I was on a roll last weekend and got 10 more blocks finished for my red and white Farmer's Wife quilt...

Here they are from left to right:

Row 1: #10 Bow Tie, #103 Whirlwind, #56 Maple Leaf

Row 2: #38 Four Winds, #107 Windblown Square, #111 Wrench, #102 Whirlpool

Row 3: #46 Hill & Valley, #79 Silver Lane, #89 Steps to the Alter 

 

 I'm getting so close to my goal of making a twin size quilt.  I couldn't resist laying my blocks out to get a little taste of what she'll look like when she's all finished.  I'm getting so excited!  

Now it's time to start thinking about what fabrics to use for my sashing, posts and borders.  Hmmm.... any thoughts?

   I'm toying with a few different ideas for the layout but I'm thinking the red and white color scheme is pretty classic so maybe I should stick with the traditional blocks on-point with narrow sashing and posts.  

There are lots of cute ideas out there though.  

I'm especially loving this one on my FWQ Pinterest board. 

What do you think?

~ Amber

Did You Know...

that the best part of blogging and pattern designing is when I receive a picture from someone whose used one of my patterns or tutorials to make something!?!  It seriously makes my day!  So I've had some of these pictures longer than others but I'm excited to finally share these with you!

 * * *

This one is from Brandy.  It was her very first quilt!

It's a big version of my Square Dance pattern for her 11-year old son's bed.  Now she's working on another for her other son.  She inspired me.  Seriously.  Picture coming soon :)

A Candy Hearts quilt by Marie-Etta.  It was her first attempt at machine quilting and hand binding!  I think she did a fantastic job!

 Another Candy Hearts quilt by Lorna.  Rainbow colors for her two-year-old granddaughter!  Love it!

Nancy @ Southampton Quilts made this pumpkin rendition of my 

Fresh Squeezed pattern!  It's a versatile pattern and I love seeing the different things you can do with it!

And here's a twist on my Holly Leaf Table Runner by Amber 
(a different Amber.  Not me :)

Jana from Prague made this Candy Hearts quilt using fabric from Tula Pink.

  This picture was taken at the International Quilt Show ~ the "Prague Patchwork Meeting" in 2011.  Cool huh?

And I'm really sad about these last two pics because I can't remember who sent them to me!  If you (so kindly) sent me these pictures (forever ago) PLEEEASE remind me of your name.  I feel terrible and really want to give you credit!  I know... I need to be a little more organized!

A Candy Hearts quilt with fabric by Tanya Whelan - just like my original one!  
I still loooove that fabric line!

And a twist on my Pretty Peppermints pattern.  I LOVE the 9-patch sashing!

Seriously.  Makes. My. Day.

So, in order to be a little more organized, I have created a Gigi's Thimble Flickr group.  Now, you have to understand that I am sooo not tech savvy (I'm learning).  So if you find that I've done something wrong in setting up the Flickr group - please let me know.  There's not a soul or a photograph in the group yet (ha!) but maybe someday there will be a few :)  Hint, hint.  I'd love it if there was at least one.  or two.  or three :)

 So if you want to join you can click HERE.

 Happy quilting!

~Amber

Spools

Spools pattern by Camille Roskelley.

Sassy Stitchers (UT) 2013.

We had a fun time making spools blocks for each other and finally got our group picture last night.  Now we're onto the next project!

Details about our swap can be found HERE.

Are you in a swap or guild?  What fun projects do you together?

I posted about our HST triangle exchange last night on Instagram.

Yeah, I'm finally on (don't worry - I'm always behind the times when it comes to things like that).  But it's addicting.  And fun.

You can follow me at gigisthimble if you'd like :)

Happy quilting!

~ Amber

Red and White Farmer's Wife Update

 Wish I could find some more time to farm.

I did these a few weeks ago...

From left to right:

(85) Square Dance, (83) Spider Web, (97) Waste Not, (32) Spider Legs, (26) Cut Glass Dish, (96) Tulip and (86) Squash Blossom 

All the blocks were paper pieced except for (26) Cut Glass Dish.

I didn't meet my deadline of having all the blocks done this month (I've only got 61 done).  I've decided to make a twin size quilt instead of a queen but that means I still need to make 22 more.  I guess I'll keep pluggin' away at them.  Wish me luck!

~ Amber

Sew Classic Sampler Giveaway Winner

Wow.  You guys really know how to make a girl feel good.  Thank you SO MUCH for your sweet words about my Sew Classic Sampler.  
I'm so glad you like it :)

So before I announce the winner of the Sew Classic Sampler awesome giveaway prize I need to first announce a new winner for the apron pattern giveaway I hosted a few weeks ago.  I never did hear back from the winner of the Lime Ricky pattern (which was my favorite of Eva's patterns).  So I decided to pick a new winner, which is, Erin from the blog, Sew at Home Mummy. Sounds like she likes to sew... so go Erin!  I sent you an email!

Now.  The winner of the Sew Classic Sampler quilt pattern 
and 10 Mama Said Sew fat quarters is...dunh duh nuhhh ~ 

DJ Shorti who said,

I follow your blog. I really love the new pattern. I think the row of dresdens really set it off! My favorite quilt block has to be the log cabin.

 

Thanks DJ Shorti!  I sent you an email so I'll get this off to you as soon as I hear back from ya.

Thanks everyone for playing and again ~ I really appreciate all of your comments.  It was fun hearing about your favorite quilt blocks.  You've inspired me to incorporate some of them into some upcoming patterns!

For those of you who didn't win but still want to get your hands on a copy of my Sew Classic Sampler, you can hop on over to my Etsy shop to purchase your very own copy.  

Thank you!  Thank you!

Have a great day!

~Amber

Sew Classic Sampler - A New Pattern and [AWESOME] Giveaway

I am so thrilled to finally announce the release of my newest pattern!

Ever since I saw these fabrics I knew I wanted to design a quilt with them.  I fell in love with them when Sweetwater first posted about them on their blog HERE.  I mean, what could be more perfect for all of us quilters than fabrics that are named and designed after sewing and quilting motifs?!? 

With fabrics called "Sewing Guide", "The Bias" and "Pinking Shears" I knew that whatever I designed needed to be classically quilty.  

Thus ~ my "Sew Classic Sampler"!

It was a blast to make and I think this pattern is perfect for all skill levels.  It's  Jelly Roll and Layer Cake friendly (whoot whoot!) and focuses on some of quilting's most classic quilt blocks.  Instructions are included for using pre-cuts or yardage so you can do whatever works best for you!  

This pattern teaches three kinds of piecing (regular, paper and template) as well as a little applique!  And seriously, it's a great pattern for you beginners out there!  Trust me :)

I've designed the pattern to be a 12-month Block of the Month pattern but you can go at whatever pace you'd like if you're doing it on your own.  If you're a store owner and looking for a new BOM ~ shoot me an email for wholesale information.

 

The blocks in this pattern are some of my favorites ~  
Dresden Plates, Granny Squares and Pinwheels (just to name a few).  
I hope you like it as much as I had fun designing it!

So without further adieu~ 
I want to announce a FANTASTIC giveaway!

The prize package retails at a $70 dollar value!!!
It includes one copy of this 12-month Block of the Month 
Sew Classic Sampler 
pattern and
10 Mama Said Sew Fat Quarters
(donated by the super sweet girls of SWEETWATER!!!  Thanks girls!!!)

Here are the rules:

1. First, you must be a follower of my blog. 

2. Second, you must leave contact information or have an email address connected to your blogger profile.

3. Third, leave one comment only - telling me what your favorite quilt block is (generally speaking).  And, if you care to tell me what you think of my Sew Classic Sampler you might just get a few extra brownie points :)

4.  The giveaway will end Wednesday night and the winner will be announced Thursday morning.

 
So.  I think that's it.  Thanks for playing everyone.
And good luck.

~Amber