Grids Girls Take Note

This new book by Deb Heatherly is flying off the shelves but don’t worry – more are on the way! Her newest book – Creatively Yours – features 10 quilts in a multitude of sizes and four table runners.

This book is a must-have for all of you gadget gurus! These quilts combine several different Creative Grids® tools with stunning results.








This book is a perfect companion to any Creative Grids® or Grids Girl program. Demonstrate a different ruler each month and build as they learn to show how they all work together to create the quilts of your dreams!

Time for a Coffee Break

Karla Alexander of Saginaw Street Quilts has a new Cut Loose Press™ pattern #CLPKAL012 that is going to fly off the shelves like her Crazy Christmas Tree #CLPKAL009! Look how cute this is …

I can’t wait to make it! Actually, I want to design my dinette around this. Can you imagine covering a cornice board with these and framing individual ones for the wall? Of course, I’ll make the table runner too – but who can stop there when they are so darn cute?????

Just like the Crazy Christmas Tree and Crazy Hearts #CLPKAL011 – they all use the Creative Grids® Spider Web Quilt Ruler #CGRKA6.

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Crazy Christmas Tree is the #1 selling Cut Loose Press™ of all time!

Crazy Hearts uses the same ruler and same technique. Why not start a series of classes? These are great classes and demos!



There are TONS of companions for this ruler so check out the patterns shown on the website under the ruler for more possibilities. Why not demonstrate those techniques in class? Everyone loves getting more bang for their buck – but make sure you have THOSE patterns in stock as well.

Perfect 5 – the Perfect Companion

Its Sew Emma has created the perfect companion to the Creative Grids® Perfect 10 Quilt Ruler – the Perfect 5. This little sister was designed to sub-cut and trim those five inch squares – and fits perfectly in the palm of your hand. It even has a diagonal line to square up half square triangles. Versatility is the key

They have designed FIVE new Cut Loose Press™ patterns to showcase the features of this ruler. All of these quilts measure between 36 and 56 inches. My first reaction? Why not start a class and call it Oh baby! Every one of these projects is perfect for a baby/toddler quilt.

Wayside #CLPISE021

Charm Pack Stones #CLPISE020

Bluebird #CLPISE022

Butterfly Patch #CLPISE018

Cotton Candy #CLPISE019

AND, they can be completed in two to six hours! Everyone needs a stash of baby quilts on hand so the class would appeal to all of your customers. And what a great class for beginners! They can learn a different technique each month and actually finish something beautiful!

Since they are all made with five inch squares, just have a large assortment of pre-cuts available with possible border and binding options. No kitting required!

Offer a discount on backing if they bring their completed top to the next class for show and tell. No UFO’s when they are this fast and fun!

The ruler and Cut Loose Press™ patterns are available now. Perfect 5 Quilts from It’s Sew Emma #ISE-933 – a book that features 17 different quilts using one to four charm packs each – will be in stock next month so pre-order it now!

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Wool Mats to Fit your Needs

For all of you who already own a wool mat from The Gypsy Quilter and LOVE it, two new sizes are now available. I travel and teach most of the year and see you with your tray tables next to you for an ironing station. Now there is a mat to fit the most common size of table: 13 x 19-1/2 inches!

Please remember: These pressing mats can be used with a dry iron on any surface. If using steam, place the mat on a protected surface since moisture does go through the mat and can harm the surface below.

Perfect for that quilter on the go! But what about when you are in your sewing room? We have the answer for that as well! There is now one big enough to fit your Big Board – a whopping 22 x 59 inches! This 3/8″ wool mat is the perfect choice for pressing entire quilt tops.

If you haven’t tried these yet, here are the details and why you should:

Press any pieced or embroidered block with ease. The density of this high-quality 100% felted wool mat absorbs seams and stitches, effectively pressing both sides at once. Block knitted projects as well by pinning them directly to the mat. An added bonus? The texture of the wool stops fabrics from shifting so there is no distortion when pressing.

Tips and Tricks
The pressing mat can be used with a dry iron on any surface. If using steam, place the mat on a protected surface since moisture does go through the mat and can harm the surface below.

Never place the mat on a rotary cutting mat when pressing. The heat could warp the cutting mat.

If mat feels damp after use, hang to air-dry before storing. Wash the mat occasionally by rinsing it in cold water and hanging the mat until dry – especially if using spray starch.

Safe surfaces include Formica, Corian, stone, and metal (an ironing board). Wood and painted surfaces should be avoided.

A wool mat is a handy tool for quick pressing when kept next to your sewing machine.

Twelve Days of Christmas – Part One

Not only were all of these items hot at Market, but I also worked Festival and the Novi show in Michigan – and the consumers agree!

The Creative Grids® Stripology Squared Mini is a definite hit. Everyone loves the size and maneuverability of this baby! Designed to square up blocks up to 6 1/2″, I immediately learned that it is my go-to tool when sub-cutting strip sets. (The acrylic raises over the seams so there is no teeter-tottering like your experience with a traditional ruler.) Plus there are five patterns that support it. Offer it for Christmas and offer classes or demos featuring the patterns the first of the year.

Stripology Mixology is the perfect companion to ALL of the Creative Grids® stripology rulers. The book features 13 quilts made from pre-cuts – and tells you how to cut your own. And who doesn’t want a cocktail over the holidays – recipes included!

The portable Reliable Iron is amazing! It is not only an iron, but it is also a steamer. It gets to a temperature of over 300 degrees in a short amount of time. The bag is insulated so you can leave class before the iron is entirely cool – just leave the long cord on the outside of the bag. Another feature – the outside of the bag has a silicone side to use as a rest when in use. This one is a winner!

What good is an iron without a great ironing mat? These Gypsy Quilter mats come in a variety of sizes. The 13 1/2″ mat is one of the most popular sizes since it is big enough to press a 12 1/2″ block!

Stay Tuned for Part Two….

Cat Lover’s Delight

I am thrilled to announce that one of my favorite designers created a line of fabric for Timeless! This batik line features Deb Heatherly’s favorite – cats!

This 96-inch square block of the month features two of her highly successful Creative Grids® rulers – the Ultimate Flying Geese and the Cat’s Cradle tool.

The fabric batik line includes her favorite things – cats and catnip! Just look at the colors!

There is also a shop kit available that includes the pattern, fabric and tips to share when teaching the class. Who could ask for anything more???

The fabric and shop kits are due to arrive in January so order it now!

Perfect Ten

You asked for it so we delivered! Not only did we deliver, but we also partnered with one of the top pre-cut designers – It’s Sew Emma!

Our motto? Keep it simple! The square is a true 10″ square – not 10 1/2″. There are additional markings for five inch and two and a half inch squares, as well as the most popular strip widths. Trim half square triangles by placing the diagonal on the seam line. The black and white markings show up on both light and dark fabrics.

Grab a layer cake – or cut your own – and start one of these quilts today.

Square One and Acadia are both Cut Loose Press patterns – a perfect combination.

These creative and colorful It Sew Emma Patterns include yardage requirements for multiple sizes.

Perfect 10 Quilts is due to arrive next month and includes 16 quilts cut from ten-inch squares. If the cover is any indication, this is going to be a best seller!

Meet Taj, Chevy, and Elvira from Angela Walters and Creative Grids®

Let’s keep this simple and let Angela tell you about her latest machine quilting templates in her own words: 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.

This tool does double duty! Quilt along the outside to create:

  • Pointed arches in borders
  • Overlapping arcs

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
  • Rotate to quilt flower-like motifs for blocks By combining the inside and outside, or alternating directions, you can come up with endless quilting possibilities.

Visit our website to watch Angela quilt her magic! Click on the Product video button on each item detail page,

Meet Elvira, your new favorite curvy ruler!

She not only looks beautiful, she’s quite handy when quilting wavy lines or continuous curve lines. Elvira can quilt multiple arcs in multiple directions without rotating your quilt (or working from the back of your foot)!

Use her for:

  • Quilting continuous curve blocks (2” squares are her specialty!)
  • Adding a series of curves along a row of blocks
  • Quilting all sides of a square, no matter what foot you use!

Meet Chevy, a machine quilting ruler from Creative Grids®, and designed by Angela Walters. Chevy is a little pointy, a little curvy, and very versatile. With both a straight side and a curvy side, there are so many ways that this tool can help you improve your quilting!

Use the straight side for:

  • Stitching in the ditch and echoing
  • Turning the corner without rotating the ruler
  • Echo two sides of a block easily without marking the pivot point
  • Adding chevron designs all over a quilt, or as a border
  • Crosshatching is now a breeze!

Use the curvy side for:

  • Adding a subtle, curvy line
  • Stitching offset, rounded rectangles by changing direction
  • Creating a modern, all over wavy design
  • Fun quilt motifs for blocks
  • Segmenting borders

This gal is the complete package! She even convinced me that I could machine quilt – and I actually can with her tools. Why don’t you give it a try???

Diamonds Are this Girl’s Best Friend

Remember the name Krista Moser because she is going to be a superstar! This gal has it all, talent, color sense, marketing sense – and the most important of all of the senses – common sense! When a relatively new designer has four patterns in the top 100, I take notice – and you should too!

Krista designed the Creative Grids® newest 60-degree Diamond ruler. This Cut Loose Press™ pattern is so simple, even I could make it. It is all done out of 2-1/2″ strips which makes it easy to market!

Or choose this simple Cut Loose Press™ baby quilt that features the hexie aspect of the tool:

Many of you are already kitting and teaching the Aztec Table Runner which can be made with the 60-degree aspect of the tool as well.

Once you know how to use the ruler, these patterns are a piece of cake. They look like you worked really hard but are actually week-end projects once you know her techniques!

And here is the star of the show – the Creative Grids® 60-degree Diamond Ruler:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why not start a series of classes, showcasing a different element of the tool each month? Your customers will love you for it!