A Very Special Anniversary!

We can hardly believe that it’s been 35 years since Judie Rothermel designed her very first line of quilting fabrics! In 2022, we’re celebrating the 35th Anniversary of Judie’s iconic designs for Marcus Fabrics and her unique contribution to the world of quilting!

That first collection came about because Judie grew tired of tea-dyeing the available prints at the time to achieve an antiqued look. So, she set out to design a group of prints with the look she desired. It debuted in the Marcus booth at Quilt Market in 1987. Since then, she’s created thousands of beloved fabric designs for quilters, like Aunt Grace 1930s prints, Civil War collections, Old Sturbridge Village fabrics and sew many other… and there’s more to come!!

The official festivities begin September 1, 2022, so now’s a great time to browse through your treasured stash for your favorite “Judie Quilts”, fabrics, swatches, patterns and more, to enter various giveaways and contests to come  – stay tuned!

You can even begin sharing some of your favorites Judie quilts, swatches, etc. now on social media – please be sure to include #Judie35 or #JudieRothermel35, and tag us @marcusfabrics and @schoolhousequiltshop.

Congratulations, Judie!!

ICYMI – Mondays with Marcus – Series 3 Wraps!

As we conclude another exciting Monday with Marcus designer series, “The Colors of Marcus”, we wanted to give you an overall view of the free projects. Links to all of them remain available on the MWN page on the Marcus website, and we invite you to visit and follow each designer’s own sites and social media to learn more about them! View SLIDESHOW below

It all began on February 14, when we launched the series with the color RED. All of the participating designers created projects in red for Valentine’s Day and beyond…You’ll find the links for these on the MWM page, too!

Finally, watch for details on our Series 3 giveaway! We’re putting together a fabulous Deluxe Gift Basket of colorful Marcus fabrics and goodies, so stay tuned for the announcement and entry details. Happy Stitching!

#MondaysWithMarcus Returns Feb 14

It’s true!! We’re back with our third Mondays with Marcus FREE PROJECT SERIES, The Colors of Marcus!  This time, we’re launching on Valentine’s Day, so naturally, our talented designers are focusing on projects using RED fabrics.  Watch the video below for a preview of the RED launch projects, the visit our MWM page for links to their project instructions. Then, every Monday, through April 18, each of our designers will choose a color to feature in a second free project.  Collect any or all of the free instructions, and if desired, you can even order fabric kits for the projects, where available.  

We suggest you mark your calendar now with can’t-miss dates for your favorite colors and designers — we think you’re gonna love them ALL — and share the schedule with your friends.

Be sure to follow our Facebook page and Instagram feed, and those of our designers, too!

Here’s the lineup:

February 14    RED           Valentine’s Day Launch with All Participating Designers   

February 21    ORANGE    Gennifer March / G. March Design  

February 28    YELLOW     Nancy Rink / Nancy Rink Designs    

March 7          GREEN       Paula Barnes & Mary Ellen Robison / Red Crinoline Quilts      

March 14        BLUE          Lisa Norton & Lora Zmak  / Material Girlfriends 

March 14        BLUE          Tracy Souza / Plumcute Designs     

March 21        PURPLE     Sarah Maxwell / Designs by Sarah J   

March 21        PURPLE     Cindy Staub / Quilt Doodle Designs 

March 28        BLACK        Dolores Smith / Timeworn Toolbox Designs

March 28        BLACK        Pam Buda  / Heartspun Quilts 

April 4             BROWN      Rebekah L. Smith / Rebekah L. Smith Designs  

April 4             BROWN      Deirdre Bond-Abel / Hatcreek Quilts

April 11           GREY         Sheryl Johnson  /  Temecula Quilt Co.   

April 18           PINK          Laura Berringer   / Marcus Fabrics   

New for Fall 2021!

If you haven’t seen our new website yet, this is the perfect time! We hope you’ll enjoy its streamlined design, and for quilt shop owners, the simplified online ordering process. We’ve also just unveiled TEN gorgeous designer collections this month, including:

(Click upper right corner of the photo if the slideshow doesn’t not begin automatically, or simply click thru the images at your own pace.)

Many of these new collections also feature free projects and/or patterns available through the fabric designers (you’ll find these under the MAKE IT tab on the site), so get ready for a full season of creative inspiration!

Introducing #MondaysWithMarcus II: Sew Many Options!

Get ready for a brand new series of FREE PROJECTS and creative inspiration from your favorite Marcus and Studio 37 designers! Beginning March 8, these talented ladies will take us through the spring season with great projects you’ll love to create.

And this time around, we’ve added a twist: “Sew Many Options” is the theme, and with each featured designer’s Monday release, you’ll also see the same project interpreted by other designers in their own unique styles! Here’s a sneak peek:

Be sure to mark your calendars now, and tune in here, on the Marcus site, or on the MWM Facebook page for project links and information. Our first download, from Vicki McCarty, will be released next Monday, March 8. Then, be sure to Like, Follow and Share Marcus Fabrics and all of our designers for the best in quilting inspiration!

#MondaysWithMarcus: UpClose with Vicki McCarty!

To keep the MWM momentum going as we prepare for the next series, we decided to give a weekly glimpse into the lives of our designers each week. No kits or supplies are needed, just sit back and get to know them better by enjoying some of their most recent creative escapades…

This week, Vicki McCarty of Calico Patch Designs shares a video all about what’s going on in her sewing room, including a new fabric collection and upcoming stitch-alongs! VIEW THE VIDEO

#MondaysWithMarcus: UpClose with Sheryl Johnson!

To keep the MWM momentum going as we prepare for the next series, we decided to give a weekly glimpse into the lives of our designers each week. No kits or supplies are needed, just sit back and get to know them better by enjoying some of their most recent creative escapades…

This week we check in with Sheryl Johnson of Temecula Quilt Co. She’s been hard at work, taking inspiration from the past, with her usual eggs-cellent results…

“I have been busy cooking up a special recipe with a rich history. Shirtings were a fashion necessity in the late 1800s,  used to make men’s shirts and Gibson Girl blouses through the turn of the century. Traditionally, these were lightweight cotton prints with small, simple black motifs on a white ground. Today, their low volume appearance makes them the  perfect pairing for your favorite dark and medium calicos. I believe the DELIGHTFUL DOZEN prints are a must for patchwork,  providing all important light contrast, and will make a great addition to your scrap basket.” 

What a great way to present your own batch of favorite fabric prints, a dozen at a time ; ) You’ll find these delightful designs in quilt shops in March!

Get Ready for #MondaysWithMarcus!

Beginning Monday, October 5, set your calendar to receive FREE PROJECTS from your favorite Marcus & Studio 37 designers. Some will also offer optional kits for their designs, while for others, you can just dig into your stash. Along the way, you’ll get to know our designers better as you Like, Follow and Share them on social media, and learn valuable, inspiring tips and tricks along the way. And did we mention that we’ll be sponsoring FREE FABRIC DRAWINGS throughout?

Be sure to join the fun, and tell your friends!

All-Star Designer Line-Up — October 5 thru December 14, 2020:

October 5 — Vicki McCarty, Calico Patch Designs
October 12 — Deirdre Bond-Abel, Hat Creek Quilts
October 19 — Pam Buda, Heartspun Quilts
October 26 — Nancy Rink, Nancy Rink Designs
November 2 — Dolores Smith, Timeworn Toolbox Designs
November 9 — Lisa Norton & Lora Zmak, Material Girlfriends
November 16 — Paula Barnes & Mary Ellen Robison, Red Crinoline Quilts
November 23 — Sarah Maxwell, Designs by Sarah J
November 30 — Cindy Staub, Quilt Doodle Designs
December 7 — Tracy Souza, Plumcute Designs
December 14 — Laura Berringer, Marcus Fabrics

#MondaysWithMarcus

Beautiful New BOM Quilts for You!

Whether traditional or contemporary, we have your BOM for 2021! We’re thrilled to introduce three beautiful new programs: FOREVERMORE, a new collection and BOM program by Pam Buda; calming RIVERSIDE by Krisanne Watkins featuring our favorite AGED MUSLINS, and GALACTIC EXPLOSION, Nancy Rink’s star-studded BOM design mixing COLOR BOMB, SEMI SOLID and SCRAP HEAP, all by Laura Berringer.  Plan now, and look forward to January for the fresh, creative jump-start we all need!

FOREVERMORE (Fabric and BOM by Pam Buda). Pam chooses a classic palette of deep cranberry, slate and sage, blended with neutrals for lasting appeal. She brings them together in a rich and varied sampler style BOM quilt. The result is a statement project any quilter would be proud to claim as a part of their creative legacy.
GALACTIC EXPLOSION (BOM by Nancy Rink, featuring COLOR BOMB, SEMI SOLID and SCRAP HEAP, all by Laura Berringer. The Best of the Basics! Nancy combines various colors and textures from your favorite Marcus contemporary basics to create a multitude of stars, in “Venus” (Bright) and “Mars” (Muted) versions.
BOM by Krisanne Watkins, featuring AGED MUSLINS by Marcus. (Photo by Aaron Leimkuehler)
Krisanne describes her inspiration for the quilt: Family vacations often found us just outside of Yellowstone, with extended family joining us in Island Park. While we also spent time inside Yellowstone, we fished and fly fished, floated down the Snake River, and enjoyed many family barbecues creek side. Rivers course across the country with life-giving (and occasionally life-taking) water.”