Sewing Room Makeover

Everyone I know has cleaning and organizing their sewing room on their list of New Year’s resolutions. And that is the perfect time to take stock of what you really have, what you need – and what needs replaced!

Check out the top 100 notions on our website: //www.checkerdist.com/top/notions

This will give you an idea of what other quilters value and brands that have stood the test of time. Now look at your basic quilting supplies – the ones you use EVERY day! Is it time to replace your rotary cutter blades? Why not buy a multipack so you actually cut instead of “saw” in 2021?

Rotary Blade 45mm 5ct

Check out your stash of needles and buy your most popular sizes.

Schmetz Universal Machine Needle Size 12/80

Are your pins all bent or is your pin cushion bare? Why not replace them with these extra long, sharp, heat-resistant Cool Pins by The Gypsy Quilter?

Cool Pins Gypsy Purple  50pc

Has your mat seen better days? Maybe it is time to replace it – and upgrade to a larger size:

Creative Grids Cutting Mat 24in x 36in

Have you dropped your ruler so many times that there is not a corner left in sight?

Creative Grids Quilt Ruler 6-1/2in x 24-1/2in

If you got a small wool mat to try it, it may be time to admit that it is the greatest notion of the last decade!

Wool Pressing Mat 14-1/3in Wide x 18-7/8in Long x 1/2in Thick

Refresh the notions you use every day and make sewing a pleasure again – just don’t cut your finger with that new blade!!!

Rotary Blade Guards

These were a big hit at Market! These guards protect your fingers from the blade! They come in packs of four – and should be a must have for every rotary cutter in every shop and class!

Rotary Blade Guards 45mm for RTY2DX

Rotary Blade Guards 45mm for RTY2DX

They are specifically designed to work with the OLFA ergonomic cutter.

45 mm Deluxe Ergonomic Rotary Cutter

They are also available for the 60mm size:

Rotary Blade Guards 60mm for RTY3DX
60mm Deluxe Ergonomic Rotary Cutter

What a great stocking stuffer! They will be available very soon!

Tools for Aging Quilters – Part Three

Traditional irons are heavy and most of the time it is sending a “woman to do a child’s job”. After all, most of quilting is pressing seams that are less than 12″. A smaller, more mobile iron is just the ticket. The lighter weight is a big plus. From Steamfast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memory also becomes an issue. These ruler stickers from G.E. Design can be used on mats, rulers, patterns, and fabrics. Keep them EVERYWHERE!  Don’t waste time checking measurements for a second or third time….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last but not least – rotary cutting. The Splash by Olfa offers a quick change blade system that is super simple. You no longer have to take a picture to remember how to put the thing back together – and there are no little parts to deal with!

 

 

 

Although this series is written for aging quilters, young quilters take note!  If you use these tools from the very beginning, maybe you won’t develop the issues that we are dealing with now!

Prepping for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday

This blog has two different audiences – and today I am speaking to both!  Quilters – use this holiday season to support your local quilt shop.  Quilt shops who don’t sell machines are historically not as busy this time of year because most of you have already made your gifts and are busy cooking, cleaning, decorating – you get the picture!

How can we make this a win/win for everyone?  As a shop owner, take a minute to look at your shop through your customers’ eyes.  Set up vignettes that will interest everyone!

For those of us who have friends who want to learn to quilt, why not buy them a kit? For instance, the new Stripology Squared #GE-512, ruler by Creative Grids® #CGRGE2 is a perfect companion to the book.  Add a bundle of 10″ squares to complete the package.

GE-512 CGRGE2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go through all of the books and patterns in your store and “kit” everything that is based on fat quarters and other pre-cuts.  If they require a specific tool or ruler, include that in the display.  And, if you have a sample of it, all the better.  Bringing that sample to the forefront may have everyone looking at it with fresh eyes!

One of my favorite families who quilt buy each other a “kit” each year.  They pick out a project that they know the other will love.  Everyone has a year to finish them – and bring the finished project to the get together the following year.  Past “kits” have included a baby quilt for the sister that was going to be a first time grandmother; a collection of musical fabrics for the piano teacher – you get the idea.  And what a great tradition!  As newbies marry into the family, they are asked to join the group  – and taught how to quilt!  Talk about paying it forward!

And for that beginner?  Have a display of rotary cutters, mats, and rulers as well.  Be sure to include lots of gift certificates so they can buy a beginning class to go to with their new tools.  Be sure to include some beginning patterns such as Yellow Brick Road and kits to go with them.

RM-SG CGR24

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATK126

small_RTY2CPR_01_01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Have written copies of your class schedule that starts in January so they can give that as part of the gift!

Now, lets move onto stocking stuffers!  Go through all of your notions, buttons, and embellishments and make a display that is eye appealing!

Last but not least, tell your customers that you are ready for them!  Facebook is your friend!  My best idea?  Ask your customers to come in and fill out a wishlist.  Have them give you their spouses email.  Then, send their significant other an email with the items on the wishlist and prices.  Offer to get everything together and wrap it for them.  Be their one stop shop!!!  And don’t forget to ask them if they want to add a gift certificate to the order.  Believe me – they will be so thrilled they will actually be buying something that their partner wants, that they will be thanking you – and want to repeat this for other holidays!

Ready, set, go!  Wishing you all a great weekend!

Notions Revisited or Improved!

When I travel and teach, I receive multiple requests from applique enthusiasts for a sandpaper board.  Sue Daley delivers!  The sandpaper stops the fabric from slipping when tracing templates and is mounted to a sturdy board so it is the perfect work surface.

PWBSPB

We once again carry Klutz Gloves in a medium and large size.  Wear these gloves when rotary cutting to protect your fingers from those sharp blades!

FP7858

RB45H-1

The new kid on the block is this new endurance blade by Olfa.  I can’t wait to try one!  For just a few dollars more, this blade is supposed to last twice as long as the current blades on the market!  Let’s face it everyone, we NEVER replace our blade as often as we should so this puppy is a godsend!