Ovals All Ways – Literally

Posted on May 23, 2017 by Penny Haren

Finally! A tool that cuts ovals! No more elongated half circle hot dog shapes! The Creative Grids® Ovals All Ways Ruler designed by Karla Alexander, cuts ovals, semi-ovals, and quarter-ovals from 3″ x 4 ½” to 8 ½” x 10″ and every half-inch between. Since this ruler is designed to be used in multiple ways, additional markings are included for techniques such as fusible applique, piecing and turned-edge applique.

If only my laundry looked so good! Spin Cycle showcases a variety of ways to use this ruler. And don’t you just love the color combinations? Trading Places uses the positive and negative space to create even more interesting patterns. And then there is Enchanted! Jasmine would have been proud to fly on this magic carpet!

And since they are ovals, they are even easier to piece than circles. Watch the video for even more inspiration! Why not teach a class on ovals and ease them into the Circle Savvy? But with all of these possibilities, they will want to stay and play for awhile!

Six Point Pizzazz

Posted on May 13, 2017 by Penny Haren

This seven sisters setting of a Diamond Wedding Star is breathtaking – a perfect example of when less is more! And the perfect fabric choices? This heirloom strip set by Timeless designed, or course, by the Niemeyers! Check out these Market releases!

When quilts become art – Autumn Pines can be the focal point of any room.

These quilts are the newest additions that feature the Diamond Wedding Ring templates by Creative Grids®.

Why not combine the new with these classics from Cut Loose Press and Quiltworx?

The Newest Must Haves from Atkinson Designs

Posted on May 10, 2017 by Penny Haren

You might as well schedule the class right now because who could resist these Hippie Zips? And who could make just one?? We have everything you need -hooks, line and
zippers to create these Market releases!

Bacon and Biscuits – a perfect name for an apron – is pieced and fully lined by turning it inside out through the arm openings. The binding over the raw edges is extended to fit around the neck and create the ties. Simply brilliant and oh so easy! Both of these patterns feature her Creative Grids Round Up Tool.

Although Terry is the queen of fast and fun, her roots are in quilting. Her newest quilt pattern – Birthday Presents – is striking in its simplicity!

Visit our website to see everything by Atkinson Designs. Her designs are truly classic!

Instant Gratification

Posted on May 8, 2017 by Penny Haren

We all love instant gratification – and these new patterns scheduled for Market release by Gudrun Erla of GE Designs are just that. And, at $6.50 retail, your customers will pick them up like candy!

These Quilt as you Go patterns are also quick and easy classes – and they will go home with a finished project!

Why not demonstrate how fast it is to cut the needed strips with the Stripology or Stripology Squared? Stack the fabrics and cut out an entire pattern in less than five minutes!

Or teach Nova – a quilt made with 10″ squares which are sub-cut with the Stripology Squared ruler.

Or showcase them on a demo day! Your customers will be glad you did!

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?

Sassafras Lane is Spicing Up Market

Posted on April 20, 2017 by Penny Haren

I love everything that Sassafras Lane does – and this Market is no different! They bridge the gap between the traditionalists of my generation and the sassy style of theirs – and they do it beautifully! Check these out.

Clay Court is a wonderful study in color. Piecing the triangles out of 2-1/2″ strips adds texture and the triangles are created with the Perfect Square and Perfect Rectangle Ruler.

Alligator Alley is done in this generation’s version of a blue and yellow quilt. Sixty-degree angles never looked so good!

Darby Road looks like a funky hexie and is actually paper-pieced so it is simple! And who wouldn’t love to adopt Elsie? And the next time someone tells you to – Just Focus – make them this quilt!

Look at the detailing on this Bugsy Backpack! Talk about a fashion statement!

All of these patterns are due in the middle of May – just in time for your Market event!

The Newest Member of the Creative Grids® Family

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Penny Haren

Many of you have paid your rent by offering tuffet classes. Erin Underwood’s round tuffet that can be made in an afternoon has been in the top 100 patterns since it’s release two years ago,

So when she came to us and wanted to do a 22-1/2 degree ruler so she could create a square tuffet, we were in!

This triangle has the same markings as her 15-degree triangle plus some additional angle markings which are referred to in patterns to create more intricate designs.

Sixteen triangles create a “circle” or Dresden. Or use it to create a frequent bucket list contender – the Dahlia. Or create a quilt in an afternoon with Sassy Tumblers.

Or create a table runner and matching place mats with this Cut Loose Press™ pattern.

Karen Bennett of Nellie’s Needle loved it so much, she designed three patterns around it…

The patterns are selling out quickly, but don’t worry! More are expected any day!

Traditional with a Modern Twist

Posted on January 8, 2017 by Penny Haren

I love everything by Cindi McCracken! She takes traditional blocks and adds a modern twist that combines crisp, clean lines and fabulous color choices.

Stars at the Lake combines the charm of a traditional churn dash block with a simple paper-pieced block – the perfect opportunity to expose your customers to paper-piecing without intimidating them! Broken Dishes is paper-pieced from strips so it is very impressive without any of the frustration.

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Any Which Way is striking in batiks and Fading Light can be made in a week-end. Both would be great additions to your “masculine” quilt pattern collection.

Cindi uses the new Stripology Squared ruler to cut her strips and recommends it in some of her patterns. Why not host a class and “race” with a student who is known to be fast? You use the Stripology Squared and they can cut with a traditional ruler. Once they see what a time saver it is, the tool will sell itself!

All of these patterns are due to arrive this month so order them now!

Sew Kind of Wonderful – Always a Class Act

Posted on December 19, 2016 by Penny Haren

I love the gals from Sew Kind of Wonderful! They represent the best of our industry – and if you have ever met them, they ARE as kind, honest, and gracious as they seem. In this day and age, it is refreshing to experience true class. I got to see their booth at Market and it was simply darling! Their new patterns are absolutely amazing.

Who would have thought that their Quick Curve Ruler and the Mini Quick Curve Ruler could produce such charming patterns?

Mod Pineapples uses the original Quick Curve ruler to produce this throw size quilt. The sign for hospitality has never looked so good!

Mod Owls and Mod Strawberries both us the Mini tool.

Urbanalogie features the mini as well and would make a great series of classes. All of the featured blocks can be combined to make the stunning cover quilt or can stand alone.

Their patterns are the perfect introduction to curves. They are so gentle that your students won’t even realize they are sewing curves until they see the stunning results!

Quilts with Funk

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Penny Haren

I love it when one of our babies – in this case the Creative Grids Circle Savvy ruler – takes on a life of its own. When the designers came to us, we were blown away by the possibilities. But, in this case, once they had a chance to play with it, the true potential of this tool emerged! Karla Alexander of Saginaw St Quilts has a vision and a style that has become instantly recognizable.

My circles never looked like this!!!!

Who would have thought that both quilts were made with the same tool????

These quilts are much easier than you think! Piecing large curves is a piece of cake – especially when you have the right tools and patterns! Moon Shadow and Polka Box have a more traditional look – and may be the perfect transition class to move your customers toward more artsy, free form quilts.

Why not challenge your students in the new year – and offer classes that will challenge them to try techniques that they may not be comfortable with. For our industry to continue to grow, we must continue to learn! And these quilts appeal to everyone – and bridge the gap between tradition and art!

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