Monthly Archives: August 2016

Three Books in the Top 100 – Congrats!

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Drumroll please!!!  Stripology; Stripology 2; AND Stripology Squared are ALL in the Checker top 100 books today!  That is simply unheard of – and a testimony to the success of the Stripology ruler.  Gudrun Erla is a super star!

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This ruler has literally paid the rent for many quilt shops – and Gudrun is a great promoter.  Check out these YouTube videos for some of the projects in Stripology Squared!  Share them with your customers and you won’t be able to keep them in stock.

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Take a video book tour with Gudrun.  Then watch the videos to show how easy it is to make these quilts:  //www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-5tWlwQfiY

These videos are AMAZING!!!
Prisms  //www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3IzPNLhy-g
Matrix  //www.youtube.com/watch?v=jinGy-dC__w

These videos are the best promotion I have ever seen for a book! These techniques will wet their appetites for her first two books if they haven’t seen them already.

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You could literally do a class a month based on these quilts and never run out of new ways to use the ruler!

Little Red Hen has entered our Coop!

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We are thrilled to announce that Checker now carries The Little Red Hen patterns and books.  I love the eclectic feel of their products – a little bit of this, a little bit of that – and it is all fun!

Just in time for holiday season, why not add Christmas in the Coop and Snowmen in the Coop to your holiday display?

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Miniatures are hot!  Why not create a vignette of books, patterns, rulers, and other tools that will inspire and guarantee success.

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With the popularity of Quilts of Valor, this patriotic book should be front and center right along all of that red, white and blue fabric.  It doesn’t have to be a “patriotic” line.  Bring new life to the red, white, blue and gold fabric that is already sitting on your shelves.

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Or, entice your customers into the Little Red Hen family with a book that is a top seller year round!

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This is just a taste of what they have to offer.  Visit our website to see the entire collection!

The Pineapple Mini has arrived!

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Minis are all the rage – and they have never been easier!  The Creative Grids® Pineapple Trim Tool Mini makes pineapples in 4, 5, and 6 inch sizes.

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This one inch center with half inch pineapple strips is the perfect companion to the popular four and six inch log cabin trim tools that were the hit of market.

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This Cut Loose Press™ pattern – South Beach Pineapple Treats is the perfect choice for a traditional pineapple setting with  that extra spice added with perfect fabric choices.  It creates the illusion of circles.

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Swirly Pearly Buttons looks similar to a Snail’s Trail with a lot less work – and once again, it is color placement!  This one reminds me of those all day suckers I used to beg for at the fair!

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Petite Pineapple Garden features the more traditional black fabric that sets off these happy colors to a tea!

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Or, you may want to choose this pillow or place mat for a perfect class project that they could actually finish in an afternoon class!

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Simply stop after six rounds for a four inch size; add two more for the five inch version; or complete all ten for the six inch version.  As an added bonus, these strips are cut 1 1/4″ wide – half the width of the popular 2 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ ruler.  Therefore you can use that white center line to cut jelly rolls in half and start sewing a multitude of blocks in no time!

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Don’t forget the original for those who want a larger size.  It makes 6″; 8″ and 10″ sizes.

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Inspirational International Quilts

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Quiltmania is not just a popular magazine.  They also publish books featuring some of your favorite international designers.  Inspiration from these quilts can bring a fresh new look to your next project!

Irene Blanck’s Focus on Applique includes 16 different applique designs that are featured in her quilts – or can be the foundation of your next creation.

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Primarily Quilts by Di Ford – another Australian designer features medallion quilts – her favorite style.  They remind me of the Baltimore Album era quilts.

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I love the muted tones Chosen by Reiko Kato for The Newest Adventures of Sue and Billy.

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Norma Whaley includes traditional pieced blocks with a twist – as well as beautiful applique blocks.

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Check out all of the Quiltmania magazines and books on our website!  Let the inspiration begin!

Remove the Intimidation Factor With Smaller Projects

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There are few legends in our industry – but Judy Niemeyer is definitely at the top of that list!  She has an instantly recognizable style that is famous all over the world.  Over the last few years she has introduced several patterns for table toppers – smaller projects that are great for class projects.

For those of you who have a Double Wedding Ring quilt on your bucket list, try this Wedding Star Table Topper.  It is a great companion to a bed sized version but will give you the confidence you need to tackle the bed quilt!

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These Broken Daisy Place Mats can be finished in an afternoon and offer an opportunity to learn additional techniques – combining blocks on the curve.

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Wrapped Ribbon is a great introduction to the Mariner’s Compass style…

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These smaller projects remove the intimidation factor.  “I can’t do that” or “I don’t paper-piece” are no longer valid excuses!  This is a great way to introduce your students to Judy’s techniques and organizational methods that make all of these projects possible – one step at a time!

 

Christmas Fabrics Have Arrived

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I can tell that the Christmas fabrics have arrived by the number of Christmas patterns that are in the top 100!  Here they are – order them now and get your samples ready.  Christmas is less than four months away….

Many of you have paid your rent with the Triangle Frenzy table topper patterns.  Now Bunnie has given you a choice – you can put it under the tree with stunning results.  This pattern features the Creative Grids® 60 degree ruler in the larger size – CGR12560.

Aunties Two Christmas Trees can be embellished with Fairy Lights – and yes, we have those listed as companions to the pattern!

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Or paper-piece your tree with these patterns by Cindi Edgerton.  I want to make the smaller version for my grandchildren’s bedroom doors so they can decorate their own trees!

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Ornaments are always popular and make great package tags for those special friends.  Charcoal Mittens includes everything you need for these six styles.  Or use the pre-cut square and round Bosal coasters to make these Fold and Stitch ornaments.

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These bag patterns from Kimberbell can be used year after year and are a great way to use up those Christmas fabric scraps!  Go Green!

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Now is the time to offer classes while your customers still have time to make them!

 

One Stop Shopping at its Best

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Many of you have paid your rent by hosting tuffet classes – and they don’t just make one!  They keep coming back for more.  Well we have just made prepping for classes easier.  Now you can order the pattern, additional foundations and the hardware kit – that includes everything you need to finish the project – all in one place!

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The hardware kit includes the wooden base, the tapered high grade foam; cord; the button; upholstery batting; and the feet with protective sliders!  Who could ask for anything more???  These are a drop ship item – but mine arrived in two days!  Talk about service!

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You can even buy the foundations by the bolt for those who can’t stop at just one.  A bolt includes enough foundations to make 14 tuffets.

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Why not start the tuffet craze in your area today?  They make great gifts and Christmas is right around the corner!

Collage as an Art Form

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Laura Heine has created her own personal style with these fused applique collages.  In this case, a picture is definitely worth a thousand words….

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The full sized patterns offer step by step instructions on how to make these works of art.  This is just a sampling of Laura’s patterns.Why not pick your favorite and offer it as a class.  Since the technique is the same, they can choose whichever design makes their heart sing – and Show and Tell will be so much fun!

Cork Fabric is Hot – and we are getting it!

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Many of you “winers” have heard, most wineries are going to screw top lids instead of corks.  What are they going to do with all of that cork?  Turn it into fabric of course – and it is arriving in September!

It comes in approximately 5 1/2 yard rolls that are 54″ wide.  At around $60 to $80 a yard retail, this is definitely a statement piece – but oh what a statement it makes!

Laurie is the buyer for this and is also a machine embroiderer.  She LOVED it so I can’t wait to see what the machine shops do with it!

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We already have designers working on samples using your favorite patterns so we will keep you posted.  But for now, I just wanted you to know it was coming – and start dreaming of possibilities.  We would love to hear YOUR ideas!  And look at these colors and textures!

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Let the creativity begin!!!

Buttermilk Basin creates a Vintage BOM

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These mini vintage wool truck appliques are sure to make every generation smile!  They are reasonably priced and easy to kit – so they are the perfect impulse buy for the register.  And who could resist this touch of nostalgia???

January and February

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March and April

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May and June

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July and August

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September and October

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November and December

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Do our buyers a favor and pre-order these now!  We know you are going to kit these so you are going to need lots!  And, who says a “block of the month” program needs to start in January???