Drunkard’s Path Blocks Made Easy

Karla Alexander, one of the designers of the Creative Grids Circle Savvy ruler, has come up with a way to cut the two units most commonly used in Drunkard’s Paths – with very little waste! Watch this Equal Exchange Tutorial:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgowwTaWjlo

In the Cut Loose Press pattern, Equal Exchange, Karla uses this technique to create a beautiful table runner from a charm pack with very little waste. One charm pack – one table runner – who could ask for an easier project to kit! But this technique can be used with any size squares up to 15″.

This 16 x 40 inch table runner can be the foundation of a perfect demo – especially when they know there is a video to refresh their memory when they get home!

Have a sewing machine set up as well so they can actually sew a curve. For tips on how to do that, watch her video on sewing curves:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4WFZIU-vyw

Remove the intimidation factor so you can introduce them to a whole new world of quilting! The Circle Savvy tool has tons of companions – just scroll down to the bottom of the page!

The Latest from Saginaw Street Quilts

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 Flying Geese

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!

Crazy Hearts for Valentines

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???

Tis the Season for Trees

Tis the season for evergreens – and this is reflected in our top 100 patterns! All of these trees made the list!

Crazy Christmas Trees from Cut Loose Press™ is the perfect family craft project! None of the seams have to match so seam allowances aren’t really an issue. I’m making this with my grandchildren this weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These paper-pieced trees come in two sizes. The smaller version is the perfect door decoration for an Advent tree for your favorite little ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Piece Fall colors on the other side to make this tree reversible!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then there are the three-dimensional versions by Aunties Two and Poorhouse Designs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All of these projects are simple and can be done in time to deck the halls!

Celebrate the Holidays with Creative Grids

Need demos for that holiday open house? We’ve got you covered. There are excellent Cut Loose Press™ patterns that feature Creative Grids® rulers that will have your customers making multiples for gifts as well.

Capiz Lanterns looks like a modern version of our favorite tree ornament.  It is oh so simple to make with the Oval Always tool by Karla Alexander.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deb Heatherly creates these ornaments with the 4″ version of the Log Cabin Curvy tool.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And just look at the variety of trees….

Jean Ann created this tree by combining the 8″ log cabin trim tool with the curvy version of the same size.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These trees were all made with a 30-degree angle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karla Alexander’s Crazy Christmas Trees has been in the top 10 patterns since its release!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This snowman table runner is a great choice for the entire winter!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Best news? Everything is in stock and ready for your holiday events!

We’ve Got Your Angle!

Meet the newest members of the Creative Grids® angle family. We now have a sixteen inch 10-degree angle. Sew together 36 of these 10-degree triangles to create a complete circle; 18 to create a half-circle, or 9 to create a quarter-circle. Create Fans, Dresden Plates, etc. up to a finished size of 31-1/2 inches. Check out these companions by Christina Cameli. The Magic Triangle Table Topper would be a great afternoon class. She pieces the fans with the 10-degree angle and then trims them into a 50-degree shape to create this stunning hexie!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mesmerized is stunning in these gradations!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also have a shorter version of the popular 15 degree – this one is easier to manipulate when working on smaller projects. Erin Underwood has created some darling patterns to get you started. Check out this mini version of her popular tuffet! It can be made with either the 15 degree or 22 1/2 degree. You decide on how many petals you prefer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Cut Loose Press™ pattern includes a table runner AND placemats. I love the edges that are finished with rickrack – just like grandmas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This double Dresden pillow is embellished with buttons and rickrack.  What is not to love???

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Or create this spectacular version of a Mariner’s Compass by combining 15 and 22 1/2 degree angles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add these angles to your basic line!

Crazy Trees


I love this!  In fact, I love this so much that I am teaching it this weekend!

 

 

 

 

This is a Karla Alexander design – and is SO her! A little wacky, a little wonky, and a whole lot of fun! This combines every aspect of a great pattern:

 

 

  • It looks hard but is so easy and so forgiving – anyone can do it!
  • It takes just eight 10 inch squares and eight 11″ x 14″ rectangles of background so it is easy to kit.
  • It makes a great demo.
  • AND, it is a Cut Loose Press™ pattern so it is affordable. Crazy Christmas Trees #CLPKAL009

It uses her ruler. Creative Grids® Spider Web Quilt Ruler #CGRKA6

 

 

 

 

Saturday I am making this in Fall colors – but kitting it for Christmas as well. After all, who can stop at just one! An added bonus? This runner is 17 1/2″ x 40 1/2″ so if I make four of these, I have a great throw!

Courthouse Steps Inspiration

Deb Heatherly and I are not only Creative Grids® designers, we are also friends. She has designed four of our most popular tools – Cat’s Cradle; Strippy Star, Turbo Four-Patch and the Ultimate Flying Geese.

We both travel and teach – and love to demonstrate Creative Grids®. My latest Cut Loose Press™ pattern, Log Cabin Nights, was inspired by one of her quilts – Steps to the Stars.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the story.  I was working on a king sized quilt and needed a final border.  I loved the way Deb combined Strippy Stars and Courthouse Steps blocks in her pattern. As a border, however, I needed a darker look that would frame the quilt and be striking when it was hanging off the side of a bed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I completed the quilt –  and loved the border. There was a long dresser in the room that was scratched on the top. What is a quilter to do? Make a dresser scarf of course – and Log Cabin Nights was born. Look at your patterns as inspiration and see what happens!

I just noticed a white spot on the top of the buffet….back to the sewing room.

Ovals ARE Easy

Add Karla Alexander’s sense of style and color sense – and classes will sell out immediately!  I am one of those people who came from an applique background so sewing curves on a machine wasn’t a part of my skill set until now!  Look how gorgeous…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are Cut Loose Press™ patterns that are stunning. Leaves is a perfect class. They can actually finish this in an afternoon. Then demo the Clam shell quilt and Capiz Lanterns. The lantern quilt would be a perfect Christmas quilt.

Enchanted will have everyone anticipating the holiday seasons. Trading Places and Spin Cycle actually make me think I could make art quilts – and you could too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You need to challenge yourself to step outside of your comfort zone – and I guarantee you will be successful and love every minute of it!