50 Shades of Gray Block Tour
It’s not that kind of quilt along!
Before you ask—no, this quilt along features no red rooms, ropes or button up jeans. We’re talking about color value, not velvet. Literal Shades of Gray, not Mr. Gray; but there is plenty of tension… specifically between the sheets, I mean at the fabric seams, for instance.
But I’ll warn you now
This tour is just as tempting and a whole lot more productive in working off your fabric stash. The tour features 30+ designers who were all given the same challenge: create a 6.5″ block using only gray scale fabrics with a single “pop” of color.
That’s why I am so excited that Ollie Sara Designs is a stop on the 2026 Shades of Gray 50 Week Tour. — the ultimate challenge for the modern scrappy quilter. We have stripped away the overwhelm of the choosing coordinating fabrics. With 30+ designers providing 50 free 6 1/2″ blocks, it’s the perfect excuse to dive into your scrap bins. The only decision you will need to make whether you want one pop of color or a few. I personally have twice as many blue scraps so I’ll probably just grab my blue scrap bin.
I’m Week 2!
My stop on the Tour is called “Where Paths Cross.” I loved the simplicity of this block; and yet it has so much potential as a full quilt. The block looks like an intersection where the accented (or pop of color) crosswalk gives opportunity for by chance meetings. Can you imagine what a full quilt would look like with one pop of color? or if the color’s value subtly changed throughout the quilt? or if multiple colors were used?
Why Join the Tour?
- Zero-Cost Entry: A freebie-lover’s dream. One new block every week!
- Stash Busting: Pick just one color or pick them all!
- Precision Practice: 6.5″ blocks are the perfect size to practice your techniques without the commitment of a massive quilt top.
- Community: Did I mention there’s even a Facebook Page to join in and share your creations with other participants?
How Do I Get the Blocks?
Click on the Sign Up button, to get an email each Sunday with a link to that week’s pattern. You can download all 50 or pick and choose just the ones that speak to your style.
What If the Tour Has Already Started?
No problem! The tour lasts all year (2026) so you can access all the quilt blocks even prior weeks all year long. In each email, there will be a link that lists all the blocks from prior weeks. You can download them all from that page. I’ll include this link to past blocks here as well if you’d like to get started ASAP.
Here are some of the awesome blocks from prior weeks.
Be sure to check out my freebie library and shop for other unique scrap busting patterns. All of my patterns have scrappy version instructions.
Until Next Time…..
