New from Robin Pickens

Posted on February 16, 2023 by Cindy Abdoo

Robin is one of my favorite designers. When I see one of her quilts, I don’t even have to look at the name to see who made it. Her sense of style and color shine through on every quilt! Here are three of her latest designs.

Inspired by “Jubilant Song”, this quilt celebrates large central panels going out to decorative ends. Three panels make a LAP/WALL quilt of 60 x 67″ or ONE panel can be used for a lovely 14 x 67″ TABLE RUNNER. Feature a large WOF print through the center panels or use Fat Quarters with large motifs. Add a contrasting or subtle sashing for extra decoration.

Bar Hop is a precut-friendly quilt pattern to make a 51 1/2 x 50″ Lap/Wall quilt or a 87 x 84″ Queen quilt. Charm Packs, Layer Cakes or Jelly Rolls can be used with background yardage. Small quilt has extra outside border. Use Fat Quarters OR the Wild Blossoms WOF print for large horizontal bands which contrast with the smaller vertical bars. Great for playing with color within the little bars.

Use Layer Cake (10″ squares) or Fat Quarters with sashings and background to make a woven composition with bars. Get a more shaded/tonal look with 2 background colors. This quick and easy quilt is instructed for Lap, Twin, Queen and King sizes.

These patterns are due to arrive next month so place your orders now.

Love on the Run-ner

Posted on February 6, 2023 by Penny Haren

I love this table runner that is simple enough it could be made in an afternoon. Measuring 18” x 74” (without tassels), grab your 2 1/2” strips and follow the enclosed road map to create a quick and easy runner for your Valentine’s Day or wedding. Add self made tassels just for the fun of it! This is a perfect beginner project!

Use these Wilmington Essentials to kit this beauty in a matter of moments.

2-1/2in Strips Ruby Days 40pcs/bundle, 4 bundles per pack

Use the same background or a combination of background prints.

2-1/2in Strips White Out 40pcs/bundle, 4 bundles per pack

This pattern is due to arrive next month, not in time for this Valentine’s Day but I am getting everything now so I’ll be ahead of the game next year. And, I have several weddings this year. Wouldn’t it be a great shower gift???

New from Fig Tree & Co.

Posted on February 2, 2023 by Penny Haren

As I am writing this, it is snowing outside. When I saw this snowdrops pattern by Fig Tree & Co, it made me smile and reminded me that we should be seeing these sweet harbingers of Spring next month – and I am sooooo ready!

Every possible variation of every possible fruit went into the mix. Apples, pears, cherries, blueberries, oranges and lemons all made the final cut and became quilts for this summertime compilation of fruit goodness. Five of the patterns are created to be interchangeable to mix and match into true fruit salad quilts. In addition, a few interchangeable leaf options as well as small flower filler blocks if you decide to mix and match are included.

Who doesn’t love a good basket pattern Fruit Basket uses a single layer cake for the baskets. It is retro, summer picnic perfection if there is such a thing.

These patterns are due to arrive in February so place your orders now.

Be My Valentine

Posted on January 24, 2023 by Penny Haren

Crazy Hearts, one of the series by Karla Alexander’s Crazy series for Cut Loose Press. For those of you who have loved Crazy Christmas Trees, this is your next project!

Yes, this is the perfect Valentine decoration but why not make it in the wedding colors for a bridal shower? The wedding party can sign the hearts and the guests can sign around them. What a great memory of the day!

Whichever color pallet you choose, it is simply charming!

All of the Crazy series use the Spider Web Ruler by Creative Grids®, designed by Karla herself!

Maria used Scrap Tape from The Gypsy Quilter® to add a scrappy border.

Scrap Tape is a wash away foundation that stabilizes the grain line of your fabric until it is sewn into your finished project. Make unique 5- inch strips using fabric scraps, using a stitch and flip method, then trim to size. Since Scrap Tape washes away with water, do not use steam or a starch/starch alternative while constructing your strips. Wash the stabilizer away AFTER the project is complete. One package includes 25 yards of 5in wide Scrap Tape.

Everything is in stock so place your orders now!

New from Fabric Cafe

Posted on January 13, 2023 by Penny Haren

Donna Robertson co-founder of Fabric Café, known for her signature 3-yard quilt method, announces a new pattern book, Fat Quarter Quilt Treats! Each fat quarter pattern has easy-to-follow diagrams and instructions. Each quilt is intended to be an economy quilt designed to utilize 12 fat quarters, equal to 3 yards of fabric, most efficiently. All patterns are written for three sizes – lap, twin, and queen/king. This means no more complicated math when a larger size quilt is desired.

And now for the eye candy!

This book is due to arrive at the end of this month so place your orders now.

Patchwork Duffle by Knot + Thread

Posted on January 11, 2023 by Penny Haren

This mini version of the ever so popular original duffle is still plenty roomy at 10″ x 17-1/2″ x 8″. Piece the body or use the same fabric, whichever you choose, it is sure to be a showstopper.

Many of you have already made the original, larger size. Either would be great gifts. My granddaughters would love these for sleepovers! I would love them for retreats!

And of course Checker carries a wide variety of zippers, trims and Soft and Stable to complete the professional look! The new pattern us due to arrive next month so place your orders now.

New Gnomes

Posted on January 9, 2023 by Penny Haren

Sam Hunter of Hunter’s Design Studio has added four new gnomes to their collection. All of the patterns in this series finish to 7″ x 36″ – the perfect size for a skinny wall space. The patterns are written for fusible appliqué but you can use any appliqué method of your choice. SVG Files are included.

Why not start a Gnome of the month club? These patterns are due to arrive this month so place your orders today.

Nancy Halvorsen’s Wonder Lane

Posted on January 8, 2023 by Penny Haren

I have been writing this newsletter since the very first issue, and this is the first time I have seen a block of the month series with ALL 12 patterns in the top 100 on the Checker website! Why? Because Nancy has thought of everything! Each reasonably priced booklet features a center block with a monthly theme surrounded by three different pieced blocks. Each month, your customers can make a wall hanging that all measure the exact same size.

Loveland Cottage on Wander Lane - Block 2

Honeybee Hollow On Wander Lane - Block 6

Liberty Heights On Wander Lane - Block 7

Sunflower Slope On Wander Lane - Block 8

Schoolhouse Haven on Wander Lane - Block 9

Midnight Manor on Wander Lane - Block 10

Mistletoe Crossing on Wander Lane - Block 12

If that is not enough eye candy, the center blocks and one of each pieced block can be sewn into a beautiful throw. Talk about options! And, as always, Checker carries everything you need right down to the button packets for each month. Why not order them all and offer a discount if they buy all of the booklets in the beginning?

Prepping for Valentine’s and St. Paddy’s Day

Posted on January 6, 2023 by Penny Haren

Yes, this is the perfect Valentine decoration but why not make it in wedding colors for a bridal shower? The wedding party can sign the hearts and the guests can sign around them. What a great memory of the day!

Crazy Hearts #CLPKAL011 from Cut Loose Press by Karla Alexander.

Don’t you love the name? In Crazy Love #CLPKAL014 from Cut Loose Press the angles doesn’t matter. The sashing strips can be adjusted by trimming them after the letters are pieced so they are all the same height.

What a great shower or wedding gift. At 18 x 53 inches it would make a statement hanging above a bed!

It is all about fabric placement. Lovey #CLPDLB018 by Lisa DeBord combines five different color combinations of a courthouse steps block to spell out LOVE. Since each round of logs is trimmed before the next round is added, perfection is guaranteed. Why not spread some love this year?

Creative Grids 4in Log Cabin Trim Tool Quilt Ruler

There is a little bit of Irish in all of us so why not celebrate it? The leaves of these Tumbling Shamrocks #CLPQIN001 are cut from a variety of 2-1/2in strips. The variety of prints adds depth and texture to the design by creating another design element. Adjust the size accordingly to make it fit your table or gift it to your favorite bloke as a throw! Either way, it will be treasured!

Cut Loose Press® patterns are a Checker Exclusive and printed on demand so they are always in stock and available for your next kit or class.

Quick Gift by Amy Barickman

Posted on December 8, 2022 by Penny Haren

This quick and easy wrap is your go-to shrug for any occasion! Make this fun, fashionable wrap for family, friends, and yourself. It’s the perfect accessory for a chilly day or to cozy up on the couch. With six sizes and three sleeve lengths to choose from there’s a pattern for everyone – all using less than two yards of your favorite fabric. Customize it even more with an elastic cuff or leave the sleeve loose.

The pattern offers tips and techniques for stitching Luxe Cuddle® Plush, faux fur, polar fleece, batiks, double gauze, knits and woven cottons. Style one for every season, every event, or any mood!

The QR code inside the pattern links to bonus content that includes a Look Book and video featuring the suggested styling and fabric options as well as sewing tips.

Check out all of the possibilities:

The patterns are in stock so you have time to make these for last minute gifts!

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