Tools for the Aging Quilter – Part One

Think how much joy we get from quilting.  It is not just a hobby. Quilting becomes a way to show friends and family that we love them. Classes, quilt shops and guilds provide a social aspect.  And many quilters use it as a way to pay it forward by donating quilts. What can you do as a shop owner? Provide them with the tools that they need to quilt as long as they possibly can!

As we age, hand strength becomes an issue. Many women have mentioned that cutting the entire length of the ruler is an issue. They tend to slip and move away from the edge of the tool as they extend their arm. The perfect solution? The Creative Grids® Stripoology rulers. The weight of this ruler is enough to hold it in place without slipping so those with carpal tunnel issues won’t have to apply pressure to their thumbs to hold the ruler in place. And since the rotary cutter is placed in slots, every strip will be the same width.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be sure to share the Creative Grids® Stripology Squared ruler as well.  It is smaller and may be easier for an aging quilter to manipulate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An added bonus? Since you don’t have to re position the ruler with each cut, you can cut 75% faster than with a traditional ruler. For those who can only rotary cut for limited periods of time due to arthritis, cutting 15 minutes instead of an hour is huge!

But sometimes, another ruler is required. That is when The Gypsy Quilter Gripper comes into play. The Gypsy Gripper is designed with two suction cups that attach to any smooth ruler surface. The Gripper ensures that even pressure is applied to the cutting surface so you can relax and rest your hand comfortably over the handle. Since no death grip is required, this tool is recommended for anyone with hand issues such as arthritis and carpal tunnel. Your hand is always away from the rotary cutter so your fingers are out of harm’s way.

 

 

 

 

 

There are also smaller sizes.  Check our website for other options.

Log Cabin Stars and Stripes

I love this four inch log cabin trim tool!  It makes me look like I actually know how to piece – WELL!  Believe me, it is not me – it is the tool!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Look at “America the Beautiful”. This 28″ x 40″ flag was pieced with the log cabin trim tool using a variation of the courthouse steps block. I used Soft and Stable as the batting so it lays perfectly flat when it is hanging on my door – the perfect decoration for those summer barbecues.  It is fat quarter friendly so it is easy to kit as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Check out this pattern by Jean Ann Wright.  See how the blocks are placed to create a star in the center.  This is done with 2 1/2″ strips – which are due to arrive this month. Kitting has never been easier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This tool comes in a four inch, a six inch, an eight inch, and a twelve-inch size.  Show them blocks in every size. The technique is the same – let them choose the size that they are comfortable with!

 

Six Halves Make a Whole

Susan Knapp of The Quilt Branch has been thinking of Christmas and designed three patterns in her six halves make a whole series. These are great patterns to kit – simply cut six coordinating half yard cuts. Any kits left? Simply cut them into fat quarters!  It can’t get any easier than that!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All of these patterns feature her House Ruler by Creative Grids®.

 

 

 

Tree skirts are great Christmas gifts – just start the season early by giving them out after Thanksgiving dinner!  To see all of the “six halves make a whole” series, visit our website:  The Quilt Branch.  These patterns are expected any day so order them now!

Ovals All Ways – Literally

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

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!

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

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

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

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The Newest Must Haves from Atkinson Designs

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!

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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.

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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!

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

Instant Gratification

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®

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. cgr48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!

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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.

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What rulers are your go to rulers – and why?

Sassafras Lane is Spicing Up Market

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.

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

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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!

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

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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

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,

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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!

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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.

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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.

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

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

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