Scalloped Borders

Posted on August 16, 2021 by Penny Haren

Krista Moser, the brilliant designer from The Quilted Life, has designed a Scalloped Tool with Creative Grids®. This baby is a game-changer!

Just look how adding a gently scalloped border to a panel turns it into a work of art!

This quick, easy, but impressive baby quilt can be completed in just a matter of hours. The Cut Loose Press™ Simple Scallop Baby Quilt pattern #CLPKMS009 shows how to turn a standard 24″ x 40″ panel into a stunning quilt. Would you like to add this border treatment to a different sized panel or quilt? Not a problem! This pattern focuses on the technique of creating scalloped borders the no-math way with the Creative Grids® Scalloped Template.

Are you a visual learner? Again, we have you covered! The pattern includes a link to a video tutorial that shows exactly how Krista created the quilt shown. And, since you just need a panel plus 3/4 yard of two different fabrics to complete the quilt, it is oh sew affordably.

But let’s talk more about the tool…

Add that awe factor to any quilt by creating a scalloped border. The tool includes three sizes of scallops plus a corner unit. The small size is perfect for borders that are 2 to 5 inches in width. The medium scallop is ideal for 4 to 8-inch borders. And the large scallop works for borders up to 12 inches. That’s right – you can now add borders up to 12″ wide guilt-free because they are now a design element!

Since you are creating this design element with paper templates, they can be spaced or overlapped as needed to fit any length of the border. Don’t you love built-in fudge factors? Hint: Design and mark the border before quilting so the scallop element can be showcased with quilting (and the machine quilter can attach straight sides to her frame). Then use the tool to trim the curves and bind with a bias binding.

What a great class or demo choice – and both are in stock 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 XL

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.

The Folded Corner Clipper XL

Posted on July 2, 2021 by Penny Haren

Twice the size of the original Creative Grids® Folded Corner Clipper, the Folded Corner Clipper XL can span a 10-inch block and cut wide, mitered borders.

No need to draw pencil lines when prepping your favorite blocks such as snowballs, flying geese, diamonds in a square and cornered rectangles! Since you have to trim the corner anyway, why not trim it first, and use the raw edge as your seam guide? AND… since the corner was trimmed with a straight edge, your bonus triangle is ready to sew into a Half-Square-Triangle block! Or, use the 45 degree angle to create binding or mitered corners.

Use the additional printed angle line to square up and trim the corners from any pieced block. Adding triangles to the corners of a pieced log cabin block, for instance, is now easy and accurate!

Cut Loose Press Reflections

Use the Creative Grids Folded Corner Clipper XL to make large half-square triangles from 10-inch squares and sub-cut them to make this stunning table runner. Then make the leftover triangles into slightly smaller half-square triangles for the placemats. Combine them on your table to add that awe factor to any décor. Note that there are two different layouts for the placemats. I like the light center since it will be covered by a plate and the prints will show!

Cut Loose Press Barn Raising Lite

This modern take on a traditional log cabin barn raising quilt goes together very quickly since there are only 48 blocks. The asymmetrical layout adds that awe factor. Since the units are cut with the Folded Corner Clipper XL before sewing, there is no need to draw diagonal lines or trim tails!

Cut Loose Press Bauble Chain Quilt

Doesn’t this remind you of the beaded chains we all loved in the 70’s? The baubles are cut with the Folded Corner Clipper XL after the strips are sewn into sets so it goes together very quickly. The cutaway corner triangles are then sewn into the smaller units so there is no waste of fabric. The background is the perfect place to showcase some dramatic quilting!

Everything is in stock now, so place your orders!

Set a Great Table

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Penny Haren

Carolina Moore has created two Cut Loose Press™ patterns that feature Creative Grids® tools and Gypsy Quilter® Pre-Cut Battings – with stunning results!

Are you ready for all the summer BBQs and picnics? Your hot dish will take center stage when presented in this Americana Casserole Hot Pad!

This stars-and-stripes motif is created using the Creative Grids® Strippy Stars tool (CGRDH2) by Deb Heatherly. This pattern uses the Casserole Dish Hot Pad Pre-Cut Batting and Insulating material (TGQ104), which has two layers of batting and polyester and metalized layer to help keep your hot dish hot. It perfectly fits a standard 9 by 13 inch casserole dish. With just three fabrics, this pattern would be simple to kit with a red, white, and blue fabric from your shop’s color wall. But, why not kit it in Fall and Winter holiday colors as well? After all, stars are always in season and these would make great hostess gifts. A great class option. Students can learn how to use the Strippy Star Tool and actually finish the project in class!

Creative Grids Strippy Stars Tool 5in x 7-1/2in Quilt Ruler

Casserole Dish Hot Pad Pre Cut Batting 3ct

These 2 for 1 plate cozies are darling and simple to make! They feature the Pre-Cut Plate Cozy batting from The Gypsy Quilter® (TGQ102) which is microwave safe, with fun piecing using the Creative Grids® Kitty Cornered Ruler (CGRDH5) by Deb Heatherly.

The pattern is written so that two plate cozies can be made with two contrasting half-yard-cuts of fabric. Since you can make four plate cozies from one package of pre-cut batting, you may want to double your fun, or in this case quadruple the fun , by buying four half yard cuts of fabric. Students could easily finish a set of these in class AND learn how to use the Kitty Cornered Tool. We all love instant gratification.

Everything is in stock, so why not get your order placed today???

Diagonal Seam Tape

Posted on March 24, 2021 by Penny Haren

This notion created by Cluck Cluck Sew is flying off the shelves and we just got in another order so it is in stock!!!

I was teaching a class on Saturday and someone thought that you put this on the diagonal of the fabric – not true! It sticks to your sewing machine – right in front of the feed dogs. The red line aligns with your needle, the blue lines are the sewing lines – 1/4″ away from the red line.

A roll is 10 yards – and since you just need a small piece – it lasts a good long time! When you are ready to remove it, it comes right off – no pesky residue!

Half-square triangles have never been easier – no more drawing lines. But remember, this works just as well when sewing snowball blocks! I can’t wait to try it when I am making my Geese in the Cabin blocks – a Cut Loose Press™ Plus pattern (#CLPPLUS001)!

Adding those triangles to the corners just got a whole lot easier! This pattern showcases the Creative Grids® Log Cabin Trim Tool for 10-inch blocks (#CGRJAW10).

Geese in the Cabin

Posted on March 5, 2021 by Penny Haren

Meet Cut Loose Press™ Plus. This pattern has six full pages – when a pattern is just too good to fit on one page – even if it is front and back!

This Cut Loose Press™ Plus pattern features a technique for making Geese in the Cabin blocks from the log cabin blocks created with the Creative Grids® 10-inch Log Cabin Trim Tool Duo by Jean Ann Wright (CGRJAW10).

We have even filmed a video showing how easy it is to transform a Courthouse Block style log cabin created with the Creative Grids® 10-Inch Log Cabin Trim Tool Duo into an entirely new block. AND, you are welcome to share the video!

Once you have created the blocks, twist and turn them in a multitude of ways to create your own masterpiece. The pattern includes suggestions but there are many more possibilities.

Since all 36 blocks are exactly the same – and the magic happens when you twist and turn them – the yardage requirements are the same for every version!

The ruler and patterns are in stock so order them now and let your customers know. We have already gotten requests from consumers who want to know where to buy!

A Fitted Mask

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Penny Haren

This mask pattern from Cut Loose Press™ #CLKAL013 includes three sizes: small for a child or petite adult; medium for most women; and large for most men and will even accommodate their beard.

The angled nose and chin pieces are cut with the Creative Grids® Spider Web Quilt Ruler #CGRKA6 to ensure a form fit. And wait until you see how she sews the pleat – pure genius! Pattern includes instructions on how to add an additional filter and a mask bar. Be sure to visit the Checker YouTube channel and watch the video before you start.

Many of you already have the Creative Grids® Spiderweb Quilt Ruler since Karla Alexander used it in the Cut Loose Press™ Crazy Christmas Tree, Crazy Hearts, and Coffee Break patterns.

Add an optional mask bar from The Gypsy Quilter.

And, the adjustable elastics also from The Gypsy Quilter come in a variety of colors – and ensure a perfect fit.

Let’s face it – pun intended – masks are going to be a part of life for a long time so find the best fit for your family and friends!

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

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!

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