Who’s ready to be inspired by Viva Magenta?
Today Elizabeth and I are spilling the beans on plans for this year’s Pantone Quilt Challenge, which will run for 8 weeks from March 20 through May 15!
Participation is simple – make something according to the basic rules below, and share it with us! We encourage you to share your progress along the way and connect with other Pantone Quilt Challenge makers by using the hashtag #PantoneQuiltChallenge2023. We can’t wait to see what you make!
We’ll cover the rules and challenge timeline today, and we’ll be back with more information on judges and prizes in early March.
Viva Magenta
This year the challenge will feature Viva Magenta, Pantone’s 2023 Color of the Year. They describe it as a “nuanced crimson red tone that presents a balance between warm and cool.”
We’ve looked over all of our color cards, and listed some solid fabric equivalents below. Note that none of these are perfect matches, but they’re what we felt was closest to the Viva Magenta fabric swatch we ordered from Pantone! You don’t have to use these specific shades, and you don’t have to use solids, but we hope this gives you a helpful reference point for this year’s color.
- Century Solids (Andover) – Strawberry
- PURE Solids (Art Gallery) – Dragon Fruit
- Cotton Couture (Michael Miller) – Fuschia or Cherry
- Bella Solids (Moda) – Lipstick
- Painters Palette (PBS Fabrics) – Cherry Blossom or Raspberry
- Cotton Supreme Solids (RJR) – Crimson or Sunset Ruby
- Kona Cotton (Robert Kaufman) – Pomegranate or Crush*
- *Yes, Crush is the 2023 Kona Color of the Year! It’s close enough to Viva Magenta that we’re calling it fair game so if you want to make a Pantone/Kona COTY quilt, have at it!
- Ruby & Bee (Windham) – Claret
COUPON CODE! Nicole at Sew Much Moore has offered all challenge participants a 10% discount on all Painter’s Palette solids yardage or bundles. Use coupon code PANTONE10 anytime through the end of May 2023! (Note that the coupon is for solid fabrics only; shipping is only to the US.)
Rules & Categories
This year’s rules are generally the same as in the past. We have tried to keep things as simple as we can; let us know if you have questions or need clarifications!
- Your project must contain Viva Magenta. Now, we’re not going to be overly picky about this – just do your best to get in the ballpark. We recommend checking out the solid fabrics listed above; you can use these fabrics in your quilt, or use them as a reference point to pull other fabrics from your stash. Remember that you can use any other fabrics that you like (prints, solids, various substrates, etc) in any quantities – but we’d like to see Viva Magenta as a feature, and the judges will take this into account.
- Your project must fit into one of the following 5 categories. There are 4 judged categories and one non-judged category.
- Quilts: Any completed quilt with the shortest side at least 30”.
- Mini/Wall: Any completed quilt with the shortest side under 30”. Pillows, table runners, placemats, etc are included in this category.
- Just The Top: Any completed quilt top with the shortest side at least 30”.
- Quilted Item: New for 2023! This category includes anything quilted that is not actually a quilt – bags, pouches, coats, etc.
- For Exhibit Only: Any Viva Magenta project that doesn’t quite fit the other categories, or if you want to participate without being judged.
- You can submit one entry per judged category (i.e. up to 4 entries). Entries for Throw & Larger, Mini/Wall, and Quilted Item should be finished items.
- All items in judged categories should be completed in 2023. Older items can be shared in the “For Exhibit Only” category.
- The challenge will run from March 20 – May 15, 2023, with the linkup open for 1 week from May 8-15. Winners will be announced approximately 1 week later, on/around May 22, 2023.
- When using the #PantoneQuiltChallenge2023 hashtag or submitting your final project, you agree that your photo(s) may be shared by the hosts in blog and social media posts about the challenge.
How to Enter
The link party/gallery will be hosted here at sarahruiz.com. Entries will be open from May 8-15, 2023. Entries will close on May 15 at 11:59 pm US Central time. Late entries will not be accepted.
Each entry should link to a blog post, Instagram post, or other social media post where you share your entry. You should include the project title, quilt dimensions, and country of residence.*
(*As in the past, there will be separate prizes for US vs international quilters due to shipping constraints.)
Sponsors & Prizes
We’ll share a detailed breakdown of all the prizes up for grabs next month, but there are already some truly fantastic items that have been offered up by these incredible and generous sponsors:
Judges
Four amazing quilters have agreed to judge this year’s challenge. We’ll share more about them next month!
Schedule
We’ve put together a list of weekly prompts for those who want to play along on social media or your own blogs! We’ll be sharing one post per week to keep you motivated and highlight some challenge posts from participants.
This schedule is just a suggestion! You do not have to follow it or post progress shots to be eligible for prizes at the end. Feel free to work at your own pace! If you know you’ll need more than 8 weeks to make your quilt, you don’t have to wait until next month — you can totally start now.
- March 20 – Inspiration – What’s the inspiration for your project?
- March 27 – Fabric Pull – How are you building your Viva Magenta palette?
- April 3 – On The Cutting Mat – Are you carefully cutting or doing some improv slicing? We want to see!
- April 10 – Construction Zone – Piecing, applique, EPP, or more? Give us a peek at your work-in-process!
- April 17 – Halfway! – How’s your project coming along? Almost done or need to pick up the pace?
- April 24 – Quilting – What’s your quilting plan for your project?
- May 1 – Details – Show off your favorite parts of your project!
- May 8 – Last Minute Hustle – Get that binding or finishing done, then snap a great photo for your entry!
- Linkup will be open 5/8 – 5/15
- May 15 – Challenge Deadline!!
- May 22 – Prize Announcements
Past Challenges
- 2019 – Living Coral – Rebecca @bryanhousequilts & Sarah @nohatsquilts
- 2018 – Ultra Violet – Rebecca & Sarah
- 2017 – Greenery – Rebecca & Sarah
- 2015 – Marsala – Anne @playcrafts & Adrianne @adrianneonthewindyside
- 2014 – Radiant Orchid – Anne & Adrianne