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!!!

My ‘Go To’ Creative Grids®

Posted on April 29, 2017 by Penny Haren

I am demonstrating in Paducah this week and have been asked several times for a list of my favorite rulers. What do I have in my ruler rack besides the Stripology and the CGR24 – 6 1/2″ x 24 1/2″ rectangle?

The CGR48 is my favorite ruler when I am sub-cutting blocks or trimming a few half-square triangles. I work with five-inch squares a lot so this ruler is the perfect companion. The white line down the center of the ruler is at 2 1/4″. I use it to square up four-patches and is the width I like to cut my bindings. I use the angled lines to trim half-square triangles made from five-inch squares and sewn with a scant quarter inch seam.

The CGR312 is 3 1/2″ x 12 1/2″. I just finished a bow tie quilt with over 500 three-inch finished bow ties. I used the centering line on this ruler to square up the blocks instead of a 3 1/2″ square. The length was easier to hold onto and protected my hands from the rotary cutter blade. The centering line at 1 3/4″ is also the width of strips if you are making the eight-inch log cabin blocks with the Log Cabin Trim Tool – an added bonus!

And then there is the CGR212 – the 2 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ ruler. Once again I like the added length to protect my fingers when squaring up blocks to 2 1/2″. But my favorite feature? The centering line at 1 1/4″. I use that line to cut 2 1/2″ strips in half when making four-inch log cabins with the CGRJAWMN4 or mini pineapples with the CGRJAW3MINI.

What rulers are your go to rulers – and why?

Holsters Aren’t Just for Cowboys

Posted on April 2, 2017 by Penny Haren

These “holsters” are designed to organize your sewing, office or craft area. They are made from a patented silicone. The flap sticks to any smooth, clean an dry surface. Once positioned, simply spray with water to secure in place. Drainage holes are included so objects such as paintbrushes can drain and dry. The Lil’ Holster is 3.25 x 5.25 inches and is dishwasher safe – which makes them the perfect organizers for your kitchen sink as well! They are so easy to place, move and clean!

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The Hobby Holster is heat resistant up to 400 degrees so it can actually hold a glue gun. The flap can double as a work mat. Any glue will peal right off- or anything else you want.

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The Lil’ Holster mini measures 2.5 x 4 inches and has all of the great features of the original.

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These are the perfect gift for every quilter who dreams of being organized! Visit the website to see the entire range of colors: Holsters

It is G-Easy!

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Penny Haren

I love, love, love, this new product because it has a wealth of uses! These stickers by Gudrun Erla of GE Designs are reusable, repositionable, and stick to rulers, mats, fabric, and sewing machines!

Each package contains one sheet of each color – turquoise, pink and lime green. There are 64 arrow stickers per sheet – for a total of 192 stickers for just $7.95!

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They are easily removable and don’t leave any residue. Mark the cutting lines on your mat for fast, accurate and consistent cutting. And, if need be, write on them with a permanent marker or wet erase pens.

And, since this lovely lady also developed the Stripology and Stripology Squared rulers with Creative Grids®, they are the perfect companion for that tool as well.

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These are the perfect register sale! Who can resist?

Notions Revisited or Improved!

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Penny Haren

When I travel and teach, I receive multiple requests from applique enthusiasts for a sandpaper board. Sue Daley delivers! The sandpaper stops the fabric from slipping when tracing templates and is mounted to a sturdy board so it is the perfect work surface.

We once again carry Klutz Gloves in a medium and large size. Wear these gloves when rotary cutting to protect your fingers from those sharp blades!

The new kid on the block is this new endurance blade by Olfa. I can’t wait to try one! For just a few dollars more, this blade is supposed to last twice as long as the current blades on the market! Let’s face it everyone, we NEVER replace our blade as often as we should so this puppy is a godsend!

Portable Press!

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Penny Haren

This little dynamo by Steamfast has been the top selling iron for over a year – and has found a home in the top 10 as long as I can remember!

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Item #SF-717-A Retail $29.99

This miniature steam iron is lightweight and easy to manipulate, featuring the shape of a computer mouse. This shape gives you ultimate control while pressing.

My favorite features? It heats in just one minute and has a long cord that is perfect for retreats. It weighs less than a pound with a non-stick soleplate. No wonder it is the top seller! This should be a staple in every quilt shop!

Hats with Personality

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Penny Haren

Tis the season. Our town had the first snow day today. What is better on a snow day then to be sitting by a fire doing your favorite needle art. These cute hats can be made in one sitting and have tons of personality.

Item #TTY15MO Retail $8.99

The packaging is irresistible! The yarn automatically creates the stripes and there is even a grommet to hold the little stuffed animal on securely.

They come in a wide variety of choices….

Item #TTY15PE Retail $8.99

Item #TTY15SB Retail $8.99

Item #TTY15SF Retail $8.99

Item #TTY15SM Retail $8.99

Item #TTY15ST Retail $8.99

Display these at the register. Your customers will want one – one for each child that is! Visit our website to see the entire Top This collection!

A Decoration for Every Season – Part One

Posted on January 5, 2016 by Penny Haren

This pattern is the perfect example of how Social Media can work for you! A shop posted a pic of their shop sample on Facebook, it went viral – and the rest is history!

Item #PQD-210 Retail $9.00

It instantly became the #1 pattern on Checker and sold out instantly. No one could have predicted this so Kristine of Poorhouse Designs was not prepared for the demand either – but she is now – and more patterns are due in this week! Are you posting classes, kits and shop samples on Facebook to share with your customers? If this pattern doesn’t inspire you, nothing will!

The Facebook pic showed it as a centerpiece.

This was the variation that appeared on the back of the pattern – and is obviously the viewer’s choice!

Kristine is such a sweetheart! She instantly did this pattern in different fabrics to make it a holiday pattern for EVERY occasion!

This is the perfect class because it can actually be DONE in a class – and I mean totally done and ready to put on the table! It features a product that may be new to your customers – In-R-Form single sided fusible foam stabilizer – which is a teaching opportunity.

Item #495BS-18 Retail $11.00

This product is available on the bolt and in the package. Choose what works for you.

Be sure to have these bead packages on hand. Kristine has packaged them in either gold or silver and they are the perfect size for the pattern. Let’s face it, this is an impulse buy because no one knows if they have them at home – let alone where they are!

Item #PQD103G Retail $5.00

Item #PQD103S Retail $5.00

Why not schedule YOUR class today? Don’t forget to post it on Facebook!

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