Look at These Gorgeous Greens!

This just in…Stephanie Dell’Olio, president and fearless leader of our retail division, couldn’t help but notice the spike in orders for NEW AGED MUSLINS, and in particular this gorgeous selection of green tones along the center of the swatch card.  The muted, subtly shaded effect of AgedMuslinGREENSthese “not-quite-solid” muslins makes them perfect for life-like appliqued leaves and stems.

We already  know that floral applique projects are big now, so  in part that might explain it, but we always love to hear about your other creative uses for our basics. Applique? Backgrounds? Sashings? Fashion?  Do you mix them with contemporary prints or reproductions, or maybe use them in place of true solids?

In fact, that would be a fun giveaway:  Comment below to tell us how you’ve used our NEW AGED MUSLINS for the chance to win this swatch card (you’ll love this giveaway — the swatches are huge!)  We’ll hold a random drawing next Tuesday, February 3!

Who Won the Giveaways for WEEK #9?

Week9-CoinPursePrizeThanks to everyone for your enthusiastic response to our entire Sew Along, and Week 9 in particular  ; )  Without further delay, the winners of my personally curated Marcus fabric bundle and Vintage Coin Purse Kit are:

  • Laurie Smith
  • Grace Thorne
  • Kim Lange

Congrats to all – we’ll be in touch about your prizes.  And remember, everyone, you still have a chance to win the Grand Prize basket when you comment on the Big Reveal Blog post (October 3).   –   lisa

Vicki Bellino Featured in the Jolly Jabber ; )

Be sure to check out this mini-interview with Vicki Bellino, on The Jolly Jabber, Fat Quarter Shop’s blog.  It’s showing off the talents of one of our favorite designers and owner of of Bloom Creek, and her new Aunt Grace SIMPLER SAMPLER BOM for Marcus.  The fabric collection by Judie Rothermel features pre-printed panels and coordinates that Vicki combines creatively.  She’s inspired by her passion for English paper piecing, but she employs simpler techniques to achieve the same look, which is sure to appeal to a wider range of quilters!Simpler Sampler BOM - MarcusThe quilt requires two of these 24″ wide panels (below), a mix of the coordinates, and a few of Judie’s solids.

Simpler Sampler panel - Marcus

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!

“Inspired by Judie Rothermel”

Another Quilt Market find was “Feathers and Stars Abound”, by Zvia Strahilevitz-Klein.  This gorgeous quilt design was part of the Coats-sponsored special exhibit entitled In the American Tradition 2013.   We think the quilter’s own comments say it best — see below…

CoatsDisplay-JudieInspired CoatsDisplay-Sign

More Just Judie Entries…

The fun continues today with great new photos…enjoy!

Evangeline Kaus

Evangeline Kaus of Delafield, WI shows off gorgeous LeMoyne Star blocks

Linda Sawrey

Linda Sawrey of Temecula, CA frames pretty sampler blocks with detailed piecing that gives a dramatic ric-rac border effect.

Judy Sheridan

Judy Sheridan of Skaneateles, NY give Judie’s prints an interesting twist, and borders them with appliqued baskets & vines.

Nancy Yando

Nancy Yando of Fuquay-Varina, NC successfully takes on the challenge of muptile circle appliques – dimensional HAND applique, that is!

Marty Young

Marty Young of Marietta, GA show off not only her English paper piecing and neddleturned applique skills, but also “evidence” of just a small part of her Judie stash!

Wanda Chadwick

Wanda Chadwick of Powder Springs, GA created a beautifully non-traditional look using various dimensional techniques.

“Freedom Gone” Blends Quilt Blocks with Scenic Embroidery

Lolita Newman's  Book  CoverCongratulations to Lolita Newman on the recent publication of her new book, Freedom Gone: Embroidered Quilts of Slave Life in the Civil War.   Her personal search to find her family connection with slavery moved her to create heirlooms linking her past to the present. This led her to start Stitchin’ by the River Studio, a nod to her Louisiana roots.  Lolita’s Freedom Gone quilts are rich in color and history, with beautifully embroidered depictions of the lives of slaves in the Civil War era. The seven quilts and six projects bring past stories to life, showing common chores, family life and slave quarters — and the quest for freedom.

No doubt you’ll notice many Marcus fabrics throughout its pages – we’re pleased for Lolita and happy to be a part of her wonderful work!

Martingale Loves 1930’s Prints!

Aunt Grace fabrics by Judie Rothermel for Marcus FabricsOur friends at Martingale/ That Patchwork Place discuss their love for 1930s fabrics & quilts in today’s blogpost.  We’re proud to have Martingale as one of our generous prize sponsors of our JUST JUDIE Quilt Competition! Of course, Judie Rothermel’s AUNT GRACE collections are always near and dear to us, and even more so as we continue to receive contest entries!     As we come toward the deadline for the contest on July 31, we’d like to know:  What are some of your favorite Aunt Grace colors?

Quilt Market Begins…

Most of the sales, marketing & design staff is away in Portland, Oregon, ready for the start of Spring Quilt Market!  The actual show begins tomorrow, preceded by two grueling days of booth setup…

1.  First, we give thanks that the Big Crate arrived on time and intact!

2 & 3.   Next, the last-minute touch-ups on madeup projects that couldn’t quite be completed in the office before we left.  It looks like Pati, our Director of Advertising & Marketing, borrowed a machine from our friends at Bernina(?) These pix show projects made from: NEXT WAVE by Studio 37

4.  Finally the booth is taking shape – show here is the gorgeous HAMPTON RIDGE quilt (fabric by Paula Barnes, quilt BOM by Paula and Mary Ellen Robison of Red Crinoline Quilts).  As you can see, this traditional collection translates equally beautifully into trendy throw pillows, too.  If you’re here at the show, see it all in person – BOOTH 2203!

Stay tuned for more news from Portland!

New Fabrics, New Projects, New Ideas for 2013!

Happy New Year to all of our quilting friends!  Our January site took a few days longer than usual, but we think it was worth the wait — we’re unveiling a fresh look, and lots of fresh inspiration to go with it  ; ). Have you seen the latest additions to our website for January?  You’ll love the free projects, and new creative ideas including all-new Strip-It tips from Vicki Bellino, modern pillows, soft-sculpture pumpkins, decoupage and more!