New from Lisa DeBord

Posted on April 2, 2022 by Penny Haren

Welcome Spring with Meadow the meadowlark. It is all about fabric placement. Meadow from Cut Loose Press™ combines courthouse steps log cabin blocks in a variety of colorways to create this stunning quilt. A few of the blocks are modified by adding triangles and even a prairie-point to enhance the design. The eye is created by starting with a half-square triangle for the center square. Simply genius!

Since each round of logs is trimmed before the next round is added, perfection is guaranteed.

Creative Grids 4in Log Cabin Trim Tool Quilt Ruler

We all have an angel in our life and maybe Gracie can be yours! It is all about fabric placement. Gracie combines two different sizes of courthouse steps log cabin blocks, 4 and 8-inch, both sizes created with the Creative Grids® Log Cabin Trim Tool Duo. But you may want the smaller size as well since it is easier to manipulate when trimming the smaller size.

Creative Grids 10in Log Cabin Trim Tool Duo

Tip: Eliminate the math by cutting the strips using the line down the center of any of the Creative Grids 2-1/2 inch wide rectangles. This white line is at the 1-1/4 inch mark, the width of the strips needed to make this block.

Warning – these are like putting together jigsaw puzzles. Once you make one, you won’t be able to stop! Check out all of Lisa DeBord’s patterns in this series to see the complete collection.

Carolina Moore Shines

Posted on March 31, 2022 by Penny Haren

This quilt is perfectly sized to hang on your door instead of a wreath for those summer holidays. It is easy enough to complete in a day since the stars are made with the Creative Grids® Strippy Stars Tool . Make quick and simple stars without needing to square up endless half-square triangles! With the simple design of this quilt, pick fun fabrics to add extra interest.

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

Use the Creative Grids® 4in Curvy Log Cabin Ruler to make the curved portions of this scrappy pumpkin table runner! A fun project that can be made in a day, this pumpkin table runner is perfect for fall. Use scrappy harvest-colored fabrics combined with a simple background fabric for a table runner that makes a statement!

Creative Grids 4in Curvy Log Cabin Trim Tool

This English Paper Pieced Tree Skirt is beautifully hand-pieced using the traditional EPP method. Instructions for glue basting, sewing, and adding a facing are included in the pattern.
An EPP-facing method is used to finish the edges of the tree skirt, keeping the scallop-like edge without needing to bind non-right angles. Instructions are also provided for trimming the edges so that the tree skirt can be bound traditionally.

Make a dent in your scraps with a quilt that celebrates your love of fabric scraps! Just a yard and a quarter of background fabric, and a single roll of 2 1/2″ wide Scrap Tape turn a pile of scraps into your new favorite quilt. Sewing scraps onto Scrap Tape is a meditative experience—you’ll love digging to the bottom of your scrap bin and remembering projects from the past as you give these scraps a second life in a quilt! You can curate your scraps in a certain color or set of colors, or go wild with all your favorite scraps!

For those of you who are not familiar with Scrap Tape: The best thing about scrap tape is that it stabilizes the grain line-making all your scraps usable and your strips nice and straight. Make unique 2-1/2″ strips using fabric scraps. Construct with a stitch and flip method, then trim to size. Scrap Tape washes away with water when your project is complete.

Gypsy Quilter Scrap Tape 2-1/2in x 25yds

These patterns are due to arrive next month so place your orders now.

Pizzazz by Deb Heatherly

Posted on March 22, 2022 by Penny Haren

Deb posted this quilt on Facebook and I immediately fell in love. Even though there is the illusion of curves, they are actually cut and sewn using the Creative Grids® 2 Peaks in 1 (CGR2P1) tool. Combining blocks made with the Kitty Cornered Tool creates a stunning secondary pattern. The pattern includes fabric requirements for three different sizes from topper to queen.

Creative Grids 2 Peaks in 1 Triangle Quilt Ruler

Deb has had several hundred people make this quilt in her Grids Girl program. She sent me some pictures from those students:

Debbie Patterson:

Aleesa Kobi

Betsy McDonald

Cacia Orser

What would your student’s quilts look like? What a great class! The pattern is due to arrive this month so place your order now.

Crazy Love

Posted on February 14, 2022 by Penny Haren

Don’t you love the name?

This Cut Loose Press™ pattern #CLPKAL014 features four letters that are all pieced individually after the angles are cut with the Creative Grids® Spiderweb Ruler #CGRKA6. The width of each letter doesn’t matter. Each letter can be trimmed after the sashing strips are added so that the height of each block is exactly the same before they are sewn together.

Karla Alexander is one of my favorite designers because she thinks WAY outside of the box. In this case, she created all of the cutting instructions to work with directional fabrics. And, the pieces are oversized so they are trimmed to size after piecing the angles. With big pieces and built-in fudge factors, even beginners will be successful. The angled pieces are all cut with her Creative Grids® Spiderweb Ruler.

What a great shower or wedding gift. The guests could sign the backing fabric.

At 18 x 53 inches, it would make a statement hanging above a bed! I’m thinking about framing each letter individually and hanging them as a headboard.

If you are a visual learner, a video tutorial will be available soon. Everything is in stock so place your orders now.

It’s All About the Love

Posted on January 7, 2022 by Penny Haren

It is all about fabric placement. Lovey combines five different color combinations of a courthouse steps block to spell out LOVE. Since each round of logs is trimmed before the next round is added, perfection is guaranteed. Why not spread some love this year?

American Sweetheart from Cut Loose Press™ combines traditional log cabins with courthouse steps blocks made with the Creative Grids® Log Cabin Trim Tool for 4-inch finished blocks. This 40-inch square quilt is the perfect centerpiece for all the patriotic holidays, but wouldn’t it be a darling baby quilt or Valentine gift as well? Depending on the colors, a name could be embroidered on the center of the heart. Now THAT is an awe factor!

This table runner from Cut Loose Press™ includes everything a girl loves – diamonds, chocolate, and romance! Why not embroider the names of the ones you love on the hearts to add that awe factor

I Love America definitely has a patriotic feel but that big heart screams Valentine’s Day or weddings! It is the perfect door decoration and goes together quickly since it is made with the Creative Grids® Log Cabin and Curvy Log Cabin Trim Tools for 8-inch finished blocks.

Yes, this is the perfect Valentine decoration but why not make it in the wedding colors for a bridal shower? The wedding party can sign the hearts and the guests can sign around them. What a great memory of the day! Crazy Hearts is made with the Creative Grids® Spiderweb Tool.

Why not schedule a class (or classes) today!

Skinny Pineapple not a Diet

Posted on January 5, 2022 by Penny Haren

Create perfect 6, 9, or 12-inch finished Pineapple blocks by squaring up each round of strips as they are sewn. Since each round is squared up before the next set is added, the blocks are perfectly square. The cutting requirements for the strips and center square are printed right on the tool.

The widths of the logs finish to 3/4-inch so even a six-inch block looks impressive. Add two more rounds to complete a 9-inch finished pineapple. Add two more rounds to complete a 12-inch finished block. It really is that easy, and accurate.

Creative Grids 12in Skinny Pineapple Trim Tool

There are five new Cut Loose Press™ patterns to support this tool.

Pineapple Pinwheel combines two favorite blocks, pinwheels and pineapples The pinwheels are created by piecing the corner triangles before the final block trim. When four blocks are sewn together, the secondary pinwheel pattern is formed. Magic!

Pineapple Puzzle utilizes this Tool to its full potential. This pattern combines 6-inch and 12-inch finished blocks to create the puzzle design. There are special markings on the tool to guarantee that the 6-inch finished block is trimmed to the exact right size. What a great way to learn how to use the tool!

Gumdrops uses the Tool to make 6-inch finished blocks with 3/4-inch finished logs. The proportions of this baby quilt are perfect. Cut a variety of pastel strips from fat quarters to achieve a scrappy look. Then sew just twenty-four 6-inch blocks together to complete the center.

Pineapple Smoothies is an oversized throw that accentuates the pineapple pattern by using the same fabric for odd-numbered rounds. The even-numbered rounds are cut from a variety of fat quarters to achieve that rainbow sherbet look.

The Skinny Pineapple from Creative Grids® joins the other tools in the Pineapple family. The original Pineapple Trim Tool makes 6, 8, and 10-inch blocks with 1″ finished logs.

Creative Grids Pineapple Trim Tool for 6, 8 or 10in Finished Blocks

The Pineapple Trim Tool Mini makes 4, 5, or 6-inch finished blocks with 1/2-inch logs.

Creative Grids Pineapple Trim Tool Mini Quilt Ruler

All are in stock now.

A Fall Feast

Posted on November 22, 2021 by Penny Haren

Hank and Harriet combine courthouse-steps log cabin blocks and curvy log cabin blocks in a variety of colorways to create these adorable pumpkins. They are a part of a trio of patterns that, when combined, showcase Fall in all its glory!

Since the templates for Hank and Harriet are oversized, they are not printed on the pattern. Instead, you can download them from the Cut Loose Press™ website. Since they are formatted on 8-½ by 11-inch paper, the templates can be printed directly onto any fusible available in sheets such as EZ Print Featherlite, no tracing required! Or add your own personality and draw your own.

Both of these patterns require the Creative Grids® log cabin and curvy log cabin trim tools for 4″ finished blocks.

EZ Print Featherlite 8-1/2in x 11in 10pk

Cornelius is the third member of this trio.

Cornelius combines courthouse-steps log cabin blocks in a variety of colorways to create this cornstalk that was definitely knee-high by the 4th of July. This one is made with just the Creative Grids® Log Cabin Trim Tool for 4″ finished blocks.

Since the blocks are all trimmed with the Creative Grids® Tools, they are all exactly the same size so these projects go together like magic. They are like putting together jigsaw puzzles. Once you do one, you will want to do them all!

New from GE Designs

Posted on October 27, 2021 by Penny Haren

June was first done as a Quilt along in the month of June, 2021, it is now available in a printed format. It is categorized as a Stripology Mixer pattern as you can either use a combination of 10″ squares and 2-1/2″ strips or Fat Quarters. You can use the Stripology XL or Squared ruler but instructions for using regular rulers are included. The pattern comes with multiple layout options and 4 different size options: Crib, lap, full, and king.

Creative Grids Stripology XL

Or Creative Grids Stripology Squared

Creative Grids Stripology Squared Quilt Ruler

This striking, geometric pattern is much easier to make than it looks. Make it with assorted 10″ squares or a single background option, we recommend using the Stripology Squared or the Stripology XL ruler by GE Designs. Instructions for using regular rulers are included. The pattern comes with 5 different size options: crib, lap, twin, full, queen/king.

Perfect gift for the cocktail lover! 12 more laminated cocktail recipe cards from the book Stripology Mixology 2. Each of these spill proof cards feature a recipe on one side and a beautiful photo of a quilt on the back. The cards come with a cover on a ball chain containing a Hurricane glass charm, cut from acrylic. Perfect stocking stuffer.

All three items will be available early next month so order now!

New from Cut Loose Press

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Penny Haren

While it looks like these blocks are set on point, it is an illusion. Susan Nelson makes this oh sew simple! Then, it is all about color placement to create the secondary pattern. What a fun way to use her Creative Grids® Folded Corner Clipper XL. The pattern includes fabric requirements and cutting instructions for two sizes.

Creative Grids Folded Corner Clipper Tool XL

5 Stack by Leigh Headington is a charming beginner quilt. Sewing strips together and then sub-cutting makes this quilt fun and easy project. These units are then alternated with large rectangles, the perfect place to show off your favorite fabrics.

Create the center star points with the Creative Grids® Ultimate Flying Geese Tool or insert your favorite four-inch block. Then add two rounds of logs with the Log Cabin Trim Tool. The corner triangles are trimmed evenly thanks to the diagonal line that is printed on the Folded Corner Clipped XL. Each round is trimmed after the oversized triangles are added so they are perfect every time!

Don’t you love the secondary block design that is created when corner posts are added to the sashings? What a great way to learn new techniques with your favorite rulers.

Creative Grids® Ultimate Flying Geese Tool by Deb Heatherly

Creative Grids® 8″ Log Cabin Trim Tool by Jean Ann Wright

Creative Grids Log Cabin Trim Tool for 8in Finished Blocks Quilt Ruler

Or Creative Grids® 10″ Log Cabin Trim Tool Duo also b Jean Ann Wright

Creative Grids® Folded Corner Clipper XL by Susan Nelson

And, since they are Cut Loose Press™ and printed on demand, they are all available and in stock now!

New from Edyta Sitar

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Penny Haren

Edyta Sitar is hosting a Sew-Along featuring her newest pattern, Frontier. This 32-1/2 inch wall hanging would be a striking table topper or wall hanging. I can just picture this as a “headboard” over her Alaska quilt. Now that is bringing some Martha Stewart into your life!

Or, create a matching pillow.

These patterns are due to arrive any day.

All of the shapes can be cut and trimmed with just one ruler. The New Creative Grids® Alaska Ruler, designed by Edyta Sitar herself, cuts a multitude of shapes in a variety of sizes. Cut 45° wedges, diamonds, squares, and half-square triangles all with the same ruler! The instructions include how to make a basic kaleidoscope block as well as an Alaska block in four sizes from 9 to 16 inches.

The ruler also cuts all of the shapes needed for these top-selling patterns that are already in stock.

Consider doing Frontier as a sew-along. With just nine blocks in the project, why not start a weekly sew in your shop. There is plenty of time to get it completed in time for the holidays. And once they learn how to cut and sew the blocks, they will be ready to move on to a bigger project!

Checker News Blog

Resource for Independent Quilt, Sewing, and Needlearts Retailers

Tag Archives: Creative Grids