Stitchy Sticks

Posted on December 3, 2021 by Penny Haren

The Stitchy Sticks 3-piece Set from The Gypsy Quilter® has 6 main features to aid in general sewing and quilting, hand and machine appliqué, fabric turning, English paper-piecing and vinyl crafting, stuffing and more.

1. Stiletto: Use it to guide fabric while at the sewing machine- to keep fingers a safe distance away from the sewing machine needle. Gently guide fabric through the presser foot when sewing both straight and curved seams. Keep fingers safe from the heat of a hot iron. Poke out corners of sewn fabric. Push stuffing into tiny spaces. Hold small seam allowances in place while under-stitching. Precisely place layers of fabric and line up edges.

2. Blunted Ball Tip: Use to position template pieces or small pieces of fabric at the iron, rather than using your finger. Use in combination with the turning tube to turn fabric. Use to turn straight sides of appliques.

3. Tapered Finger: Use to assist in opening seams. Use to finger press seams. Use to wrap fabric around templates. Assists in specific placement of applique. Use to hold glued pieces in place.

4. Spatula: Use to pry starched fabric or fused fabric off the pressing surface. Use to score release papers when working with Fusible interfacing and stabilizers. Use to remove English Paper- Piecing papers, foundation papers or other backing papers after stitching is complete.

5. Turning Tube- To assist in turning fabric when paired with the blunt ball tip.

6. Body of the tools- the squared handle measures 1/4 inch on each side. Use a pencil to draw a 1/4 inch seam allowance beyond the edge of the template. The flat sides stop the tools from rolling off the working surface.

These are the perfect tools to use to give your sewing and quilting projects that professional look. They are in stock now and would make a great gift! Watch a video here: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO3sQk_BAcs

The Zipper Jig

Posted on November 24, 2021 by Penny Haren

What is a zipper jig? It acts as a third hand when adding a pull, or changing a pull, on zipper tape or an existing zipper.

Use The Zipper Jig from The Gypsy Quilter® to easily add a custom zipper pull onto zipper tape. The Zipper Jig will accommodate size 3, 4.5 and 5 zipper pulls and tape. Available in Bohemian Blue and Gypsy Purple.

If you are like me, and didn’t know the what those numbers mean, they are the width in mm of the teeth in the zipper. The traditional zippers that we grew up with are usually 3. Zippers that are 4.5 and 5 have become increasing popular, especially in bag making.

Zippers have become a fashion statement. Most companies, including Atkinson Designs, By Annie, and Sassafras Lane (just to name a few), offer zipper pulls in assorted colors that can be switched out to add that awe factor.

These zipper jigs are also the perfect companion to zippers by the roll and makes a great demo! Both colors are in stock and available now.

A Fall Feast

Posted on November 22, 2021 by Penny Haren

Hank and Harriet combine courthouse-steps log cabin blocks and curvy log cabin blocks in a variety of colorways to create these adorable pumpkins. They are a part of a trio of patterns that, when combined, showcase Fall in all its glory!

Since the templates for Hank and Harriet are oversized, they are not printed on the pattern. Instead, you can download them from the Cut Loose Press™ website. Since they are formatted on 8-½ by 11-inch paper, the templates can be printed directly onto any fusible available in sheets such as EZ Print Featherlite, no tracing required! Or add your own personality and draw your own.

Both of these patterns require the Creative Grids® log cabin and curvy log cabin trim tools for 4″ finished blocks.

Creative Grids 4in Log Cabin Trim Tool Quilt Ruler

Creative Grids 4in Curvy Log Cabin Trim Tool

EZ Print Featherlite 8-1/2in x 11in 10pk

Cornelius is the third member of this trio.

Cornelius combines courthouse-steps log cabin blocks in a variety of colorways to create this cornstalk that was definitely knee-high by the 4th of July. This one is made with just the Creative Grids® Log Cabin Trim Tool for 4″ finished blocks.

Since the blocks are all trimmed with the Creative Grids® Tools, they are all exactly the same size so these projects go together like magic. They are like putting together jigsaw puzzles. Once you do one, you will want to do them all!

New from GE Designs

Posted on October 27, 2021 by Penny Haren

June was first done as a Quilt along in the month of June, 2021, it is now available in a printed format. It is categorized as a Stripology Mixer pattern as you can either use a combination of 10″ squares and 2-1/2″ strips or Fat Quarters. You can use the Stripology XL or Squared ruler but instructions for using regular rulers are included. The pattern comes with multiple layout options and 4 different size options: Crib, lap, full, and king.

Creative Grids Stripology XL

Or Creative Grids Stripology Squared

Creative Grids Stripology Squared Quilt Ruler

This striking, geometric pattern is much easier to make than it looks. Make it with assorted 10″ squares or a single background option, we recommend using the Stripology Squared or the Stripology XL ruler by GE Designs. Instructions for using regular rulers are included. The pattern comes with 5 different size options: crib, lap, twin, full, queen/king.

Perfect gift for the cocktail lover! 12 more laminated cocktail recipe cards from the book Stripology Mixology 2. Each of these spill proof cards feature a recipe on one side and a beautiful photo of a quilt on the back. The cards come with a cover on a ball chain containing a Hurricane glass charm, cut from acrylic. Perfect stocking stuffer.

All three items will be available early next month so order now!

New from Cut Loose Press

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Penny Haren

While it looks like these blocks are set on point, it is an illusion. Susan Nelson makes this oh sew simple! Then, it is all about color placement to create the secondary pattern. What a fun way to use her Creative Grids® Folded Corner Clipper XL. The pattern includes fabric requirements and cutting instructions for two sizes.

Creative Grids Folded Corner Clipper Tool XL

5 Stack by Leigh Headington is a charming beginner quilt. Sewing strips together and then sub-cutting makes this quilt fun and easy project. These units are then alternated with large rectangles, the perfect place to show off your favorite fabrics.

Create the center star points with the Creative Grids® Ultimate Flying Geese Tool or insert your favorite four-inch block. Then add two rounds of logs with the Log Cabin Trim Tool. The corner triangles are trimmed evenly thanks to the diagonal line that is printed on the Folded Corner Clipped XL. Each round is trimmed after the oversized triangles are added so they are perfect every time!

Don’t you love the secondary block design that is created when corner posts are added to the sashings? What a great way to learn new techniques with your favorite rulers.

Creative Grids® Ultimate Flying Geese Tool by Deb Heatherly

Creative Grids® 8″ Log Cabin Trim Tool by Jean Ann Wright

Creative Grids Log Cabin Trim Tool for 8in Finished Blocks Quilt Ruler

Or Creative Grids® 10″ Log Cabin Trim Tool Duo also b Jean Ann Wright

Creative Grids 10in Log Cabin Trim Tool Duo

Creative Grids® Folded Corner Clipper XL by Susan Nelson

And, since they are Cut Loose Press™ and printed on demand, they are all available and in stock now!

New from Edyta Sitar

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Penny Haren

Edyta Sitar is hosting a Sew-Along featuring her newest pattern, Frontier. This 32-1/2 inch wall hanging would be a striking table topper or wall hanging. I can just picture this as a “headboard” over her Alaska quilt. Now that is bringing some Martha Stewart into your life!

Or, create a matching pillow.

These patterns are due to arrive any day.

All of the shapes can be cut and trimmed with just one ruler. The New Creative Grids® Alaska Ruler, designed by Edyta Sitar herself, cuts a multitude of shapes in a variety of sizes. Cut 45° wedges, diamonds, squares, and half-square triangles all with the same ruler! The instructions include how to make a basic kaleidoscope block as well as an Alaska block in four sizes from 9 to 16 inches.

The ruler also cuts all of the shapes needed for these top-selling patterns that are already in stock.

Consider doing Frontier as a sew-along. With just nine blocks in the project, why not start a weekly sew in your shop. There is plenty of time to get it completed in time for the holidays. And once they learn how to cut and sew the blocks, they will be ready to move on to a bigger project!

Diamond Log Cabin Tree Skirt

Posted on October 11, 2021 by Penny Haren

Eleanor Burns’s new Diamond Log Cabin book features the Creative Grids® 60 Degree Diamond Ruler by Krista Moser to create a traditional diamond log cabin. Or, right before the holidays, create a tree skirt that is too pretty to cover with presents!

Don’t you love the angled opening?

But after looking at the possibilities, why not do both???

Quick Easy Projects

Posted on August 29, 2021 by Penny Haren

These newest additions by Betty Gormick are sure to make you smile. And, talk about instant gratification – all of them can be made in an afternoon!

These three Cut Loose Press™ patterns require templates that are too big to fit on a traditional Cut Loose Press™ pattern, so we decided to try something new! The full-sized template sheets are accessed through a link included in the pattern. Since they are the right size, you can print them right onto a product like Print N Fuse (Wonder Under cut into 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheets so it can be run through a printer). No tracing is required!

These projects are great choices for classes or kits. Why not include the pattern, templates printed on Print N Fuse, and fabric in a kit. Just remember, you can only give them the templates if they purchase the pattern – talk about great customer service!

This wreath finishes to a whopping 18″ and also teaches how to make a fabric bow.

Why not add these Make It/Take Its to your class schedule today?

Lefties Celebrate!

Posted on August 3, 2021 by Penny Haren

Be still my left-handed heart! Creative Grids® has just released two true left-handed rulers! I no longer have to read the numbers upside down! These rulers have all of the great features we know and love – but are a mirror image of the original rulers.

These left-handed beauties have an imprint of a left hand right on the ruler so you don’t get them confused! (I am keeping both versions so I have them for my right-handed friends!)

They are available in our most popular rectangle and square sizes.

Creative Grids Left Handed Quilt Ruler 6-1/2in Square

Please spread the word! We are only going to get tools that truly work for us if we support the efforts of companies such as Creative Grids® who are willing to support the 7% of the population that see the world a little differently!

These are in stock, so order them now!

Folded Corner Companions

Posted on July 10, 2021 by Penny Haren

Did you know that all patterns made with the Creative Grids® Folded Corner Clipper can be made with the new Folded Corner Clipper XL? Whichever size you have, why not give these Cut Loose Press™ patterns a try?

This Maple Leaf Table Runner combines the Creative Grids® Kitty Cornered Tool and the Folded Corner Clipper or Folded Corner Clipper XL. Each leaf is cut from a 10″ square and the stems from another. You can’t get any easier than that to kit!

Creative Grids Folded Corner Clipper Tool

Deb Heatherly used this tool to create two classics. X Marks the Spot is created with (34) 10-inch squares and what Gudrun Erla calls the four B’s – background, borders, binding, and backing. At 61″ x 70″, this quilt goes together quickly and is the perfect size for a throw.

The Starry Nights Table Topper measures 36″ square. The units are strip-pieced before cutting so the tip goes together very quickly.

Begonia from Cut Loose Press by It’s Sew Emma is an excellent choice to perfect your skills when using the Creative Grids® Folded Corner Clipper! Use it to square up half-square triangles BEFORE pressing. And then use it to create the pointed units in the begonia block. It really is that easy.

All of these patterns are Cut Loose Press™ patterns so they are available on-demand and printed with the shop name. Place your orders now.

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