SewTites® for Machine Quilting

Posted on May 15, 2022 by Penny Haren

SewTites® Magnums are our longest model for quickly loading quilts onto longarm machines without straight pins or other loading mechanisms – now available in a 20-pack!
Each package includes 20 SewTites Magnums inside a keepsake tin.

View this video tutorial for more information.
They also are releasing some other products. SewTites Digits are removable numbered stickers – put them on your SewTites to help organize your sewing and keep track of what to sew and when! To use, simply peel off the Digits and stick them on the top of your SewTites. Remove and reuse as needed. The package includes 50 clear stickers, with 1 to 25 numbered in white for you, the rest blank to letter or number how you see fit (since we all sew a little differently!).

Pattern by lillyella Stitchery, this cute little folio is designed for storing SewTites magnetic pins with two pieces of metal (sold separately) in the body to keep them in place.

A double layer of felt acts as a buffer between the SewTites on the front and back and also provides storage for pins and needles. The Hold Tite Folio is perfect for tucking into a project bag, keeping on your sewing table, or using for extra storage to help prevent a clump of SewTites and everything they stick to!

Pre-fab sheet metal inserts for lillyella Stitchery’s Hold Tite Folio pattern.
Includes two (2) – 2in x 5.625in 26-gauge galvanized sheet metal pieces with rounded corners and edges (to ensure the edges don’t cut your fabric).

Everything is due to arrive early next month so place your orders now!

New from Angela Walters & Creative Grids®

Posted on May 13, 2022 by Penny Haren

Designed by machine quilting teacher and author, Angela Walters, Smiley is sure to put a grin on your face! Quilting arc shapes don’t have to be tricky or difficult. Smiley’s handy needle stops on both sides means that you get a perfectly pointed arc each time. Smiley includes two differently sized arcs for even more versatility. To learn more, view this video demonstration.

Click on this link to view the instructions she talks about in the video.

Creative Grids Machine Quilting Tool Smiley

Dot is like getting two rulers in one, making it an all-around functional tool. Quilt along the outside to create straight lines in different angles, or quilt along the inside to create beautiful curvy, pointy shapes. To learn more, view this video demonstration.

Click on this link to view the instructions she mentions in the video.

Creative Grids Machine Quilting Tool Dot

This Machine Quilting Tool is pretty as a flower! Petunia is the perfect tool for creating curvy flower shapes, perfect circles, and more. You can quilt along the outside edge to create stunning floral shapes or quilt along the inside edge for beautiful circles and arcs. You can even combine the two to create even more designs for your quilt top! To learn more, view this video demonstration.

To view the instruction sheets she mentioned, click on this link

Creative Grids Machine Quilting Tool Petunia

All are available now so place your orders!

Bowl Cozy Template Set

Posted on May 11, 2022 by Penny Haren

Creative Grids® has joined forces with The Gypsy Quilter® to make it even easier to mass-produce one of their all-time favorite products, the bowl cozies. This nested set includes both sizes of bowls. The small bowl cozy template works with the precut bowl cozy batting (TGQ036), and the other template with the large (TGQ103). If you prefer to cut your own batting, we recommend The Gypsy Quilter® cotton batting (TGQHECB12 or TGQHECB18) which is microwave safe.

Just two squares of batting and two squares of fabric make one cozy. Simply fold the fabric in quarters and rotary cut around the template. It doesn’t get any easier than that! A complete set of instructions is included with the templates.

A visual learner? Scan the QR code on each template to watch a video demonstration or click this link to view it now: Video tutorial

Note: Since the finished product is intended to be used in a microwave, you MUST use 100% cotton thread, batting and non-metallic fabric.

This 100% cotton batting is great for other projects as well. Tired of leftover batting scraps when working on smaller projects? This 100% cotton batting is designed just for you! It is the perfect choice for quilt-as-you-go projects, placemats and table runners. There are 10 yards on a roll, so you can complete multiple projects with just one roll. Since it is needle punched, it can be quilted a maximum of eight inches between quilting lines. Weighing 4-oz. per square yard, it has just enough body to add dimension to your project. This batting is microwave-safe in 2-minute increments, up to 6 minutes, when you use 100% cotton thread and fabric.

The Gypsy Quilter Cotton Batting 12in x 10yds

The large bowl cozy required an 18-inch width.

The Gypsy Quilter Cotton Batting 18in x 10yds

This Color-Blocked Bowl Cozy from Cut Loose Press™ is created with the Gypsy Quilter® Large Bowl Cozy Pre-Cut Batting which is microwave safe. All you need is 1/3-yard of two coordinating fabrics and a few hours of your time. Both sides of the cozy are cut from an over-sized quarter-square triangle block, the perfect choice to accent the quarters of the bowl.

The pattern is written for one cozy, but since the pre-cuts include enough batting to make four, you may want to make them all for gifts! To make all four, you need just 1 yard of two coordinating fabrics. Invite friends or teach a class. They will love going home with a finished project.

Or buy the batting that is already cut.

With wedding season starting, these would be great shower gifts!

New from Krista Moser

Posted on May 7, 2022 by Penny Haren

Krista is one of my favorite people! If you ever get a chance to take a class from her, DO. Her latest pattern, Summer Succulents is a beginner friendly pattern that is available in two sizes.

In her words: Pick your favorite soothing palette of natural colors, or go for a cheerful bright bundle to make this fun and simple pattern. Summer Succulents is entirely strip pieced, then set into sashing, making it easy enough for the confident beginner or for a quick weekend retreat project. No fussy piecing techniques or Y seams involved. If you’re just getting into quilting, this would be a good next step on your new quilting journey. This pattern includes step-by-step instructions with beautiful illustrations through every stage to make your rotary cutting, piecing, and assembly a breeze.

This pattern showcases her Creative Grids® 60 Degree Diamond Ruler.

This pattern is due to arrive at the beginning of next month, just in time for summer!

New from Deb Heatherly

Posted on May 5, 2022 by Penny Haren

Deb Heatherly has not only designed some of my favorite Creative Grids® Tools, she also uses them to design stunning quilts! Cat’egorical is the perfect quilt to showcase the Creative Grids Kitty Cornered Tool. Don’t you love the way the block design is repeated on the border.

Quasar and Quasar Plus utilize those 45-degree angles that are printed on all of the Creative Grids® rectangles. Both are jelly roll friendly. Quasar finishes to 50″ square. Quasar Plus includes two different sizes – a table topper and a large throw.

The Creative Grids® CGR612 is suggested for construction and the CGR15 is great for squaring up the sections of the quilt.

Creative Grids Quilt Ruler 15-1/2in Square

The patterns are due to arrive early next month so place your orders now!

Glory to Ukraine

Posted on May 3, 2022 by Penny Haren

Pamela Dindorff of Aardvark Quilts has designed this applique runner in homage to the art of pysanky (wax resist designed Ukrainian eggs). Each egg can be cut from a 5″ square but if you fussy cut the design, you may need a little more.

What a great way to showcase some unusual fabrics! All proceeds will be donated to Unicef/Ukraine. The pattern is due to arrive early next month, so place your orders now!

A 3 Yard Christmas

Posted on April 29, 2022 by Penny Haren

Donna Robertson and Fran Morgan co-founders of Fabric Café, known for
their signature 3-yard quilt method announce a new pattern book, Make it Christmas
With 3-Yard Quilts! The easy-to-understand, quick-to-sew quilt patterns take the guesswork
out of fabric selection helping quilters achieve beautiful quilts quickly and simply.

This book features 8 festive designs which include instructions for all 3 sizes of the lap, twin, and queen/king quilts. Donna says, “In this busy world, making time for the things we love is important. Quilters love knowing they get faster quilting results with this easy quilting method. The demands for more 3-yard quilt patterns continues to grow!”.

Here are the 8 quilts featured in the book as well as larger images of a few of my favorites!

This book is due to arrive in June, just in time for the new Christmas fabrics that will be arriving!

Opposites Attract

Posted on April 27, 2022 by Penny Haren

This fabric line by Wing and a Prayer for Timeless Treasures is not due to arrive until August, but the patterns and panel that go with it are stunning. Once you see the patterns, I KNOW you will want to order the fabric now while it is still available!

This quilt requires the panel. Embrace the detours made me want to buy it!

This one is a great masculine or minimalist quilt with lots of opportunities to learn new blocks and techniques.

Here are the other fabrics in this collection:

Assortment Opposites Attract, 15pcs x 10yds

With just 15 bolts, it really is an affordable collection! Why not order everything now?

New from Cluck Cluck Sew

Posted on April 22, 2022 by Penny Haren

The Primrose pattern includes this throw as well as a 23 1/2″ x 57″ table runner. The flowers can be cut from fat quarters. The full color booklet and diagrams help break down each step.

Planted includes a Youth, Throw, Twin, Queen, and King size. The pattern can be made with 10″ pre-cut squares or fat quarters. The Throw size can be made with one Layer Cake.

Terrace is a fat quarter quilt that includes a crib, throw, twin, queen, and king size. This simple design has nesting seams throughout for smooth construction. This pattern is best for an advanced beginner who is ready to try an on-point design.

Tangled is a beginner friendly pattern that includes crib, throw, twin, queen, and king sizes. It can be made with pre-cut 2 1/2″ strips, pre-cut 10″ squares, or yardage. The throw size can be made with one Jelly Roll or Layer Cake.

These are all due to arrive early next month so place your orders now!

Noodlehead

Posted on April 20, 2022 by Penny Haren

When a designer has four patterns in the top 100, I take notice! Such is the case with Anna Graham of Noodlehead. Here are four of her top selling patterns described in her own words:

You’ll love this versatile basket for storing all sorts of goodies. It’s great for diaper storage, filling with gifts or knitting projects, and anything else you can dream up! You’ll want to make one for all of your friends! This is a structured basket with divided liner (sewn on both sides and bottom, no gaps for anything to slide through!), front pocket, and two handle variations.

Sew this sling style bag to carry your daily necessities or to take for travel. It’s convenient sling design allows for easy access as well as being out of the way when you’re not using it. It is compact yet roomy enough for the essentials. Choose from a front zippered pocket (View A) or a patch pocket (View B), both come in handy for quick access to smaller items. An adjustable strap makes it easy to wear. Perfect for biking or daily use!

A mid-sized crossbody tote with front zippered pocket, back slip pocket, zip top closure and reinforced base. This will be your go-to bag for everyday use! The handy short handles make for easy grabbing and the crossbody keeps you hands free! This bag is great for traveling and is perfect for keeping organized. You’ll love this tote! Special features: front zippered pocket, top zipper closure, back slip pocket, interior slip pocket, crossbody adjustable strap, short handles for easy grab and go, reinforced base!

An easy to use tote and project bag! The tote size is perfect for a day trip or a work bag, and the project size is great for knitting or crochet projects, or as a lunch bag! Both sizes feature a fun drawstring closure and an interior slip pocket. A handy front pocket with an additional zippered pocket makes this bag super functional

Features: two sizes to sew! Project size is the smaller of the two, Tote size is the larger front slip & zip pockets (great for featuring a favorite fabric and oh so useful!) drawstring top closure to keep everything secure interior pocket simplified option for an even quicker sew! so many possibilities!

These patterns are in stock now. Her new Yarrow wristlet is due to arrive next month!

“You’ll love this versatile pattern. It’s a satisfying sew, has fun details, and makes a great gift! The Wristlet is perfect for running errands or using as a wallet in a larger bag (hint – it works perfect in my Sandhill Sling!). The Pouch is great for a smaller wallet or to keep small items organized – plus it’s sooo cute! The Wristlet has an interior zippered pocket and card slots, and the Pouch has a pocket and one card slot to keep everything tidy and easy to find. Why not try them all???

Checker News Blog

Resource for Independent Quilt, Sewing, and Needlearts Retailers