We’re Celebrating AGED MUSLINS with a Giveaway!

TEN YEARS and still going strong!! In fact, ever since we introduced this novelty “not-so-solid” solid in 2007-08, they’ve just gotten better with time —

What separates our AGED MUSLIN from the look-alikes is a special dyeing technique that creates a faded, distressed, look.  The result is an inherent overall shading that gives the cloth gives its rich, suede-like appearance.   These qualities make our AGED MUSLINS an interesting complement for prints in pieced quilts, where a true solid would read too “flat”, and a texture print isn’t quite right either.

  • The 100% cotton range began with a few neutrals in paper-bag tones
  • Then it expanded to include blues and greys — Pair these with the season’s best denims & chambrays.
  • Next came the dusty midtones (NEW AGED MUSLINS)
  • And in 2017, we added eight saturated fashion colors to the New Aged Muslins category.

Perfect for Trendy and Traditional Quilts, Home Décor, Fashion…

  • They’ll give an authentic, aged look when paired with reproductions, or a casual effect when blended with contemporary prints.
  • AGED MUSLIN’s weave is slightly tighter than standard quilting fabrics, making it an excellent background fabric for appliqué, embroidery and other forms of handwork.
  • The collection also plays well on its own, as you can see in “Stargazing”, shown below our new Aged Muslin BOM program by Krisanne Watkins of Quail Valley Quilts.  Watch for details on line soon!(Begins September 2018, 91” x 91”)

What’s your favorite use for our Aged Muslins, including neutrals, blues and greys, dusty midtones or the newest saturated colors?  Or if you haven’t tried them yet, what would you make?  Comment below for the chance to WIN a FQ BUNDLE!! All blog comments received by Sunday, April 8 at 11:59pm are eligible for the random dawing  —  Good Luck!

Did You See Victoria in Warwick, NY?

If you attended the Warwick Valley Quilt Guild’s show this past weekend, hopefully, you caught Victoria’s presentation, along with some Retail Therapy from Victoria (and lots of other great vendors!)  The bi-annual guild show takes place in Warwick, NY.  Pati (shown in the right side photo with Victoria’s assistants, Laurie and Kim) was also in attendance, and she sent along a few pix of the exciting event.  Goodies at Victoria’s booth included MEADOW STORM and MOSTLY MANOR bundles and of course, inspiring quilts…

vfw-warwickqshow

Choose Your Favorite Primo Batiks BOM for 2016!

BatikBOM-SueLoring

Whichever one you choose, you will LOVE the fact that these BOM programs are created with 36 different 10″ x 10″ PRE-CUTS!  And Sarah Maxwell’s detailed design is equally dramatic in neutral tones (RIVER ROCK batiks) or bold brights (RADIANT REFLECTIONS batiks). We thought that this particular photo by Sue Loring of The Quilted Crow in Bolton, MA was particularly striking – thanks, Sue!  These were recently featured at the shop for the grand opening of its new location.

Look for these block-of-the-month programs at your local quilt shops beginning January, and you can have your own completed masterpeice in just 9 months!

Finished Quilt Size approx. 78″ x 85″

River Rock participating shops       Radiant Reflections participating shops

Let’s Meet at QuiltCon!

We’re thrilled to return to QuiltCon as a sponsor in February 2016, and right now, we’re putting a few finishing touches on some amazing Studio 37 Fabrics events and promotions! Presented by the Modern Quilt Guild, QuiltCon is the largest modern quilting  show of its kind, and its popularity grows each year.

Victoria&QuiltThis time, it takes place in sunny Pasadena, CA, and highlights include two workshops and a lecture by sewlebrity designer Victoria Findlay Wolfe.  You’re sure to find Victoria’s new collection, MOSTLY MANOR and your other favorite Studio 37 collections among the QuiltCon vendors, too!

Are YOU planning to attend?  Stay tuned for more details…

Quilters Take Manhattan 2015 – Part II

Also appearing at QTM 2015 were quilting stars Edyta Sitar, Yvonne Porcella, keynote speaker Ricky Tims, and others.  Congrats to Edyta, who took top honors at Quilt Match Manhattan, a friendly “create-it-on-the-spot” quilt challenge –  great belt!!

QTM-Edyta

and these quilts below by Ricky Tims caught the eye of Marcus Fabrics’ own Laura Berringer…notice the very cool visual glow effect on this first one!QTM-RickyTimsQuilts

…and finally, more with Victoria and friends…

QTM-VictoriaFans

If you did miss this annual weekend of non-stop quilt inspiration, be prepared to grab your tickets early, since it has sold out several years in a row — and faster each year! Join us in 2016 when “Quilters Take Manhattan” yet again  ; )

QTM-Manhattan

It’s Official: PEPPERY is “Hot”!!

PaulaBarnes-SP15

It looks like Paula Barnes knew what she meant when she named her newest collection PEPPERY!  Just days into its official release, the collection of black, cream and beige small prints is a noticeable winner already! Easy to see, because these colors transfer from reproduction and historical quilts to modern, and they lend themselves easily to quilts and projects with a tailored, more masculine feel, such as out Heidi Pridemore’s project (coming soon as a download at your local quilt shops):

PepperyQuilt

Peppery prints example

Versatile, stashworthy Peppery prints are also great as subtly textured grounds for applique and needlework, like this example from Crabapple Hill Studio.

PEPPERY comes to your local quilt shop this summer – see the entire collection online now, and plan a project to enjoy all year long!

 

 

Our Top 10 Ways to Enjoy World Quilting Day

Worldwide QuiltiWorldwide Quilting Day logong Day is upon us again, taking place this Saturday, March 21, 2015.  Even though the day is highlighted, it actually kicks off a full month of activities, ending on April 21.  And we’ve come up with 10 great ways to enjoy this annual celebration:

  • 10.  Gather a few fabric-loving friends (and your favorite snacks) for a modern quilting bee.
  • 9.  Share your love of quilting with a young person.
  • 8. Join a local guild. (Already belong to one?  Join a second one!)
  • 7. Devote some time to your creative space by tidying up, or stitch up a new mug rug, or pincushion.
  • 6. Create a charity quilt for a nearby hospital or other organization.
  • 5. Choose a BOM quilt project — we’ve got some suggestions!
  • 4.  Book yourself on a quilting-related vacation, expo or weekend retreat.
  • 3.  Visit your local quilt shops, including those participating in Worldwide Quilting Day.
  • 2.  Enter WQD’s Star Block Challenge (you can enter from March 21 through April 21, 2015!
  • 1. Expand your creative repertoire to include fabrics you’ve never tried before, like 1930’s prints, wallpaper stripes, or wool

Of course, these suggestions are great any time of year, and we know you’ve probably got lots of other ideas… How will you spend the day?

What’s New for Spring?

This month we reveal all-new AUNT GRACE MINIATURES by Judie Rothermel! As perfect as they are on their own, they’re even better when paired with her AUNT GRACE DOTS.  Mix the prints in traditional blocks, or try a more modern quilting treatment by combining the prints with linen.

There’s a lot more that’s new this month on MarcusFabrics, so enjoy your visit!

Harriet Hargrave Designs for Marcus!

HarrietHargravePsst…coming soon to your favorite local quilt shop:  the new SOFTLY SPOKEN collection by Harriet Hargrave.  Known for her expertise in the area of machine quilting in particular, Harriet has earned many fans around the world through her classes, lectures, books and more.  Here’s a sneak peek, but be sure to check out her debut fabric line in its entirety, the May 2014 edition of MarcusFabrics.com.  If you’re a shop owner attending the upcoming Quilt Market in Pittsburgh, be sure to see these gorgeous prints at Marcus BOOTH # 2335!SoftlySpokenCOMP

Think Spring with the SUBTLE SKIES Collection

Looking for the perfect project to welcome Spring?  Consider this pretty quilt designed by Homestead Hearth, featuring Faye Burgos’ beautiful SUBTLE SKIES collection.  “Gentle Dawn” is fully patterned in the McCall’s Quilting March/April 2014 issue.  It’s beginner friendly, and a kit is available.  We love it for a guest bedroom, but once you sew it up, you’ll want to treat yourself!