February is here, and with it comes a very special QuiltInk Challenge! Not only are we celebrating QuiltInk’s 4th anniversary, but we’re also embracing sustainability with an upcycling theme. This challenge is all about repurposing denim—breathing new life into old fabrics and reimagining them in your quilt designs. Whether it’s a pair of well-loved jeans, a thrifted denim jacket, or fabric scraps from past projects, this is your chance to think creatively and make the most of what you already have!
Before we dive in, let’s look back at our January Challenge, featuring the Earthtones palette. It was a fantastic start to the year, with nearly 200 quilt mock-ups submitted! The winner of the challenge was mandi, who earned free access to the Combo Star BOM by Plains and Pine—a fantastic opportunity to dive into a beautiful quilt-along experience. Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their inspiring designs!
Let’s discover more about this month’s challenge and how you can win Quilt Your Jeans – The Class, an on-demand course from Sewing through Fog!
DENIM PALETTE
For this challenge, we’re introducing a one-of-a-kind palette thoughtfully curated by Radha from Sewing Through Fog. This selection features 33 denim fabrics, ranging from light to dark washes, with unique textures like tie-dye and torn effects. These shades and finishes offer a versatile and realistic way to visualize upcycled denim in your quilts. Whether you want a rugged patchwork look or a sleek, modern aesthetic, this palette will help bring your vision to life.
MEET RADHA FROM SEWING THROUGH FOG
Radha is a textile artist and quilter based in San Francisco. She studied costume design in college and spent 15 years in the corporate denim industry at Levi’s, witnessing firsthand the environmental impact of fast fashion. In 2021, she left the industry to reconnect with her creativity, making her first quilt from fabric she had collected over the years. Today, she focuses on upcycling, quilt design, and education, recently taking on a new role at FeelGood Fibers, a platform dedicated to secondhand fabric.
Radha’s quilting philosophy revolves around helping others find their own style, with a strong emphasis on light and dark contrast. While she primarily works with denim, she embraces the unique textures and variations it offers, making every project distinct. Her goal is to make upcycling more accessible to quilters, and she sees patterns as tools to inspire and educate. To learn more about Radha’s journey, inspirations, and best tips for working with denim, be sure to check out our full interview with her.
How to participate
Prize: Quilt Your Jeans – The Class, an on-demand course from Sewing through Fog.
Here are some examples of quilt patterns mock-ups using the Denim palette in QuiltInk! Don’t you love them all?
Patterns featured are (click to color):
1. Denim Duo by Sewing through Fog
2. Seud Medallion by Guilty Quilty Studio
Remember by clicking on the gift icon in the QuitlInk Wall you will be able to see all the mock-ups for the Challenge alive.
Curious about how to find the palette to participate. Follow these steps and staet coloring!!
Here you can see a detailed list of the fabrics in the Denim palette and the names Radha chose for each one.
We can’t wait to see all your mock-ups!
Happy coloring and quilting to you all!