Some months the challenge is to finish UFOs and WIPs and other months it is to use some stash. The June Challenge is to use solid fabrics. Why solids?
I have a ton of them
For some reason, I have loads of solid fabric. There is no reasonable explanation for this because I rarely use solids. In fact, I have been wracking my brain and I cannot think of a single quilt I’ve made entirely from solid fabric. Yet, somehow, I have two stuffed and overflowing shelves of solids. Every time I pull something out, several other pieces come with it so it is always a mess.
This collection of solids began way back in 1989. The local quilt shop celebrated an anniversary and I won a $100 gift certificate. Back then, quilting fabric was selling for about five or six dollars a yard, so $100 went a long way.
With my winnings, I bought loads of half-yard cuts of solids because of this book and the coordinating Rainbow Collection solid fabrics. I fell in love with all the clean, clear, rainbow fabrics which was odd because almost no one except the Amish was making solid quilts at that time. Then we moved, I got a new job, we had another baby, and life happened so I never used these fabrics. But I still have them! And have added plenty more over the past 30 years!!
I have a plan (or two!)
When Craftsy discontinued its fabric division, I bought several kits that included these solid fat quarter packs. The pattern for the kit wasn’t great, but it was a deal I couldn’t pass up. A new idea has been incubating and I can’t wait to see how it plays out.
The tipping point for choosing solids as the June Challenge is this quilt though. I saw one made with a white background and gorgeous solids. It was so pretty and the quilt is just simple squares. The pattern is Granny Patch by Lo and Behold Stitchery and is available as a paper pattern here or a digital download here. It can’t get much easier, right?
So that is my plan for June. I know this won’t put much of a dent in my solid shelves, but it will be a start and I can say I made a quilt entirely from solids!
Will you accept the June challenge? If you don’t have solid fabrics, just use any stash fabric, or even make progress on a WIP. The rules are very loose…just use fabric, make quilts, and have fun!
