Pantone Quilt Challenge 2023 - Viva Magenta!

Written By Jennifer Marks
A square quilt is held up against a black brick background. The quilt is primarily a deep pink color, with accents of violet, yellow, and lavender in a repeating pattern that results in an X shape in the center.

My entry for the #PantoneQuiltChallenge2023: Pantone Plumage. 60” x 60”.

This year, I decided to participate in a quilt challenge hosted by Sarah Ruiz and Elizabeth Ray. I first encountered these two very talented folks on Instagram and got to “know” them a little more in the time leading up to QuiltCon 2023. They are both active in the modern quilt world, winning awards and teaching classes, and are both generous in sharing their knowledge with other quilters!

I had already been playing around with variations on a block I found in Barbara Brackman’s Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns. I recreated the block in Adobe Illustrator and began playing with colors and repeats. I tried and failed in several different ways to traditionally piece the block, but the angles really threw me for a loop (is that mixing geometry metaphors?), so I ended up creating a FPP (foundation paper piecing) template for it. When the challenge was announced, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get the block off the screen and onto some fabric. The challenge asked that Viva Magenta (Pantone’s color of the year for 2023) be featured prominently in the project.

I knew I wanted to use some Alison Glass Grove in Radish that I had on hand already, and I also had some Kona Curry in my stash that coordinated nicely. I ordered some Moda Bella Azalea (my stand-in for Viva Magenta) and Iris (the dark purple solid) from Rosie Girl Quilting Company and got to work. Initially I planned to create the whole quilt out of the blocks without the lavender frames. However, once I got a few done, the print and the Azalea solid really started to melt together. I pulled out some Kona Lilac and created a new FPP block with a small frame of strips around the outside of the central piece - that did the trick to set off the print!

9 quilt blocks are pinned to a piece of felt. The blocks have dark purple corners and triangular pieces of curry yellow and a deep pink. The center of the blocks is a deep pink print with purple & yellow dots. 2 of the blocks have lilac strips.

Progress shot: playing around with the 2 types of FPP blocks.

I was, of course, loathe to toss out the handful of blocks I’d already made, so I went back to the digital drawing board and updated my design plan to incorporate the new blocks.

several dozen quilt blocks are pinned to a piece of felt on a wall. The blocks are primarily magenta fabrics, with accents of curry yellow, dark purple, and lavender.

Once the top was complete, I quilted simple straight lines - a diagonal X through the center and then echoing V shapes out to all 4 sides. This reflects the simple geometry of the quilt design itself, which I really wanted to shine here. Of course, I used Aurifil 50wt variegated thread - my go-to choice for quilting (I was gifted a Tula Pink collection for Christmas a couple years back, and it’s full of variegated goodness)!

Close up photo of part of a quilt. The quilt is primarily a deep pink color - partly solid and partly a fairly abstract print. The quilt also features dark purple squares, curry yellow strips, and some lavender accents.

I backed the quilt with a purple print I had in my stash (never leave JoAnn Fabrics without checking the remnant bin & clearance aisle). The binding is more Moda Azalea.

The back side of a quilt is held up against a black brick background. The back of the quilt is all one fabric, a dark purple print that looks like paint swirls in teardrop shapes. The border of the quilt is a deep pink.

I got some great suggestions on Instagram for naming this beauty and ultimately went with “Pantone Plumage,” thanks to Megan (@lifeofmegananne)!

I can’t wait to see all the magenta magic other quilters bring to the challenge! Be sure to follow Sarah (@saroy) and Elizabeth (@elizabethkray) and the hashtag #PantoneQuiltChallenge2023 on Instagram. The linkup is hosted on Sarah’s website and closes on May 15, 2023.

A quilt is held up in front of a brick wall. The quilt is primarily magenta fabrics, with accents of dark purple, curry yellow, and lilac. The pattern of the quilt forms a large X in the center with echoing V shapes on all 4 sides.

Did I photoshop my husband’s legs out? Yes. Sorry honey!

Jennifer Marks
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