Yadkin Valley Quilts (YVQ) offers a 12-month Creative Grids University (CGU) program featuring Creative Grids rulers, starting with the basics. Each ruler is manufactured with Creative Grids’ trademark non-slip embedded grip and accurate easy-to-read black and white markings. Creative Grids provides a complete package — quality product, patterns and books specific to the products, and education. With more than 130 rulers to choose from, we anticipate continuing the program into a second year, and beyond.

What is CGU?

CGU is all about unleashing your creativity using the most versatile line of rulers available. Yadkin Valley Quilts is offering an educational opportunity that resembles a piecing club, a block-of-the-month program, and a class – all wrapped up into one! Our program is modeled somewhat after Deb Heatherly’s Grid Girls program, which spotlights the rulers she designed for Creative Grids. YVQ loves ALL of the Creative Grids rulers and will be sharing rulers from multiple designers throughout the program.

Do I have to participate in all 12 sessions?

You are not required to participate in all 12 sessions, however, you will get the most from the program by committing to the entire year. We have designed the schedule to help make this commitment practical, with three sessions to choose from each month: Tuesday (1-4 pm), Thursday (5-8 pm), or Saturday (10 or 10:30 am – 1 or 1:30 pm). Each session is scheduled around the second Saturday of the month. Example: the Saturday session is the second Saturday of each month, and the Tuesday and Thursday sessions are in the week leading up to the second Saturday session.

We will host a class “graduation party” for the twelfth month, with participants receiving a certificate of completion, along with a time for show and share.

What if I need to miss my selected class?

If you need to miss the session that are signed up for you may attend one of the other scheduled sessions. We just ask that you speak with us so that we can plan accordingly.

What is the cost to participate?

Sessions range in cost ($12.50-$20/session) depending on how you choose to pay.


Shop rulers will be available for student use during the class. The purchase of the monthly featured ruler(s) is not a requirement for attending class — but you will certainly want to fill your quilty toolbox when you see all that these rulers will allow you to do! (What better way than one month at a time?

Students will be able to purchase rulers using their CGU student discount during their class session. Corresponding patterns will also be available for purchase using a student discount.

*At any time during the first two months of the program, students who initially opt to pay-as-you-go or for 6 months at a time may upgrade to 6 months or a full year with all prior payments applied in full toward the discounted rate selected.

Why does YVQ like Creative Grids rulers so much?

Why? What’s not to love? We love Creative Grids rulers because they are the best that we have worked with and they offer the widest variety of applications. They truly make our job much more efficient, productive, accurate, and fun!

Creative Grids rulers are great for all skill levels, but especially helpful for new or timid quilters. The grip on the back of the rulers helps with accurate cutting. Some rulers can minimize imperfections and/or reduce the need for perfect piecing.

What Creative Grids tools will we be using?

We start with the basics – the 6 ½” x 12½” and 6½” x 24½” that we use for new quilters, Creative Grids cutting mats, the Stripology series of rulers, various angles and squares, and more!

What will we make during the program?

Each participant will be provided with the fabric needed to make a block using the featured ruler(s) each month. Shop rulers will be available for student use during the class, and finished blocks may vary in size – 4”, 6”, 8”, 12”.

Blocks made in class are intended to aid in learning how to use the ruler and master the technique but may be incorporated into a student-designed quilt. The possibilities are limited only to your creativity once you learn how to use the tools!

What do we need to bring to class?

At the first class session, YVQ will provide you with a class notebook with graph paper and lined notebook paper for designing and notetaking, along with a pen and mechanical pencil. We ask that you bring your smiling face and eagerness to learn something new to each class!

Fabric for the class project will be provided.

You will need a sewing machine in good working order, as well as basic sewing/quilting supplies for each class. We recommend using your own machine (we will valet your machine each session for you if needed), as you know the machine and will not have to spend time working with a learning curve. If you need to use one of our machines, we are happy to loan you one for the class. We just ask that you advise us beforehand so that we are prepared.

Basic sewing/quilting supplies include, but are not limited to: sharp rotary cutter, cutting mat, standard rulers you use regularly, seam ripper, thread, small scissors, small iron, pressing mat, etc. What does the typical class look like? Each class period we will spend 30-60 minutes demonstrating the featured rulers/tools for the session. The remainder of the time will be for students to have hands-on time with the tools to make at least one block to take home.

When students bring items they’ve made using rulers/tools from previous sessions, we will take time for Show and Share.

What is a Student Discount?

Student Discounts are special discounts available to CGU students during class sessions. Due to Creative Grids Minimum Advertised Price policy, we cannot publish the Student Discount, but we are happy to share that with you verbally!

Students also receive 10% off patterns purchased during class that correspond to the featured rulers.

How to we register and pay for the class?

Students electing to attend on a monthly Pay-As-You-Go basis may register online for each month, as with any other class. Registering one month at a time may result in limited selection of sessions, as those committing to 6 or 12 months will be selecting their preferred sessions in advance.

If you wish to register and pay for 6 or 12 months at a time, please stop by the shop (or call 336-258-8383 and ask for Andrae), as we must process these transactions manually.