New from Cut Loose Press®

Posted on June 20, 2023 by Penny Haren

Want to add a touch of class to your décor or make a gift in less than two hours? This set of placemats uses the pre-cut Bosal placemat forms as a base which adds the body and crisp shape to your creations.

The side pocket provides a place for silverware and a napkin – perfect for a windy day picnic. Wouldn’t these be the perfect hostess gift for a pool party or buffet? What a great addition to a make it/take it series of classes. Or include it in a mother/daughter class over summer break – a fun, easy project!

One pack of the placemat forms includes four placemats.

Since these placemat forms are fusible, an applique sheet is required. It protects your work surface from the fusible while working on one side.

Shindig fro Cut Loose Press® is made from 80 ten-inch squares. You can choose to use one pack of forty and use the same contrast fabric. Or use two packs and mix and match to your heart’s content! Picking the fabrics for each set of four blocks is half the fun.

This is the perfect group or beginner quilt. Since the blocks are all trimmed to the same size AFTER the angled seam is sewn, all the blocks are the same size. And since none of those angled seams meet, it goes together like a dream.

This pattern requires the Creative Grids® Straight Out Of Line Tool designed by Karla Alexander.

Create swirling wonky log cabin blocks simply by controlling the fabric placements. An added bonus? It also accentuates the wonkiness of the blocks. With just 3 fabrics, it is easy to kit and can be made in an afternoon. What a great class project!

This pattern The Wonky Waves Table Runner features the 10-inch Wonky Log Cabin Trim Tool by Creative Grids®. This one is designed to work with 2-1/2in strips for both the logs and center squares making it precut-friendly. After adding each round of logs, place the appropriate centering square on the ruler over the center square of the block and trim. Since each round is trimmed before adding the next one, your final trim squares up the block making it ready to be used in your project.

Everything is in stock and ready to order for your next class!

All You Need is a Tea Towel

Posted on May 1, 2023 by Cindy Abdoo

We hope this newsletter finds you well, as we bring you two exciting projects from Cut Loose Press® by Merry May. This month, Merry has come up with a fantastic idea for a quick and easy gift bag using tea towels!

The Tea Towel Wine Bag from Cut Loose Press® is a simple project that can be completed in just a matter of minutes. This is perfect for those who need to create a last-minute gift bag but don’t have the time to spend hours on a complicated project.

To get started on this project, you will need just a few supplies, including:

Two coordinating tea towels
Sewing machine
Coordinating thread
Ruler
Rotary cutter or scissors
Cutting mat

Once you have your supplies ready, simply follow the easy-to-follow instructions provided in the Cut Loose Press® pattern to create your tea towel wine bag. This project is perfect for beginners, as it requires only basic sewing skills and can be completed in just a few minutes.

Not only is the Tea Towel Wine Bag a great way to wrap a bottle of wine or other beverage, but it can also be used as a reusable gift bag for other items. Plus, it’s an environmentally friendly option as it reduces waste from disposable gift bags.

Next, this project is another fantastic creation from Cut Loose Press® by Merry May, which uses tea towels to make a stylish and functional tote bag. With this pattern, you can easily create a tote bag that is perfect for carrying your essentials, whether it’s for a trip to the beach or a quick run to the store.

To make this project, you will need two coordinating tea towels, a sewing machine, a coordinating thread, and basic sewing supplies such as a rotary cutter, a cutting mat, and a ruler. This project is perfect for beginners and can be completed in just a few hours.

The Tea Towel Tote Bag is not only practical, but it’s also an eco-friendly alternative to disposable shopping bags. You can also customize the tote bag by using different tea towel designs or adding embellishments such as embroidery or applique.

So why not give the Tea Towel Tote Bag a try and make your own stylish and practical tote bag today?

Finally, this pattern, #CLPRAN001 from Cut Loose Press®, is a great way to turn your favorite tea towel into a fun and functional apron.

With just one tea towel, some coordinating fabric for the waistband and ties, and basic sewing supplies, you can create a stylish and practical apron in no time. This project is perfect for beginners and can be completed in just a few hours.

The Tea Towel Apron from Cut loose Press® is not only a great addition to your own kitchen but also makes a wonderful gift for any foodie or cooking enthusiast in your life. You can personalize the apron by choosing a tea towel with a design or pattern that matches the recipient’s style or interests.

We hope you give the Tea Towel Apron a try and discover how easy and fun it is to create your own unique and functional apron.

Since these are Cut Loose Press patterns, they are always in stock. Visit our website www.checkerdist.com to see hundreds of towel options!

Prepping for Valentine’s and St. Paddy’s Day

Posted on January 6, 2023 by Penny Haren

Yes, this is the perfect Valentine decoration but why not make it in wedding colors for a bridal shower? The wedding party can sign the hearts and the guests can sign around them. What a great memory of the day!

Crazy Hearts #CLPKAL011 from Cut Loose Press by Karla Alexander.

Don’t you love the name? In Crazy Love #CLPKAL014 from Cut Loose Press the angles doesn’t matter. The sashing strips can be adjusted by trimming them after the letters are pieced so they are all the same height.

What a great shower or wedding gift. At 18 x 53 inches it would make a statement hanging above a bed!

It is all about fabric placement. Lovey #CLPDLB018 by Lisa DeBord combines five different color combinations of a courthouse steps block to spell out LOVE. Since each round of logs is trimmed before the next round is added, perfection is guaranteed. Why not spread some love this year?

Creative Grids 4in Log Cabin Trim Tool Quilt Ruler

There is a little bit of Irish in all of us so why not celebrate it? The leaves of these Tumbling Shamrocks #CLPQIN001 are cut from a variety of 2-1/2in strips. The variety of prints adds depth and texture to the design by creating another design element. Adjust the size accordingly to make it fit your table or gift it to your favorite bloke as a throw! Either way, it will be treasured!

Cut Loose Press® patterns are a Checker Exclusive and printed on demand so they are always in stock and available for your next kit or class.

New from Creative Grids®

Posted on October 13, 2022 by Penny Haren

The 10-inch Wonky Log Cabin Trim Tool #CGRJAW13 puts a fun twist on a traditional block. This one is designed to work with 2-1/2 inch strips for both the logs and center squares making it precut friendly.

After adding each round of logs, place the appropriate centering square on the ruler over the center square of the block and trim. Since each round is trimmed before adding the next one, your final trim squares up the block making it ready to be used in your project.

Jean Ann has designed five different Cut Loose Press™ projects using her latest tool.

Sweet Sixteen showcases the crazy quilt effect created with her Wonky Log Cabin Trim Tool. Use a 40 pack of pre-cut 2-1/2-inch strips with lots of fabric options to enhance the scrappy look. Or, use scraps you have on hand for a true stash buster.

Going My Way uses fabrics to color the blocks with a light and dark side. Twisting and turning the blocks creates the arrows in the finished quilt.

Bubbles Baubles and Balloons uses the same light and dark coloring of the block, but by twisting and turning the blocks, the circular pattern comes to life.

This pattern incorporates just 4 blocks into this table runner. Just (1–3) 2-1/2-inch strips of 6 different colors are all you need to create the blocks so it is a great stash buster. Or make every log a different fabric for a more scrappy look.

Two Wonky Totes includes instructions to make this tote two different ways. The mesh version features a top facing, the top of the fabric version is bound. Both versions feature a jaunty pocket made with the Creative Grids® Wonky Log Cabin Trim Tool. French seams complete the professional look and is a great technique to teach in a class.

Everything is in stock so place your orders now!

New from Cut Loose Press!

Posted on August 31, 2022 by Penny Haren

Welcome our newest designer, Cheri Beatty! Her first submission is the perfect beginner class or project! Every inch of the fabric is used in this quilt. Grab forty-two 10-inch squares and you are ready to go. Kitting not required!

The name of the quilt says it all, Barcode Quilt. This is the perfect name for a quilt with a modern look that can truly be completed in an afternoon. Cheri recommends the Creative Grids® 6 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ Rectangle (CGR612) but any 6 1/2″ wide ruler in the line will make cutting a breeze.

Deb Heatherly submitted this gem! Gracie’s Star (CLPDHE047) is the perfect choice for a beginning quilter or anyone who wants to make a stunning quilt with a lot of impact. It makes a great Quilts of Valor, just adjust the borders as needed. An assortment of squares and half-square triangles never looked so good!

Deb recommends the Creative Grids® 5 1/2″ Square (CGR5) for this one since it is the perfect tool to trim those half-square triangles. Everything is in stock so you have time to get a sample done for your Fall class offerings!

New from Cut Loose Press™ Patterns

Posted on June 16, 2022 by Penny Haren

Designed by Quilters Inspiration! There is a little bit of Irish in all of us so why not celebrate it? The leaves of these tumbling shamrocks are cut from a variety of 2-1/2in strips. The variety of prints adds depth and texture to the design by creating another design element. Adjust the size accordingly to make it fit your table or gift it to your favorite bloke as a throw! Either way, it will be treasured! The individual leaves are trimmed to 4 1/2″ and the entire shamrock are trimmed to 8 1/2″ so the Creative Grids® CGR4 and/or CGR8 are recommended.

Sunflowers Ala Lulu is a great introduction to a more artistic approach to quilting. This raw-edge appliqué project features layered squares to create the petals of the sunflowers. Add some leaves and bias tape stems and you can have this done in an afternoon! The Creative Grids® CGR9 is recommended.

Welcome the newest Cut Loose Press™ designer, Beth Weigt! She teaches classes and wanted a simple pattern with larger pieces that would showcase the Creative Grids® Kitty Corner Tool (CGRDH5). Happy Kitty’s Table Topper features twelve-inch blocks, and since there are only four of them, it truly can be finished in an afternoon.

The Kitty Cornered Blocks are combined with a center square and rectangles like a nine-patch. Then they are separated by sashings and a corner-post which create a secondary center design. Choose three coordinating fabrics and begin!

Cut Loose Press™ patterns are always in stock so place your orders now!

Pineapple Popouts

Posted on May 31, 2022 by Penny Haren

The pineapple popout series showcases a new technique. The center pineapple block is made with the Creative Grids® Mini Pineapple Trim Tool (#CGRJAW3MINI) with rounds that finish at ½-inch. Additional rounds are added and trimmed with the Creative Grids® Pineapple Trim Tool (#CGRJAW3) to create 1-inch finished rounds. Click here to see a video showing this technique.

In this table runner from Cut Loose Press™, (Pineapple Popout #CLPJAW085) the colors are reversed in alternate blocks to enhance the dimensional effect. Since the corners of the block are pieced from the same fabric as the borders, the pineapples seem to float across the table. Since each round is trimmed after cutting, sewing and pressing, the results are perfect every time.

In this quilt from Cut Loose Press™, (Pineapple Popout Spice #CLPJAW079) the colors are reversed in each set of coordinated prints to enhance the dimensional effect. The scrappy border and binding add a modern feel to this stunning quilt. And since each round is trimmed after cutting, sewing and pressing, the results are perfect every time.

In this tote from Cut Loose Press (Pineapple Popout Totte #CLPJAW086), the colors are reversed in alternate blocks to enhance the dimensional effect. One block is bound and added as a pocket on one side. The fabrics and handle are reversed on the other side. Since each round is trimmed after cutting, sewing and pressing, the results are perfect every time.

Creative Grids Pineapple Trim Tool for 6, 8 or 10in Finished Blocks

Creative Grids Pineapple Trim Tool Mini Quilt Ruler

Tip: Eliminate the math by cutting the strips using the line down the center of any of the Creative Grids® 2-1/2-inch wide rectangles. This white line is at the 1-1/4-inch mark, the width of the strips needed to make the mini-block. Use the line down the center of any of the Creative Grids® 3-1/2 inch wide rectangles to cut the strips for the outer rounds.

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 Lisa DeBord

Posted on April 2, 2022 by Penny Haren

Welcome Spring with Meadow the meadowlark. It is all about fabric placement. Meadow from Cut Loose Press™ combines courthouse steps log cabin blocks in a variety of colorways to create this stunning quilt. A few of the blocks are modified by adding triangles and even a prairie-point to enhance the design. The eye is created by starting with a half-square triangle for the center square. Simply genius!

Since each round of logs is trimmed before the next round is added, perfection is guaranteed.

We all have an angel in our life and maybe Gracie can be yours! It is all about fabric placement. Gracie combines two different sizes of courthouse steps log cabin blocks, 4 and 8-inch, both sizes created with the Creative Grids® Log Cabin Trim Tool Duo. But you may want the smaller size as well since it is easier to manipulate when trimming the smaller size.

Creative Grids 10in Log Cabin Trim Tool Duo

Tip: Eliminate the math by cutting the strips using the line down the center of any of the Creative Grids 2-1/2 inch wide rectangles. This white line is at the 1-1/4 inch mark, the width of the strips needed to make this block.

Warning – these are like putting together jigsaw puzzles. Once you make one, you won’t be able to stop! Check out all of Lisa DeBord’s patterns in this series to see the complete collection.

Crazy Love

Posted on February 14, 2022 by Penny Haren

Don’t you love the name?

This Cut Loose Press™ pattern #CLPKAL014 features four letters that are all pieced individually after the angles are cut with the Creative Grids® Spiderweb Ruler #CGRKA6. The width of each letter doesn’t matter. Each letter can be trimmed after the sashing strips are added so that the height of each block is exactly the same before they are sewn together.

Karla Alexander is one of my favorite designers because she thinks WAY outside of the box. In this case, she created all of the cutting instructions to work with directional fabrics. And, the pieces are oversized so they are trimmed to size after piecing the angles. With big pieces and built-in fudge factors, even beginners will be successful. The angled pieces are all cut with her Creative Grids® Spiderweb Ruler.

What a great shower or wedding gift. The guests could sign the backing fabric.

At 18 x 53 inches, it would make a statement hanging above a bed! I’m thinking about framing each letter individually and hanging them as a headboard.

If you are a visual learner, a video tutorial will be available soon. Everything is in stock so place your orders now.

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