Sew on the Go…Literally!

Sew on the Go...LiterallyCheck out this adorable sewing machine cover, cleverly disguised as a vintage camper! Even as it was being unpacked and still on the hotel luggage cart, it quickly became one of our more eye-catching – and amusing – booth samples.  Can’t you just imagine the little quilter stitching away inside it?

If you love vacationing with your sewing machine, you pretty much have to have one of these… This one was sewn up by Miriam Rawson in GRACIE’S SCHOOLHOUSE CLASSICS by Judie Rothermel – no better choice for a vintage camper than everyone’s favorite 1930’s reproduction fabrics!  Note that Miriam made hers a bit longer than the original pattern to accommodate her Bernina machine.

<  Need pattern information? The original design for the Vintage Caravan Sewing Machine Cover is by Janine at Rainbow Hare in the UK.

 

 

#marcusatmarket #marcusfabrics #quiltmarket2015 #makeitwithmarcusfabrics #auntgrace

Marcus and The Quilt Merchant Celebrate Lisa Even!

The excitement over our Just Judie quilt competition continues, as Marcus Fabrics celebrated the  achievement of our Grand Prize winner, Lisa Even of Barrington, IL, whose entry was sponsored by The Quilt Merchant in Winfield, IL.  Our own Director of Marketing, Pati Violick, brought a trunk show of the three winning quilts, along with some of Judie Rothermel’s creations, as attendees oooh’d and aahh’d the gorgeous fabrics and techniques!  Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts and Marcus sales rep Bill Garrettson also joined in the fun. Check out some of the highlights:QMerchant storeLisa shows offer her fabulous work – it earned her a $2500 cash prize, and a Brother Laura Ashley Innova sewing machine!

QMerchLisaQLisa also treated us to a glimpse of her current project…

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Quilters also enjoyed a close-up of Marcus’ Civil War PEACE & UNITY BOM quilt.  This is the final installment of our Civil war series.

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Judie Rothermel’s miniatures were a highlight of the day…these minis, from her private collection, made a rare public appearance.  Such small quilts, such huge impact!

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Taking Second Place in the Just Judie competition was Sarah Bond’s creation.  We love her Orange Peel design.  Done in Judie’s fabrics, its’ the perfect marriage of trend and tradition!  It’s shown off here by Quilt Merchant owner Valerie Langue (left) and Pati Violick of Marcus Fabrics.

And our Third Place winning entry, a beautiful hand-appliqued circle designf by Nancy Yando…

For more photos, visit Pam Buda’s blog. Thanks to everyone who came to join us in celebrating Lisa, Judie, and the quilting traditions we all love!  Lisa, enjoy your machine…we can’t wait to see what you come up with next!

Judie Rothermel Comes to Little Quilts!

As part of our Just Judie quilt competition prize package, the quilt shop sponsoring the most entries was rewarded with a visit from Judie herself!  So, on Friday, November 1, Judie (accompanied by her Marcus Fabrics entourage) arrived at Little Quilts in Marietta, GA for an afternoon of festivities.

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(l. to r.: Stephanie Dell 'Olio, President, Marcus Fabrics' Retail Division; Mary ellen vonHolt, shop owner; Judie Rothermel; Pati Violick, Marcus Fabrics' Director of Marketing

(l. to r.): Stephanie Dell ‘Olio, President, Marcus Fabrics’ Retail Division; Mary Ellen vonHolt, owner, Little Quilts; Judie Rothermel; Pati Violick, Marcus Fabrics’ Director of Marketing

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Judie enjoys a close look at some of the finalists...

Judie enjoys a close look at some of the finalists…

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...and one entry that was completed after the deadline. Miniature hexies, anyone?

…and one entry that was completed after the deadline. Miniature hexies, anyone?

With an impressive 24 entries sponsored, Little Quilts owner Mary Ellen VonHolt proudly hosted the special event — part meet-and-greet, part trunk show – for an excited group of contestants, customers and guests.  Mary Ellen and Judie showed some of her own quilts, and attendees left with goodies including Judie’s tips for creating with miniatures, and much more! …As they say, a wonderful time was had by all!  Congratulations again to Little Quilts and its entrants on a job beautifully done.

“Inspired by Judie Rothermel”

Another Quilt Market find was “Feathers and Stars Abound”, by Zvia Strahilevitz-Klein.  This gorgeous quilt design was part of the Coats-sponsored special exhibit entitled In the American Tradition 2013.   We think the quilter’s own comments say it best — see below…

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Our Just Judie “Virtual Quilt Show” Continues…

Recently we received these photos from Just Judie contestants:

Risa Entrekin

Risa Entrekin of Prattville, AL created 25 blocks, including three “rogue” blocks represent those times in life when things don’t go as planned and create roadblocks; but in hindsight, those experiences blend together to create a life that is unique and beautiful and quite unexpected.”

Jane Betterley

Jane Betterley of Canton, GA, mixes square-in-a-square blocks with colorful star blocks (a favorite Judie theme) to commemorate each of the 25 years Judie has been designing fabrics for Marcus Brothers.

Linda Wirtz

Linda Wirtz of Roswell, GA places cream stars on a colorful pieced “ground”, in an interesting role-reversal of colors.

Barbara Rotondi

Barbara Rotondi of Woodstock, GA gives colorful blocks and sashings a floating effect on cream ground

Mary Ann Kelly

Mary Ann Kelly of Cocoa, FL recreates Underground Railroad code blocks, mixing burgundy and blues with earth tones.

Jane Cubbon

Jane Cubbon of Bristow, VA combines foundation piecing and Seminole techniques, with a creative design that directs you to the gorgeous central block.

More Just Judie Entries!

Keep those quilt entry pix coming, and we’ll continue to post them! These are the latest….enjoy!

Susan Schering

Susan Schering of Melbourne, FL mixes baskets of varying sizes in gorgeous warm & neutral Judie tones.

Karen Donnelly

Karen Donnelly of Waterloo, NY creatively shapes her corners to add motion and visual interest, giving the effect of “a pulsating star”.

Lisa Even

Lisa Even of Barrington, IL frames her center medallion design with a variety of colors, prints and techniques.

Lynn Davis

Lynn Davis of Cumming, GA shows off perfect pinwheels in spicy colors that span the seasons. She adds “Just a few weeks after completion a nice young man proposed to his girlfriend on my Judie quilt after taking her or a romantic horseback ride. It was even more special to see it used as the beginning of a life long commitment of love!”

More Just Judie Entries…

The fun continues today with great new photos…enjoy!

Evangeline Kaus

Evangeline Kaus of Delafield, WI shows off gorgeous LeMoyne Star blocks

Linda Sawrey

Linda Sawrey of Temecula, CA frames pretty sampler blocks with detailed piecing that gives a dramatic ric-rac border effect.

Judy Sheridan

Judy Sheridan of Skaneateles, NY give Judie’s prints an interesting twist, and borders them with appliqued baskets & vines.

Nancy Yando

Nancy Yando of Fuquay-Varina, NC successfully takes on the challenge of muptile circle appliques – dimensional HAND applique, that is!

Marty Young

Marty Young of Marietta, GA show off not only her English paper piecing and neddleturned applique skills, but also “evidence” of just a small part of her Judie stash!

Wanda Chadwick

Wanda Chadwick of Powder Springs, GA created a beautifully non-traditional look using various dimensional techniques.

Check Out These Just Judie Entries!

To honor some of the many beautiful quilts created for our JUST JUDIE Quilt Competition, we thought it would be fun to show them off on our blog, a few at a time.  We invited all of the entrants to submit photos of themselves with their handiwork, whether finalists or not.  And now, in no particular order, we’re proud to present the first sneak-peeks — enjoy!!

Wendy Reed

Wendy Reed of Bath. ME shows off over 600 Judie Rothermel prints! (Should we have offered a “biggest Stash” award?

Jeanie Rudich

Jeanie Rudich of Weyauwega, WI highlights 5″ blocks and 8.5″ needleturned applique blocks – we love the border, too!

Peggy McIntire

Peggy McIntire of Lawrenceville, GA makes traditional blocks from modern templates – “Old is New”!

Susan Gilbert

Susan Gilbert of Vassalboro, ME shows off her Civil War ladies in fancy settings

Deborah Borsos+Group

A gorgeous group effort by the “19th Century Women” of San Antonio, TX

Janice Kuhns

Janice Kuhns (and helper) of Acworth, GA show off her piecing skills – we love the spools in the center!

Sheryl Johnson

Sheryl Johnson of Temecula, CA can’t contain her enthusiasm! Notice the clever border treatment – it says “Rothermel”

…And the WINNER Is…

Well, while we haven’t chosen the Grand, First and Second Prize winners just yet, please join us in congratulating Little Quilts of Marietta, GA, the winner of our Sponsoring Quilt Shop contest!  As the quilt shop that sponsored the most entries, Little Quilts will be rewarded with a visit from Judie Rothermel herself!  Pictured below are Mary Ellen, owner of Little Quilts and with Stephanie Dell ‘Olio, President of Marcus Fabrics, sharing the exciting news with Mary Ellen’s staff!  Thanks to Little Quilts and to all of our sponsoring shops for their enthusiastic support of the Just Judie quilt competition.

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And while we’re preparing for final quilt judging, we hope you’ll enjoy the upcoming blog posts, showing off some of the beautiful entries and stories we’ve received!

 

 

Beautiful Quilts…and Tough Decisions for Us!

JudieContestLOGOWe’re having a great time reviewing the many Just Judie quilts that have been submitted! And we are inspired and excited by the variety and scope of Judie Rothermel’s many devotees ; )

For those who are checking your emails and manning your phones for Just Judie updates, you’ll be happy to learn that we have indeed selected the 25 Finalists.  Final judging will then be completed by September 30, 2013 and all winners will be notified by October 13, 2013 as stated in the official competition rules.  Thank you to all of the entrants and the sponsoring quilt shops, too!  Stay tuned for updates…