Welcome back for another colorful year of quilting! I am excited to bring you SPICY new blocks each month as we work on the 2022 Monthly Color Challenge quilt designed by Patterns by Jen. We are starting with Saffron quilt blocks in January. You’ll need to sign up on her website to get the detailed instructions. On the first of each month, I will share my fabric selections and the finished block.

January Saffron

We are beginnning 2022 with the yellow-orange of saffron. A quick review of Wikipedia told me that saffron comes from the stamen of the Saffron Crocus and the primary producer is Iran. Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world! It is decribed as sweet and grassy. I’m not sure I’ve ever tasted saffron but I will try to search it out this year.

Saffron fabric

January’s color is orange.  Have you ever made an orange quilt? Try the Orange Flower design from my book, Monochromatic Quilts: Amazing Variety.

I have been saving the marigold fabric for years, and this block is the perfect complement to it.

My plans are to make the 12-inch block in a monochrome palette each month, and use a neutral background with the monthly color in the 6-inch blocks. For January, I chose a white fabric for the background. In future months, I will include black and greys for a variety of background shades.

Saffron Quilt Blocks

We have simple units to piece this month.

I am always happy to sew half square triangles! Jen’s instructions have us use the two-at-a-time method, which I talk about in this blog post.

You can see my other favorite technique for making HSTs in this video:

The blocks came together beautifully.

2022 Spicy Bloggers

We have great bloggers joining the fun this year! Please visit each of them to see their spin on January’s saffron quilt blocks. I am always surprised at how different colors can change the look of a quilt block.

Jen from Patterns By Jen

Carolyn from Appliques, Quilts and More

Anja from Anja Quilts

Kathy from Kathy’s Kwilts and More

Raylee from Sunflower Stitcheries

2022 Plans

Are you spicy enough to join the Monthly Color Challenge? I’d love to hear about your first 2022 quilt project so please leave a comment below.

Did you see my finish for the 2021 Food Color Quilt? Details are in this blog post.