Newest Release From Creative Grids

Posted on June 26, 2020 by Penny Haren

The newest Creative Grids® tool, Kitty Cornered, developed by Deb Heatherly is simply brilliant! It is one of those blocks that I always paper-pieced in the past because I just couldn’t sew those odd angles accurately. Well, not anymore!

Make eleven different sizes of the Kitty Cornered block – two at a time! Cut the odd angles with the tool, then trim them down to size after sewing. Fast, easy and accurate! Make two Kitty Cornered blocks at one time – the printed cutting chart is right on the tool! Create eleven sizes from 1 to 6 inches – and every half inch in between. The ruler comes with fully illustrated step by step instructions or watch the YouTube video to see a demonstration.

And, of course, there are sooo many companions. Daddy’s Ties is a Cut Loose Press™ pattern and is the perfect choice for a memory quilt. I am making this one with a friend who lost her husband a few years ago. We are using his ties – and oxford cloth shirts for the background squares. What an heirloom!

Combining four of the blocks – and sewing them together like a nine-patch creates this stunning quilt – Kitty Cornered Chained. Don’t you love the larger units as accents in the middle border?

Evergreen Runner is a fast, easy project combining half-square triangles and Kitty Cornered blocks.

By reversing the lights and darks in the block, a whole new design is created in Happy N Blessed.

Nostalgia combined Kitty Cornered blocks with three inch log cabins – created with the four inch log cabin trim tool.

Need a patriotic table runner this summer? Liberty Runner is just the ticket and you can finish it in an afternoon!

I love this Maple Leaf table runner that is cut from 10 – 10″ squares so it is easy to kit for classes! I cut kits for this yesterday and am using a gray background – can’t wait to start sewing!

Aptitude is a full pattern that includes instructions for a lap as well as a queen sized quilt. This pattern uses the Creative Grids® CGRDH2 Strippy Stars Tool and the CGRDH5 Kitty Cornered Tool. Fabric selection is easy! Just choose a background and two additional contrasting colors.

Catagonia also features lap and queen sizes and combines the Cat’s Cradle tool by Deb with the Kitty Cornered tool. The pattern calls for a variety of fabrics in the cat’s cradle units so pull out your scraps!

Sassafras combines the Ultimate Flying Geese tool with the Kitty Cornered Tool for maximum effect. With just three colors, it is oh so simple to choose fabrics.

Pick out 9 Fat Quarters and a background fabric, and use the Creative Grids® CGRDH5 Kitty Cornered tool to make this fun 55″ x 70″ quilt designed by Christine Van Buskirk. Don’t you love the dark background???

Flurry is a 64″ x 80″ Fat Quarter friendly quilt is stunning in blues. Using CGRFCC (6″ Folded Corner Clipper) is also featured in the instructions as an optional tool for the diamond in a square assembly.

The tool and Cut Loose Press™ patterns are in stock. The full-sized patterns are due in any day so place your orders now!

New from GE Designs

Posted on June 1, 2020 by Penny Haren

Gudrun Erla has released four new patterns this season. The hardest decision is going to be which one to make first!

Taylor is an easy pattern you can make from fat quarters or a mix of 10″ squares, 2-1/2″ and 1-1/2″ strips. It is a part of the Stripology Mixer series of patterns. Construction is very easy with the Stripology XL ruler by GE Designs. You can tailor the layout to your liking, more uniform or go very abstract. The pattern comes with 5 different size options: crib, lap, full, queen, king.

This striking pattern is so versatile and much easier to make than it looks. The pattern has 4 different layout options and endless variations. Make it with assorted 10″ squares or just 2 fabrics, using the Stripology Squared or the Stripology XL ruler by GE Designs and be successful every time. Instructions for using regular rulers are included. The pattern comes with 5 different size options: crib, lap, twin/full, queen, king.

Gudrun featured this pattern in a “quarantine sew along”. 16,000 quilters participated in this all day event so many shop owners already have their sample made! We think that must be a record!

Elvira is a fun and fast to make quilt from fat quarters. Construction is very easy with the Stripology XL ruler by GE Designs and the GEasy point trimmers. Instructions for using regular rulers are included. The pattern comes with 4 different size options: crib, lap, full, queen.

Hope was also featured in an all day sew along and over 6,000 quilters participated from all over the world. So, once again, many shops have samples completed. For this sew along, Gudrun donated over $35,000 to local charities – quilters could make a donation in lieu of purchasing the pattern for this event. Doesn’t it give you goosebumps??? What an amazing story and what an amazing event!

Hope is a fun and easy pattern you can make from fat quarters or 10″ squares and 2-1/2″ strips. Construction is very easy with the Stripology XL or the Stripology Squared ruler by GE Designs. Instructions for using regular rulers are included. The pattern comes with 4 different size options: crib, lap, full, king.

These blocks can be laid out in a multitude of ways to create dynamic quilts!

I love these stickers – and use them all of the time on my rulers and cutting mats. They now come in three “Fruity Fiesta” colors.

G-Easy Ruler Stickers - Fruity Fiesta Palette

Everything is due to arrive June 20th so place your orders now!

Biggie the Bee is Buzzing

Posted on May 12, 2020 by Penny Haren

This newest quilt by Krista Moser was just shown for the first time May 3rd – and the response has been crazy! Everybody is “buzzing” about it so order plenty now!

This 42 x 48-inch baby size quilt – or an adorable wall hanging – is made with the original Creative Grids® Diamond ruler. That means the pieces are big, beautiful, and oh sew easy to piece. There are no “Y” seams so it is beginner-friendly.

Don’t you love the way she uses stripes and buffalo plaids in unexpected ways? She also used some Essex cotton – which has the feel and texture of linen – to add to the tactile vibe. Here is the back as well so you can start getting fabrics together.

I can’t wait to dive into my black and white and gray and honey fabrics……I might even throw in a few polka dots….

Hoop Easy Is THAT Easy

Posted on April 12, 2020 by Penny Haren

I do not have an embroidery machine YET so I have deferred to an expert for this post. Nichole Schneider is a Checker buyer and knows everything there is to know about the subject!

Hoop Easy Cotton Batting from The Gypsy Quilter® Stitcher Series

Do you ever have a need for just a little bit of batting? This easy to use roll of 100% natural cotton batting is perfect for all your quilt-as-you-go or in-the-hoop projects. I love it for small projects or for use in limited spaces. The convenient roll is super easy to use and space-saving to store. The 10 or 12-inch roll is a great thing to have on hand for small projects!

When combined with 100% cotton thread and fabric, batting is microwave safe for up to 6 minutes- in 2-minute intervals.

Pro tip: Hoop your preferred stabilizer and float batting in the hoop. Use this batting to give a little extra loft to in the hoop projects- especially the arms and legs of stuffed animals.

Hoop Easy Embroidery Batting – Cotton Poly Batting with Scrim from The Gypsy Quilter® Stitcher Series

Finally! Batting that supports your stitches WITHOUT additional stabilizer. Hoop the embroidery batting and off you go! Supports up to 8,000 stitches per layer. 11% Scrim for added strength and stability, this batting will not shift.

Hoop Easy Embroidery Batting 10in x 10yds

Hoop Easy Embroidery Batting 12in x 10yds

I love this batting for fully enclosed in the hoop projects. The batting IS the stabilizer! Nothing to remove. Simply trim when finished. This is a GREAT stabilizer to use for stuffed animals, pouches and more. Your project is soft after embroidery and has a really nice loft to it as well.

Pro tip: if you need more stitch count support, simply float a piece of tear away under the hooped batting.

Hoop Easy Stick & Wash Away from The Gypsy Quilter® Stitcher Series

Perfect for hard to hoop items -simply hoop with release paper side up. Once hooped, score release paper with a T-pin and gently peel the paper up. Stick your hard to hoop fabric or item to the adhesive side and embroider. When finished, un-hoop and remove the stabilizer with water. Wash Away stabilizer is great for sheer fabrics and those with an open weave, also excellent for applique. Supports 8,000 stitches per layer.

Hoop Easy Stick & Wash Away Stabilizer 10in x 10yds

Hoop Easy Stick & Wash Away Stabilizer 12in x 10yds

Pro tip: For easy removal- spray backside of the project with water from a mist bottle. Then gently peel off the stabilizer. You can also immerse in water, and the stabilizer will dissolve completely.

Hoop Easy Stick and Tear Away from The Gypsy Quilter® Stitcher Series

Perfect for hard to hoop items. Simply hoop with release paper side up. Once hooped, score release paper with a T-pin and gently peel the paper up. Stick your hard to hoop fabric or item to the adhesive side and embroider. When finished, un-hoop and tear away stabilizer from the project. Supports 8,000 stitches per layer.

Hoop Easy Stick & Tear Away Stabilizer 10in x 10yds

Hoop Easy Stick & Tear Away Stabilizer 12in x 10yds

Pro tip: After embroidering, gently tear off the stabilizer.

Hoop Easy Sew-In Mesh from The Gypsy Quilter® Stitcher Series

Sew-in Mesh adds stability while retaining the softness of the fabric. This product works great with knits, loose weave fabric, and fleece. It supports up to 8,000 stitches per layer.

Hoop Easy Sew-In Mesh Stabilizer 12in x10yds

Pro tip: Leave this stabilizer in after embroidering. If you need more stabilization- float tear away stabilizer under the hoop.

Hoop Easy Tear Away from The Gypsy Quilter® Stitcher Series

This is the cleanest tear away you’ve ever used. The stabilizer is perforated for a precise tear and easy removal. This works best with woven fabrics and other fabrics that do not stretch. Supports 8,000 stitches per layer.

Hoop Easy Tear Away Stabilizer 10in x 10yds

Hoop Easy Tear Away Stabilizer 12in x 10yds

Pro tip: If you need more stability, layer up the stabilizer.

Hoop Easy Topper from The Gypsy Quilter® Stitcher Series

Use this topper to prevent stitches from sinking into your fabric. After embroidering, tear topper away, then remove any excess with water.

Pro tip: use topper when embroidering toweling or “furry” fabrics- and the stitching will sit nicely on top!

Microwave Bowl Cozy

Posted on March 15, 2020 by Penny Haren

These bowls are great gifts – and now have never been easier. The Gypsy Quilter™ has chosen 100% cotton batting that is microwave safe – and even cut it to shape. The darts are even cut out!

Just place pre-cut batting on the wrong side of a 10.5 inch square of cotton fabric. Using 100% cotton thread, fold and stitch darts 1/4 inch away from the batting cut edge. Trim out fabric excess. Repeat with the second square of cotton and pre-cut batting. Put right sides together and stitch around the outer edge. Leave an opening for turning. Turn and stitch the opening closed. That’s all there is to it! OR sew five 2 1/2″ strips together to equal 10 1/2″ and make two bowls from a strip set!

One package is enough to make four bowls.

Crazier Eights Playbook

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Penny Haren

This companion book for the Creative Grids® Crazier Eights Template Set #CGRMT7 features eight projects. This 16-page booklet includes instructions for cutting from scraps, 10” squares and fabric strips for effective use of your fabrics. Learn to use the five templates as a set, individually or in different combinations to create the projects in the book.

Or use the free pattern that comes with the template set!

Everything is in stock so order now!

Spot on Dots

Posted on February 22, 2020 by Penny Haren

This is such a brilliant idea! I can’t wait to use them on my Creative Grids Trim Tools! Cutting fabric accurately is the first step in creating quilts that lay flat, points that line up, and pieces that fit just right. The Gyspy Quilter Spot on Dots allows you to see exactly where you’ve lined up your fabric on your ruler by giving you magnified visibility at the point that matters most. For precision-perfect accuracy, Spot on Dots is the perfect tool for you!

The small dot is 1 inch in diameter. The large dot is 2 inches in diameter. At the center, magnification is 3x.

Place Spot on Dot adhesive side down onto your favorite ruler at the spot you want to magnify. The reusable adhesive ring will prevent the Spot on Dot from shifting while you make precise cuts. The Spot on Dot stays in place until you remove it. Store in its case after use. You can reactivate the grip on the Spot On Dot by simply washing with mild soap and water.

Waddles

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Penny Haren

Just the name makes me smile! He is the cutest little penguin to grace the South Pole! Waddles #CLPLDB004 From Cut Loose Press™ by Lisa DeBord.

He is the perfect companion for Noggins #CLPLDB003 from Cut Loose Press™ by Lisa DeBord.

Both are made with the Creative Grids® four-inch curvy and four-inch log cabin trim tools.

Creative Grids 4in Log Cabin Trim Tool Quilt Ruler

Creative Grids 4in Curvy Log Cabin Trim Tool

Why not bundle some fabrics together that would work great in these quilts? These make a great class. Let them choose either pattern since they share all of the same blocks – but we know they will want to make both!

Teach them how to make a traditional log cabin and complete the blocks as homework. Then, you can move on to Courthouse Steps and Curvy log cabins. If you start now, these guys could be ready to hang by Christmas!

Sixty-degree Angles Just Got a WHOLE Lot Easier!

Posted on January 23, 2020 by Penny Haren

Designing quilts with sixty-degree angles just got a WHOLE lot easier with the introduction of Sheila Christensen’s Creative Grids® Half Sixty ruler.

Creative Grids Half Sixty Triangle Ruler

This tool is the perfect companion to the Creative Grids® 80-degree rulers. Since it is 12-1/2″, it works with both. Sew the straight side to create pieced 60-degree units; sew the angles side to create pieced rectangles. It is really that easy!

Just look at the possibilities! This Cut Loose Press™ pattern – Pinwheel Hexagons #CLPSCH001- is a great beginner class. Sixty-degree triangles are pieced from two half sixties and then squared up to create blocks with half sixties. How simple and easy is that!

But this is NOT a one-trick pony! Look at just some of the possibilities! Who would ever think that they were all created with the same tool!

And don’t you love her vibrant choice of colors? The sixty-degree triangle is our number one selling triangle of all time – and now it has a friend! Your customers will love it!

Christmas All Year Round

Posted on January 19, 2020 by Penny Haren

I just love this guy! Noggin #CLPLDB003 is a Cut Loose Press™ pattern made with two different Creative Grids® rulers. I already have mine cut out!

Most of the strips are cut to 1 1/4″ – half the width of a jelly roll so it is a great stash buster as well.

You need the four-inch Creative Grids® Log Cabin Trim Tool…

and the four-inch Creative Grids® Curvy Log Cabin Trim Tool.

The pattern features three different versions of log cabins – log cabins, courthouse steps, and curvy log cabins. What a great series of classes.

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