After a long time of working and waiting, waiting and working, my first 3 patterns are now ready to present to you!
Before I get to the giveaway part of this post though, I thought I'd share a little bit about how and why I got started designing quilts.
First, the name of my little business: Gigi's Thimble
Where it came from:
My Grandma Baldridge has been an avid quilter as long as I can remember. It has always been "her thing" and up until about 11 years ago it didn't seem like anyone else in the family was following suit. My mom had always been a great seamstress and often tried to get me to make clothes and such, but it never really interested me. I had just gotten married and was over at my grandma's house one day when I had the spontaneous feeling to ask her if she would teach me how to quilt. It wasn't something that I had thought too much about (prior to my asking) but as we got started I quickly found that I shared the same passion as her. She told me to first pick a pattern, so I told her about a quilt that was for sale at a store called The Quilted Bear. I really liked it so we proceeded to mimick the design. The thought never occured to me to actually go to a quilt store and pick out one of their patterns! But, I felt it was easy enough to figure out for myself. I was really drawn to it's scrappiness. All of the prints were plaids, checks and stripes. The blocks were Court House Step blocks. My grandma and I spent many days over the next few months going to local quilt shops together and collecting fabrics that were either - plaids, checks or stripes in blues, reds, golds and greens. She taught me about the importance of using good quality fabrics and then we started working on the quilt. She taught me about pre-washing my fabric (so as to eliminate any bleeding or shrinking), the importance of cutting precisely (she seemed to tease me a little bit about what a perfectionist I was when it came to that), how to match up seams, do mitered corners, the binding -basically the whole nine yards. That first quilt took me about 3 years (if I remember correctly) because when I went to square up my blocks they were all coming out to be different sizes! I was getting so frustrated! When I showed my husband and asked what could be the problem, he asked me if I was staying true to the 1/4" seam allowance I was suppose to be using. Well, I learned the hard way that if you're off slightly on every seam, it can make a big difference in the overall size of the blocks. After putting it away and then pulling it back out many times I finally finished the quilt. Somewhere in that time, my grandma (better known as "Gigi" by her great-grandchildren) gave me a thimble. I still use it to this day (mostly when I do my bindings, as I am not much of a hand quilter.) With every stitch I take I think of her. We share the same passion. Quilting has truly bonded us together. We continue to "talk quilting" and sometimes go to quilt guild meetings together when we get the chance. I'm thankful to share a common thread with my grandma and will always treasure the times we've spent together shopping, stitching & embracing the art of quilting.
Here's a picture of that quilt we made together:
So when I started thinking of owning my own quilting business, I knew the name had to involve Gigi. After playing around with some names, I finally decided on Gigi's Thimble.
The push to get started:
One day I happened upon Moda's Fabricmatcher website. They were doing a contest where you had to use all of Fig Tree's fabrics to design a quilt online. The judge was Joanna Figueroa (from Fig Tree). I decided to give it a "go" and was completely ecstatic when she chose my design to be the grand prize winner. How lucky was I?!? My husband had just gotten laid off from his job, so I was so excited to have some fabric to play with and keep me busy. Moda generously sent me 2 fat quarter bundles and a bunch of Joanna's patterns. As I was showing my hubby which patterns I was going to make first, he said, "Why don't you do one of your own patterns?" So, I said, "o.k!" Shortly after starting that first quilt, I talked with a friend that gave me that extra push I needed. She's had a dream of selling a CD of her music (she is amazingly good and should have gone to Broadway) so together we decided that we were going to pursue our dreams. We often talk to see how the other is doing and to offer encouragement and support.
In the end, this process has taken a lot longer than I think it should have. I've tried to figure it all out and do it all on my own. I've realized that I am not a graphic designer and I am not a photographer. I am a quilter. Hopefully I will get better at both of those other areas, but in the meantime I hired a friend to make the cover sheets for me. They are so much better than I could have done myself and after hiring her, I finally have my patterns. I also had Mary of Mary's Cottage Quilts offering support. Mary has been so sweet to answer questions for me from time to time and I really appreciate her kindness and willingness to share lots of great tips with me. Thanks Mary!!!
So without further ado, here are my first 3 patterns:
and
What do you think???
I'm just so excited that I've finally got my patterns done so I would ♥ ♥ ♥ to give away some copies, along with some other fun stuff. Over the next 3 weeks I will be doing 3 giveaways because of my 3 new patterns!
Grab this button from my sidebar to help spread the word:
This week I will be giving away a set of my first 3 patterns to 3 different people!!!
Here's what you can do to get entered into this week's giveaway:
1.) Just leave me a comment below to receive one entry.
2.) If you are a follower of my blog then leave me a comment that says "follower" for one more entry.
3.) If you want to help a girl out by spreading the word about my new pattern design company then grab this button and blog about this giveaway. Leave me a comment that says "blog" for one more entry.
This week's giveaway will end at midnight on Tuesday, February 23rd with the winner announced Wednesday morning.
I also just want to say thanks for all of your support and encouragement (and patience) as I've been working on this. This has been really fun and exciting for me and I hope that you will enjoy my patterns!
please enter me in the draw. thank you!
ReplyDeletei am now a follower!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful patterns! Especially love the Mod Medallions. Your grandma must be so proud!
ReplyDeleteClaudia
km6920@bellsouth.net
I'm a follower now! Glad to have found your blog. Lots of great ideas. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteClaudia
km6920@bellsouth.net
Hi! I just came over from a link on Jaybird Quilts blog. You are brand new to me so it will be interesting to check out your site and all your patterns. I enjoyed reading the story of how you got started. Please enter me for a chance at winning your patterns.
ReplyDeleteI just became a follower.
ReplyDeleteCongrats! Your patterns rock! :)
ReplyDeleteThose patterns are really cute!
ReplyDeleteBravo! Your designs are cute and quite fresh.... Thank you for sharing your story, and much thanks for your generosity!
ReplyDeleteGreat new patterns. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteLove the new patterns. Congrats on getting them done. that is a lot of work. Please enter me I am a follower.
ReplyDeleteBreathtaking! Absolutely beautiful patterns!
ReplyDeleteI am a follower! :)
ReplyDeleteYour story is so wonderful and so inspiring. I think it's so cool that you won that Fabricmatcher prize and have done this with it. Funny thing: I was a runnerup in that fabricmatcher contest! I hope to start an Etsy store soon --- you are very motivating, and I wish you all the best of luck!!! Gigi must be so proud!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on getting your business up and running. Your patterns are very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI'm a blog follower now!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the pattern business. *S* Val sent me over to see yours.
ReplyDeleteI like them all, but especially the mod medallions. It's such a good use of this kind of fabric.
AND I just became a follower.
ReplyDeletehi ya, I have just stumbled on your blog, well done, what wonderful patterns!! CONGRATULATIONS!
ReplyDeleteOoooh, I just found you and oh my goodness am I in love with your patterns!! IN LOVE! They are precious and good for you for starting your own business. You obviously have the talent. I wish you the best of luck!!!
ReplyDeletePS Love the original quilt you made with your Grandma, too. I wish I'd gotten started soon enough to work with my Great Grandmother, but I didn't catch the bug in time.
kelli
kellbell_6@hotmail.com
Congrats! Lots of luck with your quilt patterns!
ReplyDeleteGreat job Amber. I wish you much success in your new adventure. Come see us on Monday's.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
Good luck Amber in your new adventure. Come see us on Monday's.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
Your patterns look great, and so many congratulations on achieving your dreams and goals! Thanks for the chance at winning.
ReplyDeleteliz dot groleau at gmail dot com
I just found your blog and would love one of your patterns. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteWould love to win a set of these patterns they are all sooooooo pretty.
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower
ReplyDeleteI can't get enough of Star Quilts.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, You have a really talent for design.
Wow! Those are gorgeous patterns! Congratulations on following your dreams!
ReplyDeleteFabulous patterns...I would love to make one of your quilts!
ReplyDeleteI follow you on google reader!
ReplyDeleteLove the patterns!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and I am becoming a "follower" now
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story and your patterns are awesome!
ReplyDeletefollower
ReplyDeleteHi! I just found your blog through a link to your wagon wheels and then saw this post. I especially like the first pattern. And I love the notion of pre-cut friendliness. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteLove these patterns!
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower....can't wait to try one of these patterns!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful patterns - please sign me up ..... Thanks
ReplyDeleteI LOVE these patterns and hope I can carry them in my store!
ReplyDeleteblog- now a follower!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations. These patterns are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI am a follower.
ReplyDeleteAmber your patterns are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteFollower
ReplyDeleteMod Medallions is my favorite! Just found your site today and I love your patterns!! You have got your self another follower!
ReplyDeletesbmeeks@gmail.com
Love the medallions!
ReplyDeleteHi Amber! "You go girl!" Great designs-- Love the medallions pattern, my favorite!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with everything you do!!
Congratulations on your patterns. I LOVE Mod Medallions!
ReplyDeleteLeft a note to Lila for her generousity and thank you so much for yours. While sewing I enjoy movies, tv, listening to either books on tape or music. Very seldom do I have silence when I'm sewing though I enjoy it naturally, HUmmm I wonder why?
ReplyDeleteJane
Congratulations on following your dreams! I love the Mod Medallions and I'm now following your blog!
ReplyDeleteAmber I know this is late but I still want to tell you I am so proud of you! Beautiful creations from a beautiful, talented gal! Love you sis!
ReplyDelete