Challenge: Honoring the Woman Farmer
​This challenge was inspired by the United Nations resolution that 2026 will be the International Year of the Woman Farmer, marking a global commitment to empowering and recognizing the contributions of women in agriculture.
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Challenge Summary
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Theme: Your quilt should reflect the theme “Honoring the Woman Farmer.”
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Size: Any size! It’s up to you.
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Color: Use at least 2 of the 4 palette colors, making up 50% or more of the quilt top.
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Modern Element: Include at least one modern quilting element.
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Due Date: Your quilt must be done by the guild meeting on 11 June 2026.
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Challenge Guideline Details
Theme: Honoring the Woman Farmer
Your quilt should reflect or be inspired by the lives, work, or spirit of women in farming – past or present.
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Size Requirements
Feel free to make your challenge quilt in any size that you like.
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Color Palette
Use at least 2 of the 4 colors from this palette, and let them make up at least 50% of your quilt top. Of course, you’re also welcome to use all 4 colors! Prints that fall within this palette are absolutely fine, too.
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Kona Horizon K001-1914
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Kona Mustard K001-1240
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Kona Cabbage K001-472
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Kona Coffee K001-1083​​
Colleen Powers is organizing fabric pre-orders
Finding all four Kona colors has been a bit of a challenge – but success! I found a shop that carries them all, and they’re currently on sale. I’ve got some yardage in my cart and ready to go!
You can now pre-order your four-fabric bundle in either:
Fat Quarters
1/4 yard Width of Fabric (WOF)
Bundles will be available for pickup at the July meeting, or you can arrange another pickup time if needed. The price is $10.50–$12 per bundle, depending on whether the sale is still active when the order is placed. If you already know you’ll need extra yardage, feel free to include that in your pre-order request.
The current pre-order deadline is June 19. We may do a second group order later if there’s enough interest. Of course, you’re also welcome to source the fabrics on your own if you prefer.
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Modern Quilting Element
Incorporate at least one modern quilting element from the list below:
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Negative Space: Intentional use of empty or unpieced space to highlight design.
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Improvisational Piecing: Freeform design without a pre-planned pattern.
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Minimalism: Simplified design with a limited number of shapes or elements.
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Bold, Graphic Design: High visual impact through contrast, scale, and shape.
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Modern Color Use: Unusual or non-traditional color combinations, including use of solids.
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Alternate Gridwork: Blocks arranged in non-traditional layouts or off-grid compositions.
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Asymmetry: Uneven or unbalanced placement of elements for dynamic effect.
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Maximalism with Intentional Design: Layered, complex design with bold color and pattern choices, used deliberately.
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Due Date
The due date for this challenge is our regularly scheduled guild meeting on 11 June 2026. Quilts finished by this date will be eligible to be shown at Quilts in the Garden, hosted jointly by the Mary’s River Quilt Guild and the Corvallis Modern Quilt Guild.
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Community
Want to connect with other quilters taking part in this challenge? Then join the Honoring the Woman Farmer group. You’ll have a chance to discuss ideas and inspiration, and maybe to swap fabrics or arrange Sew Day get-togethers – whatever you need to be successful in the challenge!
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Inspirational Photos
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We look forward to seeing how you interpret this powerful theme through your creativity and the lens of modern quilting!​​
