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2021 block of the month

2021 Block-of-the-Month Quilt: Bright New Day

Bright New Day is a free 2021 Jessica Dayon quilt project with 12 finished blocks, Moda Bella Solids color requirements, archived downloads, finishing instructions, and practical options for stash or alternate-color fabrics.

By ThatPainter Team 8 min read
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The 2021 Bright New Day block of the month is a free Jessica Dayon quilt from American Patchwork & Quilting: 12 blocks, 12-inch finished block size, and a completed quilt measuring 70 1/2×86 1/2 inches. The original 12-month release ended in 2021, but the official archive provides the block and finishing downloads together.

Bright New Day combines colorful solid-fabric blocks with an off-white field, sashing stars, and a checkerboard border. The original materials use Moda Bella Solids, while the official project also shows alternate colorways and stash-based interpretations.

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Key takeaways

  • Bright New Day is a free 2021 American Patchwork & Quilting block-of-the-month project designed by Jessica Dayon, with 12 blocks and separate finishing instructions.
  • The finished quilt measures 70 1/2×86 1/2 inches, and every finished block measures 12 inches square.
  • The original quilt uses six Moda Bella Solids color groups: Coral, Lime, Aqua, Buttercup, Off White, and Etchings Stone.
  • The official materials list requires 4 3/4 yards of Off White, 5 1/2 yards of backing fabric, and a 78×94-inch batting piece, in addition to the smaller accent-color cuts.
  • The 2021 monthly release schedule has ended; the official project page now gathers the block downloads and finishing instructions in one archive.

What is the 2021 Bright New Day block of the month?

The 2021 Bright New Day block of the month is a free, completed sampler-style quilt project from American Patchwork & Quilting, designed by Jessica Dayon. The original program released one block per month for 12 months, followed by finishing instructions; readers do not need to join a current subscription or wait for monthly releases.

Moda’s official quilt-along calendar records a February 15, 2021 start date and a 12-month duration. The current Bright New Day project archive presents Blocks 1 through 12 and the finishing section together.

The design has a bright, modern appearance: colorful solid-fabric blocks sit in a large off-white field, with small sashing stars and a checkerboard border. The original sample is graphic and orderly, but the project page also demonstrates how different fabrics and backgrounds can change the character of the quilt.

American Patchwork & Quilting Editors describe the format this way: Free block-of-the-month project! Each block has a how-to video with tips for sewing the block and possibilities for alternate colorways. The official page includes dedicated tips videos for many blocks and for finishing, with displayed durations ranging from 3:35 to 9:26 for individual blocks and 8:27 for finishing.

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How large is the finished Bright New Day quilt?

The finished Bright New Day quilt measures 70 1/2×86 1/2 inches, and the 12 blocks finish at 12 inches square, according to the official Bright New Day materials sheet. The finished dimensions include the quilt’s setting, sashing, border, and other finishing components rather than representing a simple four-by-three grid of blocks.

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  • Not intended for children's sleepwear
Project measurement Finished size What it means
Individual blocks 12 inches square Each of the 12 block units finishes at this size.
Completed quilt 70 1/2×86 1/2 inches The full quilt size after assembly and finishing.
Batting cut 78×94 inches The batting size specified for quilting the completed top.

What are the Bright New Day quilt materials and fabric requirements?

The official Bright New Day quilt fabric requirements are based on fabric with 42 inches of usable width. The original color names and Moda Bella Solids stock numbers are listed in the materials PDF, so the table below is the most reliable starting point for shopping or checking a stash.

Fabric role Amount Original Moda Bella Solids color Stock number
Coral accent 1 yard Coral 9900-147
Lime accent 1 yard Lime 9900-75
Aqua accent 1 yard Aqua 9900-34
Buttercup accent 1 1/8 yards Buttercup 9900-51
Background 4 3/4 yards Off White 9900-200
Gray accent or structural fabric 1 1/2 yards Etchings Stone 9900-178
Binding 5/8 yard Not separately color-specified —
Backing 5 1/2 yards Not separately color-specified —
Batting 78×94 inches Not applicable —

The amounts above are the named Bright New Day quilt materials from the official source, not a recommendation to buy a preassembled kit. When shopping, compare the usable width of the fabric with the pattern’s 42-inch assumption. Narrower fabric, directional designs, pattern matching, shrinkage, or cutting mistakes can make the listed yardage insufficient.

For the fabric portion of the project, shop for Moda Bella Solids and Whites information as a color reference, or compare it with quilting cotton fabric by the yard from a retailer. The original color codes are useful for matching the published sample, but current stock and complete-kit availability are not established here. Do not assume that a similar-looking listing contains the exact six original Bella Solids colors.

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Can you make Bright New Day with scraps?

Yes. The official Bright New Day page supplies individual material lists for each block, which makes a stash-based or controlled-scrappy version practical. The original project uses a limited solid palette, but the published alternate examples show that the blocks can also be interpreted with prints, novelty fabrics, reproduction fabrics, themed fabrics, and stash combinations.

A successful substitution depends more on value and contrast than on duplicating every original color. Keep a stable light background if you want the blocks to retain the airy graphic quality. For a controlled-scrappy version, vary prints within the coral, lime, aqua, yellow, and gray families while repeating the background fabric. Before cutting the whole quilt, test a small combination: a fabric that looks distinct on a cutting table can disappear when placed beside another color.

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  • Imported
  • Not intended for children's sleepwear
Approach Visual result Best choice when you want Main caution
Original solids Clean, graphic, and closest to the published sample The most faithful reproduction of the original look Exact color availability may vary.
Solid-color substitutions Similar structure with a more personal palette To shop from an existing fabric collection or stash Check value and contrast before cutting.
Prints in a limited palette More texture and visual movement A lively but coordinated sampler Small prints may read differently at block scale.
Controlled scrappy fabrics More varied and informal Using leftovers while retaining cohesion Repeat background and value rules to avoid visual clutter.
Dark background Brighter blocks with stronger contrast A dramatic variation on the original Dark navy is an alternate example, not a required substitution formula.

The official staff adaptation uses aqua, teal, coral, lime green, white, and a dark navy background. That example confirms that alternate colorways are part of the project’s presentation; it does not guarantee that every substitute fabric will cut, press, or behave identically to the original solids.

Where can you find the Bright New Day quilt block patterns?

The official Bright New Day project page provides links for Block 1 through Block 12, along with the associated materials and video resources. The page is the appropriate starting point for the Bright New Day quilt block patterns because it preserves the project in its original publisher-hosted context.

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After the 12 blocks, use the separate Bright New Day finishing instructions page. The finishing page was published February 1, 2022, and includes a free finishing download and a finishing-tips video. Download availability and website labels can change, so follow the current links on the publisher’s pages rather than relying on reposted pattern files.

The official materials sheet identifies the project as “2021 Block of the Month” and names “DESIGNER: Jessica Dayon.” The same sheet states that the pattern is for personal use and that electronic or printed reproduction is not permitted without the publisher’s written permission. Link to the official downloads instead of copying the complete pattern instructions into another site, file, or social post.

How is the Bright New Day project organized?

The construction is organized as 12 separate block releases followed by a finishing stage. The monthly schedule was a delivery format, not a construction rule: a new maker can download the archived blocks and work at any pace.

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Stage Official organization Practical use
Blocks 1–12 One block pattern per project installment Make one block at a time or batch-cut and sew several together.
Block tips How-to videos accompany many blocks Use the videos for sewing tips and alternate colorway ideas.
Finishing Separate finishing download and video Assemble the blocks, setting pieces, border, binding, backing, and batting according to the official instructions.

The page displays video durations such as 5:52 for Block 1, 7:02 for Block 2, 6:17 for Block 4, 7:44 for Block 5, 9:26 for Block 6, 4:54 for Block 7, 3:39 for Block 8, 3:35 for Block 9, 5:34 for Block 10, 4:39 for Block 11, 6:41 for Block 12, and 8:27 for finishing. Video availability and player presentation are controlled by the publisher’s page.

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Can EQ8 help plan Bright New Day fabric placement?

An optional EQ8 project file can help plan Bright New Day fabric placement before cutting. DoYouEQ lists an “APQ 2021 Block-of-the-Month: Bright New Day” project file containing the Jessica Dayon quilt and the Moda Bella Solids used in the original design.

The file is a planning aid, not a requirement for making the quilt. Check that the download is still available, confirm that the file is compatible with the Electric Quilt software version you use, and review the current license terms before downloading, modifying, or sharing it. The EQ project listing is the source for availability information.

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What should you check before starting?

  1. Download the complete official set: collect Blocks 1–12 and the separate finishing instructions from AllPeopleQuilt.
  2. Choose the color strategy: decide whether you are matching the original Bella Solids, substituting solids, using prints, or making a controlled-scrappy quilt.
  3. Inventory fabric by role: separate accent colors, the large background cut, binding, backing, and batting. Do not treat the 5 1/2 yards of backing as part of the pieced top.
  4. Verify usable width: the published yardages and cutting instructions assume 42 inches of usable fabric width.
  5. Test substitutions: place candidate fabrics together and check value, scale, and contrast before cutting all 12 blocks.
  6. Plan storage and labeling: keep each block’s cut pieces and instructions together if you are working in stages.
  7. Respect the pattern license: use the publisher’s downloads for personal use and do not reproduce the full pattern electronically or in print without written permission.

Is Bright New Day still a current block-of-the-month subscription?

No. Bright New Day was a 2021 block-of-the-month project, not a current paid subscription described by the supplied official sources. The historical schedule began February 15, 2021 and lasted 12 months; the archived project page now makes the installments available together.

What is the difference between backing and batting for Bright New Day?

Backing fabric is the cloth layer on the underside of the quilt, while batting is the middle layer used between the pieced top and backing. The official requirements list 5 1/2 yards of backing fabric and a separate 78×94-inch batting piece, so buying only one of those materials does not replace the other.

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Bottom line

Bright New Day is a free, archived 2021 Jessica Dayon quilt project with 12 finished 12-inch blocks and a finished size of 70 1/2×86 1/2 inches. Use the official AllPeopleQuilt archive for the block downloads and finishing instructions, use the materials PDF for the original Bella Solids yardage, and feel free to substitute stash fabrics after checking value and contrast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bright New Day still a current block-of-the-month quilt?

No. Bright New Day was released as a 12-month project beginning February 15, 2021. The official archive now gathers the 12 block downloads and finishing instructions together, so you can make the quilt without joining a current subscription.

Can I make Bright New Day with scraps?

Yes. The official project page provides individual material lists for the blocks, and the project shows alternate colorways and stash-based examples. Keep the background and value structure consistent, and test substitute fabrics before cutting the complete quilt.

How big is the Bright New Day quilt?

The finished Bright New Day quilt measures 70 1/2×86 1/2 inches, with 12-inch finished blocks. The official materials list also specifies 78×94-inch batting and 5 1/2 yards of backing fabric.

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How much fabric do I need for Bright New Day?

The original requirements are 1 yard each of Coral, Lime, and Aqua; 1 1/8 yards of Buttercup; 4 3/4 yards of Off White; 1 1/2 yards of Etchings Stone; 5/8 yard for binding; 5 1/2 yards for backing; and 78×94-inch batting. The yardages assume 42 inches of usable fabric width.

The Bottom Line

Bright New Day is a free, archived 2021 block-of-the-month quilt—not a current subscription—with 12 blocks, a 70 1/2×86 1/2-inch finished size, and original Moda Bella Solids requirements. The official downloads support both the original palette and carefully planned scrappy or alternate-color versions.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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