A Perfect Holiday Make It/Take It

Posted on December 2, 2022 by Penny Haren

It is that time of year when customers come in looking for a simple project that they can make for all of their friends. Well, this year Cut Loose Press has you covered! This new pattern by Merry May is made with one tea towel and 1″ side webbing for the handles.

The tea towel is given added body by using fusible Shape-Flex. Since the tea towels edges are all finished, the bag is fast, easy and professional looking. Add the side pocket (or not) and make the wrapping a part of the gift!

These tea towels by Dunroven come in a multitude of colors and designs. I chose just a few in Christmas colors:

Tea Towel, Printed Polka Dots on Lime Green

The 1-inch webbing used for the handles comes in a variety of colors as well. I chose a couple that would look great as contrasting colors on the towels above.

Be sure to have plenty of Shape-Flex on hand because they will definitely want to make more than one!

Shape Flex Woven Cotton Pellon 20in x 25yds

This would be a great, affordable make it/take it for your Christmas open house. Or demo it next year. It is a great bag year round or can give them a start for next year!

New from Creative Grids®

Posted on October 13, 2022 by Penny Haren

The 10-inch Wonky Log Cabin Trim Tool #CGRJAW13 puts a fun twist on a traditional block. This one is designed to work with 2-1/2 inch strips for both the logs and center squares making it precut friendly.

After adding each round of logs, place the appropriate centering square on the ruler over the center square of the block and trim. Since each round is trimmed before adding the next one, your final trim squares up the block making it ready to be used in your project.

Jean Ann has designed five different Cut Loose Press™ projects using her latest tool.

Sweet Sixteen showcases the crazy quilt effect created with her Wonky Log Cabin Trim Tool. Use a 40 pack of pre-cut 2-1/2-inch strips with lots of fabric options to enhance the scrappy look. Or, use scraps you have on hand for a true stash buster.

Going My Way uses fabrics to color the blocks with a light and dark side. Twisting and turning the blocks creates the arrows in the finished quilt.

Bubbles Baubles and Balloons uses the same light and dark coloring of the block, but by twisting and turning the blocks, the circular pattern comes to life.

This pattern incorporates just 4 blocks into this table runner. Just (1–3) 2-1/2-inch strips of 6 different colors are all you need to create the blocks so it is a great stash buster. Or make every log a different fabric for a more scrappy look.

Two Wonky Totes includes instructions to make this tote two different ways. The mesh version features a top facing, the top of the fabric version is bound. Both versions feature a jaunty pocket made with the Creative Grids® Wonky Log Cabin Trim Tool. French seams complete the professional look and is a great technique to teach in a class.

Everything is in stock so place your orders now!

New from Cut Loose Press!

Posted on August 31, 2022 by Penny Haren

Welcome our newest designer, Cheri Beatty! Her first submission is the perfect beginner class or project! Every inch of the fabric is used in this quilt. Grab forty-two 10-inch squares and you are ready to go. Kitting not required!

The name of the quilt says it all, Barcode Quilt. This is the perfect name for a quilt with a modern look that can truly be completed in an afternoon. Cheri recommends the Creative Grids® 6 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ Rectangle (CGR612) but any 6 1/2″ wide ruler in the line will make cutting a breeze.

Deb Heatherly submitted this gem! Gracie’s Star (CLPDHE047) is the perfect choice for a beginning quilter or anyone who wants to make a stunning quilt with a lot of impact. It makes a great Quilts of Valor, just adjust the borders as needed. An assortment of squares and half-square triangles never looked so good!

Deb recommends the Creative Grids® 5 1/2″ Square (CGR5) for this one since it is the perfect tool to trim those half-square triangles. Everything is in stock so you have time to get a sample done for your Fall class offerings!

New from Cut Loose Press™ Patterns

Posted on June 16, 2022 by Penny Haren

Designed by Quilters Inspiration! There is a little bit of Irish in all of us so why not celebrate it? The leaves of these tumbling shamrocks are cut from a variety of 2-1/2in strips. The variety of prints adds depth and texture to the design by creating another design element. Adjust the size accordingly to make it fit your table or gift it to your favorite bloke as a throw! Either way, it will be treasured! The individual leaves are trimmed to 4 1/2″ and the entire shamrock are trimmed to 8 1/2″ so the Creative Grids® CGR4 and/or CGR8 are recommended.

Sunflowers Ala Lulu is a great introduction to a more artistic approach to quilting. This raw-edge appliqué project features layered squares to create the petals of the sunflowers. Add some leaves and bias tape stems and you can have this done in an afternoon! The Creative Grids® CGR9 is recommended.

Welcome the newest Cut Loose Press™ designer, Beth Weigt! She teaches classes and wanted a simple pattern with larger pieces that would showcase the Creative Grids® Kitty Corner Tool (CGRDH5). Happy Kitty’s Table Topper features twelve-inch blocks, and since there are only four of them, it truly can be finished in an afternoon.

The Kitty Cornered Blocks are combined with a center square and rectangles like a nine-patch. Then they are separated by sashings and a corner-post which create a secondary center design. Choose three coordinating fabrics and begin!

Cut Loose Press™ patterns are always in stock so place your orders now!

Pineapple Popouts

Posted on May 31, 2022 by Penny Haren

The pineapple popout series showcases a new technique. The center pineapple block is made with the Creative Grids® Mini Pineapple Trim Tool (#CGRJAW3MINI) with rounds that finish at ½-inch. Additional rounds are added and trimmed with the Creative Grids® Pineapple Trim Tool (#CGRJAW3) to create 1-inch finished rounds. Click here to see a video showing this technique.

In this table runner from Cut Loose Press™, (Pineapple Popout #CLPJAW085) the colors are reversed in alternate blocks to enhance the dimensional effect. Since the corners of the block are pieced from the same fabric as the borders, the pineapples seem to float across the table. Since each round is trimmed after cutting, sewing and pressing, the results are perfect every time.

In this quilt from Cut Loose Press™, (Pineapple Popout Spice #CLPJAW079) the colors are reversed in each set of coordinated prints to enhance the dimensional effect. The scrappy border and binding add a modern feel to this stunning quilt. And since each round is trimmed after cutting, sewing and pressing, the results are perfect every time.

In this tote from Cut Loose Press (Pineapple Popout Totte #CLPJAW086), the colors are reversed in alternate blocks to enhance the dimensional effect. One block is bound and added as a pocket on one side. The fabrics and handle are reversed on the other side. Since each round is trimmed after cutting, sewing and pressing, the results are perfect every time.

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

Creative Grids Pineapple Trim Tool Mini Quilt Ruler

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 the mini-block. Use the line down the center of any of the Creative Grids® 3-1/2 inch wide rectangles to cut the strips for the outer rounds.

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.

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.

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

All are in stock now.

Pre-Cut Friendly Books

Posted on December 1, 2021 by Penny Haren

With the holidays fast approaching, wouldn’t it be great to have some of these books on hand to pair up with the pre-cut packs in your inventory? What a great gift combo!

Charming Jelly Roll Quilts includes 8 patterns plus a bonus pattern and is so reasonably priced, it will fly off the shelves!

Who can resist a perfectly coordinated and fun-filled fabric charm pack? Now make the most of your growing collection with projects designed with the charm pack lover in mind. Sew colorful and bright quilt projects, each using only one charm pack, one extra fabric, and a background fabric. All 18 projects come in two colorway options with easy to follow instructions and illustrations. Finished creations have multiple uses! Projects are perfectly sized for a baby or child, but also make for unique house decor as table toppers, wall hangings, or the perfect gift for friends and loved ones. Plus, you’ll never need another excuse to keep buying those irresistibly fun charm packs!

Fat quarters are the most popular and versatile pre-cut fabric. Folded up neatly at the store, they call to every quilter and ask to be brought home to your stash. Random fat quarters can be pulled together to make amazing “planned scrappy” quilts. A fat quarter bundle, on the other hand, is a great way to sample an entire line of fabric without waiting at the cutting counter. With more possibilities than other pre-cuts, it can be difficult to imagine a design and get stitching–but not for these talented designers! Whether it’s a curated collection or random fat quarters you’ve been collecting, there are 12 creative designs you can turn to again and again.

Three different quilts in one book – all made with the same Creative Grids ruler (Item #CGRTKAL45), one 40 pack of 2 1/2 inch strips, and your choice of background, accent, and binding fabric! Dresden Plate Quilts includes three different variations of the Dresden plate block: one pointed, one round and a split for three times the fun! This 16 page full color booklet gives step by step instructions to make all three.

At this writing, all of these books are in stock so order today!

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