Tag Archives: Saginaw St Quilts

Crazy Christmas Tree Farm

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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!

The Latest from Saginaw Street Quilts

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Karla Alexander of Saginaw Street Quilts has a quirky style that is instantly recognizable. Her newest patterns are no exception. Whether she is working in curves, angles, or straight lines – her influence shines through!

I love her own descriptions for her patterns. She has a way of removing the intimidation factor and make me believe that I can do it too!

If you’re feeling a little rebellious and on the run from the Quilt Police, this is the perfect quilt for you! You can break a few rules and make up some new ones along the way with this “go to method” for making blocks that you’ll use again and again. Create blocks that weave over and under one another in ribbons of different colors and explore different ways to manipulate your block. Follow the pattern instructions step by step or change it up along the way – it’s your call.

Inversion is based on a variety of light and dark 10 inch squares. I used white and gray prints for my light and a mix of green, turquoise and dark gray for my dark. Fabric requirements are listed for yardage as well as “By the Square” (IF you have a stash).

The twirling swirling blocks for this quilt are made from a mix of two contrasting prints. I used a light background with orange arcs, however a dark background with light arcs would also work. The arcs are long and gentle which makes them very easy to sew. You could also work from your stash (if you have one) and make each block a different color.

This quilt was created with Karla’s Oval Always ruler by Creative Grids.

If this name – and style – sound familiar, this is the same gal that brought us the Crazy Christmas Tree:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karla has a way of removing the intimidation factor so order these patterns today!

Ovals ARE Easy

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Add Karla Alexander’s sense of style and color sense – and classes will sell out immediately!  I am one of those people who came from an applique background so sewing curves on a machine wasn’t a part of my skill set until now!  Look how gorgeous…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are Cut Loose Press™ patterns that are stunning. Leaves is a perfect class. They can actually finish this in an afternoon. Then demo the Clam shell quilt and Capiz Lanterns. The lantern quilt would be a perfect Christmas quilt.

Enchanted will have everyone anticipating the holiday seasons. Trading Places and Spin Cycle actually make me think I could make art quilts – and you could too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You need to challenge yourself to step outside of your comfort zone – and I guarantee you will be successful and love every minute of it!

Ovals All Ways – Literally

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Finally!  A tool that cuts ovals!  No more elongated half circle hot dog shapes!  The Creative Grids® Ovals All Ways Ruler designed by Karla Alexander, cuts ovals, semi-ovals, and quarter-ovals from 3″ x 4 ½” to 8 ½” x 10″ and every half-inch between. Since this ruler is designed to be used in multiple ways, additional markings are included for techniques such as fusible applique, piecing and turned-edge applique.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If only my laundry looked so good!  Spin Cycle showcases a variety of ways to use this ruler. And don’t you just love the color combinations?  Trading Places uses the positive and negative space to create even more interesting patterns.  And then there is Enchanted!  Jasmine would have been proud to fly on this magic carpet!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And since they are ovals, they are even easier to piece than circles.  Watch the video for even more inspiration!  Why not teach a class on ovals and ease them into the Circle Savvy?  But with all of these possibilities, they will want to stay and play for awhile!

Quilts with Funk

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I love it when one of our babies – in this case the Creative Grids Circle Savvy ruler – takes on a life of its own.  When the designers came to us, we were blown away by the possibilities.  But, in this case, once they had a chance to play with it, the true potential of this tool emerged!  Karla Alexander of Saginaw St Quilts has a vision and a style that has become instantly recognizable.

My circles never looked like this!!!!

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Who would have thought that both quilts were made with the same tool????

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These quilts are much easier than you think!  Piecing large curves is a piece of cake – especially when you have the right tools and patterns!  Moon Shadow and Polka Box have a more traditional look – and may be the perfect transition class to move your customers toward more artsy, free form quilts.

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Why not challenge your students in the new year – and offer classes that will challenge them to try techniques that they may not be comfortable with.  For our industry to continue to grow, we must continue to learn!  And these quilts appeal to everyone – and bridge the gap between tradition and art!