Courthouse Steps Inspiration

Deb Heatherly and I are not only Creative Grids® designers, we are also friends. She has designed four of our most popular tools – Cat’s Cradle; Strippy Star, Turbo Four-Patch and the Ultimate Flying Geese.

We both travel and teach – and love to demonstrate Creative Grids®. My latest Cut Loose Press™ pattern, Log Cabin Nights, was inspired by one of her quilts – Steps to the Stars.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the story.  I was working on a king sized quilt and needed a final border.  I loved the way Deb combined Strippy Stars and Courthouse Steps blocks in her pattern. As a border, however, I needed a darker look that would frame the quilt and be striking when it was hanging off the side of a bed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I completed the quilt –  and loved the border. There was a long dresser in the room that was scratched on the top. What is a quilter to do? Make a dresser scarf of course – and Log Cabin Nights was born. Look at your patterns as inspiration and see what happens!

I just noticed a white spot on the top of the buffet….back to the sewing room.

Turbo 4-Patch combines speed and accuracy

Deb Heatherly, designer of the Cat’s Cradle and Strippy Star, created the Turbo 4-Patch when she was teaching a class and the quilt required HUNDREDS of mini 4-Patches.  She knew her students would baulk at making these units the traditional way so a new trim tool was born!
CGRDH3

Create four-patch blocks in 16 different sizes ranging from ½” to 4″ finished sizes in a matter of minutes. Simply place the markings on the ruler directly on the seam line and trim. Since the blocks are trimmed after cutting, sewing, and pressing, any distortion caused by these steps is corrected and each four-patch will be the perfect size every time!   

This trim tool is the perfect companion for the 2-½” and 5″ pre-cuts that are on the market. We know that they aren’t always cut the exact same size so cutting from the seam line guarantees  accuracy.

Deb has created several patterns that showcase this tool.  These three Cut Loose Press™ patterns are great class options.
CLPDHE010  CLPDHE011
This tool can also be combined with Deb’s other Trim Tools such as the Strippy Star.CLPDHE012  CGRDH2
She has also created several full sized patterns that are striking.  My Radiant Star combines four-patches and half-square triangles to maximum effect.DH16909
Or make this darling basket quilt called Addison:
DH16902
Or teach all three tools in Ella’s Attic:
DH16908  CGRDH1
Whether used individually or in tandem, these tools are a delight!

A Creative Grids® Sampler – the Perfect Class Series

DH1601
Item #DH1601  Retail $14.00

This is the PERFECT class/demo sampler!  Deb Heatherly who created the Cat’s Cradle and Strippy Stars tool designed this sampler quilt which features five different Creative Grids® tools.

Each session, teach them how to use a different Creative Grids® tool. Each tool retails for less than $20 which makes the entire project very affordable when spread over a series of classes.

Cat’s Cradle Tool
CGRDH1
Item #CGRDH1  Retail $17.95

Strippy Stars Tool
CGRDH2
Item #CGRDH2  Retail $17.95

Eight Inch Log Cabin Trim Tool
CGRJAW1
Item #CGRJAW1  Retail $19.45

Six Inch Log Cabin Trim Tool
CGRJAWMN6
Item #CGRJAWMN6  Retail $17.95

Six Inch Square on Square Trim Tool
CGRJAW7
Item #CGRJAW7  Retail $17.95

AND, these tools are not one trick ponies!  There are a host of companion patterns and books to support them.  Once your students learn how to use the tool,   they will want to make more!  Encourage them to work on additional projects each month instead of working ahead!  This satisfies the over-achiever in every class!

The pattern sheets are individual so you may choose to give them the pages that feature the blocks as they make them each month.

These are not professional photos – the slippers at the bottom of one pick may be a giveaway! But I wanted to share the pics from Deb’s test class.  Since the quilt only requires five different fabrics – a background and four shades of a color (light, medium light, medium and dark) – it is easy for the students to pick out their favorite colorway.

Why not show these to your students so they can picture it in different fabrics.7e91d585-0fb7-4f47-987b-932ce3f79c7f
53e05742-d3e2-47f0-8abb-bf06e42840186894e1c1-c9b8-411e-a3f0-a430561232dbad1e6d2f-f081-4770-8c0d-f8b6d59dc693
b9418f54-8c63-49de-83cb-2fdd1c16c8d8
bbd69060-4c6f-43f3-829f-23856f0cceb3

Why not take a few minutes to pick out several different colorways for those who don’t like to pick out fabrics?  And of course, scrappy is always a choice!