The Big Easy from Creative Grids

The Big Easy (CGR1224) is a whopping 12-1/2 x 24-1/2 inches – almost twice the size of our most popular 6-1/2 x 24-1/2 inch (CGR24) and the 12-1/2″ square (CGR12).

Creative Grids Quilt Ruler 12-1/2in x 24-1/2in

It has all of the markings you love plus some additional angles – which are perfect for marking cross-hatching, mitering corners on borders, etc.

The added width is also perfect for cutting borders, curtains, and other home dec projects. Personally, I bought the ruler to trim quilts after machine quilting. I like to trim parallel to an inside border so everything is square. The size of this tool means I can accurately square up corners as well as the borders.

The Gypsy Gripper from The Gypsy Quilter is the perfect companion for this tool. This suction-cupped handle attaches to the ruler so you can comfortably move and position the ruler without straining your hands.

The Original Gypsy Quilter Gypsy Gripper

Both products are in stock now so place your orders at www.checkerdist.com.

//www.checkerdist.com/products/CGR1224

The New Cutting Gizmo

The new and improved Gyspy Quilter® Chain-PIece Thread Cutting Gizmo is now in stock! The new look incorporates replacement blades in the base.

Chain Piece Thread Cutting Gizmo


I can’t improve on the product description so here you go:

Reduce thread cutting time with the Gypsy Quilter® Chain-Piece Cutting Gizmo. It is the extra hand you need to help separate chain-pieced units when quilting. To safely cut the threads between the chain-pieced units, simply hold the fabric pieces with both hands and slip the thread into the slot on the top of the Chain-Piece Cutting Gizmo. The embedded razor blade cuts the thread quickly, easily, and safely. The non-slip bottom ensures that it will stay in place when in use. Five replacement blades and the magnetic tool needed for blade changes are stored in the base. See a video here //youtu.be/-_KRaIj3kqc

A Fitted Mask

This mask pattern from Cut Loose Press™ #CLKAL013 includes three sizes: small for a child or petite adult; medium for most women; and large for most men and will even accommodate their beard.

The Cover Up!

The angled nose and chin pieces are cut with the Creative Grids® Spider Web Quilt Ruler #CGRKA6 to ensure a form fit. And wait until you see how she sews the pleat – pure genius! Pattern includes instructions on how to add an additional filter and a mask bar. Be sure to visit the Checker YouTube channel and watch the video before you start.

Many of you already have the Creative Grids® Spiderweb Quilt Ruler since Karla Alexander used it in the Cut Loose Press™ Crazy Christmas Tree, Crazy Hearts, and Coffee Break patterns.

Creative Grids Spider Web Quilt Ruler

Add an optional mask bar from The Gypsy Quilter.

The Gypsy Quilter Mask Bar 100ct

And, the adjustable elastics also from The Gypsy Quilter come in a variety of colors – and ensure a perfect fit.

Drawstring Mask Elastic Black 60ct

Let’s face it – pun intended – masks are going to be a part of life for a long time so find the best fit for your family and friends!

Gift Card Ornaments

Gift-giving has never been easier! These delightful ornament bags, designed by Rachel’s of Greenfield, are just the right size for gift cards or other treasures of your choice. Each envelope-style ornament bag has a different decoration on the front and fastens on the back with an old-fashioned figure-eight closure. The kit includes woolfelt®, embroidery floss, and gold string plus precise patterns, and complete instructions to make 6 gift bags.

Gift Bag Ornaments Kit

There are lots of kits to choose from.

Kit Warm Feet Ornaments
Christmas Critters Ornament Kit
Kit Warm Hands Mitten Ornaments
Charcoal Mittens Kit

These kits are a great way to keep those mask makers engaged. This is my plan:

This year I made GALLONS of Chex mix, filled quart jars, and put them in gift bags. My children and grandchildren had a ball leaving these gifts on the doorsteps of friends and on the desks of their favorite teachers. Hopefully, we will be able to celebrate the holidays this year up close and personal, but we want to continue the tradition. I drew squares the size of each woolfelt piece onto freezer paper. Then, I traced the templates for that color within the square. Since my family and friends are making multitudes of these, we can run as many copies of the template sheets as we have kits – and only have to trace them once. Now, the instructions say to trace the templates right onto the wool felt, but ironing the freezer paper onto the woolfelt with a warm iron was much faster. Why not provide a template sheet to your customers as that “value-added” bonus with the purchase of each kit?

This Gypsy Quilter Appliqué Freezer Paper is over-sized and worked well!

Gypsy Quilter Freezer Paper 12in x 15in Heavy Weight 40ct

And, what great handwork while sitting in front of a fire…..

ABC 123 Cool Pins

Numbered (0-25) on one side and lettered (A-Z) on the other, ABC 123 Cool Pins from The Gypsy Quilter are perfect for organizing your quilt pieces. At .5mm – these pins are sharp and will never leave holes behind in your fabric. As an added bonus, the pinheads are heat resistant up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 104 hexagon shaped pins come in a reusable storage box.

ABC 123 Cool Pins

And in this case, that box adds the awe factor. How cute is this???

ABC 123 Cool Pins

These are due to arrive in April and would be a great addition to any Mother’s Day promotion!

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!!!

Chain Piecing Made Easy

Meet the new and improved Cutting Gizmo by Gypsy Quilter®! The Chain-Piece Thread Cutting Gizmo #TGQ052.

Chain Piece Thread Cutting Gizmo

It is the extra hand you need to help separate chain-pieced units when quilting. To safely cut the threads between the chain-pieced units, simply hold the fabric pieces with both hands and slip the thread into the slot on the top of the Chain-Piece Thread Cutting Gizmo. The embedded razor blade cuts the thread quickly, easily, and safely. The non-slip bottom ensures that it will stay in place when in use. Five replacement blades and the magnetic tool needed for blade changes are stored in the base.

Chain Piece Thread Cutting Gizmo
Chain Piece Thread Cutting Gizmo

Order them now – they are due to arrive later this month!

Cool Pins!

Cool pins are just that – COOL! They are heat resistant up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit so you can iron over them without melting the tip of the pin or burning your finger. The large pinheads are easy to grasp and manipulate – perfect for all ages. And since the tips of the Cool Pins are colorful, they are easy to spot and remove – no pins left behind. Cool pins are sharp and fine. At just .5 mm, they will not leave holes in your finished project. 50 pins come in a reusable storage box. Available in 3 colors: Gypsy Purple, Bohemian Blue and Fortune Fuchsia

Cool Pins Bohemian Blue  50pc
Cool Pins Gypsy Purple  50pc
Cool Pins Fortune Fuchsia  50pc

Why not open a case and display them by the register so everyone can see how sharp they are? Or use them in your next class. Just make sure you have plenty on hand because everyone will want them!

Angela Walters Low Shank Tools

Creative Grids® now offers three of Angela Walters’ most popular machine quilting templates in low shank 1/8″ acrylic. These templates have all of the great features of the originals but are 1/8″ acrylic instead of 1/4″ acrylic.

Squiggy is the go-to tool for machine quilting serpentine lines and wavy designs. Use Squiggy for quilting: serpentine lines in both directions in 2 and 3 inch borders and sashings; overlapping serpentine lines; varied serpentine lines; allover ribbons; ogees; clamshells and more!

Creative Grids Low Shank Machine Quilting Tool Squiggy

This tool does double duty! Inspired by the dome of the Taj Mahal, Taj is perfect for quilting curvy, pointed arcs on your quilts. This versatile tool can be used in all areas of your quilt, including borders, blocks and backgrounds.

Quilt along the outside to create: pointed arches in borders; overlapping arcs or rotate to quilt complex looking motifs. Work along the inside of the tool to create: a leafy allover design; leaves in a row for thinner borders or rotate to quilt flower-like motifs for blocks. By combining the inside and outside, or alternating directions, there are endless quilting possibilities.

Creative Grids Low Shank Machine Quilting Tool Taj

This tool will become your new quilting best friend. Efficient and beautiful quilting is her specialty! Use Shelley to quilt clamshell designs from either side of the tool – no need to rotate the quilt since you can quilt from any side of the quilting foot. The Clamshell design can be classically quilted for an open traditional feel, or given a modern update by flipping it around to create orange peels. But that’s not all she does! Use Shelly for: quilting clamshells or orange peels; rotate to create beautiful flower motifs, arcs, and leaves.

Creative Grids Low Shank Machine Quilting Tool Shelly

These machine quilting gloves by The Gypsy Quilter® are the perfect companion for these templates. Gain extra precision control where you need it most with grip dots on the fingertips. Or flip the glove around for maximum control with grip dots all over the palm and fingers. Hold Steady Machine Quilting gloves are breathable and comfortable.

Gypsy Quilter Hold Steady Machine Gloves One Size

Everything is in stock, so order yours today!

The Perfect Ironing Surface Combo

The Sullivan BetterBoard is the perfect choice for an ironing station or a portable workstation. An added bonus? It folds in half – with attached handles – so it is easy to store and travel. You can even take it to retreats!

Better Board

In their words:

Turn your standard ironing board into a spacious pressing surface with the BetterBoard. This overlay offers plenty of space for your biggest projects. Simply place over your existing ironing board to create a 59″ x 22″ work surface with rounded corners. The BetterBoard comes completely assembled with a smooth laminated surface and a fitted ironing cover with protective pad. It features bottom railings that are 14.875″ wide and will fit over most standard ironing boards. It is great for pressing lengths of fabric and quilt tops easily and quickly. Sit or stand while working on projects such as ironing, quilting, crafting, painting, cutting, and more. The ironing board can be lowered or raised to your desired height making the BetterBoard an ideal solution for any type of project.

Better Board
Better Board

Better Board

The Gypsy Quilter wool mat is the exact same size – which make them the perfect combo!

Wool Pressing Mat 21-5/8in Wide x 58-5/8in Long x 3/8in Thick

Wouldn’t this be a great 12 days of Christmas pick?