At this time of year especially, we’d like to express our gratitude to all of our quilting friends, those celebrating Thanksgiving with us here in the US, as well as our friends around the world. Thank you for sharing our love of quilting, sewing and crafting!
May you enjoy a safe, happy and creative holiday season…
I just checked in on Pam Buda’s blog and had to share her post with you…it’s all about taking (or making) more tike to do the things we love in the midst of life’s many gotta-do’s and distractions.
So, what recipe did you use?? — Lisa
We love Perkins Dry Goods’
original take on Pam’s PIN MONEY collection, in this graphic quilt design. Stitch it up in Topper, Throw or Queen sizes, using Perkins’ scrappy or two-color approach.
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.
(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
Judie enjoys a close look at some of the finalists…
…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.
This just in! The November/December 2013 issue of McCall’s Quilting features our SCARLET EVENING line by Judie Rothermel in a one-block quilt designed by Dolores Smith & Sarah Maxwell. And as a “web bonus”, you can download free instructions for make the lap quilt version! Check out the details, and order your copy now!
The same issues also includes Part 3 of this pretty design, also by Dolores & Sarah, with prints from MOLLY B’s STYLE SERIES
Recently we received these photos from Just Judie contestants:
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 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 of Roswell, GA places cream stars on a colorful pieced “ground”, in an interesting role-reversal of colors.
Barbara Rotondi of Woodstock, GA gives colorful blocks and sashings a floating effect on cream ground
Mary Ann Kelly of Cocoa, FL recreates Underground Railroad code blocks, mixing burgundy and blues with earth tones.
Jane Cubbon of Bristow, VA combines foundation piecing and Seminole techniques, with a creative design that directs you to the gorgeous central block.
Already we’ve been told by more than one shop owner that they can’t possibly decide between the two gorgeous colorways created by Faye Burgos for her M FOR MYSTERY collection! 
We really didn’t mean to make it such a difficult decision for you…but if it helps, you could always offer BOTH the blue/rust, AND the black/pink combos! Either way, you can’t lose with these lush floral lead patterns and their companion prints when creating our new Mystery Quilt BOM, designed by Homestead Hearth! When you start with fabrics this beautiful, you can’t help but make a great quilt! The program begins in January, so maybe you’d better begin the color decision-making process now ; ) Quilting friends, what do you think??
Then get started now, as she shares her expertise in creating this pretty project using her own TWEET FOR TWO collection! It’s a sophisticated folk influence you’ll love to live with all year long whether your style is traditional or contemporary, or mixed. Get all of the details on Nancy’s blog!
Visit your local quilt shop for the fabrics and pattern.
Did you see the new issue of McCalls Quilting? It features a lovely design by Vicki Bellino of Bloom Creek, with her signature English paper peicing, applique techniques, and our folk art-inspired PROVENCE & BEYOND collection by Faye Burgos! A wonderfully seasonless look. We love how it mimics the look of the antique dishes in the china hutch. A kit of the fabrics and paper pieces is available through the magazine for a limited time, or visit your local quilt shop for the fabrics.
On the heels of celebrating March as National/International Quilting Month, comes a new first, National Serger Month, from Baby Lock, a leader in the home serging category! Like sewing machines, sergers have come a long way in helping all of us to express ourselves creatively, which means we at Marcus are all for it! Why not?? There’s even a great contest… Check out the Baby Lock site for details, and join us in celebrating your craft all year long ; )