Sewing Room Makeover

Posted on January 1, 2021 by Penny Haren

Everyone I know has cleaning and organizing their sewing room on their list of New Year’s resolutions. And that is the perfect time to take stock of what you really have, what you need – and what needs replaced!

Check out the top 100 notions on our website: //www.checkerdist.com/top/notions

This will give you an idea of what other quilters value and brands that have stood the test of time. Now look at your basic quilting supplies – the ones you use EVERY day! Is it time to replace your rotary cutter blades? Why not buy a multipack so you actually cut instead of “saw” in 2021?

Check out your stash of needles and buy your most popular sizes.

Schmetz Universal Machine Needle Size 12/80

Are your pins all bent or is your pin cushion bare? Why not replace them with these extra long, sharp, heat-resistant Cool Pins by The Gypsy Quilter?

Has your mat seen better days? Maybe it is time to replace it – and upgrade to a larger size:

Have you dropped your ruler so many times that there is not a corner left in sight?

Creative Grids Quilt Ruler 6-1/2in x 24-1/2in

If you got a small wool mat to try it, it may be time to admit that it is the greatest notion of the last decade!

Wool Pressing Mat 14-1/3in Wide x 18-7/8in Long x 1/2in Thick

Refresh the notions you use every day and make sewing a pleasure again – just don’t cut your finger with that new blade!!!

The Jellies Have It!

Posted on December 8, 2020 by Penny Haren

All you need is ONE jelly roll along with background and accent fabric to create this stunning oversized throw. The pattern Jelly Roll Log Cabins #CLPCAM022 from Cut Loose Press™ includes cutting instructions for the logs so every inch of fabric is utilized. Since the log cabin blocks finish to 12 inches, you only need to make 16 blocks so you can finish the entire project in an afternoon.

All you need is TWO jelly rolls along with background and accent fabric to create this stunning full/queen-sized quilt. The pattern Jelly Roll Blues #CLPCAM023 from Cut Loose Press™ includes cutting instructions for the logs to best utilize the fabric. The center square is pieced from 2-1/2 inch strips as well to add to the courthouse steps effect. Since the log cabin blocks finish to 12 inches, you only need to make 42 blocks so you can finish the entire project in a weekend.

Make either quilt with the Creative Grids® Log Cabin Trim Tool Two Quilt Ruler #CGRJAW2 designed by Jean Ann Wright.

Creative Grids Log Cabin Trim Tool Two 6in & 12in Blocks Quilt Ruler

Chain Piecing Made Easy

Posted on December 6, 2020 by Penny Haren

Meet the new and improved Cutting Gizmo by Gypsy Quilter®! The Chain-Piece Thread Cutting Gizmo #TGQ052.

It is the extra hand you need to help separate chain-pieced units when quilting. To safely cut the threads between the chain-pieced units, simply hold the fabric pieces with both hands and slip the thread into the slot on the top of the Chain-Piece Thread Cutting Gizmo. The embedded razor blade cuts the thread quickly, easily, and safely. The non-slip bottom ensures that it will stay in place when in use. Five replacement blades and the magnetic tool needed for blade changes are stored in the base.

Order them now – they are due to arrive later this month!

Cool Pins!

Posted on November 29, 2020 by Penny Haren

Cool pins are just that – COOL! They are heat resistant up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit so you can iron over them without melting the tip of the pin or burning your finger. The large pinheads are easy to grasp and manipulate – perfect for all ages. And since the tips of the Cool Pins are colorful, they are easy to spot and remove – no pins left behind. Cool pins are sharp and fine. At just .5 mm, they will not leave holes in your finished project. 50 pins come in a reusable storage box. Available in 3 colors: Gypsy Purple, Bohemian Blue and Fortune Fuchsia

Why not open a case and display them by the register so everyone can see how sharp they are? Or use them in your next class. Just make sure you have plenty on hand because everyone will want them!

The Wreath Quilt Sampler

Posted on November 10, 2020 by Penny Haren

To see how gorgeous – and easy – this quilt is, view the video tutorial before you do anything else!

In Krista’s words: The Wreath Quilt Sampler (#TQL10023) is a fun, fresh addition to your holiday decor. It’s composed of six different blocks or concepts, each one teaching a new technique using the Creative Grids® 60-Degree Diamond Mini Ruler. The shapes are simple, and the construction is a breeze, building your quilt block by block with no Y seams! Work from your stash or collect a variety of reds and greens and enjoy the process of shade and color placement to get the complete effect. Finished size: 55″ x 55″.

All of the units are created with the Creative Grids® 60 Degree Diamond Mini (#CGR60DIAMINI). The quilt can be made with the Creative Grids® 60 Degree Diamond (#CGR60DIA) as well – but since the pieces are smaller, it is much easier to manipulate the mini!

Creative Grids 60 Degree Mini Diamond Ruler

Krista does such great support for everything and her latest addition is no exception! She has created cutting charts for the diamond rulers. These charts show how many triangles or diamonds can be cut from each width of fabric strip. And while you are there, stay awhile and check out her other videos. You will be glad you did!

Angela Walters Low Shank Tools

Posted on November 4, 2020 by Penny Haren

Creative Grids® now offers three of Angela Walters’ most popular machine quilting templates in low shank 1/8″ acrylic. These templates have all of the great features of the originals but are 1/8″ acrylic instead of 1/4″ acrylic.

Squiggy is the go-to tool for machine quilting serpentine lines and wavy designs. Use Squiggy for quilting: serpentine lines in both directions in 2 and 3 inch borders and sashings; overlapping serpentine lines; varied serpentine lines; allover ribbons; ogees; clamshells and more!

Creative Grids Low Shank Machine Quilting Tool Squiggy

This tool does double duty! Inspired by the dome of the Taj Mahal, Taj is perfect for quilting curvy, pointed arcs on your quilts. This versatile tool can be used in all areas of your quilt, including borders, blocks and backgrounds.

Quilt along the outside to create: pointed arches in borders; overlapping arcs or rotate to quilt complex looking motifs. Work along the inside of the tool to create: a leafy allover design; leaves in a row for thinner borders or rotate to quilt flower-like motifs for blocks. By combining the inside and outside, or alternating directions, there are endless quilting possibilities.

Creative Grids Low Shank Machine Quilting Tool Taj

This tool will become your new quilting best friend. Efficient and beautiful quilting is her specialty! Use Shelley to quilt clamshell designs from either side of the tool – no need to rotate the quilt since you can quilt from any side of the quilting foot. The Clamshell design can be classically quilted for an open traditional feel, or given a modern update by flipping it around to create orange peels. But that’s not all she does! Use Shelly for: quilting clamshells or orange peels; rotate to create beautiful flower motifs, arcs, and leaves.

Creative Grids Low Shank Machine Quilting Tool Shelly

These machine quilting gloves by The Gypsy Quilter® are the perfect companion for these templates. Gain extra precision control where you need it most with grip dots on the fingertips. Or flip the glove around for maximum control with grip dots all over the palm and fingers. Hold Steady Machine Quilting gloves are breathable and comfortable.

Gypsy Quilter Hold Steady Machine Gloves One Size

Everything is in stock, so order yours today!

The Perfect Technique Class

Posted on October 27, 2020 by Penny Haren

I am so excited to introduce my newest booklet – Dresden Plate Quilts from Cut Loose Press™! Here is what makes this book different!

There are three different quilts in one book – all made with the same Creative Grids® ruler (Item #CGRTKAL45), one 40 pack of 2-1/2 inch strips, and your choice of background, accent, and binding fabric!

Dresden Plate Quilts includes three different variations of the Dresden plate block: one pointed, one round and a split. You have the opportunity to learn three different techniques – and three different ways to use the ruler for three times the fun!

And just look at the quality! The photography is stunning!

This 16-page full-color booklet gives step by step instructions to make all three. And it is affordable! What a great choice for a demo day! Order the booklets, rulers, and an assortment of (40) 2-1/2″ strip bundles. Don’t forget to have some coordinates displayed for the backgrounds and accent fabrics! I can’t wait to hear what YOU do to make it your own!

Browse the pages with Penny.

//www.checkerdist.com/products/CLPBOOK001?openproduct

The Ultimate Log Cabin Tool

Posted on October 4, 2020 by Penny Haren

The 10″ Creative Grids® Log Cabin Trim Tool Duo truly is the ultimate tool! This tool features two sets of squares. Use the standard markings to create 1″ finished width logs. Use the skinny squares to create 1/2″ finished width logs. Or combine the two in one block! Talk about unlimited options! Stop at any time to make four through ten-inch blocks!

Creative Grids 10in Log Cabin Trim Tool Duo

The Cut Loose Press™ Rick Rack Table Runner combines traditional log cabin blocks with mini pieced blocks that are “logged out” for that awe factor.

Rick Rack Table Runner

Just look at these Cut Loose Press™ patterns – all created with the same tool!

Fly Away Log Cabin

This Way and That

Ring Around the Rosies Tote

Floating Cabin

Inside Out

Express Yourself

City Stars

Star of Valor

My House

Combining the log cabins with other Creative Grids® tools such as the Strippy Star, Kitty Cornered Tool, and the Ultimate Flying Geese? You get the picture! This is a must-have tool!

Create a Design Wall

Posted on September 2, 2020 by Penny Haren

The days of crawling on your hands and knees to layout a quilt project are over! This 60″ x 72″ piece of felt is the perfect foundation for a design wall. Tack it up in your sewing room so you can visualize your project as you go. And a little visual inspiration keeps you focused on the quilt at hand.

You have a choice of white or grey. And, at 5 x 6 feet, you will be able to display most projects up to throw size or a quarter of a queen or king-size quilt.

Watch a tutorial.
//www.checkerdist.com/products/TGQ078?openproduct&utm_source

New Arrivals from Cut Loose Press™ Patterns

Posted on August 12, 2020 by Penny Haren

Peppermint Twist (#CLPSCH002) is a darling table runner by Sheila Christensen that features the Creative Grids® Half Sixty ruler. Since you cut a multitude of shapes to create the candies, it is a great choice for a class!

Creative Grids Half Sixty Triangle Ruler

Hearts on the Half Square (#CLPPHA015) was designed by yours truly so I am a little prejudice! It is made with 80 layer cakes. My family calls this the wedding quilt because I have made so many of them for wedding gifts. The hearts are the perfect size for signatures and messages for the honored couple. At 75 x 91 inches, it is the perfect size for cuddling. It also works great as a memory quilt for any event: graduations, anniversaries, babies…

Since this quilt is made with half-square triangles created from ten-inch squares, I used the 15-inch Creative Grids® Seam Guide Tool (#CGRSMN15) to mark the sewing lines. It is specifically designed to span the diagonal of a 10″ square!

Putting the top together is a breeze when all of the half-square triangles are trimmed to the exact same size!

Creative Grids Half-Square 4-in-1 Triangle Quilt Ruler

Charmed Hearts (#CLPPHA014) is made with 80 charm squares pieced into offset four-patches. Or, if you make Hearts on the Half-Square – and carefully trim the excess fabric out behind the hearts, you get a twofer!

Since this is made with five inch squares, the 2 1/2″ width of the I love my Quilting Friends ruler (#CGRQF26 )works great to cut the four-patches.

Creative Grids I Love My Quilt Friends Mini Quilt Ruler 2-1/2in x 6in

If you like to do handwork, the hearts for both quilts can be appliqued. The Gypsy Quilter Freezer Paper (#TGQFP811H) is recommended. It comes in 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheets so you can trace one page of hearts and run it through a home printer to save tracing time.

But, if you prefer machine embroidery, use Print-N-Fuse (#PNF25). It is also available in 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheets so the hearts can be copied on a home printer. Follow the package instructions to fuse the stabilizer on the back and fuse in place.

Deb Heatherly designed this Hexagon Pillow (#CLPDHE039 )to showcase a favorite print or photo transfer. What a cute, easy project – and a great gift.

A friend of Deb’s made this Hogwarts version – I have some grandchildren who would love this version!

Since Cut Loose Press™ patterns are printed on demand, they are always in stock!

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