I finally finished binding my Willow quilt and wanted to share it with you today.

The Willow pattern is a free pattern that Jessica Dayon and I published together 

for the Willow Quilt-Along back in March 2020.  Click HERE to go to the homepage 

of the Willow Quilt-Along.

Linda Childs of Alpine, Utah quilted it for me.  She did a custom quilting design 

that I predominantly left up to her to decide.  The only request I had was that she do 

the arches in the sashing to create "circles" around some of the blocks.  If you squint 

your eyes do you see "circles" from the white space around some of the blocks?  

I love how it turned out.  Linda did a fantastic job.

Linda did a different design in each of the 3 different types of blocks.

I used my stash for the blues (blocks, cornerstones and binding).  I was hoping

I would've put a bigger dent in my stash but I probably added to it because 

I had to buy the background and the back (and of course I had some leftover of both).

The main blocks finish at 6".  This was a good skill check in working with tiny pieces!

The overall finished size of the quilt is 61" x 61".

I bought these labels from Border City Quilts on Etsy.  I love them; so simple 

but a nice fishing touch.  They are the 2" x 2" cotton fold over label but you can 

customize most of their labels to your own desires. 

Thanks to those of you that joined us for the Willow Quilt-Along!  It was really fun 

seeing all of the different versions pop up on Instagram.  This design looks beautiful 

in any colorway!  I can't wait to see more photos of your finished quilts.  

Please continue to tag Jessica @jessicadayon and me @gigis_thimble as you finish them

and use the hashtag #willowqal so we don't miss a thing!

Finally, I want to thank Jessica for asking me to collaborate with her on this!  

It was fun getting to know her more.  Jessica is an amazing pattern designer 

and she inspires me every day!

Happy quilting!

Willow QAL: Week 7

Welcome to week 7 (the final week) of the Willow Quilt-Along!  Jessica and I are 

so glad you joined us for this quilt-along!  We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did 

and we hope you learned some new skills along the way!

The get-to-know-you question for this week is:

"What is your 'death row meal'?"

Gosh, who came up with these questions!?!  (Haha, whoops, I did!)

This is a hard one.  All I know is it would involve lots of carbs and lots of sweets.  

In fact, maybe it would just be a plate full of desserts!   Yes, that sounds about right.

And if you want me to get specific a box of vanilla cream doughnuts from 

5 Daughters Bakery in Nashville, TN would work just fine.

So what is YOUR "death row meal"?  Answer in the comment section below.

So the assignment for this week is to assemble the quilt top.

I had so much fun assembling mine and seeing it all come together.

I dropped it off at my quilter's house about a week ago.

I can't wait to see what she does with it!  I'll be back soon with pictures!

Be sure to visit Jessica's blog HERE if you need the instructions for assembling the top

and to find out what her "death row meal" is.  We've loved seeing your progress on Instagram.

Keep tagging us - @jessicadayon and @gigis_thimble and using the hashtag #willowqal

so we don't miss a thing!  We can't wait to see your finished Willow quilts!

- Click HERE to go to the Home Page of the Willow QAL. -

Happy quilting!

Amber

Willow QAL: Week 6

Welcome to week 6 of the Willow Quilt-Along!

I hope you've been enjoying the Willow pattern designed by 

Jessica Dayon and myself (Amber).  We've sure enjoyed seeing your posts on Instagram!

We like to answer a get-to-know-you question each week 

so we can connect a little bit more!  The get-to-know-you question for this week is 

"Do you listen to or watch anything when you sew?"

I usually listen to music.  It keeps me going while still being able to concentrate 

on what I'm making.  Sometimes I listen to Instagram Stories or Podcasts 

but I find it a little difficult to hear details over the humming of my machine.

Please answer the question below.  I'd especially love to hear Netflix or podcast 

recommendations if you have any!

The assignment this week is to cut all the layout pieces and make the cornerstones.

You will need the finishing instructions, which you can find on Jessica's blog. 

You will be making lots of  Half-Square Triangles for this assignment.

They are so tiny!  They finish at 1".

How are you feeling about all the tininess in this pattern?

I am loving how small the pieces are!  I don't do a lot of tiny piecing 

and this is pushing me to improve my skills in that department!

Plus, everything is cuter when it's tiny, right?

When making the cornerstones, I found it a little difficult to do the 

Webbing Piecing Method because the pieces are so little so I suggest using 

the regular Chain-Piecing method to help things go a little faster.

If you haven't heard of the Webbing technique I have a PDF tutorial 

that you can check out HERE.

Keep tagging Jessica @jessicadayon and me @gigis_thimble on Instagram

when you post your Willow progress.  Use the hashtag #willowqal so we don't miss it! 

You can click HERE to go to the Willow QAL landing page.

By the way, I recently added a PDF version of the schedule and materials list to that post.

Let me know if you have any questions. 

Happy quilting!

Willow QAL: Week 5

Welcome to Week 5 of the Willow Quilt-Along!

This is a free Quilt-Along hosted by myself and Jessica Dayon.

Click HERE to go to the homepage of the Willow Quilt-Along for all the details.

Each week, Jessica and I are answering a get-to-know-you question.  

We hope you'll play along too and answer the question in the comment section below.  

This week's question is, "What is the best vacation you've ever been on and why?"

I've been to London, Japan, Hawaii (as well as many other states) but one of my 

favorite vacations was when my husband and I visited San Diego/La Jolla, California 

for our 20-year wedding anniversary.  There were no kids, no other couple; 

it was just the two of us!  It was romantic and the perfect combination of relaxation 

and adventure.  I paraglided (he couldn't because the winds weren't strong enough that 

day for someone his size - he's not a HUGE guy but you know, bigger than me.)  We also 

kayaked to some caves, ate incredible food, shopped and picked out special anniversary 

gifts together.  It was just wonderful.  So what's your favorite vacation ever?

[photo credit: my Instagram stories]

So, onto the Quilt-Along!

The assignment this week is to make 5 more Hope Blocks.

Click HERE for the instructions.

I don't know if it was my imagination but I felt like the blocks went together

a lot faster than last week.  I chain pieced all of the sections and was able to get them 

done in a few hours.  It may be a little easier for me to chain piece because

all of my fabrics are the same for each block (except one) so I didn't have to

worry about keeping fabrics in order.

Here's my one rogue block:

I ran out of the darkest fabric for the little squares so 

I just used the next best thing I had in my stash!

I hope you enjoy making these Hope Blocks!

After this week, we are done making the main blocks!

I'm getting so excited to see this quilt come together!

Be sure to stop by Jessica's blog today to see her blocks and 

find out what her best vacation ever was!

Let me know if you have any questions and have a great day!

Willow QAL: Week 3

Good morning friends!

Welcome to week 3 of the Willow QAL!

I've really enjoyed seeing all of the Instagram posts 

you guys have tagged me and Jessica on with your blocks!  

They're all so pretty!  Keep tagging us @jessicadayon and @gigis_thimble 

and be sure to use the hashtag #willowqal!

We're enjoying getting to know each other and you guys a little bit more!

This week's get-to-know-you questions is, what are some of your other hobbies besides quilting 

(or ones you've had in the past)?

I love to run, hike, bake and decorate!  I've also gotten into having and caring for indoor plants.

I used to scrapbook a lot and even taught creative lettering classes!

So what about YOU?  What are some of your hobbies?
Tell us in the comment section below.

The assignment for this week is the same as last week - make 4 Grace Blocks.

Check out THIS blog post if you need the pattern again.

After this week you will be done with 2 of the 3 main blocks!

I didn't get a chance to make mine ahead of time so I'll be sewing these 

last 4 blocks with you this week.

Be sure to visit Jessica's blog HERE to hear what her hobbies are 

and see how her Grace Blocks are coming along.   

I just love the beautiful color palette she is using! 

Well that's it for now.  Let us know if you have any questions and happy quilting!

Willow QAL: Week 2

Hey friends!  How are you?  

I hope you are doing well and enjoying this Quilt-Along so far!

I'm enjoying having some purpose during this quarantine 

and time at my sewing machine 

(which is my happy place - as I'm sure it is for most of you!)

The get-to-know-you question for this week is:

"How did you get into quilting?  Who taught you and what was the first quilt you made?"

I was newly married, my husband traveled a lot and I didn't have a lot of family close by.

I needed a hobby so I asked my grandma to teach me how to quilt.  

She was thrilled since she was an avid quilter and no one else in our family quilted.  

I chose to design a pattern based on a quilt I saw in a home decor store.  

I'm still baffled why I decided to design my own pattern when I could've just bought one! 
It would've been so much easier! 

But we went shopping together, had several lessons and then I was left to make most 

of the blocks on my own.  Well, that quilt took me 3 years to finish LOL!  

But after that I was hooked!

[My first quilt]

Check out Jessica's response HERE and be sure to tell us how 

you got into quilting while you're there!

Now onto this week's assignment...

This is the Grace Block and you'll need to make 4 of them this week.

You can find the tutorial for the Grace Block over on Jessica's blog.

It's a fun little block to make!

Make sure you are using an accurate 1/4" seam allowance so your points don't get cut off!

All of my Grace blocks are going to be the same except for one

because I ran out of fabric on the last one, haha.

I knew I might run into this problem since I'm using my stash but I really don't mind.

It's very similar to the others and I really don't think you'll notice 

when the quilt is all finished.

So that's it for this week!

We'd love to see progress, so if you are on Instagram, use the hashtag 

#willowqal and tag us both - @jessicadayon and @gigisthimble.

Let us know if you have any questions!

Happy quilting!

Willow QAL: Week 1

Hello hello!

Welcome to week 1 of the Willow Quilt-Along!  

Jessica Dayon and I are hosting this Quilt-Along and we are super excited you're here!

One of the best things about a Quilt-Along is connecting with you guys and hopefully
having some new friends at the end of it!  So Jessica and I thought it would be fun to
answer a get-to-know-you question each week. We thought we'd start by doing a brief
introduction about ourselves.  We'd love it if you want to play along too!

So I'm Amber Johnson.  I've been married to my husband for 21 years.  

We have 2 children (a boy, 17 and a girl, 14).  We also have a dog that we adore 

(she's half Black Lab and half Brittany Spaniel).  We met on the first day I moved to 

Utah to go to college.  A few weeks later he asked me out.  A couple weeks 

later I told him I just wanted to be friends.  A few months later I realized I was crazy 

and that he was everything I always said I ever wanted so I asked him if he wanted to "hang out" 

again (at that point I knew he was the one).  About 6 months later we were married and now...

here we are!  I was born in California, grew up in Washington State and have been quilting 

for about 20 years.  That's me in a nutshell!

So the assignment for this week is to make 6 Harmony Blocks (above).

I found that they went together relatively quickly by using the chain-piecing method.  

Chain-piecing is a time-saving quilting technique similar to an assembly line.  

You repeat a single sewing step for all the blocks of a quilt without cutting threads 

between each section until after you are done with that step.  It creates a "chain" 

of pieces and saves time and thread.

Note: the blocks finish at 6" so you will be working with small(ish) pieces.  

Try to be as accurate as you can in your cutting and sewing so everything goes 

together nicely.  Check your seam allowance prior to making your first block 

to make sure it's exactly 1/4".

Click HERE for the pattern.
Click HERE for the Willow coloring page so you can fill in your own colors!

Be sure to stop by Jessica's blog next to see her beautiful blocks and get to know her more.

And please introduce yourself in the comment section below.  

We'd love to know where you're from and whatever else you'd like to tell us! :)

Happy sewing!

Willow Quilt Along

I have some fun news for you guys today!

My IG friend Jessica Dayon asked me a couple of months ago if I would like to host a Quilt Along with her and I thought, "What better way to make some new quilty friends?!" so I said, "Yes!"  We've been in close contact ever since - collaborating, planning, and testing blocks to create this really pretty design we're calling Willow.  We hope you love it as much as we do and we hope you'll join us for this free Quilt Along.

Here are the details...

Willow Quilt Along

Hosted by Jessica Dayon and Amber Johnson

- Pattern: weekly instructions for the Willow pattern will be given here on my blog and on Jessica's blog each Thursday.

- Finished Quilt Size: 60" x 60"

- Finished Block Size: 6" x 6"

- Duration: 7 weeks

- Schedule: 

Week 1 (March 26th): Make 6 Harmony Blocks

Week 2 (April 2nd): Make 4 Grace Blocks
Week 3 (April 9th): Make 4 Grace Blocks
Week 4 (April 16th): Make 6 Hope Blocks

Week 5 (April 23rd): Make 5 Hope Blocks

Week 6 (April 30th): Make the cornerstones and cut the layout pieces 

Week 7 (May 7th): Assemble the top 

- Fabric Requirements: 

For the blocks, you will need 2 light-colored fat quarters, 3 medium-colored fat quarters, 3 dark-colored fat quarters and 5 fat quarters for the background. For the setting, you will need 2-3/8 yards of background fabric, 1/4 of a yard for the stashing stars, 7/8 of a yard for the border, 5/8 of a yard for the binding and 3-3/4 yards for the backing.
- Cost: it's FREE!
- Notes: This is another low-key Quilt-Along with no sign-ups and no prizes!  Just check our blogs every Thursday to get the week's assignment and in 7 weeks you will have a beautiful quilt top!  You can also follow along with us @jessicadayon and @gigis_thimble on Instagram.  Use the hashtag #willowqal to post pictures of your progress and see what everyone else is doing.  
- Click HERE for a PDF version of this information.

This blue and white version is what I'm planning on doing (or something very similar).

I'm going to try to use my stash that is heavy in different shades of blue.

I bought a background fabric and am hoping to use my stash for the rest.

Here are my test blocks.  

As you can see there are 3 different blocks for the main part of the quilt.  

We hope you like them.  They sure are fun to make!

 Because they finish at 6" you will become more comfortable working with small pieces.  Some of them have 1" finished Half-Square Triangles!  But I promise you they are not too hard to make. 

I wanted to see what this would look like in a more colorful palette so I also 

mocked up this version with bright, happy solids.

Or there is this version in Farmhouse Gingham from Riley Blake Designs.

I think this fabric line is gorgeous!

Or there is a classic red and white solid version if that's more your thing.

Those are just a few examples.  Really, the possibilities are endless with this pattern.

Color placement creates so many different looks!  I love that and can't wait to see 

the different versions you guys do!

One last thing that I wanted to share -

Jessica and I decided to name this pattern Willow because of what the Willow Tree represents.

The beautiful green symbolizes nature, fertility, and life. The tree also represents balance, learning, growth, harmony, strength, and stability.  The structure of the trunk represents standing firm and withstanding the greatest of challenges.  We both loved that and have named our blocks Grace, Hope and Harmony.  We hope this pattern will remind you of the beautiful qualities represented by the Willow Tree.  

Let me know below if you're going to join us (we really want you to!) and be sure to visit

Jessica's blog HERE to see her version.  It's beautiful so go on over and say "Hi!"!