Quilted Vests with Style

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Penny Haren

Mellie & Me is releasing new vest patterns that make me want to start sewing clothing again! The Britney Vest comes in three styles and a multitude of sizes from XS to XXXL. The zippered version is my favorite. I don’t know if it is the colors or the pockets, but this one is definitely on my to-do list! Mix and match the variations to make it truly your own! You can also easily make this with a quilt top or finished quilt instead. This printed pattern contains fully illustrated step-by-step instructions and full-sized templates to create your own Britney Vest.

The back is understated elegance.

Same pattern, different cover for those Tula fans. Notice this version, included in both patterns, includes a V-neckline, no zipper, and a binding trim with a bow closure – the perfect choice for a beginner!

Or Version 3…squared off neckline and bottom.

The Harmony vest is adorable in whichever size you choose. The baby sized version includes sizes newborn to 24 months.

The Harmony Girl Vest pattern includes sizes from 3 to 8.

The ladies version includes sizes from XS – 4XL.

All of these patterns should be arriving this month, just in time for those cool, summer evenings!

T-Shirt Quilt-O-Rama!

Posted on May 2, 2025 by Connie Buick

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.

To add a little interest to your quilt, you might want to try EQ Printables Inkjet Fabric Sheets.

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.com to find many more crafty ideas to add to your quilts.

Take Your Quilting to the Barn!

Posted on April 11, 2025 by Penny Haren

Summer is the perfect time for making barn quilts. Outdoor painting, where there’s lots of room, can turn this into a family project!

The Barn Quilt Manual by Sheila Sinclair Snyder of License to Quilt is a 100 page instruction manual with complete instructions on “how to” make a Barn Quilt. Gather the supplies from the thorough list which describes each item with detailed pictures. Choose from over 75 full color quilt block patterns. The patterns are all designed to fit a square board, 2 foot x 2 foot, and can easily be transposed to other square dimensions. Have fun choosing a color scheme, then hang your Barn Quilt outdoors for many years of enjoyment.

Make one for yourself, and once you see how fun it is, why not host a party? Or get the entire family involved and make several for Christmas gifts. With 75 blocks to choose from, it will be easy to choose the perfect block for each recipient. The book will be shipping in June, in plenty time for summer fun. Why not ask your local quilt shop to order you a copy today?

Perfect Family Craft Day Projects

Posted on April 7, 2025 by Penny Haren

Summer means quality time with family and friends and the perfect time to introduce them to your favorite hobby! All of these projects can easily be “kitted” and the perfect activity for a rainy day at the beach.

FABRIC PUMPKINS

This beginner-friendly fabric pumpkin adds a charming handmade touch to your home! The pattern includes four sizes, and you can easily create more by enlarging the templates.
These eco-friendly pumpkins bring cozy, seasonal vibes and can be enjoyed year-round—creating your own fabric pumpkin patch at home! Warning: Once you make one, you won’t be able to stop—you’ll want to make more for your loved ones ( or teach them how to make their own!

CRISS CROSS POUCH SET

Store your favorite essentials in style with this versatile bag, available in FOUR sizes!

This patchwork lover friendly project is a great way to use up your favorite fabric scraps and can be finished in an evening. The pattern includes clear instructions, full-color step-by-step photos, and a bag template. Plus, a YouTube video QR code is included for extra guidance!

WEEKEND SLING BAG

You can never have too many sling bags, and this Flying Geese Sling Bag will be your perfect companion wherever you go! Learn Minki Kim’s Quilt As You Go flying geese method or use your favorite technique to make it your own. And, yes, there is a YouTube video to make it oh sew easy!

Check out these and other patterns by Minki Kim. Her newest releases will be arriving in shops the beginning of June, just in time for Summer fun!

Zhuzh ‘em Up!

Posted on March 23, 2025 by Connie Buick

Not everybody is familiar with the term ‘Zhuzh’ so let me explain. To zhuzh it up is to make it more attractive, interesting, or stylish. It is always fun to see the most zhuzhed up quilter in the class, or at the retreat. Who doesn’t want a little style added to their quilting stockpile?

So let me introduce you to the newest counter displays of MATCHING pincushions, scissors, pattern weights, and tape measures. They are the bee’s knees! By the way, if you want to hang with the cool kids, use zhuzh and NOT bee’s knees.

First, these amazing Fabric Pincushions with Wood Base from HTL. I love those beautiful fabric tops, and those bees?!!! I would buy them all. So, grab the one you like best and then notice (in a sing songy voice) the scissors!

To have a pair of matching Embroidery Scissors from HTL to use with your pincushion sitting right there next to them will make you a BOSS for sure. You’re already the envy of the group and then you show up with a Retractable Tape Measure from HTL that also matches! I mean, who IS this woman? She is so zhuzhy.

And just to throw them over the edge, you bring out your Cotton Fabric Weights from HTL. Not because you’re cutting out a fabulous dress (heck you’ve never even made a dress), but because you need them to hold your fabric pieces down to keep them from blowing away when everyone walks by and blows a heavy sigh because they aren’t as zhuzhy as you are!

Have I convinced you yet that you MUST have these on your counter?! Come on- show them your zhuzh.

A 3 Yard Christmas

Posted on April 29, 2022 by Penny Haren

Donna Robertson and Fran Morgan co-founders of Fabric Café, known for
their signature 3-yard quilt method announce a new pattern book, Make it Christmas
With 3-Yard Quilts! The easy-to-understand, quick-to-sew quilt patterns take the guesswork
out of fabric selection helping quilters achieve beautiful quilts quickly and simply.

This book features 8 festive designs which include instructions for all 3 sizes of the lap, twin, and queen/king quilts. Donna says, “In this busy world, making time for the things we love is important. Quilters love knowing they get faster quilting results with this easy quilting method. The demands for more 3-yard quilt patterns continues to grow!”.

Here are the 8 quilts featured in the book as well as larger images of a few of my favorites!

This book is due to arrive in June, just in time for the new Christmas fabrics that will be arriving!

Sew Cherished in the Round

Posted on May 10, 2020 by Penny Haren

I LOVE this new round the year series by Sew Cherished! All of her designs have that awe factor that you just can’t resist! These 10″ wool circles are the perfect handwork project and would be a great wool Round of the Month!

We already have pics on the website for the first three. The next three are entered – but we don’t have the pics yet! Don’t you love a surprise – especially when they are this cute???

I love the stand because it is 22″ high so it adds height to any display. Smaller things can be showcased around the base to create a charming vignette! The designer used sew-in magnets to attach the wool design!

The patterns and stand are all due to arrive later this month.

Jelly Roll Rugs are not just for the Floor.

Posted on November 3, 2019 by Penny Haren

Roma of RJ Designs has added a new pattern to her popular jelly roll rug series – Pillows, Placemats, Coasters and Trivet Too!

What a fun and easy Make It/Take It class for the holidays! Roma has endorsed the new Gypsy Quilter Jelly Roll Tube Maker that removes the tedious folding step.

I don’t want to miss anything so I am quoting the description:

To make the Fabric & Batting Tube, place a thin batting strip on the wrong side of a 2 1/2″ fabric strip. Feed the layered (fabric & thin batting) strip, batting side up, into the wide end of the Jelly Roll ™ Tube Maker. If needed, place a sewing awl in the slot on the tool to pull the layered strip through. Then fold the now magically folded, layered strip in half as it comes out the other end & place under the sewing machine presser foot ready to stitch. Keep the Jelly Roll Tube Maker close to the sewing machine & slide along as you sew.
The metal Jelly Roll Tube Maker may be used with or without an iron (with caution) for other similar technique projects.

Endorsement:
“As the creator of the original Jelly Roll Rug & subsequent patterns, I have dreamt of the production of this amazing, helpful notion. The strong, sturdy & durable Jelly Roll(tm)Tube Maker will ease the sometimes tedious & painful folding process of creating the fabric & batting tubes. The Jelly Roll ™ Tube Maker will save time, produce consistent width tubes & help to provide amazing results.”

You won’t be able to make just one!

Silicone is the Rage

Posted on October 9, 2019 by Penny Haren

Silicone is showing up everywhere! Its heat-resistant properties are the perfect combination for quilters on the go.

Around the Bobbin has a new travel case showcasing at this Market that is sure to please. And since the patterns and silicone refills are due to arrive in the next couple weeks, they are a great choice for gifts this season!

I love the way they have created a separate pocket for the cord so you can pack your bags – even with the curling iron, small portable craft iron, or flat iron is not without worrying about damaging the cord. A fast, fun and easy project!

Collages are Hot

Posted on December 2, 2016 by Penny Haren

lhfwpf

Laura’s Little Book of Collage #LHFLBC

Laura Heine’s collage quilts are taking the industry by storm. Every shop that teaches a class, continues to teach them over and over again! But, many of you were hesitant because this was outside that comfortable box we love. Well, it is time to step out of that box because Laura has now written a book that explains – step by step – how to pick colors and fabrics for these works of art. This is not a pattern – it is the perfect companion to ALL of her patterns – and a must read for anyone teaching a class!

These projects can still be done in time for Christmas so check out these popular choices. For those of you who have a furry member of the family…

What seamstress wouldn’t like this work of art in her sewing room?

Or bring back memories of Old Blue…

Why not start your New Year’s resolution today – and throw that box out! Add some classes to the schedule that will expand techniques for your current customers – and may actually introduce a new audience to quilting. After all, no perfect seam allowance is required!

Checker News Blog

Resource for Independent Quilt, Sewing, and Needlearts Retailers

Category Archives: Trends