See them tumbling down...
Pledging their love to the ground...
Lonely but free I'll be found...
Drifting along with the tumbling tumbleweeds.
It isn't exactly "quilt-y" but do you know just how few synonyms and other words there are to describe one simple shape - a thimble or tumbler? Thimble. Tumbler. That's about it.
Yes, I spent the weekend cutting strips and thimble-tumbler shapes. When I first learned to quilt, the women at the quilt shop called them "thimbles". That always stuck with me until I was corrected - "they were called tumblers". Uh... okay. Whatever they're called, I've always liked this particular "patch" of one-patch quilt.
(Almost all of the print fabrics are from the Indie collection by Art Gallery and the polka dot background is from Modern Vintage by Bonnie & Camille.)
Maybe this isn't a "one-patch" so much as a one-and-a-half patch. The size is mostly the same but not exactly.
They're versatile and I don't know that I've ever seen a thimble/tumbler quilt that I didn't like. Big or small - scrappy or a bit more planned - I've always liked them. The best part is that they're easy to make - the hardest part is deciding which layout to use.
Last February, I had this idea. I wanted to make a quilt using this shape - I'm going to just call it a thimble - but couldn't find a template that had more than one size. That's just wrong. After some searching and looking, I played around with cutting the shapes without a template but I'll confess that it seemed to take too much time. Sometimes templates really are the best way to go. So I pestered my friend, Monique of Open Gate Quilts with the suggestion that she really, really needed to do a thimble template. She sent me the phone number of her ruler people and a contact name.
I took that as a very polite hint to go away and figure it out myself.
I drew out what I wanted and sent it off. So far, so good. My goal was to have this ready and done in time for Spring Market. I think you can see how well that worked out. Didn't happen.
Plan B - Fall Market! I've got lots of time... months and months. No problemo! I signed off on artwork in April and after accepting the fact that I wouldn't be in Kansas City for Spring Market, I told the nice ruler-folks that this could go to the back-burner while they finished their pre-Market scramble. So a prototype was delivered in late May and after playing with that for a few weeks, I made a tiny change and signed off on production. We were good to go. So good to go that my thimble templates were delivered in late July.
And they've been sitting in the closet ever since... waiting while I played with candy and little bites and got ready for a club.
But I'm getting close. The instructions are written and numbers calculated, and there are a couple of quilts waiting to be photographed. Two quilts are at the quilter and another two will be there by the end of this week. Then the last quilt gets photographed and then it's off to the printer for a cover. And then - finally! - the Nimble Thimble ~ a Tumbler Template will be done.
Someone I know wanted to call this "The Crumbler" - C for Carrie, R for Rosie and the rest for "tumbler". I rather like the name but I figured I would have to spend too much time explaining the name. Oh wait... I do that all the time anyway.
This is what it looks like in action - I've been busy using this one so it has tape on the back so it won't slide.
That's it for today - but one last thing, if you're on the East Coast and weathering a storm - stay safe and dry.
well how exciting is this! Love the shape of this tumbler, wow. I love tumbler quilts and will never get bored making them. so when will they be available for sale???? I am hoping you will make the tumbler rulers in different sizes, please!
Kathie
Posted by: kathie | October 29, 2012 at 02:03 AM
Oh I really, really like it! I especially like that the background piece is slightly smaller. Oh I must have one of those when you're ready! You are such a clever girl!
Posted by: Carol | October 29, 2012 at 02:52 AM
What do you mean "wanted to", I'm calling that thing "The Crumbler" until I die!
Posted by: Thelma | October 29, 2012 at 03:09 AM
Woohoo! The Crumbler! I can't wait to try it. Congratulations Carrie and Rosie....
Posted by: Karen | October 29, 2012 at 03:20 AM
What a great idea!!!
Posted by: Archie the wonder dog | October 29, 2012 at 03:32 AM
Love tumbler quilts so I am looking forward to getting it .... when will it be available?
Posted by: Nancy E | October 29, 2012 at 03:59 AM
OK, I'm calling it the Crumbler, cuz I have one (from another company) and can't call them the same and it doesn't have all those multi-measurements that I NEED (it's going in the drawer!) Bring on the Crumbler and I will cut up my crumbs of fabric!! You are the bomb dot com!!!
Posted by: Linda P | October 29, 2012 at 04:52 AM
Oh wow, my feet are doing a happy dance! Love my notions and this is going into my must have list. Congrats on developing such a cool tool.
Posted by: JuliaP | October 29, 2012 at 04:53 AM
Oh my gosh...I'm on board with the "Crumbler" fans and I can see that this is a notion that is now at the top of my "I WANT" list. I hope it is available soon!!! I have a grandson in the AF in Maryland, so we are staying in touch with him and praying for his safety, along with everyone in the storms path. Hugs...
Posted by: Nancy | October 29, 2012 at 06:32 AM
How fun!! I can't wait until we're able to purchase!!
Posted by: Jen | October 29, 2012 at 07:55 AM
Will they be ready by November's Carrie's Club? In your shop before that? I've been waiting all my life to do a tumbler and now I can!
Posted by: Jan Goerke | October 29, 2012 at 08:34 AM
Holy cow! This is going to be so much fun! I love tumbler quilts. I have an acrylic template I bought for 5" ones, and have used it a few times, but had been yearning for something smaller. I can't wait to get my hands on one of these rulers!
Posted by: Mary | October 29, 2012 at 09:11 AM
Will these be in our local shops or direct order only? It was a great idea!
Posted by: Mary | October 29, 2012 at 09:19 AM
Once again your creative genius has come through. I don't know what I would do without my rulers. Mine are basic, but when you want to make something a little different, these would be perfect. I hear that Lori Holt is coming out with round rulers. It sure beats the plate I've been using ;-)
Posted by: Jocelyn | October 29, 2012 at 09:52 AM
Love specialty rulers! Look forward to adding this one and seeing all the new quilts too Carrie.
Posted by: Mary ann | October 29, 2012 at 10:21 AM
Yep, need a template for thimbles...too much work without one. Yea for you giving us one with different sizes! They look like thimbles to me. I like the name :-)
Posted by: Loris Mills | October 29, 2012 at 11:26 AM
Yes, my vote is in for your new template!
Let us know when and where to purchase!
Posted by: Judy | October 29, 2012 at 11:32 AM
I love the looks of a tumbler quilt but have yet to make one. Your Crumbler ruler may be just what I've been waiting for as templates just don't do it for me. I look forward to seeing what you created with it.
Posted by: jmniffer | October 29, 2012 at 01:35 PM
Very Cool! ;p
Posted by: ina | October 29, 2012 at 06:03 PM
What a great idea! I can't wait til you release them. :-)
Posted by: Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts | October 29, 2012 at 06:58 PM
Love how you've done the tumbler--no seams to match up! Very exciting to see your template/ruler. Also, thanks for all the variations on Tidbit! You are such a talent!!
Posted by: Karen Shackleford | October 29, 2012 at 07:16 PM
I love the look of the stacked thimbles! Can't wait to try it! Yay for your new ruler!!!
Posted by: Bari Jo | October 29, 2012 at 07:17 PM
10,000 quilts later and I'd still have a stash left...sounds like fun!
Posted by: Anna | October 29, 2012 at 07:36 PM
I enjoy your blog........and I would love to purchase your template: El Crumbler
I have always liked this shape..I've known it since childhood as 'thimbles'. I hope you will address the many requests. smile
Posted by: Wrennette | October 30, 2012 at 09:06 PM
So exciting Carrie! Congratulations once again!
Posted by: Sherri | October 30, 2012 at 09:47 PM
You have been keeping a wonderful secret Carrie! Your ruler looks like fun. I haven't seen a Thimble quilt that I didn't like. You always have a trick up your sleeve. I wish I could have been in your class at Old World. P.S.
Maybe Rosie could wear that tiger costume today:)
Posted by: Sinta | October 31, 2012 at 09:10 AM
P.S. Just so's ya know . . . I've been singing "Driiiiif ting along with the tum ble ing tum bleweeds!" all week long. Ha! It's good self amusement, I must say . . .
Posted by: Karen Shackleford | October 31, 2012 at 05:23 PM
How fun! I've always wanted to make a tumbler quilt -- or three or four. Must get on that. Love the name Crumbler -- I think you should go with it!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | November 02, 2012 at 05:47 AM
I can't wait. I love this pattern.
Posted by: Debbie Gallett | November 03, 2012 at 05:00 PM
Bless your creative soul and heart! I love this shape and now there will be one the size I want whenever I want it. Woo Hoo!! Templates are great for a shape like this--just don't give me a template for a Square--Puh-leez!
Posted by: Mary | November 04, 2012 at 07:05 PM
Brilliant! I love the two-size-one-quilt idea. I'll be keeping my eyes open for your templates to hit my LQS.
Posted by: Linda in NC | November 12, 2012 at 07:01 AM
This is MASSIVELY COOL!!! Congrats!
Posted by: Pat Sloan | November 18, 2012 at 02:14 PM