Christmas in Europe by Gudrun Erla

The book features 13 beautifully designed blocks, included in the Christmas in Europe Quilt, along with 4 bonus projects that offer even more creative inspiration than the original Block-of-the-Month program.

Each quilt block is paired with a rich backstory, immersing you in the unique cultural histories of Christmas across Europe.

Beyond quilting patterns, you’ll also discover a number of delicious European holiday recipes, making this book a delightful blend of quilting and Christmas tradition—a great coffee table companion!

Whether you’re quilting or indulging in festive recipes, this book invites you to explore the heart of European holiday traditions, both in stitches and in stories. Perfect for a Block of the Month style program and very easy to make kits.

Creative Grids® Stripology® rulers are illustrated throughout the quilt patterns but instructions for regular rulers are also included.

Books are due to arrive next month, just in time for Christmas!

New from Poorhouse Quilt Designs


Who would have thought that a partial block would add the awe factor to these placemats? Make the runner or the set of four placemats with just 4 fat quarters and a background fabric. This easy to kit pattern features Creative Grids® Ruler #CGRTKAL45 (also comes with paper templates).


Use this 45 degree Kaleidoscope ruler to cut designs created with eight separate 45 degree triangle units such as kaleidoscopes and Dresden Plate blocks. These triangles can also be pieced into a saw tooth border. Cut triangles up to a finished height of 8 inches to piece blocks that measure up to a finished size of 16 inches. A 1/4 inch dashed line is printed on each side of the center vertical line so you can cut 22-1/2 degree triangles that include the seam allowance.

The pattern is due to arrive later this month so place your orders now.

New from Cut Loose Press

This is one of those patterns that you will refer to again and again! The ultimate pillowcase pattern! Hotel pillowcases cover the entire pillow with a flap that encloses the end. This pattern gives you the option of creating a pillowcase with a band or without in standard and king sizes. Why not make matching pillowcases to coordinate with your bed quilts? Now that makes a statement!

Snails Trail Mardi Gras is a variation of the ever popular Snails Trail Al Fresco (CLPJAW68). In this version, the diamond shapes are created with the Creative Grids® Half Rectangle Tool so each diamond adds even more interest and movement to the finished quilt.

Combining traditional Snails Trail blocks with these pieced diamond shapes creates this colorful version of a traditional Storm at Sea quilt. The Creative Grids® Square on Square Trim Tool includes markings to create the perfect-sized center four-patch. After that, creating the Snail’s Trail block is just a matter of color placement!

The Creative Grids® Half Rectangle Tool by Deb Heatherly:

The ever popular Snails Trail Al Fresco by Jean Ann Wright uses one fabric for the diamonds and the Creative Grids® 2 Peaks in 1 Tool.

Both use the Creative Grids® Square on Square Tool to create the Snail’s Trail Blocks.

Everything you need is in stock so place your orders now!

New from Cut Loose Press® Patterns

Many of you already have these top-selling Creative Grids® Tools. Check out these latest patterns that showcase the potential of these tools.

This stunning example of a stained glass quilt uses a technique that is pure genius. Clover Fusible Bias Tape creates the stained glass affect so there are no tiny strips to sew into the blocks! This dramatic look is easy to achieve, even for a beginner.

Since the blocks are cut from twenty, ten-inch squares, rotary cutting is fast and easy so you can move onto the piecing in a matter of minutes.

This pattern requires the Creative Grids® Scrap Crazy 8 template set.


This quilt is a great way to use up leftover 2-1/2-inch strips. Combine them with some solid fat quarters to create blocks that showcase the wonky design. The inserted squares in the border add a modern look to an already striking quilt. The pattern includes cutting instructions for the logs to best utilize the fabric. Since the wonky log cabin blocks finish to 10-inches, you only need to make 12 blocks so you can finish the entire project in an afternoon.

This pattern requires the Creative Grids® 10″ Wonky Log Cabin Trim Tool.


This mini quilt is all about color placement. Reversing the traditional lights and darks in the pineapple block accent the pineapple design. Placing the same fabrics in adjoining blocks creates the pattern. And the white space created when it is all sewn together creates a backdrop to showcase some amazing quilting!
Since the strips are 1-1/4-inches wide, cutting a 2-1/2-inch strip in half vertically is a great way to use up those leftover strips in your collection.

This pattern requires the Creative Grids® Pineapple Mini Tool.

The strips were cut using the white line down the center of a Creative Grids 2 1/2″ wide rectangle.

Everything is in stock so place your orders now.

Twelve Days of Christmas – Part One

Not only were all of these items hot at Market, but I also worked Festival and the Novi show in Michigan – and the consumers agree!

The Creative Grids® Stripology Squared Mini is a definite hit. Everyone loves the size and maneuverability of this baby! Designed to square up blocks up to 6 1/2″, I immediately learned that it is my go-to tool when sub-cutting strip sets. (The acrylic raises over the seams so there is no teeter-tottering like your experience with a traditional ruler.) Plus there are five patterns that support it. Offer it for Christmas and offer classes or demos featuring the patterns the first of the year.

Stripology Mixology is the perfect companion to ALL of the Creative Grids® stripology rulers. The book features 13 quilts made from pre-cuts – and tells you how to cut your own. And who doesn’t want a cocktail over the holidays – recipes included!

The portable Reliable Iron is amazing! It is not only an iron, but it is also a steamer. It gets to a temperature of over 300 degrees in a short amount of time. The bag is insulated so you can leave class before the iron is entirely cool – just leave the long cord on the outside of the bag. Another feature – the outside of the bag has a silicone side to use as a rest when in use. This one is a winner!

What good is an iron without a great ironing mat? These Gypsy Quilter mats come in a variety of sizes. The 13 1/2″ mat is one of the most popular sizes since it is big enough to press a 12 1/2″ block!

Stay Tuned for Part Two….

Cat Lover’s Delight

I am thrilled to announce that one of my favorite designers created a line of fabric for Timeless! This batik line features Deb Heatherly’s favorite – cats!

This 96-inch square block of the month features two of her highly successful Creative Grids® rulers – the Ultimate Flying Geese and the Cat’s Cradle tool.

The fabric batik line includes her favorite things – cats and catnip! Just look at the colors!

There is also a shop kit available that includes the pattern, fabric and tips to share when teaching the class. Who could ask for anything more???

The fabric and shop kits are due to arrive in January so order it now!

Diamonds ARE a girl’s best friend!

Going to Market? Be sure to go to Krista Moser’s school house:

Room 342D at 3:45:

Come learn about all the ‘bells and whistles’ on the NEW Creative Grids® 60 Degree Diamond Ruler… including a trunk show of BRAND NEW patterns, and a Block of the Month!

Check out the dramatic way she uses these stripes!

Made with 2-1/2in strips, the Semaphore Stripes quilt is the perfect way to use striped fabric to make a secondary design without all the complicated piecing stripes typically require, and it’s jelly roll friendly! This quilt combines strip-piecing with a few well-placed Y seams to get the most dramatic effect. The pieces are large and uncomplicated, letting the fabric do the talking.

The Big Sky Bloom quilt is perfect for a little girls room, or as a cheerful answer to any room’s dreary decor. This pattern uses several features of the Creative Grids 60 degree Diamond ruler and has beautifully illustrated easy to follow instructions. Strip piece, then cut diamonds and triangles in different sizes to get the full effect.

This is just a sneak peak of the new releases at Market! Bring your calendar because you are going to want to book a class!

Perfect Ten

You asked for it so we delivered! Not only did we deliver, but we also partnered with one of the top pre-cut designers – It’s Sew Emma!

Our motto? Keep it simple! The square is a true 10″ square – not 10 1/2″. There are additional markings for five inch and two and a half inch squares, as well as the most popular strip widths. Trim half square triangles by placing the diagonal on the seam line. The black and white markings show up on both light and dark fabrics.

Grab a layer cake – or cut your own – and start one of these quilts today.

Square One and Acadia are both Cut Loose Press patterns – a perfect combination.

These creative and colorful It Sew Emma Patterns include yardage requirements for multiple sizes.

Perfect 10 Quilts is due to arrive next month and includes 16 quilts cut from ten-inch squares. If the cover is any indication, this is going to be a best seller!

Crazy Christmas Tree Farm

I love the Crazy Christmas Tree! It has three of my favorite things – it is fast, fun, and the perfect gift! I have made and taught this multiple times in a multitude of fabrics. Use two backgrounds, two tree colors, the same tree color, or eight different colors. The truth is I never saw a tree that I didn’t like!

Therefore, I was thrilled to see that Karla Alexander has expanded on this technique to make an entire quilt! The Tree Farm uses groups of color to create a stunning quilt. The backgrounds of one tree create a tree in another block! The lights and darks are simply stunning!

This quilt measures 52″ x 66″ so a Shannon Cuddle at 60″ wide is the perfect backing!

Both patterns take the Creative Grids Spiderweb tool so you get more bang for your buck! Order them now so you can start your quilt as soon as the pattern arrives and have it done in plenty of time for Christmas! The really is a day project!

Block of the Month or a Weekend

I love everything this gal does! Krista Moser has so much talent and personality – she is destined to be a rock star in our industry! Just look at what she has created with her new Creative Grids®  60 Degree Diamond Ruler!

This quilt combines the techniques that are featured in many of her patterns and removes the intimidation factor. Each diamond pattern is repeated twice and takes just a few hours.

Why not feature this at your next retreat? Share a technique, give them a few hours to sew….repeat! Better yet – invite Krista to teach at your shop or guild. Contact her at The Quilted Life. Her personality lights up a room. And, she loves to share her knowledge of quilting and longarming. What a combination! The pattern is due to arrive in September so order now!