A Year’s Worth of Creative Excitement!

A fresh year means a fresh start for our creative projects…check out just a few of the exciting things coming your way in the coming months from Marcus and Studio 37!

Sneak Peeks!  Watch for these collections online beginning February 1:

And get caught up with our most recent releases, online now:

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!!

We’ve Got CHEDDARS!

cheddarcheeseThese familiar golden yellow-orange tones are a longtime Reproduction favorite, and Cheddar in its many variations is enjoying a resurgence this season!  It’s a rich, warm, inviting color and like the food it’s named after, the category ranges from muted golds to deeper orange tones.   In Repro quilts, cheddar generally used as a highlight against darker blues, greens, reds, plums and browns.

Like the quilters long before them, modern quilters have also embraced the color as a special accent, giving life to the colors around it in simply pieced designs.  We love Pam Buda’s new take on the color, pairing it with taupe-grey neutrals for a look that bridges tradition and trend in ANTIQUE COTTON CALICOS: Cheddar and Friends!

cheddarfriends

 

Today is Flag Day!

PamBuda2016It’s June 14 already?  Here in the US we celebrate June 14 as Flag Day, so who better to check in with than Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts!  Here’s a peek at her recent blog post – I thought this photo in particular captures the spirit of the day.  Read more about Pam’s work-in-progress, Lady Liberty…

StarSpangledBothStacked…and be sure to make plans for Pam’s newest BOM, STAR SPANGLED LIBERTY! You’ll love her two options for the center row and her distinctive vertical “quilter’s flag” down the left side.  Pam also includes American anecdotal history about our national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, the Pledge of Allegiance, Old Glory flag facts, and about Betsy Ross, who played an epic role in the birth of the new nation.

The 9-month program begins in September!  Quilt size: 74-1/2″ x 78″

Learn more about Flag Day!

Prairie Inspiration, Pam Buda Style

When it comes to American prairie life and the unique inspiration it brings to today’s quilters, no one does better than Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts, as her ever-growing legion of followers will agree!  Pam recently shared what’s new in her studio, with the release of her latest collection, ANTIQUE COTTON CALICOS: Old Green Calicos:

Pam Buda

Pam Buda

 

Of course, Pam herself describes her look best:  “Prairie life always inspires me, and when the early settlers sought to homestead, receiving a land parcel near water was, of course, a prize for many reasons.  Thinking those thoughts, and about the blue and green colors, a picture like this came to mind.  Can you see yourself in a comfy chair gazing at this scene?  I sure could.  The colors and serenity inspired the name for the quilt….Old Mill Pond.

Gorgeous, right??!! Read more from her recent blog post, including details of Pam’s special offer on the “Old Mill Pond” kit , now through January 29!   You can also visit your favorite local quilt shops for Old Green Calicos – it’s arriving in stores NOW!

Pam Buda’s Giveaway Is Happening NOW!

Pam Buda

Pam’s at it again, causing an online frenzy with one of her fun scrapbox giveaways!  You could win one of these just by commenting on Pam’s Heartspun Quilts blog post, now through Thursday!

Keep in mind that as much as we LOVE to read your comments here, too, only those comments left on Pam’s blog post will be eligible to win.  Enter now!!   ; )

#MarcusMarketMania – Prairie is Hot!

Fall Quilt Market is off to an exciting start!!  Schoolhouse sessions opened with the premier presentation by Andover Fabrics, centered on its new “Little House on the Prairie” line.

We’re not surprised by the popularity of the theme, judging from the ongoing appeal of Heartspun Quilts, where our own Pam Buda creates a complete Prairie lifestyle through her fabrics, patterns and inspiration.  Have you seen her latest Antique Cotton Calicos: OLD GREEN CALICOS?

greens-Pam

Pam Buda

Pam Buda

Whether you’re one of Pam’s longtime followers, or you’re new to the look, check out the collection online now…of course, if you’re in Houston, just go to Booth 1022!  And in case you missed it, you can learn more about Pam in the current issue of American Patchwork & Quilting magazine…

Looking for the MarcusFabrics.com OCTOBER Update ?

It’s coming in just a few days!  We had sooo much great stuff to share (in the midst of last-minute Quilt Market prep), that we’re just taking a few extra days to complete it. We’re relaunching our Studio 37 website, with contemporary looks from Victoria Findlay Wolfe, Nancy Rink, Sarah Maxwell, Susan Cousineau, Irene Chan and Laura Berringer for starters! And on the Marcus side, we’ve got new looks from Pam Buda, flannel sewing tips, and a preview from Rachel Pellman, the newest addition to our design team.  It’ll all be unveiled in just a few days, but for now, enjoy this little sneak peek…

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At Home with Pam Buda, via APQ Magazine

PamHome-CoverWow! The December 2015 issue of American Quilting & Patchwork magazine (APQ) has a real treat for all of us Pam Buda fans – it’s a multi-page profile of our favorite prairie-inspired quilt designer, photographed inside her beautiful Illinois home!

Naturally, many of the designs shown are patterns available thru Heartspun Quilts, and they feature her fabric collections including TREENWARE & BERRIES and AMERICAN GOTHIC.

PamHome3pics

Below you’ll see Pam on the left, and design director Nancy Wiles and photographer Greg Scheidemann styling a shot in her living room.  It’s great when a designer’s home and furnishings are a true reflection of her work  ; )

PamHome-4pixPeople

Visit your newsstand or quilt shop now, or order online (subscribers, watch your mailboxes) to read more about Pam, her quilts, fabric and inspiration in the magazine!

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Photos used with permission from American Patchwork & Quilting magazine.           (c) 2015 Meredith Corp.  All rights reserved.