Category Archives: Videos

Drunkard’s Path Blocks Made Easy

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Karla Alexander, one of the designers of the Creative Grids Circle Savvy ruler, has come up with a way to cut the two units most commonly used in Drunkard’s Paths – with very little waste! Watch this Equal Exchange Tutorial:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgowwTaWjlo

In the Cut Loose Press pattern, Equal Exchange, Karla uses this technique to create a beautiful table runner from a charm pack with very little waste. One charm pack – one table runner – who could ask for an easier project to kit! But this technique can be used with any size squares up to 15″.

This 16 x 40 inch table runner can be the foundation of a perfect demo – especially when they know there is a video to refresh their memory when they get home!

Have a sewing machine set up as well so they can actually sew a curve. For tips on how to do that, watch her video on sewing curves:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4WFZIU-vyw

Remove the intimidation factor so you can introduce them to a whole new world of quilting! The Circle Savvy tool has tons of companions – just scroll down to the bottom of the page!

Piano Key Border the Easy Way

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At Creative Grids, we pride ourselves on creating versatile tools with a variety of uses. Using the centering lines on our rectangles to create piano key borders is a perfect example of this.

This is a fast and easy demo that everyone loves. Watch this Piano Key Video and see how easy it is?

//youtu.be/dkYNvzZbnRA

In this video, I show you how to create 360 inches of 3/4″ finished piano key border from one jelly roll using our 2-1/2″ wide rectangles – available in a 12-1/2″ or 18-1/2″ length (CGR212 or CGR218)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The width of the keys is the same width as the Creative Grids 6″ Log Cabin Trim Tool.

If you want to make different widths, here is the math: Multiply the finished width of the piano key by two and then add one inch.

In the video, the logs finished to 3/4″. Multiply 3/4″ x 2 (1 1/2″). Add one inch. The strips are cut 2-1/2″.

Want 1″ finished piano keys? Multiply 1″ x 2 (2″) and add an inch. The strips should be cut to 3″.

When you have a few extra minutes in a class, why not share this technique? Be sure to have plenty of the rulers on hand because everyone will want one!

Angela Walters and the FMQ Challenge

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With the release of her new Creative Grids® machine quilting tools, Angela Walters now has four of the top seven notions on the Checker Distributors website! That isn’t just CGR rulers folks – that is ALL of the notions, all 11,985 of them! Now that is saying something! And it couldn’t happen to a nicer person!

Angela has put together a Free Motion Challenge – FMQ Challenge – Week One

This series of free classes teaches you how to free motion quilt in a series of simple steps. Each week she will teach you how to do two techniques – simple designs such as meandering and a second technique that builds on what you have already learned to create the awe factor.

The top that she is using for her demonstration is made with the Creative Grids® Perfect Rectangle Tool.

The quilt top is very simple and sewn from light fabrics. Remember – you are using this top to learn how to machine quilt so you want to be able to see your stitching. This time, the machine quilting is the star!

Angela also recommends some other products: Machingers are gloves that have grips on the tips and breathe so your hands don’t perspire. Titanium needles are strong and don’t break as easily, and last but not least – the Super Slider that helps glide the quilt through the machine.

Free Motion Challenge Week Two is already available!

Quilts with Style in an Afternoon

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Gudrun Erla of GE Designs taught and had a booth at Road to California just around the corner from where I was demonstrating Creative Grids®. I love her patterns – and these newest additions to her pattern line. Her pattern covers are always well done but to see these quilts in person – WOW!

A video showing how to make Kira has been all over Facebook. It is the perfect example of how Gudrun’s designs look complicated but are quick, easy and fun!

Lexie creates an optical illusion when pieced. And Stormy Windows is a variation of a sixteen patch – but this time the patches are rectangles! The geometric shapes are perfect for guys and girls. Kira and Lexie use 10″ squares. Steamy Windows is made from fat quarters.

    

All of these quilts were cut with the Creative Grids Stripology Squared ruler.

Gudrun has also created ruler stickers that reduce the intimidation factor when trimming these blocks to size. Use the arrows to mark exactly where you need to cut. And, when needed, mark the first, second and even third cuts with different colors of arrows.

Her patterns are easy to follow and guarantee success every time!

Angela Walters and Flying Geese

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I can’t wait for you to watch Angela Walter’s video.

Her machine quilting tools have been so popular that we haven’t been able to keep them in stock – but they are NOW!!! In this video, Angela shows how to use Slim, one of the characters in her arsenal of tools. The entire demo is done with a Cut Loose Press™ pattern created with the Creative Grids® Ultimate Flying Geese Tool.

   

The magic happens on this Cut Loose Press™ pattern – Wild and Free featuring fabric by Tula Pink and solids by Kaufman.

What a great series of classes! Learn how to use the flying geese tool, make the table runner, and then machine quilt it yourself. Talk about a trifecta!