Log Cabin Stars and Stripes

Posted on July 22, 2017 by Penny Haren

I love this four inch log cabin trim tool! It makes me look like I actually know how to piece – WELL! Believe me, it is not me – it is the tool!

Look at “America the Beautiful”. This 28″ x 40″ flag was pieced with the log cabin trim tool using a variation of the courthouse steps block. I used Soft and Stable as the batting so it lays perfectly flat when it is hanging on my door – the perfect decoration for those summer barbecues. It is fat quarter friendly so it is easy to kit as well.

Check out this pattern by Jean Ann Wright. See how the blocks are placed to create a star in the center. This is done with 2 1/2″ strips – which are due to arrive this month. Kitting has never been easier.

This tool comes in a four inch, a six inch, an eight inch, and a twelve-inch size. Show them blocks in every size. The technique is the same – let them choose the size that they are comfortable with!

Mini Quilts are Hot Part One

Posted on December 24, 2016 by Penny Haren

Kathleen Tracy has created sixteen charming mini quilts based on traditional blocks that we all know and love. Minis are gaining in popularity and are a great way to accessorize a room by using the scraps from a quilt to create minis that coordinate with it. Don’t you love getting your “Martha Stewart” on?

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Or, add a spot of color anywhere in your home. Check out their photography for inspiration. Don’t you want these vignettes in your own home?

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Or display them all together to create a huge impact in any room! If you are hanging them on a wall, you may want to consider using Soft and Stable for batting. They will hang perfectly flat and add that professional touch! It comes in several packaging options: Project Packs which include four 13 1/2 x 18 1/2 inch pieces (originally meant for place mats but perfect for minis), 1/2 yard cuts; 1 yard cuts; etc. Why not display these packaged options next to a display of minis?

Creative Grids® has several rulers that may help you along your miniature journey. They have put together a booklet entitled “Love Mini’s” which shows a wide variety of tools available to create small units. Help your customers find the right tool for their mini projects! There is also a tri-fold available to help your customers keep track of the Creative Grids® products they already have… or want! Be sure you keep a supply next to your cash register or Creative Grids® display. Newest rulers are listed in bold on the list – so be sure to replenish new brochures every spring and fall.

Cut Loose Press and Creative Grids are the Perfect Demo -Part 2

Posted on November 20, 2016 by Penny Haren

Now is a great time to introduce everyone to the Stripology rulers. There are now two versions – Stripology #CGRGE1 and Stripology Squared #CGRGE2. Both feature the exclusive grip that holds the fabric in place while cutting – which eliminates slipping and mis-cuts and special markings for the most popular cuts. Follow the squares to cut 2 1/2 inch strips and the stars to cut 1 1/2 inch strips – no math required!

The original Stripology is larger and perfect for cutting fat quarters or fabric folded right from the bolt. It features a marked 10 inch square – perfect for sub-cutting layer cakes. Stripology Squared has all of the features you love in the original Stripology ruler, and it makes ‘squaring up’ a breeze! The smaller size is easier to manipulate and is more portable so it is the perfect choice when traveling to classes and retreats.

Stripology Squared includes markings to square up half-square triangles, quarter-square triangles, and blocks up to 12 inch. And, since the slots are longer to accommodate larger blocks, it is the perfect choice for cutting wider fabrics.

Both rulers are a great choice for quilters who are experiencing weakening in their hands due to carpal tunnel issues, arthritis, etc. The weight of the ruler itself is enough to hold it in place – no additional pressure is required!

The perfect demo? The Cut Loose Press™ pattern – Wingman #CLPGER008. It uses six different 1/3 yard cuts plus a background so it is easy to kit – and even easier to demo since the whole quilt is made from strip sets – cut to size with the Stripology Squared tool. One of the advantages of the tool? It absorbs the seams so there is no teetering like you experience with traditional rulers so the strips are the perfect width every time.

This pattern is a simpler version of one that appears in Stripology Squared #GE-512 and is featured on the back cover – a companion book to both rulers.

Once you demonstrate Wingman – and see how easy Gudrun’s techniques are, everyone will want the book! Check out www.checkerdist.com to see all of Gudrun’s designs marketed under GE Designs. Since almost everything features strips, they are great companions for the ruler!

Cut Loose Press and Creative Grids are the Perfect Demo -Part 1

Posted on November 19, 2016 by Penny Haren

As I travel and teach, and expose quilters to the quality and advantages of Creative Grids®, I hear over and over again that they want to replace ALL of their rulers. But many quilters did not start out in a quilt shop and do not know the difference. And, many are not aware of ALL of the features of these rulers – and use them to their full advantage. Shop owners, use them as great demo opportunities that will have quilter’s jaws dropping and give you the opportunity to point out the great features of Creative Grids®.

The top seller of all time? The 6 1/2 inch by 24 1/2 inch rectangle. #CGR24

And why does everyone want this brand? The grip! The ruler slides easily over the fabric until pressure is applied. Then, the exclusive gripper holds the fabric in place while cutting – no slipping and miss-cuts! Don’t overlook our other great features:

All of the rectangle rulers feature easy-to-read black and white markings printed in 1 inch grids marked in 1/8 inch and 1/4 inch increments.

Use the easy-to-read, black numbers (printed on white dots) and the 1/4 inch grip sides to cut whole inches. (The 1/4 inch dashed lines printed on two adjoining sides aid in trimming seam allowances.)

Use the patented Turn-A-Round™ feature — designated by the easy to read, numerical white numbers (printed on black dots) and the 1/2 inch grip sides — to add the 1/2 inch seam allowance. (I am constantly amazed that people don’t know how to use this feature to their advantage.)

Use the white 45 degree angle to trim half-square triangles in whole inch increments. Use the black 45 degree angle to trim half-square triangles in half inch increments. An additional black 45 degree line is placed so that two angles cross one-quarter inch away from the outside edge. Use these markings to square up flying geese units; squares set on point or to mark cross-hatching. The ruler also features a 30 degree/60 degree angle.

White horizontal and vertical lines are printed on the rectangle so the center of the ruler is easily distinguishable. Use these lines to fussy cut stripes and borders.

These rectangles come in nineteen different widths and lengths so there is sure to be one that is perfect for your needs!

Now that you – and your customers – know all of the features of our rectangles – and know how to use them – show how easy it is to make this Cut Loose Press™ pattern – Double Four Patch #CLPGRG008. This lap sized quilt can be made in an afternoon and is easy to kit – just pull combinations of 18 fat quarters. The entire quilt is made from strip sets of five inch and 2 1/2 inch strips that are sub-cut to create the fourteen inch blocks. It is a great masculine quilt but works just as well in juvenile prints. It will become their go-to quilt so have lots of fat quarter bundles to choose from!

Now that everyone knows the advantages of the Creative Grids® rectangles, it is time to talk about our squares – which come in 15 different sizes. The 10 1/2 inch size #CGR10 is quickly becoming a favorite since it is easy to use with pre-cuts.

It has many of the same features as our rectangles – grip, easy to read black and white markings, the Turn-a-Round feature and a 45 degree angle that is perfect when squaring up half-square triangles. The perfect demo? The Cut Loose Press™ patterns Sonoma #CLPCAM001 and Diablo #CLPCAM005. They are both made the same way. The only difference? Diablo includes raw edge applique squares to give it more of a Southwest look.

Once again, this pattern is pre-cut friendly – in this case, 10 inch squares. One package of squares and the background is all they need to get started (once again, easy to kit). This pattern features a simple technique. Simply make half-square triangles from a set of squares and trim to size with the ten and a half inch Creative Grids® square. That’s right – each “medallion” is created with two matching sets of ten inch squares! Talk about a lot of bang for your buck!

The half-square triangles are then cut into 2 1/4 inch segments to create the pattern. In this case, I recommend the #CGR212 – a 2 1/2 inch by 12 1/2 inch rectangle. Simply place the dashed 1/4″ inch line on the ruler on the outside edge of the half-square triangle to eliminate the math!

All three of these Cut Loose Press™ patterns are reasonably priced and great technique demonstrations. Why not take advantage of them today?

Stripology Squared is in the Building

Posted on October 30, 2016 by Penny Haren

I am SOOOO excited to announce the arrival of the latest Stripology ruler by Gudrun Erla of GE Designs – Stripology Squared! This version includes all of the features of the original Stripology Ruler plus features that will make squaring up blocks a breeze.

Stripology Squared includes markings to square up half-square triangles, quarter-square triangles, and blocks in whole and half inch sizes up to 12½”. And, since the slots are longer to accommodate larger blocks, it is the perfect choice for those of you who wanted a longer version.

An added bonus? The weight of the ruler stabilizes the block so nothing moves – even when dealing with multiple seams. And the smaller size is easy to manipulate – and the price point reflects the difference in size.

The Stripology Squared works perfectly when working with pre-cuts such as 10″ squares. And in typical Gudrun fashion, she has LOTS of support for the ruler.

All of these patterns look intricate and extremely complex – until you see how simple they are when you piece simple blocks – and sub-cut them in a multitude of ways. Every pattern is the beginning of a great class – and a great way to demonstrate the ruler.

Gudrun has also designed a fast and easy Cut Loose Press pattern ‘Wingman’, that would be a great gift with purchase of the ruler.

And the best part??? Everything is in stock and ready to ship! This would be a perfect choice for a twelve days of Christmas promotion.

Turbo 4-Patch combines speed and accuracy

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Penny Haren

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!

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.

This tool can also be combined with Deb’s other Trim Tools such as the Strippy Star.
She has also created several full sized patterns that are striking. My Radiant Star combines four-patches and half-square triangles to maximum effect.
Or make this darling basket quilt called Addison:

Or teach all three tools in Ella’s Attic:

Whether used individually or in tandem, these tools are a delight!

Bench Pillow Exclusive

Posted on September 5, 2016 by Penny Haren

The bench pillows by Kimberbell are one of my favorite seasonal projects because just one can transform a room – or a deck. At 16″ x 38″ they make an impact in any decor. An added bonus? A twin bed is 39″ wide so one across a child’s bed is a great way to spruce up a bedroom in an instant!

Now these patterns are available three different ways – in a traditional pattern; a machine embroidery CD; and a laser cut version so there is no reason not to start your collection today!

Did you know we actually have the pillow forms – and it is a Checker exclusive???

Why not make this the gift that keeps on giving? Give them the form and December pillow – and then send them the new cover each month!

The Pineapple Mini has arrived!

Posted on August 29, 2016 by Penny Haren

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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!

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!

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

You asked – we delivered!

Posted on August 8, 2016 by Penny Haren

As soon as we developed the Itty Bitty Eights Creative Grids rulers with Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings, we got requests for a bigger size! And when you talk – we listen!

This 5″ by 15″ version is perfect for ALL of your cutting needs – not just when working in miniature. And the 5″ width is perfect for cutting 5″ charm strips or squares – another request we have heard!

Big quilts and blocks require 1/8 inch cuts as well. This ruler highlights the 1/8″markings which are hard to use on traditional rulers. The black and white dashed 1/8″ markings show on both light and dark fabrics. Refer to the black diamonds when cutting 1/8″ units; the white diamonds when cutting 1/4″ units. It can’t get any easier than that!

The 3/16″ marking printed along the length of each side of the ruler are the perfect width for cutting wool bias strips for appliques. One is white and one is black. Choose the line that shows best on your chosen fabric.

Lisa has designed two Cut Loose Press patterns that showcase the features on the Itty Bitty Eights series. I love combining piecing with applique – the best of both worlds and she does not disappoint! Or choose this quilt – the perfect baby quilt whether in blues or pinks. Add flannel for that awe factor!