#MondaysWithMarcus: “Spring Baskets” by Deirdre Bond Abel

As our Mondays with Marcus Series II winds down (with just one more week to go!), it seems that each project is better than the next! We love Deirdre Bond Abel’s appliqued baskets, done in her own collection, THE MIDLANDS. Download her FREE PROJECT here.

Deirdre drew inspiration from mid-19th century Colonial homes in The Midlands of Tasmania, in a group of florals and geometrics in a beautiful range of soft, smoky tones…the palette is subtle but striking, isn’t it?

Join us again next Monday for the finale project (by Laura Berringer). This time around, some projects will also be redone by other designers, in their own signature styles, for a wider variety of creative options… You’ll find the complete line-up of projects on the Mondays with Marcus page, and our Facebook page, along with details on how to enter our MWM2 Grand Prize giveaway — Join us!

Sew, Indra, Sew!

IndraSewingADon’t you love newbie sewing enthusiasts?  Indra stays so busy as our customer service manager, she rarely has time to stitch in the office (sadly, none of us do, really!), but her need for a quick curtain at home prompted this lunchtime session at our office Brother machine.  Such focus  ; )

I loved her remark about the awesome hand and overall quality of Marcus cottons!  As we seasoned office sewers already know, “to sew Marcus is to love Marcus.” I think she’s hooked!

So, Who Won the “Christmas In July” Goodies??

We really enjoyed all of your holiday project ideas and comments – it seems like table runners and toppers, and small gifts lead the list of seasonal sewing projects this year.  It HolidayBloomsGiveawayCOMPlooks like Sandy Allen of St. Louis, MO will have a nice head start on her projects, as the winner of the HOLIDAY BLOOMS & eBook giveaway!

Maybe she’ll use her 24” panel with light metallic touches and coordinates as a table topper – it’s designed to be a quick project just as it is – just add a border and backing — or embellish it with fringe, braid, or even some custom embroidery in the light ground areas of the panel.  Faye Burgos also designed the poinsettias to be multi-directional, for equal visual appeal from any position at the table.

ChristmasApronPatiPati even suggested (and semi-modeled) the panel as a beautiful apron – just gather, finish the edges and add two ties in a coordinating print to tackle those holiday baking marathons in style!  Hmm….with so many gifts and decorative items to make, versatility is key…

Thanks to our friends at Martingale for another great giveaway, congratulations to our winner, and Happy Holiday Stitching to All!!  — Now, get to work  ; )    — lisa

What Do We Love About Australian Quilt Design?

KarenStylesThe August edition of MarcusFabrics.com includes the debut collection by Australian designer Karen Styles of Somerset Patchwork.  Karen’s VICTORIA PARK is our second recent Australian release (following the Quilted Crow Girls’ coordinating POMEGRANATE LANE and THE SEASONS WOOL COLLECTION), and the latest in a series of Australia-based influences making waves in the quilting industry.  So we asked them to help us break down some specific elements of Australian Crow-Facesquilting style — and the conversation is featured online.  While you’re visiting, be sure to preview all of the great new collections coming soon to your favorite quilt shops!

Are You Quilting with Kids this Summer? Share Your Tips!

It’s that time of year, time to entertain the kids for an entire summer! But it doesn’t have to cut into your creative time – just include the kids in your quilting plans, from stitching easy projects, to visiting your local quilt shop, maybe even attending a nearby quilt show or expo! And be sure to depend on the many free projects on the Marcus website for more inspiration.  Send us your best tips for quilting with kids during the summer!  We’ll share our favorites, and you might even win a fabric prize in September! Thank you!