to receive the accompanying fabric, which includes full-color printed instructions.

How is the Program Structured?

Going Full Circle isn’t just a quilt; it’s a chance to build your skills! Because we are learning as we go, the blocks for each month focus on 1-3 key techniques that build on each other as we move through the quilt. Let’s look at what we’ll cover each month:

Month 1

• Check the accuracy of our 1/4” seam allowances by constructing two striped blocks.
• Learn to cut and construct four quarter-circle quilt blocks with arcs.

Month 2

• Learn to cut and construct two semi-circle quilt blocks with arcs.
• Construct two striped blocks and use semi-improvisational trimming to prepare them for incorporation into the finished design.

Month 3

• Combine pieced components into our curved piecing by making three semi-circle blocks with pieced stripes.

Month 4

• Learn to cut and piece a full circle quilt block with pieced stripes in the center.
• Construct two blocks combining both horizontal and vertical stripes.

Month 5

• Learn to incorporate 1/8” wide sliver piecing into your pieced designs.
• Construct two striped blocks incorporating 1/8” sliver piecing.
• Construct one full circle block with a striped center incorporating 1/8” wide sliver piecing.

Month 6

• Construct a full circle block with both a pieced center and a pieced surround.
• Construct two striped units incorporating 1/8” wide sliver piecing as well as vertical and horizontal lines.

Month 7

• Use 1/8” wide sliver piecing in a non-striped component.
• Learn to rotate components to include angled piecing lines.
• Construct two full circle blocks with pieced centers and pieced stripes in the surround.

Month 8

• Learn to add a full circle within another full circle to create a ring effect on two blocks.

Month 9

• Construct two blocks within multiple circles within circles and complete additional piecing around the blocks to differentiate the designs.

Month 10

• Learn to use previously pieced blocks as components in a larger block.
• Construct three blocks combining techniques used throughout the quilt.

Month 11

• Learn to place multiple, separate full circles into a single surround while constructing four blocks.
• Piece the background of two blocks with a 45 degree angle.

Month 12

• Learn to use the same pieces of fabric for multiple concentric components to create a bullseye effect in the final block of the quilt.

What tools do you need?

Most of the tools you need are already in your sewing room: 

• A sewing machine that you can sew an accurate 1/4” seam allowance on
• Rotary cutter, cutting mat, and ruler (I like a 6” x 24” ruler and a mat that is at least 24” in one direction.)
• Lots of straight pins
• A basic sewing kit with fabric pens/pencils, a seam ripper, good quality fabric scissors, etc.

Specialty Tools:

You don’t have to have any specialty tools to make this quilt, but there are two tools that will make the process much easier:

• Classic Curves Ruler: If I had to choose one specialty ruler for my sewing room, the Classic Curves Ruler would be it! We are using the updated ruler for this quilt. How can you tell if you have the updated ruler? If the ruler came with a non-slip backing, you have the new ruler! (There are other differences, too, but this is the most dramatic change.) Note: The Classic Curves Plus Ruler works, too!
• Add-Three-Eighths Ruler: This is my favorite tool to construct 1/8” wide piecing

What if I don’t want to purchase specialty tools?

The specialty tools make the quilt construction easier, but you can use other techniques for all steps in the construction process. 

If you don’t have the 2023 updated version of the Classic Curves Ruler, you will be able to download and print templates for each set of blocks.

If you don’t have the Add-Three-Eighths Ruler, you can use other rotary cutting rulers that have 1/8” markings.

Fabric Requirements:

This quilt is a great stash-buster, or you can make it using the kitted fabrics. If you are working from your stash, you can mix and match fabrics of similar colors to get the amount of fabric you need for each color. You can also feel free to develop your own color scheme for your quilt.

The following fabric amounts are what you receive if you order the fabric along with the pattern for this block of the month. The amounts are very generous, reducing the likelihood of needing more fabric due to a cutting error. Many block-of-the-month programs offer supplemental fabric bundles to ease worries about misscuts, but Going Full Circle gives you what you need and more upfront!

This list gives the official fabric name from the kit, followed by the general color description. The amounts are given in inches, which is the amount you will get in a kit, and in the closest yardage if you plan to purchase different fabric for the quilt.

All of the fabrics in the bundle are Painter’s Palette Solids from PBS fabrics:

• Petunia (Light Pink): 96” (2- 2/3 yards)
• Bubblegum (Medium Pink): 69” (2 yards)
• Sangria (Dark Pink): 90” (2- 1/2 yards)
• Fuchsia (Medium Violet): 79” (2- 1/4 yards)
• Bordeaux (Dark Violet): 89 (2- 1/2 yards)
• Salmon (Light Orange): 71” (2 yards)
• Verbena (Medium Orange): 60” (1- 2/3 yards)
• Fireworks (Dark Orange): 101” (2- 7/8 yards)
• Scarlet (Very Dark Orange): 35” (1 yard)
• Maize (Light Yellow): 41” (1- 1/4 yards)
• Pencil Yellow (Medium Yellow): 33” (1 yard)
• Lemon Ice (Yellow-Green): 50”  (1- 3/8 yards)
• Emerald (Green): 49” (1- 3/8 yards)
• Beryl (Light Mint Green): 33” (1 yard)
• Jade (Medium Mint Green): 46” (1- 1/4 yards)
• Dark Sea (Dark Mint Green): 58” (1- 5/8 yards)
• Pale Aqua (Light Blue): 62” (1- 3/4 yards)
• Bright Aqua (Medium Blue): 80” (2- 1/4” yards)
• Poseidon (Dark Blue): 82” (2-1/4” yards)
• Midnight (Very Dark Blue): 42” (1- 1/4” yards)

All fabrics purchased through the block of the month come labeled with the fabric colors and amounts.

By the Numbers

Here are a few key numbers to know about this block of the month:

• 90” x 108”: Dimensions of the finished quilt top
• 20: Fabrics in the design (but you could choose to use more or less to make it your own!)
• 1/8”: Width of the narrowest pieced section of the quilt (don’t worry- I’ll show you how to do it!)
• 33: How many blocks are in the quilt
• 12: Months in this Block-of-the-Month program
• 1: The amazing quilt you will make!

Are you ready to join?

Sign-ups for the Going Full Circle Block-of-the-Month start today and go through the end of January 2026. Shipping (or emails with your PDF Download) for the first month will happen at the end of January and the beginning of February. Subsequent billing for the remaining months will occur on the 9th of each month, with shipping during the last two weeks of the month. 

Sign-ups for 2026 are now closed

Are there any discounts?

Yes! If you pay in full when you sign up, you will receive $24 off a digital subscription and nearly $70 off a subscription with fabric and printed patterns.

FREE SHIPPING is also included with all block-of-the-month purchases!

Adding the Specialty Tools

If you are purchasing the Classic Curves Ruler or the Add-Three-Eighths Ruler with your pay-by-the-month plan or with the digital option, you will need to make the purchase separately from the main block-of-the-month. 

Update: Plan Your Quilt with a Coloring Sheet!

Are you using your own fabrics? Download the coloring sheet below to plan your quilt! (Added 1/16/2026)

Inspiration surrounds us, and as artists, it is our job to filter that inspiration into our work in a way that connects viewers to the world in new ways. 

We all perceive our surroundings differently, and if several artists are given the same image, they can come up with dozens, if not hundreds, of interpretations.

As quilters, we have the opportunity to take hundreds of classes each year covering techniques, distinctive design styles, and specific quilts or projects. However, we rarely have the chance to explore design in a long-term class setting that is guided but not geared toward creating work in the teacher’s style.

A Quilting Course with a Design Focus

This eleven-part college-style course is your chance to explore quilt design as art while exploring a wide range of styles and techniques. This course goes beyond technical skills, allowing you to explore design possibilities using reference images. Through group discussion of your work and the work of other participants, you will hone in on themes, techniques, and patterns that will help you to develop a working style.

Is this course for you?

There are two prerequisites for this course: basic sewing skills and an open mind to experimentation.

Do you have basic sewing skills?

• Can you thread your sewing machine and make simple adjustments, such as changing your stitch and making slight tension adjustments? (It’s also fine if you only have a straight-stitch machine.)
• Can you sew with a 1/4″ seam allowance?

Are you open to experimentation?

• Are you willing to try new techniques in a low-risk environment?
• Are you open to constructive criticism regarding your work from classmates and the instructor?
• Are you willing to share your work, even (and especially) when it isn’t finished or perfect?

What is the goal of this course?

We need more unique voices in quilting, and you can be one of them. This course focuses on utilising research images as a starting point to develop art using a diverse range of techniques. During this class, you will:

• Use research images to inspire your quilted art.
• Examine themes in multiple ways.
• Explore new-to-you quilting techniques and styles to support your artistic concepts.
• Enhance your understanding of your own art and others’ work through active participation in critiques.

Because this course spans several months, each participant can develop a body of sketches and small-scale quilts, allowing you to see patterns develop in both design and technique. If you want to develop your artistic style, this course is a good place to start; however, a personal style takes years to evolve.

Note: Most (if not all) quilts you design and make in this course are individual works of art. This course is not intended to teach the development and writing of quilt patterns. 

Why am I the person to teach this class?

Have you noticed how sometimes quilters take a design workshop with a fantastic quilter, only to emerge from the class creating work that is a close echo of the teacher’s work? There is nothing wrong with making a piece or two in another person’s style, but to become an artist in your own right, you need to learn how to leave some design elements behind and take what’s left to combine with other methods, ultimately developing a personal style that reads as a genuine reflection of who you are as a maker.

I want each participant to leave this course with the tools to create unique work that doesn’t resemble either my work or that of any other quilter.

My Design Background

I have a BFA in Fine Art Painting and an MFA in Scenic and Costume Design for the Theatre. I have taught scenic and costume design at the university level, as well as quilting workshops around the US. Theatre design presents unique challenges because you must design to meet the script’s needs and the director’s overall vision while also incorporating your own style. 

This background in theatrical design enables me to identify nuances and patterns in other designers’ visions, reducing the likelihood that I will impose my style on your work. Together, we will explore the patterns in the shapes, compositions, colors, and techniques that draw you in, helping you develop a direction for your work that feels personal.

Quilt Shows

My work has been featured in more than 70 international, national, and regional quilt shows, including 30 quilts displayed at QuiltCon over the past 10 years.

There are no guarantees that any of us will have quilts accepted into a particular show. However, if exhibiting your work at a show is one of your goals, we will work together to determine which shows will be a good match for your quilts. We will also discuss navigating entry forms, selecting categories for your quilts, choosing titles, and writing artist statements.

What to expect during class

This course has a maximum of eight participants, so each person will have the chance to share their work at each meeting. There are two types of class meetings: primary meetings and check-in meetings. Primary meetings are two hours long and include introducing new concepts and projects, as well as sharing each participant’s work. Check-in meetings are 1 hour and are a time to get mid-project feedback on your work. When appropriate for the specific group, additional techniques are also discussed during the check-in sessions.

Before Classes Start:

After the sign-up period closes on January 11, 2026, you will receive an email with all of the critical information you will need before the beginning of class. This information will include a basic supply list, Zoom links and instructions, and details about gathering images of your current work to share with your classmates at the first meeting.

Meeting 1 (Primary: 2 hours)

• Introductions with samples of previous work
• Personal goals for the course
• Design: Using a photograph for composition reference
• Design: Working in greyscale/monochrome
• Technique: Creating sketches with fusible appliqué

Meeting 2 (Check-in: 1 hour)

• Project check-in (sharing work is optional, but recommended in check-in sessions)

Meeting 3 (Primary: 2 hours)

• Critique: 4-6 monochrome compositions made with fusible and share 20+ sketches
• Design: Seeking out design inspiration
• Design: Adding selective color to the composition
• Technique: TBD demo on a construction technique that relates to participants’ design work.

Meeting 4  (Check-in: 1 hour)

• Project check-in (sharing work is optional, but recommended in check-in sessions)

Meeting 5 (Primary: 2 hours)

• Critique: Compositions in selective color
• Design: Cohesive color use
• Design: Using techniques to influence the design process
• Technique: Improv methods

Meeting 6 (Check-in: 1 hour)

• Project check-in (sharing work is optional, but recommended in check-in sessions)

Meeting 7 (Primary: 2 hours)

• Critique: Improv compositions using cohesive full-color
• Design: Minimalism
• Technique: TBD demo on a construction technique that relates to participants’ design work.

Meeting 8 (Check-in: 1 hour)

• Project check-in (sharing work is optional, but recommended in check-in sessions)

Meeting 9 (Primary: 2 hours)

• Critique: Minimalism 
• Final project: Select a piece from a previous project to rework or expand on to create a final piece.

Meeting 10 (Check-in: 1 hour)

• Project check-in (sharing work is optional, but recommended in check-in sessions)

Meeting 11 (Primary: 2 hours)

• Critique: Share the final piece, either finished or in process.
• Discussion: Selecting shows for your work, Choosing a Title, Writing an Artist Statement

Note: Specific class topics, pacing, and demonstrations may be altered at the instructor’s discretion to accommodate the needs of a specific group of participants.

The Course Details

Who: 

Up to 8 participants who want to grow as quilting artists

What: 

An Eleven-part course focusing on creating unique quilt designs

When: 

In 2026, you have two different session dates to choose from. Group one meets on Tuesday evenings, and Group 2 meets on Sunday afternoons. Each group has six primary meetings and five check-in meetings. 

Group 1 meeting dates* (Tuesday evenings):

• January 13 (Primary meeting: 7-9pm Eastern)
• January 27 (Check-in meeting: 7:30 – 8:30pm Eastern)
• February 10 (Primary meeting: 7-9pm Eastern)
• February 24 (Check-in meeting: 7:30 – 8:30pm Eastern)
• March 17 (Primary meeting: 7-9pm Eastern)
• March 31 (Check-in meeting: 7:30 – 8:30pm Eastern)
• April 14 (Primary meeting: 7-9pm Eastern)
• April 28 (Check-in meeting: 7:30 – 8:30pm Eastern)
• May 12 (Primary meeting: 7-9pm Eastern)
• June 2 (Check-in meeting: 7:30 – 8:30pm Eastern)
• June 16 (Primary meeting: 7-9pm Eastern)

Group 2 meeting dates* (Sunday afternoons):

• January 18 (Primary meeting: 1-3pm Eastern)
• February 1 (Check-in meeting: 1-2pm Eastern)
• February 15 (Primary meeting: 1-3pm Eastern)
• March 1 (Check-in meeting: 1-2pm Eastern)
• March 29 (Primary meeting: 1-3pm Eastern)
• April 12 (Check-in meeting: 1-2pm Eastern)
• May 3 (Primary meeting: 1-3pm Eastern)
• May 17 (Check-in meeting: 1-2pm Eastern)
• June 7 (Primary meeting: 1-3pm Eastern)
• June 14 (Check-in meeting: 1-2pm Eastern)
• June 28 (Primary meeting: 1-3pm Eastern)

*In extreme and unforeseen circumstances, meeting dates may be rescheduled in consultation with participants.

Where: 

All class meetings are held on Zoom, and you’re welcome to attend in comfortable clothing that you would typically wear while creating.

How much? 

This class includes six two-hour primary classes and five one-hour check-in sessions for a total of 17 hours of live class time. You get all of this for just $425!

Are you ready to sign up? Click the button below to proceed to a secure checkout site.