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!

Perfect Ten

You asked for it so we delivered! Not only did we deliver, but we also partnered with one of the top pre-cut designers – It’s Sew Emma!

Our motto? Keep it simple! The square is a true 10″ square – not 10 1/2″. There are additional markings for five inch and two and a half inch squares, as well as the most popular strip widths. Trim half square triangles by placing the diagonal on the seam line. The black and white markings show up on both light and dark fabrics.

Grab a layer cake – or cut your own – and start one of these quilts today.

Square One and Acadia are both Cut Loose Press patterns – a perfect combination.

These creative and colorful It Sew Emma Patterns include yardage requirements for multiple sizes.

Perfect 10 Quilts is due to arrive next month and includes 16 quilts cut from ten-inch squares. If the cover is any indication, this is going to be a best seller!

Crazy Christmas Tree Farm

I love the Crazy Christmas Tree! It has three of my favorite things – it is fast, fun, and the perfect gift! I have made and taught this multiple times in a multitude of fabrics. Use two backgrounds, two tree colors, the same tree color, or eight different colors. The truth is I never saw a tree that I didn’t like!

Therefore, I was thrilled to see that Karla Alexander has expanded on this technique to make an entire quilt! The Tree Farm uses groups of color to create a stunning quilt. The backgrounds of one tree create a tree in another block! The lights and darks are simply stunning!

This quilt measures 52″ x 66″ so a Shannon Cuddle at 60″ wide is the perfect backing!

Both patterns take the Creative Grids Spiderweb tool so you get more bang for your buck! Order them now so you can start your quilt as soon as the pattern arrives and have it done in plenty of time for Christmas! The really is a day project!

Block of the Month or a Weekend

I love everything this gal does! Krista Moser has so much talent and personality – she is destined to be a rock star in our industry! Just look at what she has created with her new Creative Grids®  60 Degree Diamond Ruler!

This quilt combines the techniques that are featured in many of her patterns and removes the intimidation factor. Each diamond pattern is repeated twice and takes just a few hours.

Why not feature this at your next retreat? Share a technique, give them a few hours to sew….repeat! Better yet – invite Krista to teach at your shop or guild. Contact her at The Quilted Life. Her personality lights up a room. And, she loves to share her knowledge of quilting and longarming. What a combination! The pattern is due to arrive in September so order now!

Cats Cradle Magnified

You asked – we listened. Everyone loves the original Creative Grids® Cats Cradle Tool. You can make 1 1/2″ to 4″ and every half inch in between.

The XL size increases the options up to 8 inches – and once again, you never cut a triangle!

Deb Heatherly, the creator of this crowd-pleaser, is releasing a book of eight different designs later this month.

In the meantime, enjoy these Cut Loose Press patterns that she designed as well:

Illusionary Runner

Blue Skies and Sunshine

Big Cats Little Cats

Its Sew Easy

Raspberry Stars

Cornucopia

Lavender Fields is a full-size pattern by Christine Van Buskirk which includes multiple sizes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With all of these possibilities, the question is which one to do first???