GE Designs – Techniques Abound!

I was lucky enough to attend Gudrun Erla’s schoolhouse at Spring Market and got to see all of these quilts up close and personal – and they are stunning! All of Gudrun’s patterns include techniques that make them the perfect choice for demos – and they are all in stock!

Clarissa is the perfect quilt to show off those large scale prints and is fast and easy. Roxanne looks complicated but is a piece of cake if you follow Gudrun’s pressing instructions. Both feature the Creative Grids® Stripology Squared ruler.

Gudrun has expanded her line of Lil’s with these four additions – all made from five-inch squares and feature the Stripology Squared Mini.

Everything is in stock so they are perfect additions to your after Market showcase!

Half Rectangles are the Rage

Sheila Christensen fell in love with the Creative Grids® Perfect Rectangle Ruler (CGTMT3) and the results have been amazing!

Garden Party features half rectangles separated with tiny sashings and corner posts that create a stunning secondary pattern.

Diamond Glow is gorgeous in sophisticated fabrics or would be great as a baby quilt – kites anyone?

Dancing with the Stars is a beautiful quilt or table runner. The perfect rectangles create a secondary design in the sashings.

Eclipse Runner also uses the Creative Grids Triangle Squared (CGRTMT2). This table runner gives the illusion of curves with straight lines.

Sheila will be demonstrating in Demo Alley and in the Creative Grids® booth at Spring Market. Stop by and see her make magic!

Digitized Prints

Nostalgia is the name of the game with these gorgeous digitized prints from David Textiles. Each of these prints measures 36 inches so there are 15 panels per bolt. Add a pieced border to make a great throw in a matter of hours! A picture is worth a thousand words, so in this case, the pictures speak for themselves!

These nature prints are stunning as well. The crisp clean colors make them come to life.

Need some inspiration? Check out the possibilities in these two panel books. The panels and books would make a great display.

These panels are a Checker exclusive so place your orders by June 30, 2019.

Preview of Quilt Market

The new releases that will be showcased at Market in Kansas City are starting to appear on the website. There are no rhyme nor reason to these – just new items that I know you will want to order NOW!

The newest releases from Quiltworx include a centerpiece that can be separated into slices of watermelon. What a perfect summer centerpiece! Yogo Saphire is a limited edition pattern – there will only be 500 sold!

Cuppa Joe Place Mats by GE Designs is a darling quilt as you go project. What a cute addition to your table!

Fractions by Swirly Girls is a geometric masterpiece that would be a great choice for that man in your life!

This latest Cut Loose Press™ pattern, Surprise Party Quilt by Terri Faust, showcases a new technique using the Creative Grids® Cat’s Cradle Tool.

This table runner by Eazy Peazy looks just like Margaret Travis! Modern, fun and playful!

The Cut Loose Press™ pattern, of course, is always in stock. The others are all due to arrive next month!

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.

Scrap Crazy Modern

Scraps never looked so good! Terri Faust combines a traditional Bear Paw block with the Creative Grids® Scrap Crazy 8 set for spectacular results!

The Scrap Crazy Bear Paw Quilt from Cut Loose Press™ #CLPTFA001 finished quilt measures 64 x 71 inches. Big blocks have never been so dramatic! The colors are cut from 37 print 10-inch squares. The four main squares of each block are pieced with the Creative Grids® Scrap Crazy 8 inch Template set.

But she doesn’t stop there. Terri uses one of the templates to piece the border – simply charming!

Heartfelt with Creative Grids® Rulers

The latest pattern by Krista Moser is due to arrive any day. It can be made as a table runner as well as a quilt. In fact, wouldn’t this make the perfect baby quilt??? Her fabric choices are stunning and the strip piecing makes this project a piece of cake!

These projects feature her 60-degree Diamond Ruler by Creative Grids®.

Many of you have paid your rent with the Crazy Christmas Tree pattern from Cut Loose Press™ and ruler. Same ruler – different season: Crazy Hearts pattern by Cut Loose Press. Don’t you love these fabrics???

Made with the Creative Grids® Spiderweb ruler – both the patterns and ruler are designed by Karla Alexander.

Hens and Hearts is a pieced version created by Pam and Nicky Lintott – and features the Creative Grids® Multi-Sized Triangle Tool.

Don’t you love it when you find new patterns for your favorite tools? And these are ALL winners!

Put a Cork in It!

These new five yard bolts of 25-inch wide cork are due to arrive in March. I got to see them at Market – and couldn’t stop petting them – they really are that special!

They now come in designs and colors. Here are just a few examples…..

Pickle Pie Designs have several In the Hoop Designs that support this material. The luggage tags are gorgeous and include vinyl. What a great class – showing them what needles and threads to use to get such eye catching results! Buttonholes and top-stitching? A piece of cake!

The coasters would also be great wall decor in a teenager’s room. Can you see their name or school spelled out above a door??? Or “quilt shop”; “classroom” – you get the idea!

A little goes a long way. Sue O’Very used it to accent and reinforce the corners on this little purse; and as an accent on the zipper. Just a little adds a touch of class.

But let’s not forget the Corky Wallet from Sassafras Lane. It has been in the top 100 patterns for months. What a great Make and Take!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get organized now! Order the cork, the patterns, and designate a space right by the register. They may have questions – and you will be right there to answer them!

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!