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Congratulations to all the winners of the Hoffman 2025-26 Challenge!

Every year, the Hoffman Challenge inspires quilters to create something extraordinary—and this year was no exception. We were amazed by the imagination, detail, and artistry sewn into every submission. Join us in celebrating this year’s winners and the beautiful artworks that captured our hearts.

All entries were evaluated using a numerical scoring system across several categories including Visual Impact, Use of Challenge Fabrics, Design, Creativity & Originality, Quilting, Craftsmanship and Workmanship.

Each judge naturally brings their own perspective and experience to the process. Some may respond more strongly to precision piecing and finishing details, others to visual impact, creativity, or quilting execution. Because judging panels change from year to year, the emphasis and outcomes can vary slightly as well, which is part of what keeps the Challenge dynamic and interesting.

And the winners are…

APPLIQUE CATEGORY

First Place: SAKURA SUNRISE by Joyce L. Cambron of Boise, ID

“For several years I have been hanging on to a tiny picture of a small metal sculpture (wall art) from a gift catalog. This year’s collection of Hoffman Challenge fabrics was finally the inspiration I needed to enlarge the picture and actualize my version of that artwork.” Joyce L. Cambron

According to the judges, Sakura Sunrise was especially admired for its composition, handwork, and overall execution. The use of Aurifil thread and the quality of the appliqué work helped it stand out in multiple categories.


Second Place: AMUS – GUARDIAN OF THE PRAIRIE by Liz Wagstrom of Faribault, MN

“The American bison serves as the guardian of the prairies both ecologically and culturally. I wanted to portray the majesty of the species in this quilt. I was inspired by the painting Inner Light by Megan Wimberley who graciously gave me permission to utilize her work. I constructed the eye first and felt like he watched me for the hundreds of hours I worked on him, so I gave him the name Amus – full of love. While sometimes I felt like he was judging me as I worked, I also felt like he welcomed my admiration and dedication!” Liz Wagstrom

Third Place: DAISY FIELD by Linda Bealmer of Mapleton, IL

“I was inspired to create this design after seeing a wall hanging in a pizza restaurant. I couldn’t tell what it was made of because it was too high up on the wall. It could be painted wood, canvas, or cloth, but was large. I was given permission to take a picture, and when I saw the Hoffman Challenge colors, I thought it was a good opportunity to create my version of the wall hanging.” Linda Bealmer

PIECED CATEGORY

First Place: LOLLIPOPS by Kadee Porter of Boise, ID

“Lollipops is a playful, sugary-sweet quilt. Picture it centered on a round table, surrounded by stacks of birthday presents, pink and purple balloons, and a chocolate cake topped with pink and purple sprinkles – pretty please! This whimsical design originally began as peppermints, until my husband remarked that the swirling shapes resembled the all-day suckers he remembers from his childhood. Since “All-Day Sucker” is a terrible name for a quilt, the idea evolved into “Lollipops” and was a perfect fit for this year’s Hoffman Challenge fabrics.” Kadee Porter

Second Place: CELESTIAL COMPASS by Elaine F. Class of Aurora, CO

“I drafted this quilt myself after not finding a suitable pattern. I also pieced it and quilted it on my Elna sewing machine. I like to see depth and motion in my work, and I believe that I accomplished it in this quilt.” Elaine F. Class


Third Place: HOFFMAN CELEBRATION by Barbara Stover of Waldo, OH

“This pieced quilt features freehand quilting with a double-top thread. The “gems” are salvaged from sweaters. I wanted to represent joy in the fabrics with this design.” Barbara Stover

GARMENT CATEGORY


First Place: CORSET CURVES by Dorothy Floral of Signal Hill, CA

“My chosen Project was quite the challenge for me. I decided to make a bustier, based on the corset construction but with a modern twist. I draped the style, made the pattern. Then proceeded to make my own fabric. By cutting 2 ½” strips and sewing them together creating “Curved Strips” (a new method for me) Then using the random sewn strips, cut the bodice. The skirt I wanted something short & “Flirty”. Using my own pattern with an elastic waist. Finding the notions was as challenging. The zipper, downtown Los Angeles, the trim, Hawthorne, the grommets and Coutil from Richard the Thread.” Dorothy Floral


Second Place: PINK & PURPLE by Denise J. DuBois of Dunbarton, NH

“I have two grown daughters. One daughter has always loved pink, and the other daughter has always loved purple. I also have two granddaughters. One granddaughter loves pink, and the other granddaughter loves purple. This pink and purple jacket is a tribute to my four most favorite girls. May love and positive energy always swirl around them!” Denise J. DuBois

Third Place: BIRDS AND AMETHYST BATIKS by Patricia Dews of Daytona Beach Shores, FL

“Making wearable art allows me to express my creativity and originality. The fabric choices for this year’s challenge are beautiful batiks. I put the challenge fabrics on my design wall until I was inspired, and an idea popped into my mind. I recently moved to Florida and became enamored with the large, beautiful birds I encountered. The challenge fabric’s pink colors were perfect for flamingos. I wanted to include pelicans because they fly by my condo windows.” Patricia Dews

ACCESSORIES CATEGORY


First Place: STYLISH DOG by Patricia M. James of Fredericksburg, VA

“For the dog that has everything, why not a quilted coat? Why not a leash and a poop bag?” Patricia M. James


Second Place: HAPPY FEET by Karen Mazowiecki of Wayne, NJ

“These custom sneakers celebrate Hoffman’s stunning 2025/2026 Amethyst collection. By crafting these fabrics into wearable art, I’m taking the joy of quilting beyond the studio and into daily life. Each step becomes an opportunity to share the artistry and craftsmanship of textile design, proving that gorgeous fabrics can be both functional and fashionable.” Karen Mazowiecki


Third Place: WINE & ROSES by Denise J. DuBois of Dunbarton, NH

“The fabrics used in this handbag reminded me of the beautiful Wine & Roses Weigela bush in our yard with its dark purplish burgundy leaves and electric pink flowers, thus the name, Wine & Roses.” Denise J DuBois

MIXED CATEGORY

First Place: PAPA BEAR by Luana D. Rubin of Boulder, CO

“This piece is my thank you to the Hoffman family. I have known 3 generations of their family and have appreciated how this S. California business has managed to navigate the changes in our industry and still have that California Surfer vibe. This challenge really inspired me because purple is my favorite color! It is also a nod to the bear on the California flag. I used my bear photos from a couple wildlife photo trips to Alaska. This Papa Bear is giving us a steady gaze, recalling an experience I had in the forest with an adult bear.” Luana D Rubin

Papa Bear is also the winner of the Hoffman Family Award. This award is separate from the formal judging categories. Since Hoffman is a family-owned business, the judges invite participating family members, schedule permitting, to personally select a piece for special recognition.


Second Place: STILL BLOOMING AND GROWING, NO MATTER WHAT by Orit Modiano of Ramat Gan, Israel

“Despite the hardship, I go on creating and seeing life in color.” Orit Modiano

Third Place: THE RAINBOW CROW by Cherri Kincaid from Merritt Island, FL

“The idea was to make a deliberate confusion between the two structures. Creating a sort of surrealist interpretation where the bird is turning into the plant. Each square is a self-contained design, which when put together using different colors of fabric reveals another larger design. The Rainbow Crow sacrificed his beautiful colors by carrying fire from heaven to warm the animals on earth from the snow.” Cherri Kincaid

MODERN CATEGORY

First Place: LIKE A TREE FIRMLY PLANTED by Sharon L. Schlotzhauer of Aurora, CO

“This stylized, modern work is Inspired by Psalm 1:3… “…He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water…” I had wanted to make a quilt with a single large tree for a long time so started sketching the plans for this piece. The amethyst collection of batik fabrics is so beautiful, 14 of them were used in the form of ‘tiles.’ A lovely fabric in my ‘stash’ complimented the challenge batiks beautifully but I couldn’t make myself cut into it; thus, the whole-cloth backdrop. Dense quilting fills the background to both accentuate the trapunto, and to give the raw-edge, fused appliqued elements a little more dimension.” Sharon L. Schlotzhauer

Second Place: NOURISH THE HEART by Becky A. Grover of Ann Arbor, MI

“These are just some of the many ways we can nourish our hearts.” Becky A Grover

Third Place: MAE MAES BLOOM by Katherine M. Dossman of Belton, TX

“I challenged myself to design a modern flower with improv piecing. Purple is a fabulous color and feels like royalty as does my cat Mae Mae. She was my inspiration.” Katherine M. Dossman

AURIFIL CATEGORY

First Place: AMETHYST IN BLOOM by Jacqueline Styner of Levittown, PA

“Amethyst in Bloom reflects my passion for quilting and designing unique pieces. I imagined amethyst crystals blooming into light, surrounded by delicate flowers. Using raw edge machine appliqué, free motion quilting, and hand embroidery, I combined bold shapes, flowing textures, and fine details to bring this vision to life. The quilt celebrates resilience and transformation, echoing how amethyst forms under pressure and blossoms into beauty through patience and creativity.” Jacqueline Styner

Second Place: FLAMINGO IN THE FLOWERS by Laina Strohm of Fayetteville, NC

“I love bird watching and these bright pink and purple fabrics were perfect for a flamingo. I used the arts and crafts style to create a floral background with simple stylized flowers and leaves.” Laina Strohm

Third Place: GOOD MORNING, MOTHER EARTH AND FATHER SKY THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIFTS by Linda W. Boynton De Sepulveda

“In the First Nations beliefs we give thanks for our gifts. Father Sky is the source of stars, rain, thunder and the teacher of tenderness, sternness and gentleness. Mother Earth is the source of all life. The morning glory was used to represent spiritual guidance. The flower opens at dawn and withers by evening. A poignant reminder to cherish the present moment, embrace beauty as it is fleeting.” Linda W. Boynton De Sepulveda

HOFFMAN HONORABLE MENTIONS

Hoffman Honorable Mentions are pieces that were personal favorites of individual judges or Hoffman family members. Papa Bear, Sakura Sunrise, Happy Feet and Amethyst in Bloom (shown above) were all selected, as well as the pieces pictured below.


ELEPHANT IN PARADISE   by Renata Beason of Craig, CO
LOROPETALUM IN BLOOM by Joyce Ryder of Baton Rouge, LA

AMETHYST FENDER GUITAR by Julie Atlas from Reno, NV
BOTTLED by Mikie J. Bair from Phoenix, AZ
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A Quick h+h 2026 Recap

I’m back from a wonderful, inspiring, exhausting and FUN trip to the h+h show! I made many new friends, reconnected with old friends, and saw lots and lots and lots of creativity. I really loved the format of the show, as opposed to the “old” Quilt Market, since it combined crochet, knitting and other needle work crafts with the quilting side of things. One thing I learned is that crafters don’t limit their creativity to just one medium! After a day or two of “collapse days” (that’s a new priceless term from my New Zealand friend, Susan Claire), I’m almost recovered from my whirlwind trip.

A calm moment in the booth. The featured quilt is Moving Emotion by A Lee B Creative using the Hoffman Bali Batiks Deep Blue Reefs collection.

I saw lots of opportunities to make new connections, uniting designers, vendors and teachers with outlets to sell, promote and distribute.  Fabric manufacturers and distributors were both on the hunt for the latest and greatest, and I saw lots of new faces getting some well-deserved attention. That’s a hint for you to attend the next event, in case I’m being too subtle! The show had record attendance, and I’m sure Houston (October 1-2) will be even busier.

I looked for trends, and asked several of my fellow attendees for their thoughts. And if you were there, please comment and share below! I can’t say much about the yarn side, except that the variety and quality were phenomenal. I did notice lots of Amigurumi, or in other words, miniature stuffed creatures (yes, I looked that up). Since I can’t imagine even knitting a sock, and as Susan pointed out, the problem is that even if you finish one sock, you still have to knit another, I was impressed with the infinite detail and fine workmanship.

Aroma Primavera, the newest Palette of the Season project, made its debut.

Speaking of tiny things, I did notice that several quilt pattern designers used miniature quilts to display their patterns. With the ability to print a high-res image on fabric, this was a brilliant idea. With a little quilting they truly looked like they were pieced, and easily showed multiple quilt patterns in a small space. On another note, I thought the full-size quilts on display were quilted much more densely than I’ve seen in the past few years, and also quilts with smaller pieces were more prominent. Curved piecing is also picking up steam, in my opinion, as the next generation of quilters is flexing their skills.

Thimtec Thimble Tape comes on a roll and will protect your fingers from heat and punctures.

Since applique and three-dimensional sewing appeared to be a bit more popular, I have to mention the best new to me notion: Thimtec Thimble Tape. It can mold to your fingers, sticking to itself, not you, and comes in multiple colors. It’s even reusable! From someone who constantly burns their fingers doing appliqué, I’m debating how many rolls I really need.

There was always a friendly face in the Hoffman California Fabrics booth! Margaret Jones, rep extraordinaire, may or may not have had an eye on the new plaids…

Checks, plaids and wovens from yarn-dyed to digital prints are back, and Hoffman California Fabrics was not one to miss out. Their new line, Secret Garden Tea Company, features luscious plaids that were featured prominently in a quilt, but I noticed more than one rep surreptitiously eyeing them for future garments.


Each of the 20 projects guides you through the simple process of creating adorable pincushions.

The overall industry focus of the event was on sustainable crafting, with the prestigious Golden Scissors Award for Sustainability (presented by the Craft Industry Alliance) going out to Smart Art + Craft Supplies, an organization that keeps thousands of pounds of art supplies out of landfills and gives them a second life with artists, teachers, and students. While your stash probably doesn’t weigh thousands of pounds, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that Susan Claire’s new book, Put a Pin in It, was right on target, encouraging makers of all levels to use scraps from their fabric stash and be creative with choices. See, you too can do your part.

Until next time, Karen


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Behind the Scenes: Meet Sandy Muckenthaler

In my last post, I talked about the Spring Catalogs, featured on the Hoffman California Fabrics’ website. I’m expecting that by now you’ve had a minute to look them over, and if not, I highly recommend you do! My favorites are the Project Catalogs, and not just from this season. If you ever need an inspo nudge, they are a perfect place to start! They are packed full of projects that are sure to inspire a myriad of future quilts.

If you ever wondered who is the creative genius behind these catalogs, let me give you a little peek behind the curtain. Meet Sandy Muckenthaler, the Director of Creative Projects. She’s been with Hoffman California Fabrics for over 40 years, starting with them as an order puller, and moving through different roles including receptionist, working in the design department, customer service, and finally spending the last 15-plus years in her current and favorite role.

Sandy Muckenthaler, Director, Creative Projects. The background quilt is “Winter Birds” by the Gourmet Quilter.

I’ve had the pleasure to work with Sandy over the past several years, and let me tell you, she is the most generous, tactful and encouraging person that I have ever worked with. I just had to grill her a bit about the process of putting the catalogs together, which to me, seems like a massive task, since many of the catalogs are over 150 pages. That’s a lot of designers and projects!

Sandy told me the catalog process starts three to four months before the fabric release date, which is about the time she gets the fabric strike offs and Bali Batik blankets. What? Blankets? “Yep, that’s the term,” she said, “it’s funny, since some of the so-called blankets are about the size of a fat quarter!” 

From there she begins the task of pulling together coordinates for each line, which by my count was about 12-14 different lines for each catalog release. Coordinates are pulled from a combination of 24/7 Blenders, and Bali Basics, such as the 1895 Watercolors, 885 Dots, 1384 Smoothies and 839 Mottles. Full disclosure: If Smoothies and Mottles were not known terms to you, I didn’t know them either. Talk about learning something new every day! Anyway, Sandy pulls at least a dozen (usually more) coordinates per line, 12-14 lines…are you getting the math here? For me, the coordinates can really help “pop” the fabrics, so Sandy’s creative pairings are really helpful.

Choosing coordinate fabrics for the Secret Garden Tea Company collection (coming soon!)

Eventually, everything ends up as digital files, which are then made accessible to her roster of 20-25 designers. As she explained to me, “My intention is to make it as easy as possible for them to work their magic.” The designers have approximately six to eight weeks to submit their ideas, along with fabric requirements. The images and info all go into a spreadsheet, which is then passed on to the in-house graphic design team, who “Make everything pretty.”

The process is easy enough to understand, but yet I had questions. And here’s where you’re going to learn just how diplomatic and personable Sandy really is. When asked what is the biggest challenge is in putting the catalogs together, she was hard pressed for an answer. (Trust me, I’d be whining about oh, so many things.) “Actually,” she said, “The hardest thing is not publishing every single pattern that is submitted. We simply run out of room!”

I wondered what happens if they get submissions that are too similar? “Surprisingly it doesn’t really happen because our designers are so creative. I do look for new designs, and it’s a bonus when there’s a connection between the fabric and the quilt design. I also look for pattern designs that show off the fabric, versus patterns that cut the fabric into little tiny pieces that are beyond recognition.” She went on to add, “The designers have the option to work with fabric lines that speak to them, so luckily, it all evens out, and we get a lot of variety, across all the lines. I feel that our designers are the ones who bring our fabrics to life. I’m really so grateful to them for all they do.”

I had one last question I had to ask: Do you have any teacher’s pets? While she answered that “I love all the designers equally,” I can vouch that she makes each and every one of us (yes, I am a member of the pattern design posse if you didn’t get that yet) feel like we’re the favorite. If you’re interested in designing projects in the future for Hoffman California Fabrics, look for Sandy at the h +h show. Now that you know what she looks like, she should be easy to find.

Until next time, Karen

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Beach Bliss on a Snow Day

Three Breeze features three panels in an easy to stitch pattern.

I had a lovely snow day yesterday. I ironically used it to stitch up “Three Breeze,” a new quilt pattern I recently designed. The pattern features the new Seas & Greetings collection, by Hoffman California Fabrics, of course. The collection features a panel with a delightful vista of a sandy beach, complete with surf boards and palm trees. Ahh! I can almost feel the warm breeze. The prints that accompany the panel, featuring snowmen on the beach, seashells and more palm trees are just plain fun, and of course, well done. While it was super easy to stitch up, I’m always thinking of a few tips that might make you or your customers more successful.

The first tip is included in the pattern, complete with a little picture of how to use a triangle square up ruler to make those dreaded quarter-square triangles easy and perfect! It all comes down to using a tiny speck of water-soluble glue at the seam corners of your untrimmed half-square triangles before you sew the next step. See the arrow?

I like to use Quilt in a Day’s Triangle Square Up ruler (my favorite tool next to Elmer’s Clear School Glue–more on that later) to square up to the size you need. Place the base line of the ruler on the horizontal seam, and center the vertical line where the seams nest. Trim. TaDa! That tiny dot of glue will have kept the seams together and you’ll have perfect quarter-square triangles.

While I’m at it, allow me to share one more tip. If you know me, you know that I’m always harping about sewing an ⅛” around the outside of the quilt top with a longer stay stitch. But did you know it is also really helpful to do the same around the interior blocks of the quilt before you add the borders? Turn the quilt top over and stitch with the seam side up. Your quick little trip around the edge will keep all the seams in place, and also stabilize the outer edge, eliminating any stretching as you add the borders. And speaking of borders, you of course measured through the center of the quilt top to get the correct length, right?

I now have to fall on my sword and admit my shortcomings. In the pattern, I mistakenly said to make five “B” four-patch blocks. You only need to make three. I understand this error will put some into a tizzy, and I apologize. There is enough fabric to cut a few more squares for blocks you won’t need, but it does create a moment of panic. Or a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach, which frankly put a damper on my beach bliss. Again, I’m sorry! The error is noted on the pattern corrections page of my Quilt Boss Design website.



If you need a little more inspiration, check out the Boardwalk pattern by Tourmaline & Thyme Quilts. What a great use of the border print to make a quick and fitting frame for the panel.

Seas & Greetings will begin shipping in June 2026.

Please leave a comment to let me know you’re here! I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Karen

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How Are You Coping?

I’m not asking you about your reaction to the State of the Union address, or the things that may be stressing you out in life. Nope, I’m talking about using those magnificent little borders or “placeholder” strips in your quilts that make everything fit together, perfectly.

Now while my basic motto has always been “If it’s too big, cut some off; If it’s too small, sew some on,” it is nice to have everything fit together perfectly. Plus, coping strips can make almost any panel pattern work with a panel that is close (0″ to 4″ in either direction) in size. Since we all love the stunning panels produced by Hoffman California Fabrics, it’s a good idea to know a bit about coping strips.

Grizzly Trail Quilt
Grizzly Trail pattern. Look closely, and you’ll see there are not one, but two! coping borders around the Eagle panel.

As a pattern designer, I’m often working with digital panel images—not the fabric panel. It’s not until I get the actual panel in my hands to make a sample that I may have an “Oh No!” moment. Hence coping strips and borders. You or your customers may have had a similar experience. Maybe the panel is just a tiny bit smaller than the pattern calls for, or it got pre-washed and shrunk a bit too much. As a shop owner, you’re supposed to know how to fix all the problems!

The basic premise is simple, but you do have to work backwards a bit. For example, if the panel is surrounded by 6″ finished blocks, you know (ok, use a calculator) that seven 6″ finished blocks can frame a 42″ finished size panel. That’s easy. But if you really want to use all 43″ of the finished panel height, you’re going to need to add some coping strips either between the blocks, or at the top and bottom to make up 1″ in height. That’s awkward. Go the other way and make eight blocks. Eight 6″ blocks mean you need the panel “hole” to be 48″ tall. Adding a 2 ½” finished size strip at the top and bottom of the panel (43″ + 2 ½” + 2 ½”) makes it the perfect size. Notice that I’m always working in finished sizes. It’s easier to calculate everything that way, but don’t forget to add ½” to the finished size for cutting. In this case, you’d cut 3″ strips.

White Pine Lane Quilt
White Pine Lane Quilt with Medallion Center. Note the coping border around the center stars. There’s a second coping border (the purple one) before the block borders were added. Fabrics are from the Whispering Ferns collection.

If you’re not so hot on the math, there’s an easier way. White Pine Lane, is a new pattern featuring Hoffman California Fabrics՚ Whispering Ferns collection.  It has a pieced medallion center, and on point, no less. The center is framed by a coping border, and while I wish everyone, including me, sewed perfectly, the best instructions I could give were to measure the pieced center medallion and then cut the coping border strips wider (or narrower) than the specified width if necessary. The unit can be trimmed to the correct size after the borders are added. Problem solved, and on to the next step!

BTW, coping borders do not have to be from just one fabric, and they do not need to be the same width on all four sides. And last but not least, you don’t have to have a coping border, even if it is of different widths, on all four sides. Yes, I know, that last one is a bit paralyzing for those that like to play by the rules.

So go ahead, and cope with whatever comes your way! Until next time, Karen