Who’s In on Karen Styles’ BATHWICK Mystery Quilt?

We’re pleased to share the news that QuiltMania magazine has partnered with our own Karen Styles of Somerset Patchwork & Quilting, to launch their exciting Mystery Quilt event for 2018!  The quilt features Karen’s beautiful BATHWICK collection, inspired by an 18th Century Georgian quilt from her private collection. Many of these fabrics were originally printed in Great Britain in the mid 1700s, an era of romantic poets, landscape painters and distinctive architecture in the historic English city of Bath.

The first block (above) has been released for this truly international event, with kits available through participating shops from all around the world.  If you’ve ever shied away from a mystery quilt because you can’t see the end result, Karen’s first block will give you all the confidence you need to get started!  Enjoy…

We (Heart) Batik Valentine’s Mugrugs!

If you LOVE mugrugs AND batiks like we do, then you’re sure to also LOVE our easy Valentine’s Day Mugrug design!  Not only can you make these by the dozen for all the loves of your life – you can also enter each and every one of them in our new Mugrug Challenge, for a chance to win one of our weekly prizes!  Check out the Challenge details, then read the how-to below make this design… it’s the perfect complement for a cup of tea made from fresh sage leaves and a couple of tea biscuits, as shown

HeartmugugFinished

First, I cut out a paper heart shape pattern to the desired size, plus about 1/4″ seam allowance all around.  (If you’d rather not hand-cut your pattern, you’ll find about a zillion of them online, print out your favorite ; ).

HeartMugrug

Using three tonal RADIANT REFLECTIONS batiks, I started stitching up a crazy quilt block directly onto the batting (I used Fairfield Soft & Toasty cotton batting), for an easy quilt-as-you-go construction method. I added fabrics randomly until the block was just larger than the heart pattern.  I cut both the pieced block and a backing fabric from the heart pattern, and stitched them right sides together all around with a 1/4″ seam, leaving an opening to turn. Next, just turn and press, closing the opening with hand stitches or a narrow strip of fusible tape.  Add a coordinating mug or teacup, a packet of cappuccino mix or some gourmet teabags, and a love note.  Maybe a matching batik napkin for extra credit?

Now, just take a picture, enter the Challenge on Instagram with #MarcusMugshot, and your Valentine is now ready to give!          —   lisa

“Show Us YOUR Mugshots!”

ShowMugShotGRAFHey Quilting Friends!  Ready for a FUN and EASY quilt challenge?  Well, whether you’re already a fan of the Mugrug, or aren’t even sure what one is, you’ll want to enter the Marcus Makers MUGRUG CHALLENGE!  Help us to achieve our lofty goal of “A Marcus Rug for Every Mug,”  now thru April 30, 2017 — here’s how…

Follow the various inspirations we’ve gathered from our own Marcus Makers (instructions for these mugrugs are available online!), or create your own look using at least ONE fabric print from Marcus or Studio 37, and feel free to add any solids of your choice.  In fact, it’s a great opportunity to go thru your Marcus stash for a few great coordinates to get started, then visit your local quilt shops for the newest collections, and more great mugrug ideas, patterns, tips and related activities…

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Then, post your entry on Instagram using #MarcusMugshot, and remember to tag @marcusfabrics and/or @studio37fabrics for greater exposure! 

If you’re new to mugrugs, be warned:  mugrug making can be addictive, which is really not a problem, because they make great gifts, AND you can enter as many times as you like (one mugrug per photo, please).  Each Tuesday during the Challenge, we’ll choose random winners from the hashtagged entries to receive exciting fabric prizes and more — Join us!!

Behind the Scenes: The Story of ELIZABETH’S DOWRY

Look at what literally just arrived on my desk…it’s Today’s Quilter, our favorite UK quilting magazine, with a big BONUS!

todaysquiltersupp1Issue Seventeen was packaged with a special supplement all about our ELIZABETH’S DOWRY fabric collaboration!  With input from The Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles and Karen Styles of Somerset Patchwork, it not only outlines the journey of how this unique collection came to be, but also offers great projects and insights to help you make the most of this historic collection.todaysquiltersupp2

Like the magazine, this special publication is beautifully done — a true collector’s item.  Of course, having contributed to one of the articles, we knew it was in the works, but it’s always sew exciting to see the finished product in real life!

To order your own copy:  Visit Today’s Quilter and check out their special offer for new US subscribers, now thru February 28, 2017.

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The International Appeal of Elizabeth’s Dowry

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Don’t you love a great fabric sneak-peek?  We’re pleased to share this special preview of our upcoming ELIZABETH’S DOWRY collection!  It’s the first project of a new joint venture with The Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles.  The line is inspired by the historic Mariner’s Compass Coverlet (1820-1829) from The Quilters’ Guild Collection.  This coverlet is exquisitely constructed, and was made by Mary Dennis as part of her dowry:

QrigQUILTIt’s always exciting to see a fabric line come together, especially when it combines traditional inspiration with the latest digital printing technologies.  Below, these gorgeous prints come under final pre-production reviews by Pati Violick, director of advertising & marketing, and Ancil Wilson, studio manager for Marcus.  Look for the entire collection — as well as the history behind the inspiration quilt, and the quilt project designed by Karen Styles of Australia-based Somerset Patckwork & Quilting —  to be unveiled online in August!

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Karen Styles Comes to Quilt Week

KarenStylesIf you’re planning to attend Quilt Week in Paducah (April 19-23, 2016), register now for one (or both!) of Karen’s events, sponsored by our friends at Paper Pieces, the experts in English paper piecing!  Choose from her Robin’s Nest workshop on Wednesday, April 20…

or her Okehampton workshop (shown below) on Tuesday, April 19

Learn the great techniques Karen uses in her designs for Somerset Patchwork and more! Interested?  Call 1-800-337-1537 or stop by the Hexie House for more information on these workshop/lectures.  Have fun!

#MarcusMarketMania – Beautiful Booths!

Booth 1022 turned out beautifully, displaying the traditional looks we’re best known for, along with the contemporary style of Studio 37 Fabrics!  Below it, the Somerset Patchwork booth (1023), shows Karen Styles’ unique look and Australian design sense.

#marcusmarketmania

The Australasian Quilt Convention … Who’s Going?

Unfortunately, none of us in the NY office will be in attendance (Note to staff –  2016 Road Trip!!), but Marcus Fabrics will be well represented at the upcoming Australasian Quilt Convention.  It takes place in Melbourne, Australia April 16-19, 2015, and among its lineup of star instructors are Marcus designers Deirdre Bond-Abel and Karen Styles!

AQC is the region’s premier quilting event with tutors from all of the world and vendors that are only quilt related — no other crafts. People travel from all over Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific to attend. Deirdre will teach three classes that incorporate Marcus prints and wools (Ashmore, Warwick and Colbrook, in the order shown below…patterns and kits to follow!)Quilts by Deirdre Bond-Abel of Hat Creek Quilts

…and  Karen is teaching Mrs Billings’ Coverlet at the convention.

If you’re attending the Australasian Quilt Convention next week, feel free to be our eyes and send in some images!

#makeitwithmarcusfabrics

Think Spring with McCall’s Quick Quilts

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…You’ll find the perfect post-winter inspiration in the form of a quilt project by Sarah Maxwell and Dolores Smith, mixing prints from  VICTORIA PARK (by Karen Styles) and SOFTLY SPOKEN (by Harriet Hargrave).  Its easy nine-patch construction and light color palette make it the perfect first project for spring.

Look for the April/May issue  on newsstands beginning March 3, 2015.  Instructions are included in the issue, and a fabric kit is available.

 

Did You Attend our Schoolhouse Sessions?

Schoolhouse Fall 2014 means three back-to-back sessions, presented by some of our best designers, sharing merchandising and design tips for independent quilt shops!  From miniature projects to fussy cutting to BOMs and more, here’s a sneak peek.

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