This week I’ll be introducing you to some new products and giving you some ideas for using up some of those bits and pieces of fabric you’ve been saving for a special project – in particular, 5″ squares.

Here’s a quick introduction to some of the products we’ll be using this week.

OMNIGRIP Ruler – 5″ x 5″

This ruler, designed for use with Rotary cutters and straight-edge blades, has right and left-hand numbering and 45° angle lines. The transparent, neon green double-sight lines seem to glow on both light and dark fabrics. As a bonus, it has a non-slip backing.

OLFA 45 mm Ergonomic Rotary Cutter (in the latest color – Magenta!)

This OLFA rotary cutter is a combination of comfort, convenience, strength and safety. Its ergonomic handle with anti-slip rubber grip eliminates hand fatigue and stress, while the squeeze trigger allows the blade to self-retract for safety. The dual-action safety lock allows the blade to be locked while in use or locked inside the handle when not in use. The cutter can handle up to 8 layers of thin materials and is designed for both right- and left-handed users. As a bonus, the OLFA 45mm Ergonomic Rotary Cutter comes with an OLFA Endurance rotary blade that cuts twice as long as the standard OLFA blade.

OLFA Deluxe Ergonomic Handle Rotary Cutter 60 mm

OLFA’s largest rotary cutter can cut up to eight layers of thin materials, making it perfect for medium to large sized projects and long cuts. Its ergonomic curved handle, suitable for right- or left-handed use, prevents the fatigue typically associated with repetitive cutting. The dual-action safety lock and blade cover are designed to ensure your safety. This cutter is perfect for cutting strips, multiple layers and finishing quilts prior to binding. It easily cuts fabric, paper, tarp, vinyl, upholstery, leather and other thick textiles.

Omnigrid Ruler Grip Double Suction Cup

This convenient handheld accessory is designed with dual suction cups. It’s specifically crafted to attach securely to large rulers or templates. This innovative tool ensures a firm hold on your ruler, keeping your fingers safely away from the rotary cutting blade as you cut your fabrics.

Odif 505 Temporary Adhesive Glue Stick

The Odif 505 Temporary Adhesive Glue Stick is designed to temporarily hold fabric together without leaving any residue or fabric stains. Like the ODIF 505 spray adhesive, the 505 Glue Stick is acid-free, and odorless but allows for a more precise application with little to no excess glue. It won’t gum up needles when sewing fabric together!

This week, I’ll be showing you how to use 5″ squares from your stash to make this Scrappy Houses Quilt. My quilt is 26″ x 35″, and has 15 little houses, but it’s easy to make your quilt larger or smaller if you wish.

I’ll also be showing you how to use your 5″ squares to create other useful blocks as well.

So, gather up some fun scraps, 1yd [1m] of background fabric and ¼ yd [0.25m] of binding fabric and get ready to start on your house quilt tomorrow!

This is part 1 of 5 in this series

Go to part 2: Scrappy Houses Quilt [cutting instructions]