January: Ugly fabric challenge
A traditional challenge idea, each member brings in 1 yard of “ugly” fabric from their stash. These yards are exchanged with the other members, and each member is challenged to create a quilt with the yard of fabric they go home with. Alternately, the guild could purchase a bolt of “ugly” fabric from the sale section of the quilt shop, and each member is given 1/2 yard to create their challenge project.
February: Block challenge
Pick a popular block for quilt guild members to include in their quilts. The block can be used once, or repeated throughout the quilt. Great blocks to use include the Log Cabin, Ohio Star, and Churn Dash.
March: Using fabrics or pattern from a designer
If you are anticipating a visit from a pattern or fabric designer, challenge members to use a pattern or fabric from that designer. Schedule the challenge so that the reveal will be at the meeting the designer visits.
April: Color challenge
Choose a color as a group. This color is to be the dominant color in all submitted quilts. This challenge is fun at the beginning of the year when Pantone announces their “color of the year”.
May: Technique challenge
Select a technique the group would like to work on – this could be a technique recently taught in the guild, or a standard quilting technique. All challenge projects are to incorporate the technique in some way. Ideas for techniques include free motion quilting, applique, Y-seams, paper piecing, and piecing curves.
June: UFO (Un-Finished Object) challengeEach member brings in a project they have begun, but will never finish. The projects are exchanged, and each member is challenged to complete (in their own way) the Un-Finished Object they were given. UFOs can be brought in brown sacks to exchange in a “White Elephant Gift” style, for an entertaining meeting activity.
July: Fat Quarter challenge
Members pay in advance for 4 fat quarters of fabric. At the meeting, each participating member is given an identical set of 4 fat quarters to make their challenge entry with. This could also be done with more or less fat quarters, or stacks of 5″ precuts.
August: Block swap
The block swap is done in two parts. At the first meeting, members bring a block to swap. Each member goes home with a different block than the one they arrived with – and the challenge to incorporate that block into a new quilt.
September: Non-quilt challenge
Challenge quilt guild members to create a garment or bag – anything but a quilt! Thinking like a stitcher that is not a quilter is a great exercise to help your members think out of the box.
October: Inspiration challenge
Ask your members to choose an inspiration image. When they bring in their completed quilt, they should bring in their inspiration image as well, and explain the process from inspiration to completed quilt.
November: Improv quilt challenge
Throw patterns out the window! Challenge your quilt guild members to create a quilt without a plan – using improvisational piecing to create a modern masterpiece.
December: Scrap quilt challenge
Members are challenged to create quilts using just their fabric scraps. Bonus points to members who piece a back from larger scraps! This is best announced several months in advance. If it is announced with only a few months notice, there will always be a member who recently purged their scraps, and will not be able to participate.