In the world of quilting, there are some assumptions that can be made. One: Most quilters own the Stripology Rulers® from Creative Grids®. Two: Most quilters own the Add-A-Quarter Rulers from CM Designs.
Since we know this to be true, it might also be true that these same quilters would enjoy some NEW books to compliment said rulers. We can deliver! Well, not until November, but…it’ll be delivered!
Inspired by Gudrun Erla’s Icelandic roots, Echoes of Iceland is a 10-part Block of the Month book designed for confident beginners and experienced quilters alike. The book includes full instructions for a 74” x 82” quilt and an optional pieced backing. The instructions use the time-saving and accuracy improving techniques of the Stripology® rulers. As you work your way through the pattern, you learn and practice features of the rulers. With beautifully illustrated patterns, linked video content, and themed storytelling, this BOM is ideal for in-store programs, club series, or instructional classes.
The second equally inspiring book is this one by Carolyn Cullinan McCormick. It delivers a bit sooner in June.
Carolyn has turned 17 difficult Feathered Star patterns into manageable paper piecing patterns for quilters who have shied away from making these exquisite blocks. She has added a sweet border block as the perfect finishing touch. As you know, your Add-A-Quarter Ruler will help with any foundation paper-piecing project. You might actually get me to try a feathered star with this one! Anything to avoid those bitty half-square triangles.
This 1-1/2in x 2-1/2in rectangle ruler from Creative Grids® is the perfect ruler for anyone who loves to work with tiny little blocks. Our exclusive grip is perfect for safely and accurately trimming those smaller pieces.
Creative Grids® Rulers are made in the USA and sold through independent quilt shops as well as select online retailers.
Want to keep that ruler right at your fingertips? This new ruler s the perfect size to check a seam allowance or the widths of strips. Why not make this pincushion that includes a strap to hold the ruler? Or do you need a quick, fun gift that can be completed in just a few hours and learn some new techniques along the way? Hold My Ruler is the perfect choice! With a minimal investment in time and fabric, you can learn how to make flying geese by using the angled lines on the ruler that is handy right in your pincushion.
Both are shipping now so contact your local quilt shop!
You heard it. It is the busiest season for T-shirt quilts. They are comfy, cozy, and so meaningful for the recipient. If you have had some requests, let us help make it easy for you. We have the goods!
Penny Haren has written a simple pattern for Cut Loose Press™ called T-Shirt Quilt CLPPHA009.
This pattern makes it easy enough for beginners by using a few simple tools. Each T-shirt MUST be stabilized to prevent stretch when sewing. The Gypsy Quilter® makes that easy with Quilt-Tee Fusible.
Pick up a package and start fusing. When that is done, you will need to decide where to cut your T-shirt image. Creative Grids® 14-1/2″ Square-It-Up Ruler (CGRSQ14) by Penny Haren, or 12-1/2″ Square-It-Up Ruler (CGRSQ12), also by Penny Haren, are both perfect to use because you can see through the ruler to center the image however you would like. Then just cut around the ruler and, Voila!, you have a quilt block.
These fabric sheets go right through your printer! Pull up an image on your computer, or set it on the copier bed, and print as usual by running one of these sheets right through it. Amazing! Peel off the paper backing and now you have a personalized image to add to your quilt. How about a baby picture on one corner and a graduation picture on another? There are so many creative ways to make a T-Shirt Quilt a lasting memory. Look through our website www.Checkerdist.comto find many more crafty ideas to add to your quilts.
It’s quickly becoming retreat season, and we all know what that means. We need to have our small ironing stations gathered and ready to go! Which small iron do you want to take? We’ll explore a few and then you can decide. You might want them all- they’re THAT good and each is unique.
Mighty Travel Iron
Anti-Stick coated sole plate
Temperature indicator light
Steam Knob
Heats quickly up to 428 degrees
Dual voltage
Includes storage bag
Includes measuring cup
Ergonomic grip
Dritz Mighty Travel Iron steam iron is an innovative steam iron and is great for home, craft, dorm, and travel use. This one has been around for a long time and is tried and true. It gets 5 stars from reviewers on the Checker website. It is HOT! In more ways than one.
As a bonus, you can get this cute Travel Iron Tote to make for transporting this iron. It comes complete with heat resistant fabric lining so there is no burning through AND you can use it as an ironing pad! Talk about clever.
Compact Steam Travel Iron
Compact iron with all the benefits of a full size Rowenta.
Powerful Steam with burst of steam button to remove tough wrinkles.
Stainless Steel Soleplate with precision tip
Full range thermostat
Vertical steam capability
Transparent tank holds more than 2 oz. of tap water
Dual Voltage
Travel pouch included.
This one can steam your clothes AND flatten your quilt blocks. You’ll look as good as your quilts! If you are a steamer, this iron might be perfect. It’s handle folds down to make it even more compact and easy to fit in your suitcase that is probably loaded with wine and snacks leaving very little room for the essentials, and wrinkled clothes to boot.
Oliso Mini Iron With Trivet Kaffe Fassett
For appearance this one takes the prize. Am I right? And let’s talk about that collectors tin! For a limited time (meaning, hurry if you want it) the iron comes packaged in the tin. This is just one of the NEW Oliso Mini Iron With Trivet M3PRO irons. There are three other colors to choose from- Aqua, Coral, and Pistachio.
Warranty 3 years from consumer purchase
Illuminating precision tip for better vision on small details with the patented LED ProLight
Full-size iron in a sleek, compact design
Diamond Ceramic-Flow soleplate
Dual steam capabilities
Rapid heat with 1000 watts of power.
30-minute vertical standby mode with safety shut-off.
10-minute horizontal standby mode with safety shut-off
2-inch detailer tip
Easy view fill tank for 1.7 oz of tap water
This iron has a lot of features to covet. It comes with a trivet to make it easy to set it down without fear of burning anything, and the trivet secures nicely to the bottom of the iron to store. With this iron, you can purchase some great bags to tote and store it in.
Also made by Oliso, these Carry Bags for Travel Irons cannot be used with hot irons. The irons must be cold before storing. All the hand embroidery people out there can have tons of fun embellishing these bags because they look and feel like wool. I’ve seen them turned into adorable mice.
You’ll also need a good Wool Pressing Mat like this one from Checker’s The Gypsy Quilter ® line. They come in many sizes for convenience and make ironing sooo much quicker.
Press any pieced or embroidered block with ease. The density of this high-quality 100% felted wool mat localizes heat to the seams and stitches, effectively pressing both sides at once. A extra bonus? The texture of the wool stops fabrics from shifting so there is no distortion when pressing.
Tips and Tricks For best results.
* Use a dry iron when pressing.
* When pressing an embroidered block, iron on the wrong side. The wool mat will cushion the stitches and retain the texture of the embroidery design
And while you’re at it, why not bring some Magic Iron Cleaner along? This stuff works great in any sticky situation. Well… not when you are stuck listening to someone ramble on about their political opinions, UGH! But it WILL get the sticky stuff off your iron before you ruin your new wool pressing mat.
I think that about sums up your ‘ironing at retreat’ needs. And that’s only because I know you’re already familiar with Best Press. You’re not? Oy. Maybe next time.
Make this dynamic quilt using either 10″ squares or fat quarters! The required Creative Grids® Half Rectangle Trim Tool by Deb Heatherly makes twisting a breeze. The pattern includes five size options, from Baby to King.
The perfect pattern for 10″ squares or fat quarters! Great for beginners and experienced quilters alike. Fabric requirements for 5 size options, from Baby to King are included.
These patterns are due to arrive next month so place your orders now.
This festive Heart Cookies Quilt is simple and so quick to make. It will make the most out of your stash or that collection of Valentine prints you’ve been eyeing. This pattern uses the Creative Grids® 60 Degree Diamond TINY Ruler to easily cut the shapes and sizes that are needed. This pattern includes full-color directions and layouts for a baby/wall quilt and a lap/throw size.
Check out these other patterns that feature her mini diamind tool:
Bring back the childlike delight of cutting out Valentines and picking out candies with Paper Hearts, a traditionally pieced quilt pattern that makes the most of the Creative Grids® 4-in-1 Hexie. Fat quarter and fat eighth friendly, this pattern encourages creativity by having quilters pair up their fabrics in each heart: will they use complimentary prints, a print, and a solid? They’ll have as much fun picking as adding glitter glue to a handmade note. Paper Hearts comes in three sizes and is a solid intermediate, using hexagons and triangles.
This 4-1/2″ Hexie cuts four different shapes, all from strips, and all easy to follow. Shapes include a 4-1/2″ hexagon, a 4-1/2″ half hexagon, a 2-1/2″ triangle, and a 2-1/2″ diamond shape.
Here are all of the patterns that feature Mariana and Creative Grids® 4-in-1 Hexie which makes cutting these quilts a breeze!
The new pattern Paper Hearts will be in stock this month.
Hit the ground running with this geometric delight. Hexie Square invites quilters to step into the world of hexagons and make a mesmerizing early-intermediate quilt. It’s precut friendly, best used with fat quarters, and it has absolutely no tricky y-seams or paper piecing.
The half-block offset in every other row creates additional eye appeal.
This pattern is part of the family of patterns that Mariana Diaz designed with her new Creative Grids ruler. This 4-1/2 inch Hexie cuts four different shapes, all from strips, and all easy to follow. Shapes include a 4-1/2 inch hexagon, a 4-1/2 inch half hexagon, a 2-1/2 inch triangle, and a 2-1/2 inch diamond shape.
Gather as many flowers into a bunch in your hands: it’s time for Hexie Bunch! Grab your favorite fat quarter bundle or pick from your stash like picking flowers for a bouquet, before stitching it all together in a piece that will last much longer than a wilting plant. Best of all, no y-seams, no paper piecing, and Hexie Bunch is fat quarter friendly. This is a kind of gardening we can all get onboard with! It will last beyond Spring and Summer! This quilt pattern is a great introduction to hexagons.
Build a tree with hexagons, and decorate it with all your favorite holiday fabrics. Jolly Tree is as straight-forward as hexies can get, repeating the same construction sequence for everything but the simply-pieced base. It’s precut and scrap friendly, plus there are absolutely no Y seams. The grand result, be it scrappy or sleek, will make this the perfect modern quilt pattern to display during Christmas or any holiday season.
What a great centerpiece for any party! All you need is six ten-inch squares and the four B’s: background, border, binding and backing fabric, to complete this darling table runner. All three units can be cut with the same Creative Grids 4-in-1 Hexie Template: hexagons, half-hexagons, and triangles. Plus, there are absolutely no Y seams. Why not change out the color way for each season?
What a stunning accent! All you need are 14 assorted ten-inch squares to showcase the dramatic hexies in this quilt. All four units can be cut with the same Creative Grids 4-in-1 Hexie Template, and once again, there are absolutely no Y seams. Why not add a splash of color to your home decor today?
The Creative Grids® Hunter’s Star Trim Tool designed by Deb Heatherly Grids will make creating these wonderful blocks easy and stress-free.
Using simple squares and rectangles, and the trimming lines on the tool, you’ll have Hunter’s Star blocks made in three different sizes in no time at all. Add some creative color placement, and a huge variety of Hunter’s Star quilts are all yours.
Deb Heatherly has designed several patterns that showcase this tool:
Huntington
Setting the blocks on point and adding a corner post to the sashing creates a stunning secondary design.
Panel Panache
What a fun design to showcase a panel! The pattern includes instructions for two different sizes of panels.
Playing Favorites
Choose a variety of fat quarters in your favorite color and let the fun begin!
Stars on Parade
This quilt can be cut from scraps, fat quarters or even 10-inch squares so it is a great stash buster! And don’t you love that border treatment?
She has also designed SIX Cut Loose Press™ patterns!
Aquila
Three Color Fun
Halloween Nights
Scattered Stars(Strip Friendly)
Sew Much Fun (10-inch Square Friendly)
Floating Stars(10-inch Square Friendly)
The Creative Grids® tool and patterns from Deb’s Cats N Quilts are arriving next month, so place your preorders today. The companion patterns from Cut Loose Press™ are in stock now.
Give your Christmas decor the wow factor with these over-sized poinsettia blooms.
The asymmetrical design gives a contemporary nod while the depth and richness of color bring elegance to any space. The piecing starts smaller in the middle and “blooms” out bigger with each row of petals. This quilt is constructed using a variety of shapes and sizes all cut using the original Creative Grids® 60-degree Diamond ruler.
There is no fussy piecing or Y seams involved! Finished size 52 ½” x 56 ½”. This pattern is due to arrive the middle of next month so place your orders now.
