Square on Square – the hit at Road to California

I demonstrated the Creative Grids® Square on Square rulers at the Road to California show and they loved them!
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Item #CGRJAW8  Retail $19.95

Why does everyone LOVE this tool?  For the same reason, they love the entire line of Jean Ann Wright’s trim tools.  All of these tools solve the problems quilters face when piecing blocks that start with a center square.  These blocks tend to become skewed because of cutting inconsistencies; variations in seam allowances; and distortions while pressing.

The triangles are cut slightly larger and trimmed to size AFTER cutting, sewing and pressing – and the end result is spectacular!

Check out this new Spinning Snails pattern by Lynn Roddy Brown.  Yes – this is the first tool designed to create the Snail’s Trail block.  It is simply the color placement of the triangles.  And don’t you love the scrappy look and the rail fence border???CLPLRB001
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Sunflower Trails creates movement by piecing the Snail’s Trails blocks out of just three colors.
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Jean Ann Wright’s blue version makes me want to go to the beach!
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But this tool is named Square on Square for a reason!  Don’t forget that the traditional blocks make striking quilts as well.
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Look what happens when you piece a block and center it in a square on square.CLPJAW040
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The additional bells and whistles make this a must have:
1.  The cutting instructions are printed right on the tool. (The outside edge of the block is always on the straight of grain.)
2.  Create a 4″ block by stopping after two triangles or complete an 8″ block by adding four rounds of triangles.
3.  Use the squares on the ruler to piece or fussy cut a 2″ or 4″ finished square.

These added features expand the design potential exponentially!  Why not give it a try?  It also comes in a six-inch version.  (Item #CGRJAW7).  Whichever size you choose, you will be happy with the result!

 

Great Granny would be Proud!

Great Granny Squared is the second collaboration between Lori Holt and Its Sew Emma – and brings back memories of the Granny Square afghans that were our grandmother’s answer to scrap yarn!

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Item #ISE903  Retail $13.95

Personally, I have a wool afghan that my grandmother made for my parents when THEY got married in the mid forties.  It is one of my most treasured possessions and holds a place of honor in my guest room.  Now I can make a companion quilt to coordinate in the room!

The book includes four different patterns to choose from!

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The hard part is going to be choosing which one!

Choosing Fabrics from your Stash Successfully

Stash Lab by Tonya Alexander is as much a study in color as it is a collection of spectacular patterns.

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Item #B1335T  Retail $24.99

Learning how to choose fabrics from your stash – which crosses fabric collections – is an art that can be learned by following Tonya’s simple sorting techniques.  After all, we know that when scraps are combined effectively, you achieve the results featured in her projects.  The photographs speak for themselves!

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Whether you love the look of traditional or modern quilts, this book covers the spectrum of spectacular!  Start organizing your scraps today.

“Round Up” these Projects in an Afternoon

The latest Creative Grids “Round Up” tool designed by Terry Atkinson is so popular that two of our favorite designers have used it in their own projects.  

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Item #CGRATK1  Retail $22.45

This place mat designed by Margaret Travis is so fast and simple that you won’t make just one…or two…or four….

Berries and Leaves Place Mat

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This table runner by Deb Heatherly  is a simple version of an old fashioned Cathedral Window pattern — and so much easier!

Alley-Oop

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Or combine this tool with the Strippy Stars Tool for a spectacular effect…

Blooming Stars Runner

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Item #CGRDH2  Retail $17.95

Display these with Terry’s patterns to create a complete display.  All, can be completed in an afternoon…

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Orange Peel Table Runner

So striking – and a great way to show off some machine quilting!

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Krista’s Kitchen Hot Pads

I used this pattern as a Make It/Take It in a class last month.  Ten women went home and made 56 more for gifts!  Now that is a great pattern!

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Item #ATK183  Retail $9.50

Terry’s Table Placemats

Can’t you picture these on a table with your favorite Fiestaware?  Mixing and matching is even more fun.

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Item #ATK184  Retail $9.50

Triplets

The colors in these baby quilts are the perfect choice for the new generations of babies!

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Item #ATK185  Retail $9.50

Why not let your customers enjoy creating a project in an afternoon!

Hats with Personality

Tis the season.  Our town had the first snow day today.  What is better on a snow day then to be sitting by a fire doing your favorite needle art.  These cute hats can be made in one sitting and have tons of personality.

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Item #TTY15MO  Retail $8.99

The packaging is irresistible!  The yarn automatically creates the stripes and there is even a grommet to hold the little stuffed animal on securely.

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They come in a wide variety of choices….

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Item #TTY15PE  Retail $8.99

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Item #TTY15SM  Retail $8.99

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Item #TTY15ST  Retail $8.99

Display these at the register.  Your customers will want one – one for each child that is!  Visit our website to see the entire Top This collection!

Critters are all the rage

Yes, critters are the rage in nurseries these days – and these critters by Cheri Leffler are irresistible.  Animal Parade 2 is her latest book that combines simple pieced quilts with appliques with personality!

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Item #B1328T Retail $26.99

In this case, a picture is definitely worth a thousand words so I will stop typing now!

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All of these quilts make great wall hangings as well so you don’t need to stop at just one!  Why not add the appliques to a diaper bag, bibs, burp towels, etc.

This book is a follow up to her first book – Animal Parade.  Your customers are sure to want this one as well.  Both books should be a part of every quilter’s library.  Let the new Mom pick her favorite!

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Item #B1192T  Retail $26.99

Once again, check these out….

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All of these quilts are adorable without the appliques as well so you may want to take a picture to hang next to your sample so everyone can see it both ways.  Your customers may decide to machine embroider designs on these patterns instead!

“Quilt Shop” is a Misnomer

If you truly are just a “quilt shop”, you are missing a wealth of business!  Over 80% of the top 100 patterns on the Checker website are NOT quilts.  Creating a quilt is an amazing experience but everyone wants instant gratification.  Why not offer a series of classes that can actually be completed in class?  And, as a bonus, choose projects that make great gifts as well.  Make one in class, and then send them home with the supplies to make them for all of their friends!

Here are my top six choices to get you started:

This apron pattern is one of my favorites.  It comes in two sizes so kids can have fun in the kitchen as well….

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Item #ATK176  Retail $9.50

These Sweetpea Pods can be made with 10″ squares.  Talk about easy to kit!

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Item #LGD135  Retail $10.00

The hardware is included in the pattern:

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Item #LGD137  Retail $13.50

It just takes a fat quarter – and the hardware is included in the pattern!  How easy is that???

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Item #FQG120  Retail $13.00

This is the new version of he classic Diva Wallet.  Choose a different option – with the same great clasp.

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Item #SMC824  Retail $10.00

This placemat or table runner has a classic look and is quilt as you go!

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Item #TLP1234  Retail $9.50

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Why not help your customers have a stockpile of gifts for the coming year?  These would all be great Valentine’s Day; birthday; Mother’s Day gifts…

You can make ALL of these samples in the amount of time it would take to make ONE quilt sample!  Use your time wisely.  Don’t forget to take the time to display all of the companions with the projects and include pre-cuts!

A Decoration for Every Season – Part One

This pattern is the perfect example of how Social Media can work for you!  A shop posted a pic of their shop sample on Facebook, it went viral – and the rest is history!

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Item #PQD-210  Retail $9.00

It instantly became the #1 pattern on Checker and sold out instantly.  No one could have predicted this so Kristine of Poorhouse Designs was not prepared for the demand either – but she is now – and more patterns are due in this week!  Are you posting classes, kits and shop samples on Facebook to share with your customers?  If this pattern doesn’t inspire you, nothing will!

The Facebook pic showed it as a centerpiece.

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This was the variation that appeared on the back of the pattern – and is obviously the viewer’s choice!

Kristine is such a sweetheart!  She instantly did this pattern in different fabrics to make it a holiday pattern for EVERY occasion!  

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This is the perfect class because it can actually be DONE in a class – and I mean totally done and ready to put on the table!  It features a product that may be new to your customers – In-R-Form single sided fusible foam stabilizer – which is a teaching opportunity.

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Item #495BS-18  Retail $11.00 

This product is available on the bolt and in the package.  Choose what works for you.

Be sure to have these bead packages on hand.  Kristine has packaged them in either gold or silver and they are the perfect size for the pattern.  Let’s face it, this is an impulse buy because no one knows if they have them at home – let alone where they are!

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Item #PQD103G  Retail $5.00

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Item #PQD103S  Retail $5.00

Why not schedule YOUR class today?  Don’t forget to post it on Facebook!