New from Krista Moser

Posted on June 30, 2021 by Penny Haren

I got to spend three days with Krista last week at the Shipshewana Quilt Festival in Shipshewana, Indiana. She showed this quilt for the first time and everyone loved it!

Her photography is stunning. Additional images like this are available on our website so you can use them in your advertising they are just a right click away….

Bespoke Stars is a stunning modern take on a six-spoked star and a great way to showcase a favorite collection of fabrics. The pieces are large and uncomplicated making them quick and easy to put together. A terrific contemporary quilt for any modern streamlined decor, this pattern is easy enough for a beginner to intermediate quilter. It includes step-by-step instructions with plenty of illustrations, through every stage, to make your quilt top: rotary cutting, piecing, and assembly. This one is made with the original Creative Grids 60 Degree Diamond Ruler.

This pattern is due to arrive next month and the rulers are on order so place your orders now.

Set a Great Table

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Penny Haren

Carolina Moore has created two Cut Loose Press™ patterns that feature Creative Grids® tools and Gypsy Quilter® Pre-Cut Battings – with stunning results!

Are you ready for all the summer BBQs and picnics? Your hot dish will take center stage when presented in this Americana Casserole Hot Pad!

This stars-and-stripes motif is created using the Creative Grids® Strippy Stars tool (CGRDH2) by Deb Heatherly. This pattern uses the Casserole Dish Hot Pad Pre-Cut Batting and Insulating material (TGQ104), which has two layers of batting and polyester and metalized layer to help keep your hot dish hot. It perfectly fits a standard 9 by 13 inch casserole dish. With just three fabrics, this pattern would be simple to kit with a red, white, and blue fabric from your shop’s color wall. But, why not kit it in Fall and Winter holiday colors as well? After all, stars are always in season and these would make great hostess gifts. A great class option. Students can learn how to use the Strippy Star Tool and actually finish the project in class!

Creative Grids Strippy Stars Tool 5in x 7-1/2in Quilt Ruler

Casserole Dish Hot Pad Pre Cut Batting 3ct

These 2 for 1 plate cozies are darling and simple to make! They feature the Pre-Cut Plate Cozy batting from The Gypsy Quilter® (TGQ102) which is microwave safe, with fun piecing using the Creative Grids® Kitty Cornered Ruler (CGRDH5) by Deb Heatherly.

The pattern is written so that two plate cozies can be made with two contrasting half-yard-cuts of fabric. Since you can make four plate cozies from one package of pre-cut batting, you may want to double your fun, or in this case quadruple the fun , by buying four half yard cuts of fabric. Students could easily finish a set of these in class AND learn how to use the Kitty Cornered Tool. We all love instant gratification.

Everything is in stock, so why not get your order placed today???

Angela Walters Goes Low Shank

Posted on May 27, 2021 by Penny Haren

Want to try machine quilting but not sure where to start? Angela Walter’s Creative Grids® machine quilting tools are available for both high and low shank machines. Not sure which ones you need? Watch one of Angela’s videos for the most in-depth explanation I have ever seen (or heard).

Meet Slim, your new machine quilting best friend:

Creative Grids Low Shank Machine Quilting Tool Shorty

Shorty video.

Slim is the most versatile tool:

Creative Grids Low Shank Machine Quilting Tool Slim

Quilt symmetrical arches with Archie:

Creative Grids Low Shank Machine Quilting Tool Archie

Meet Elvira, your new favorite curvy tool:

Creative Grids Low Shank Machine Quilting Tool Elvira

Chevy is a little pointy, a little curvy, and very versatile:

Creative Grids Low Shank Machine Quilting Tool Chevy

Sid is a little bit straight, a little curvy, and completely devoted to helping you create
some amazing designs:

Creative Grids Low Shank Machine Quilting Tool Sid

Go to the Checker YouTube channel or the Creative Grids® USA website for videos that you can share with your customers. All are in stock now.

Deb’s Cats N Quilts Presents:

Posted on April 24, 2021 by Penny Haren

Deb Heatherly is releasing three new patterns that will all be in stock by the middle of May. Captivate is a stunning quilt that combines blocks created with her Creative Grids Kitty Cornered Tool and the 10″ Log Cabin Trim tool Duo. This stunning quilt measures 53-1/2 inches square.

Creative Grids 10 Inch Log Cabin Trim Tool Duo:

Creative Grids 10in Log Cabin Trim Tool Duo

Creative Grids Kitty Cornered Tool:

Imagine includes yardage requirements for 3 sizes: 63 x 63 inches, 63ix 80 inches and 90 inch square. It uses her Creative Grids Kitty Cornered Tool and the Strippy Stars Tool.

Creative Grids Strippy Star Tool:

Prosperity features the Kitty Cornered Tool and includes instructions for three different sizes.

Visit Deb’s website for more information on her Grids Girl program: //www.debscatsnquilts.com/

Diagonal Seam Tape

Posted on March 24, 2021 by Penny Haren

This notion created by Cluck Cluck Sew is flying off the shelves and we just got in another order so it is in stock!!!

I was teaching a class on Saturday and someone thought that you put this on the diagonal of the fabric – not true! It sticks to your sewing machine – right in front of the feed dogs. The red line aligns with your needle, the blue lines are the sewing lines – 1/4″ away from the red line.

A roll is 10 yards – and since you just need a small piece – it lasts a good long time! When you are ready to remove it, it comes right off – no pesky residue!

Half-square triangles have never been easier – no more drawing lines. But remember, this works just as well when sewing snowball blocks! I can’t wait to try it when I am making my Geese in the Cabin blocks – a Cut Loose Press™ Plus pattern (#CLPPLUS001)!

Adding those triangles to the corners just got a whole lot easier! This pattern showcases the Creative Grids® Log Cabin Trim Tool for 10-inch blocks (#CGRJAW10).

The Big Easy from Creative Grids

Posted on March 8, 2021 by Penny Haren

The Big Easy (CGR1224) is a whopping 12-1/2 x 24-1/2 inches – almost twice the size of our most popular 6-1/2 x 24-1/2 inch (CGR24) and the 12-1/2″ square (CGR12).

Creative Grids Quilt Ruler 12-1/2in x 24-1/2in

It has all of the markings you love plus some additional angles – which are perfect for marking cross-hatching, mitering corners on borders, etc.

The added width is also perfect for cutting borders, curtains, and other home dec projects. Personally, I bought the ruler to trim quilts after machine quilting. I like to trim parallel to an inside border so everything is square. The size of this tool means I can accurately square up corners as well as the borders.

The Gypsy Gripper from The Gypsy Quilter is the perfect companion for this tool. This suction-cupped handle attaches to the ruler so you can comfortably move and position the ruler without straining your hands.

The Original Gypsy Quilter Gypsy Gripper

Both products are in stock now so place your orders at www.checkerdist.com.

Geese in the Cabin

Posted on March 5, 2021 by Penny Haren

Meet Cut Loose Press™ Plus. This pattern has six full pages – when a pattern is just too good to fit on one page – even if it is front and back!

This Cut Loose Press™ Plus pattern features a technique for making Geese in the Cabin blocks from the log cabin blocks created with the Creative Grids® 10-inch Log Cabin Trim Tool Duo by Jean Ann Wright (CGRJAW10).

We have even filmed a video showing how easy it is to transform a Courthouse Block style log cabin created with the Creative Grids® 10-Inch Log Cabin Trim Tool Duo into an entirely new block. AND, you are welcome to share the video!

Once you have created the blocks, twist and turn them in a multitude of ways to create your own masterpiece. The pattern includes suggestions but there are many more possibilities.

Since all 36 blocks are exactly the same – and the magic happens when you twist and turn them – the yardage requirements are the same for every version!

The ruler and patterns are in stock so order them now and let your customers know. We have already gotten requests from consumers who want to know where to buy!

New from Marlous Designs

Posted on February 17, 2021 by Penny Haren

I LOVE this quilt! I was just asked to make quilts for two gals in their early 30’s and this is perfect!

I love the off-set diamonds and the tone-on-tone diamonds. It could be the perfect choice for a wedding or graduation gift as well. The pattern includes yardage requirements and instructions for three sizes: lap, twin, and queen. The diamonds are created with the Creative Grids® Perfect Rectangle Tool #CGRTMT3.

Creative Grids Perfect Rectangle Ruler 9-1/2in Quilt Ruler

Mountain Gems is another asymmetrical design that packs a lot of punch and also includes three sizes.

Both patterns will be available in March so place your orders now!

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!!!

The Jellies Have It!

Posted on December 8, 2020 by Penny Haren

All you need is ONE jelly roll along with background and accent fabric to create this stunning oversized throw. The pattern Jelly Roll Log Cabins #CLPCAM022 from Cut Loose Press™ includes cutting instructions for the logs so every inch of fabric is utilized. Since the log cabin blocks finish to 12 inches, you only need to make 16 blocks so you can finish the entire project in an afternoon.

All you need is TWO jelly rolls along with background and accent fabric to create this stunning full/queen-sized quilt. The pattern Jelly Roll Blues #CLPCAM023 from Cut Loose Press™ includes cutting instructions for the logs to best utilize the fabric. The center square is pieced from 2-1/2 inch strips as well to add to the courthouse steps effect. Since the log cabin blocks finish to 12 inches, you only need to make 42 blocks so you can finish the entire project in a weekend.

Make either quilt with the Creative Grids® Log Cabin Trim Tool Two Quilt Ruler #CGRJAW2 designed by Jean Ann Wright.

Creative Grids Log Cabin Trim Tool Two 6in & 12in Blocks Quilt Ruler

Checker News Blog

Resource for Independent Quilt, Sewing, and Needlearts Retailers

Category Archives: Rulers