Category Archives: Creative Grids Rulers

Piano Key Border the Easy Way

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At Creative Grids, we pride ourselves on creating versatile tools with a variety of uses. Using the centering lines on our rectangles to create piano key borders is a perfect example of this.

This is a fast and easy demo that everyone loves. Watch this Piano Key Video and see how easy it is?

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In this video, I show you how to create 360 inches of 3/4″ finished piano key border from one jelly roll using our 2-1/2″ wide rectangles – available in a 12-1/2″ or 18-1/2″ length (CGR212 or CGR218)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The width of the keys is the same width as the Creative Grids 6″ Log Cabin Trim Tool.

If you want to make different widths, here is the math: Multiply the finished width of the piano key by two and then add one inch.

In the video, the logs finished to 3/4″. Multiply 3/4″ x 2 (1 1/2″). Add one inch. The strips are cut 2-1/2″.

Want 1″ finished piano keys? Multiply 1″ x 2 (2″) and add an inch. The strips should be cut to 3″.

When you have a few extra minutes in a class, why not share this technique? Be sure to have plenty of the rulers on hand because everyone will want one!

The Latest from Saginaw Street Quilts

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Karla Alexander of Saginaw Street Quilts has a quirky style that is instantly recognizable. Her newest patterns are no exception. Whether she is working in curves, angles, or straight lines – her influence shines through!

I love her own descriptions for her patterns. She has a way of removing the intimidation factor and make me believe that I can do it too!

If you’re feeling a little rebellious and on the run from the Quilt Police, this is the perfect quilt for you! You can break a few rules and make up some new ones along the way with this “go to method” for making blocks that you’ll use again and again. Create blocks that weave over and under one another in ribbons of different colors and explore different ways to manipulate your block. Follow the pattern instructions step by step or change it up along the way – it’s your call.

Inversion is based on a variety of light and dark 10 inch squares. I used white and gray prints for my light and a mix of green, turquoise and dark gray for my dark. Fabric requirements are listed for yardage as well as “By the Square” (IF you have a stash).

The twirling swirling blocks for this quilt are made from a mix of two contrasting prints. I used a light background with orange arcs, however a dark background with light arcs would also work. The arcs are long and gentle which makes them very easy to sew. You could also work from your stash (if you have one) and make each block a different color.

This quilt was created with Karla’s Oval Always ruler by Creative Grids.

If this name – and style – sound familiar, this is the same gal that brought us the Crazy Christmas Tree:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karla has a way of removing the intimidation factor so order these patterns today!

Angela Walters and the FMQ Challenge

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With the release of her new Creative Grids® machine quilting tools, Angela Walters now has four of the top seven notions on the Checker Distributors website! That isn’t just CGR rulers folks – that is ALL of the notions, all 11,985 of them! Now that is saying something! And it couldn’t happen to a nicer person!

Angela has put together a Free Motion Challenge – FMQ Challenge – Week One

This series of free classes teaches you how to free motion quilt in a series of simple steps. Each week she will teach you how to do two techniques – simple designs such as meandering and a second technique that builds on what you have already learned to create the awe factor.

The top that she is using for her demonstration is made with the Creative Grids® Perfect Rectangle Tool.

The quilt top is very simple and sewn from light fabrics. Remember – you are using this top to learn how to machine quilt so you want to be able to see your stitching. This time, the machine quilting is the star!

Angela also recommends some other products: Machingers are gloves that have grips on the tips and breathe so your hands don’t perspire. Titanium needles are strong and don’t break as easily, and last but not least – the Super Slider that helps glide the quilt through the machine.

Free Motion Challenge Week Two is already available!

Quilts with Style in an Afternoon

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Gudrun Erla of GE Designs taught and had a booth at Road to California just around the corner from where I was demonstrating Creative Grids®. I love her patterns – and these newest additions to her pattern line. Her pattern covers are always well done but to see these quilts in person – WOW!

A video showing how to make Kira has been all over Facebook. It is the perfect example of how Gudrun’s designs look complicated but are quick, easy and fun!

Lexie creates an optical illusion when pieced. And Stormy Windows is a variation of a sixteen patch – but this time the patches are rectangles! The geometric shapes are perfect for guys and girls. Kira and Lexie use 10″ squares. Steamy Windows is made from fat quarters.

    

All of these quilts were cut with the Creative Grids Stripology Squared ruler.

Gudrun has also created ruler stickers that reduce the intimidation factor when trimming these blocks to size. Use the arrows to mark exactly where you need to cut. And, when needed, mark the first, second and even third cuts with different colors of arrows.

Her patterns are easy to follow and guarantee success every time!

Angela Walters and Flying Geese

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I can’t wait for you to watch Angela Walter’s video.

Her machine quilting tools have been so popular that we haven’t been able to keep them in stock – but they are NOW!!! In this video, Angela shows how to use Slim, one of the characters in her arsenal of tools. The entire demo is done with a Cut Loose Press™ pattern created with the Creative Grids® Ultimate Flying Geese Tool.

   

The magic happens on this Cut Loose Press™ pattern – Wild and Free featuring fabric by Tula Pink and solids by Kaufman.

What a great series of classes! Learn how to use the flying geese tool, make the table runner, and then machine quilt it yourself. Talk about a trifecta!

Tula Pink and De La Luna

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De La Luna is the new fabric line by Tula Pink which is due to arrive in June.

This line not only has striking colors, it also features three colorations of silhouettes which offer amazing design potential. Carl Hentsch has designed three different patterns that highlight these images – or use your own!

The ovals on this quilt were created with the Creative Grids Oval Always tool designed by Karla Alexander.

Or choose more traditional settings:

Everything is due to arrive in June so order now so that everything arrives at once!

 

Crazy Hearts for Valentines

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You all bought the Spiderweb Tool #CGRKA6 to make the Crazy Christmas Trees – one of the top 10 patterns! Now Karla used the same technique to create Crazy Hearts. Both are Cut Loose Press™ patterns.

Now that you are familiar with the ruler, it is time to explore the full potential of this gem! Here are the other patterns that support it – and they are breathtaking!

 

Who would have thought that one tool could create so many different looks???

Quilts of Iceland

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In this inspirational, full-color book, Gudrun Erla of GE Designs pays homage to her homeland. She has taken several quilters on tours of Iceland and shared the beauty and hospitality of this country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now she is sharing that experience with you! Gudrun is also an amazing photographer. As she toured the country with fellow quilters, she photographed her favorite places and the quilts that inspired them. The pictures literally jump off of the page! Here is just a sampling of a few of the eighteen projects created for this book:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All of the projects are created with her time-saving techniques and the Creative Grids® Stripology ruler.

But this is not just a quilt book. Gudrun also shares some of the rich history of this nation as well as beloved recipes from family and friends. Pre-order the book now. Who knows! Santa may be inspired to leave a trip under your tree in 2018!

 

The Perfect Ruler Wrap

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Annie Unrein creates the perfect bags so when we wanted to develop a storage system for Creative Grids® rulers, she was our first call. The prototype was the hit at Market – and in January you will see why!

In Annie’s words: Store and carry rulers, an 18″ x 24″ mat, rotary cutters, and more in the handy padded organizers. Organizers in two sizes may be hung on the back of a door or folded and wrapped to carry to classes. Straps secure the flap and an adjustable, detachable padded carrying strap make the organizer easy to transport.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opened, the storage unit can be hung on the back of a door in your sewing room. When going to classes, simply fold it up and take it with you. We filled it with 17 rulers with lots of room to spare!

I love the thought that went into this design! It is 72″ long so it holds a multitude of rulers AND uses a 2 yard cut of Soft and Stable, which is available as a pre-cut. The bag is 27″ wide so it will hold those 24-1/2″ rulers AND one package of 54″ mesh can be cut in half and used for all of the pockets No waste! The bag requires two yards of fabric for the outside and two yards for the lining. Why not teach a machine quilting class so they can learn another technique?

Don’t you love inspired design???

New from Angela Walters – Creative Grids® Machine Quilting Templates

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Angela Walters has developed a series of machine quilting templates with Creative Grids®. You talk about a marriage made in heaven! Angela’s genius with our signature grip! These templates are 1/4″ thick acrylic so they work well on a standard sewing machine as well as a longarm. They were specifically designed to fit in the palm of your hand so they are easy to manipulate on either machine.

Without further ado, meet Shorty, Slim, Archie, and Squiggy:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The black and white markings show up on dark and light fabrics. And the printed grid lines make spacing quilt lines a breeze. The video instructions include potential quilting designs that can be created with each tool. The video can be accessed by scanning the QR code on the back of the package, visit www.checkerdist.com, or  www.creativegridsusa.com. But we all know that Angela really shines when she is in front of the camera so she will be releasing more videos very soon. We will keep you posted!