I've always been a fan of nautical things so when I received an email a few months ago asking if I would like to participate in Dani Mogstad's project tour for her new fabric line, 

By The Sea for Riley Blake Designs, I said, "Definitely!"

The sailboats, anchors and whales mixed with stripes, arrows and text prints are a beautiful combination.  The colors spoke to me too, with subdued blues, greens and a touch of red!

For my project I decided to do something I've never done before and that is to make a sailboat quilt!

There are many sailboat quilts around but I couldn't help but design one with some simple striped sails.  These blocks are very easy and quick to put together.  It's a great pattern for beginners!

It's called Smooth Sailing and it finishes at 55 1/2" x 70 1/2".

Cathy Barney in Alpine, UT quilted the wavy lines for me.  She always does a great job!  And I guess I really like the pattern she did because I've used it several times now.

And my favorite...striped binding.  I love the stripes in this line!  They come in blue, green and red.

I had so much fun working with By The Sea and appreciate the opportunity 

to be a part of Dani's project tour.  

I hope you like my pattern!  

If you would like to purchase a copy of Smooth Sailing or any of my other patterns

click HERE to visit my Etsy shop.

Happy quilting!

Amber

Five Fat Quarter Fun - All Stacked Up

Hey there!  Amanda and I are excited to share another 

FREE Five Fat Quarter Fun pattern with you today!

We chose to design a pattern this month that showcases large and/or directional prints.  I have lots of those kinds of fabrics in my stash but can never find the right project for them because a.) I don't want to cut them up so small that you can't see the cute motifs and b). I don't want crooked/upside down ice-cream cones (or whatever the motif may be)!

Thus, our new pattern - All Stacked Up.

There's no funny business here.  Just super simple blocks that let your darling fabrics do all the talking!

In my version, I got to work with Blend's new fabric line called Flutter and Float by Ana Davis.  I love the hot air balloons and cute little houses.

Be sure to stop by Amanda's Blog, Jedi Craft Girl to read more about her version!

I love her soft colors and no border!

This pattern whips up really quick and finishes at 62 1/2" x 70 1/2".

If you'd like to download this FREE pattern, click HERE for the PDF.

I'm having so much fun designing and making these 5 Fat Quarter Fun Quilts with Amanda.  It's a challenge to make a quilt a month but I love using my stash and making patterns that I wouldn't otherwise make.  If you'd like a little challenge too, come sew along with us!  All the 5 Fat Quarter Fun Quilt patterns can be found HERE.  If you post on Instagram be sure to tag us @gigis_thimble and @jedicraftgirl and don't forget to use the hashtags #fivefatquarterfun and #thenameofthequilt (e.g. #allstackedupquilt).

Happy quilting!
~ Amber