Look at me; two posts in one week!

I've got a lot of catching up to do here on the blog so I figured 

I wouldn't waste any time posting about this other finished quilt -

my finished Golden quilt!

For this quilt, I used the fabric line Pumpkins and Blossoms by Fig Tree for Moda.

I did a scrappy background (which is different than the original quilt and 

what the pattern states to do).  But who doesn't love a scrappy background!?!  

I threw in a couple other low-volume fabrics from other fabric lines to give me enough 

variety for the background.

And because I couldn't decide which color to do for the Star blocks, 

I did 2 different colors instead of just 1!

This is another pattern that I would say is beginner-friendly.

It comes with instructions for 5 different size quilts and is 

available as a paper pattern in my Etsy shop HERE

or as a PDF pattern HERE.

It's Jelly Roll (or 2-1/2" strip) friendly.

The quilting is a little hard to see in these photos but

the pantograph my quilter used is called Meandering Pumpkins.

Jen Ostler in Highland, UT quilted it for me and she did an amazing job per usual!

I love this fabric line, Pumpkins and Blossoms. 

I'm such a big fan of Fig Tree Fabrics.

The orange and gray with a little pop of lime green is such a fun, 

fresh take on a fall color palette.

This pattern would be great in any color scheme!

I can just see it in red, white, and blue or Christmas fabrics...

Anything would be beautiful!  What color palette would you do?

Isn't this a quaint little spot? It's just down the street from my house.  

Fall here in Utah is just wonderful.

Well, that's it for today!  

Please let me know if you have any questions about this project.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Finished Autumn Glow Quilt in Solids

 Well hello there!

It's been a while since I've posted here on the blog so I wanted to check in 

and tell you that I'm still here and I have some finished projects I'd like to share with you 

over the next few weeks!  Today I want to share my finished Autumn Glow quilt in solids.

 

Unfortunately, I don't know the names of the solids I used.

I need to do better about writing them down beforehand!

But basically, I used a terracotta color, a cream, a dark brown (all shown above)

plus I ended up throwing in a tan fabric that I had in my stash.

This is a fairly easy pattern, perfect for beginners!

I made it as part of the Autumn Glow Quilt-Along I hosted in August & September.

But you could probably finish it in a couple of days if you really wanted!

The pattern comes with instructions for 1 size that finishes at 66-1/2" x 66-1/2".

It's available as a paper pattern in my Etsy shop HERE

or as a PDF pattern HERE.

The quilting was done by my friend Jen Ostler in Highland, UT.

She did the pantograph called Mike's Swoosh.  It was a new to me pattern

and I really love how it turned out.  I think that pantograph has a modern feel

(which goes nicely with the solid fabrics) and gives a little nod to

"wind".  Jen always hides a little image in her quilting for her clients to find.

The maple leaf was a perfect choice!

Originally I had planned to do a fun floral fabric on the back that coordinated with

my solid fabrics.  But then it dawned on me that I should use a woven or flannel

fabric to give it an extra cozy feel!  I ended up using wovens for both the back and the

binding and I'm so happy I did!  It's so soft and warm!

I washed the quilt after it was all finished and I can't get over all the crinkle!

I don't work with just solids very often but I'm happy I went out on a limb this time!

It's fun to try new things and I want to encourage you to step out of

your comfort zone soon and try something new or different than what you're used to.

This last photo was taken in the 3 Falls area of Alpine, UT.

I love to hike and just had to take my Autumn Glow quilt with me one day

to snap some pictures of her in the fall colors 

(which you can't see much of here).

Thank you for stopping by!

I'd love to hear what you think of this solids version

of Autumn Glow in the comments below!

Happy quilting!

Upcoming Quilt-Alongs

Good morning friends!  

I put a poll on Instagram recently to have you guys help me decide 
what pattern I should do for my next quilt-along.  The choices were Golden, Fall Flowers, 

and Autumn Glow.  Golden got an overwhelming majority vote so that's what we're going to do 

(I'm sorry to those of you who voted for Fall Flowers!)  However, for those of you 

that voted for Autumn Glow, it's your lucky day!  I have fabric 

to make another Autumn Glow quilt so I thought, why not just do TWO quilt-alongs!?!

We'll be starting Autumn Glow on Monday, August 23rd and 

we'll wrap things up Monday, October 4th.  Hopefully, you'll have a 

finished quilt just in time for sweater weather!  Click HERE for details about the

Autumn Glow Quilt-Along.

The Golden Quilt-Along will start shortly after that; on Thursday, September 2nd

and it will finish Thursday, November 11th.  Click HERE for all the details.

I hope you'll join me for one or both of these quilt-alongs!

Happy quilting!

Autumn Glow Quilt-Along

Hi friends!  Hopefully, you got word about the exciting news -

I'll be hosting TWO new quilt-alongs soon!   

This is the homepage for the first one, Autumn Glow.  

There is lots of information here so be sure to read till the end of this post!  

Click HERE for the homepage for the other quilt-along, Golden.

Here's a picture of my original Autumn Glow quilt using Tilda fabrics:

Autumn Glow finishes at 66 1/2" x 66 1/2" and is suitable for confident beginners.

The materials needed are:

8 bright print fat quarters for the leaves

3⅝ yards white dot fabric for the background

⅝ yard yellow floral fabric for the star

4⅛ yards fabric for the backing

⅝ yard fabric for the binding

72" x 72" piece of batting

I'm going to do a "solids" version this time around.  I bought these fabrics

over a year ago (unfortunately I don't have the color info; sorry!)  I haven't worked with

just solids very often in the past so I'm not an expert.  I hope this turns out pretty!?!

The schedule for the Autumn Glow Quilt-Along is:

Week 1 (August 23rd): Cutting and make 4 Leaf Blocks

Week 2 (August 30th): Make 4 Leaf Blocks

Week 3 (September 6th): Make 4 Leaf Blocks

Week 4 (September 13th): Make 4 Leaf Blocks

Week 5 (September 20th): Make Star Triangle Units

Week 6 (September 27th): Assemble quilt top

October 4th: Show finished quilt top

This will be a simple quilt-along.  No sign-ups, weekly emails, or blog posts.  

Just print out the schedule and follow along with me on Instagram @gigis_thimble.

Plan on an Instagram post about the QAL every Monday morning.

If you'd like a printable schedule and materials list click HERE.

Here are a few different mockups of Autumn Glow.

Which background do you like better, dark or light?

If you'd like a black and white coloring sheet of Autumn Glow click HERE.

Paper and PDF patterns are available in my Etsy shop and I have a coupon code for you!

Click HERE for the paper pattern.

Click HERE for the PDF pattern.

Use the code "AUTUMNGLOWQAL" for $2 off at checkout!

And finally, it wouldn't be a quilt-along without a prize, right!?!

Sweet April Young offered to donate this bundle of 12 beautiful fat quarters of

Lilliput by Sharon Holland for Art Gallery Fabrics.  I'm obsessed and so 

grateful to April for her generosity!

Be sure to follow April on Instagram at @aprilgracequilts_shop.

I'll have everyone post a picture of their finished quilt top on October 4th.

I'll pick a winner a few days later and announce it on Instagram. 

Please use the hashtags #gigisthimblepattern and #autumnglowqal

when posting about your progress on Instagram.

I think that's all the info I have for you today.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

I'm excited to quilt-along with you 

so get your pattern and fabric and let's get this party started!

Golden Quilt-Along

 Hi friends!  Hopefully, you got word about the exciting news -

I'll be hosting TWO new quilt-alongs soon!   

This is the homepage for the second one, Golden.  

There is lots of information here so be sure to read till the end of this post!  

Click HERE for the homepage for the other quilt-along, Autumn Glow.

Here's a picture of my original Golden quilt using Golden Days fabrics by Riley Blake.  

I love it so much and the best part, it's Jelly Roll friendly!

Golden comes with instructions for FIVE different sizes and is suitable for confident beginners.

Baby: 42" x 42"

Twin: 60" x 78"

Full: 78" x 78"

Queen: 96" x 96"

King: 114" x 114"

Fabric requirements are as follows:

Baby:

Bright print 2½” x 40” fabric strips - 12

Cream solid fabric - 1 1/3 yards

Navy grunge fabric (includes binding) - ¾ yard

Backing fabric - 2 7/8 yards

Batting - 50” x 50”

Twin (front cover):

Bright print 2½” x 40” fabric strips - 31

Cream solid fabric - 3 1/8 yards

Navy grunge fabric (includes binding) - 1 1/2 yards

Backing fabric - 4 3/4 yards

Batting - 68” x 86”

Full:

Bright print 2½” x 40” fabric strips - 40

Cream solid fabric - 4 yards

Navy grunge fabric (includes binding) - 1 3/4 yards

Backing fabric - 7 1/4 yards

Batting - 86” x 86”

Queen:

Bright print 2½” x 40” fabric strips - 60

Cream solid fabric - 6 yards

Navy grunge fabric (includes binding) - 2 1/2 yards

Backing fabric - 8 2/3 yards

Batting - 104” x 104”

King:

Bright print 2½” x 40” fabric strips - 84

Cream solid fabric - 8 1/3 yards

Navy grunge fabric (includes binding) - 3 3/8 yards

Backing fabric - 10 1/4 yards

Batting - 122” x 122”

Here's the general schedule:

Week 1 (September 2nd): Cutting

Week 2 (September 9th): Make 9-Patches

Week 3 (September 16th): Make Sashing Strip Sets

Week 4 (September 23rd): Make blocks

Week 5 (September 30th): Make blocks

Week 6 (October 7th): Make blocks

Week 7 (October 14th): Make blocks

Week 8 (October 21st): Make A rows

Week 9 (October 28th): Make B rows

Week 10 (November 4th): Assemble quilt top 

November 11th: Show finished quilt top

Because there are 5 size options for this quilt-along, I have made a printable materials list, 

detailed schedule, and coloring sheet for each size.  Just click one of the links below 

for all the information pertaining to your chosen quilt size.  Please refer to it for the 

weekly assignments (to keep things simple, I will not be posting those 

on Instagram because it's a lot of info.)

Baby Info Printable

Twin Info Printable

Full Info Printable

Queen Info Printable

King Info Printable

Note: There will be no sign-ups, weekly emails, or blog posts for this quilt-along.  

Just follow along with me on Instagram @gigis_thimble.

Plan on an Instagram post about the Golden QAL every Thursday morning.

I think I'm going to do a Christmas version this time so I've been on the lookout for

a fabulous Christmas line of fabric that will go with my Christmas decor!  

I'm leaning towards Christmas Morning by Lella Boutique.

What fabric line/colors are you thinking about doing?

You will need the Golden pattern.  Paper and PDF patterns are available 

in my Etsy shop and I have a coupon code for you!

Click HERE for the paper pattern.

Click HERE for the PDF pattern.

Use the code "GOLDENQAL" for $2 off at checkout!

And finally, it wouldn't be a quilt-along without a prize, right!?!

Simply Love Fabrics on Etsy is sponsoring this quilt-along.

Be sure to follow them on Instagram at @simplylovefabrics.

I love their shop!  Details to come on the prize.  They're going to wait until it gets a 

little closer to announce what it is because they want it to be something new to their shop,

come November.  I'll have everyone post a picture of their finished quilt top on November 11th.

I'll pick a winner a few days later and announce it on Instagram. 

Please use the hashtags #gigisthimblepattern and #goldenqal

when posting about your progress on Instagram.

I think that's all the info I have for you today.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

I'm excited to quilt-along with you 

so get your pattern and fabric and let's get this party started!

New Beginnings - A Free Quilt Pattern

 Hi friends!  I have a new pattern to share with you today!  
And the best part?  It's FREE!

I'm calling this pattern New Beginnings.  Would you care to know why?

I love when there's a story behind a pattern or it's name so let me tell you 

TWO reasons why I chose to call it New Beginnings.  First, because of the 

Hourglass blocks.  Every time an hourglass runs out of sand and you 

flip it over, time starts anew.  The second reason I decided to call it New Beginnings, 

is because I actually made the X blocks for a different pattern but my 

measurements were off.  They didn't match up with the alternate block 

I was going to do so I decided to scratch the whole thing and went a completely 

different direction!  So the X blocks definitely got a new beginning!

This quilt finishes at 70" x 70".

Since I had a few people on Instagram ask what this beautiful

backing fabric was...it's  Wellington by Nancy Gere No. 34116 for Windham Fabrics.

I bought it off a friend so I have no idea if it's still available though.

New Beginnings was quilted by my friend Jen Ostler who did an awesome job.

She used the Gemma 3 panto by Karlee Porter.  I've used it a few times

before and it's a favorite for sure!

I also get lots of questions about my quilt labels.  I get mine from Ever Emblem.  

They're the 2" x 1" cotton fold-over sew-on labels.  I get the uncut ones 

(they're about $16 for 20 tags).  Click HERE to check them out.  

You can customize them to your desires.

Here are some tips for attaching those labels to a quilt:

First, sew your prepared binding to the front side of your quilt.  

Then place a folded label so that the raw edges of the label are about 1/8"

from the raw edge of your quilt.  Stitch it in place with a 

triple stitch to make it extra secure.  Then machine stitch your binding 

down (just over the raw edges of the label, see above photo) because 

it's really hard to hand-stitch through the label.  Then stitch the rest of your

binding down to the back side of your quilt either by hand or machine.

I hope you love this pattern as much as I do!  I'm working on my second one 

and hope to show pictures of that soon!  I think it would be cute for any 

occasion, gender and in any color scheme!  

Click HERE for the free pattern.

Please contact me at gigisthimble@hotmail.com if you have any comments or questions 

about this pattern.  And please tag me on Instagram (username @gigis_thimble) 

if you make it and post about it there.  Be sure to use the

hashtags #gigisthimblepattern and #newbeginningsquilt so I don't miss it!

Thanks for stopping by today and happy quilting!