Coffee for Christmas

Coffee Break from Cut Loose Press™ by Karla Alexander is so much fun to make! I got out my Fiestaware and started throwing out fabrics that coordinated. It turns out, I couldn’t stop at a table runner. They are just way too much fun – and I am a little OCD…

Coffee Break

So what is a gal to do? Make 35 more and turn them into mug rugs for gifts for coaches, teachers, principals….you get the picture. And, if you have a good relationship with your machine quilter, she may even add their names.

But, I live in Ohio – and they are #1 so…..

These individual cups measure approximately 8″ so I cut an 8″ square of fabric, folded it in half, and used it as a pocket on the back. I’ll put coffee gift cards in the pocket as a homage to Karla. After all, she lives in the Pacific Northwest and KNOWS good coffee!

You still have time to finish six or six dozen by Christmas so get started!

Sometimes Bigger IS Better

The Creative Grids® Stripology XL combines all of the features you love in the original Stripology ruler AND the Stripology Squared. This beauty combines the height of the Stripology Squared – so you can square up blocks up to 12-1/2in – with the width of the original Stripology so you can cut up to eight 2-1/2in strips or 14 1-1/2in strips without ever moving the tool, reducing your rotary cutting time by up to 75 percent. The 2½ inch increments are marked with squares; the 1½ inch increments are marked with stars – no math required!

Creative Grids Stripology XL Ruler

Need to cut in 1/4 inch increments? No problem, just follow the chart included in the instructions and use the 1/4 inch line on the ruler. We have added additional bells and whistles as well. There are 60-degree lines as well as 45-degree lines; 1/2in lines; and additional markings to aid in cutting perfect triangles every time. This ruler comes with a fully illustrated step by step instructions or watch Gudrun’s video tutorial.

The ruler slides easily over the fabric until pressure is applied. Then, our exclusive gripper holds the fabric in place while cutting, eliminating slipping and miss-cuts!

The perfect companion pattern? Gudrun’s Stripology Mixer patterns. Ava and Gina combine 10-inch squares and 2 1/2 inch strips to maximum effect.

Ava
Gina

Trinity combines 1 1/2″ and 2 1/2″ strips with 10-inch squares for a dramatic effect.

Trinity

Lucy includes multiple sizes and layouts – all created with ten-inch squares.

Lucy

And then there is Sara – a Cut Loose Press™ pattern that is cute enough to compete with her favorite sewing companion.

Sara

All of these patterns are made easier with the use of her G-Easy Point Trimmers. What a difference a tip makes!

GEasy Point Trimmers

The ruler and patterns are in stock. The trimmers are due in next week. What a great gift!

Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend

Krista Mower’s top selling Creative Grids 60 Degree Diamond Ruler now comes in a mini size! This little ruler is packs a lot of punch! You can cut 60 degree triangles, trapezoids, diamonds and hexies up to 4 1/2″!

Creative Grids 60 Degree Mini Diamond Ruler

I Krista’s own words – and who could say it better: Up your quilting game with this charming pattern! Bumblebee Blossoms gives you a complicated look without tedious piecing. Gain confidence with angles and color placement. This quilt is constructed of three main blocks: the flowers, the bees, and the leaf blocks. Each one illustrates a different technique which are valuable additions to your quilting skills library. Use ombre fabric to get the most out of shade and value, or use scraps from your stash for an eclectic look!

Bumblebee Blossoms

Simple and classic, this table runner, placemat and tree skirt set is made entirely out of 2-1/2in strips. You’ll be pleased how quickly these go together. Use a variety of greens for the trees or make them all the same for a timeless look. The pattern includes cutting, piecing and pressing instructions designed for the best possible outcome. You’ll gain confidence with angles without the daunting task of a big project.

Buffalo Lodge

Need a quick and easy pattern that can be whipped up in a weekend? Rock’n Rollercoaster is so fun and foolproof you’ll want to make it again. Use a favorite jelly roll or a Jr. Jelly Roll, plus a background color, to showcase this simple modern design. The pattern includes cutting, piecing and pressing instructions designed for the beginner to achieve the best possible outcome. If you have been sticking to squares and rectangles, this is a good next step!

Rock N Roller Coaster

And then there is this strip friendly Cut Loose Press pattern. Just twenty 2 1/2″ strips and 2 yards of background make this eye catching quilt!

Pool Party

These patterns are literally flying off the shelves! Nore are on order, so if they aren’t in stock now, they will be arriving soon! Add these to your Fall teaching schedule!

Perfect 5 – the Perfect Companion

Its Sew Emma has created the perfect companion to the Creative Grids® Perfect 10 Quilt Ruler – the Perfect 5. This little sister was designed to sub-cut and trim those five inch squares – and fits perfectly in the palm of your hand. It even has a diagonal line to square up half square triangles. Versatility is the key

They have designed FIVE new Cut Loose Press™ patterns to showcase the features of this ruler. All of these quilts measure between 36 and 56 inches. My first reaction? Why not start a class and call it Oh baby! Every one of these projects is perfect for a baby/toddler quilt.

Wayside #CLPISE021

Charm Pack Stones #CLPISE020

Bluebird #CLPISE022

Butterfly Patch #CLPISE018

Cotton Candy #CLPISE019

AND, they can be completed in two to six hours! Everyone needs a stash of baby quilts on hand so the class would appeal to all of your customers. And what a great class for beginners! They can learn a different technique each month and actually finish something beautiful!

Since they are all made with five inch squares, just have a large assortment of pre-cuts available with possible border and binding options. No kitting required!

Offer a discount on backing if they bring their completed top to the next class for show and tell. No UFO’s when they are this fast and fun!

The ruler and Cut Loose Press™ patterns are available now. Perfect 5 Quilts from It’s Sew Emma #ISE-933 – a book that features 17 different quilts using one to four charm packs each – will be in stock next month so pre-order it now!

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Preview of Quilt Market

The new releases that will be showcased at Market in Kansas City are starting to appear on the website. There are no rhyme nor reason to these – just new items that I know you will want to order NOW!

The newest releases from Quiltworx include a centerpiece that can be separated into slices of watermelon. What a perfect summer centerpiece! Yogo Saphire is a limited edition pattern – there will only be 500 sold!

Cuppa Joe Place Mats by GE Designs is a darling quilt as you go project. What a cute addition to your table!

Fractions by Swirly Girls is a geometric masterpiece that would be a great choice for that man in your life!

This latest Cut Loose Press™ pattern, Surprise Party Quilt by Terri Faust, showcases a new technique using the Creative Grids® Cat’s Cradle Tool.

This table runner by Eazy Peazy looks just like Margaret Travis! Modern, fun and playful!

The Cut Loose Press™ pattern, of course, is always in stock. The others are all due to arrive next month!

Scrap Crazy Modern

Scraps never looked so good! Terri Faust combines a traditional Bear Paw block with the Creative Grids® Scrap Crazy 8 set for spectacular results!

The Scrap Crazy Bear Paw Quilt from Cut Loose Press™ #CLPTFA001 finished quilt measures 64 x 71 inches. Big blocks have never been so dramatic! The colors are cut from 37 print 10-inch squares. The four main squares of each block are pieced with the Creative Grids® Scrap Crazy 8 inch Template set.

But she doesn’t stop there. Terri uses one of the templates to piece the border – simply charming!

A Classic Revisited

The Creative Grids Double Strip 90 ruler was the most requested ruler at Road to California.

Two ninety degree angles are attached to the top of a 2-1/2″ ruler. The negative space between the two rulers is the same size as the triangles so you effectively cut three triangles every time you move the ruler. Sew two 2-1/2″ strips or two 1-1/2″ and a 2-1/2″ strip together to create a strip set that measures 4 1/2″. Place the ruler over the strip set, lining up the bottom and nubbed top with the top and bottom of the strip set. It is that easy to cut three triangles!

Kathy Brown brought this ruler to life with her book Strip Smart Quilts II.

V and Company also used it to make this darling quilt:

There are also some creative Cut Loose Press patterns that support it:

This ruler makes for a fun class. Have everyone sew together strip sets and play with the placement to see all of the possibilities. The ruler sold out quickly but should be back in stock very soon so order what you need now!

Heartfelt with Creative Grids® Rulers

The latest pattern by Krista Moser is due to arrive any day. It can be made as a table runner as well as a quilt. In fact, wouldn’t this make the perfect baby quilt??? Her fabric choices are stunning and the strip piecing makes this project a piece of cake!

These projects feature her 60-degree Diamond Ruler by Creative Grids®.

Many of you have paid your rent with the Crazy Christmas Tree pattern from Cut Loose Press™ and ruler. Same ruler – different season: Crazy Hearts pattern by Cut Loose Press. Don’t you love these fabrics???

Made with the Creative Grids® Spiderweb ruler – both the patterns and ruler are designed by Karla Alexander.

Hens and Hearts is a pieced version created by Pam and Nicky Lintott – and features the Creative Grids® Multi-Sized Triangle Tool.

Don’t you love it when you find new patterns for your favorite tools? And these are ALL winners!

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!

Cats Cradle Magnified

You asked – we listened. Everyone loves the original Creative Grids® Cats Cradle Tool. You can make 1 1/2″ to 4″ and every half inch in between.

The XL size increases the options up to 8 inches – and once again, you never cut a triangle!

Deb Heatherly, the creator of this crowd-pleaser, is releasing a book of eight different designs later this month.

In the meantime, enjoy these Cut Loose Press patterns that she designed as well:

Illusionary Runner

Blue Skies and Sunshine

Big Cats Little Cats

Its Sew Easy

Raspberry Stars

Cornucopia

Lavender Fields is a full-size pattern by Christine Van Buskirk which includes multiple sizes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With all of these possibilities, the question is which one to do first???