Author Archives: Lisa Shepard Stewart

About Lisa Shepard Stewart

Hi - I'm the Marketing Manager for Marcus, and I handle the online content and general marketing communications, including our blog and most of the social media... We hope you'll enjoy the blog and we welcome your comments! - lisa

#MondaysWithMarcus Week #8: Sarah Maxwell

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Week 8 of our #MondayswithMarcus series brings us “Simply Squared,” a quilt design by Sarah Maxwell of Designs by Sarah J. It measures approximately 30″ square, perfect as a wall accent or table topper. Sarah’s free project includes tips for quick and accurate piecing and features her DANCE AT DUSK collection — and who doesn’t love that beautiful blue paisley? You can download the free pattern and order kits by visiting her MWM page. That’s where you can also view her detailed instructional video, where she also discusses the unique inspiration for the fabric collection!

Be sure to continue your Likes, Follows and Shares of Marcus Fabrics across Facebook and Instagram, and all or our featured designers for the chance to win weekly fabric prizes, and a Grand Prize at the end! You’ll find all of their social links on our Mondays with Marcus page.

Next week: Cindy Staub of Quilt Doodle Designs!

“Red & Green Quilts” Features Some Familiar Marcus Names!

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Have you seen the new “Red & Green Quilts” book from Martingale? And if so, did you happen to notice that THREE of the featured designers are also Marcus fabric designers? We’re sew proud of Sheryl Johnson, Paula Barnes & Mary Ellen Robison, and Pam Buda! Check out their gorgeous quilts below….

“Heritage Mountain” by Sheryl Johnson of Temecula Quilt Co.
“Christmas Star” by Paula Barnes and Mary Ellen Robison of Red Crinoline Quilts.
“Home Sweet Home” by Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts

As the Martingale editors explain, “The pairing of red and green is an enduring palette that takes its place among the classics. Centuries ago, red-and-green quilts commemorated a marriage or a woman’s transition to the empty-nest stage at home. Times have changed, but admiration for the color combination remains strong.” The book includes 14 projects in all, celebrate this classic color combo, for the holidays and beyond!

#MondaysWithMarcus Week #7: Red Crinoline Quilts

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This week, #MondaysWithMarcus features a signature look from Paula Barnes and MaryEllen Robison, also known as Red Crinoline Quilts! Their traditional layout of stars in muted tones makes a pretty table topper, or mount it as a wall hanger to accent a variety of decorating styles. “Patchwork Stars” measures 25″ square, and you can download the free pattern, or order the fabric kit, with or without backing. And be sure to check out the duo’s instructional video, too!

Be sure to continue your Likes, Follows and Shares of Marcus Fabrics across Facebook and Instagram, and all or our featured designers for the chance to win weekly fabric prizes, and a Grand Prize at the end! You’ll find all of their social links on our Mondays with Marcus page.

Next week: Sarah Maxwell of Designs by Sarah J!

The Midlands: Classics Reinvented, by Deirdre Bond-Abel

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Deirdre Bond-Abel of Hat Creek Quilts returns to the Marcus design team with THE MIDLANDS, a wonderfully traditional group of florals and geometrics inspired by its namesake region in Tasmania. The prints were derived from an antique quilt that was made in England, then found its way to Houston, where Deirdre purchased it, bringing it home to The Midlands. Both the collection and the quilt are the embodiment of a design trend defined as the Classics Reinvented, a fresh take on time-honored traditions.

“Colonial homes of the same era as the fabrics, were my inspiration. Whether they were grand or simple workers cottages they had beautiful symmetry, lovely angled lines and could form patterns as they fit in together with other buildings. My design features four different blocks that are repeated in different quantities and arranged to flow out from the centre, like a village does,” Deirdre explained.

See the entire collection, plus free project links at MarcusFabrics.com

#MondaysWithMarcus Week #6: The Material Girlfriends

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As we reach the halfway mark of our Mondays with Marcus series, we’re pleased to present “Lovely Weather for Ducks”, a gorgeous pillow by Lisa Norton and Lora Zmak, also known as the Material Girlfriends! It’s created in batiks, with their signature style of nature-inspired applique and wonderful quilting. Its néutral Primo Batiks palette makes it the perfect year-round room accent. Get their free pattern and instructional video (or purchase the fabric kit) at MaterialGirlfriends.com

And there’s MORE! You can also chat via Zoom and make this fun project together. Mark your calendar for Sunday, November 15, 2020 from 1pm – 5pm Pacific time. Click on this link to register for Lovely Weather for Ducks Zoom Class with Lora Zmak and Lisa Norton.

Be sure to continue your Likes, Follows and Shares of Marcus Fabrics across Facebook and Instagram, and all or our featured designers for the chance to win weekly fabric prizes, and a Grand Prize at the end! You’ll find all of their social links on our Mondays with Marcus page.

Next week: Red Crinoline Quilts

#MondaysWithMarcus Week 5: Dolores Smith!

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Week 5 of our Mondays with Marcus series begins with neutral-toned pieced pumpkins styled as “Harvest in a Row”, a framed art piece from Dolores Smith of Timeworn Toolbox Designs! We love her minimalist approach, allowing you to go further with various embellishments if you like, including embroidery, beadwork and more. Go with her more modern color palette, or choose more traditional autumn colors.

You can download her FREE PATTERN starting today!

Be sure to continue your Likes, Follows and Shares of Marcus Fabrics across Facebook and Instagram, and all or our featured designers for the chance to win weekly fabric prizes, and a Grand Prize at the end! You’ll find all of their social links on our Mondays with Marcus page.

Next week: Lisa Norton and Lora Zmak of Material Girlfriends!

#MondaysWithMarcus Week 4: Nancy Rink

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Our Mondays with Marcus project rolls along with Nancy Rink in Week 4. Her wall hanging is titled “In Remembrance”, with inspiration in two colorways! Try it in her LET IT GROW collection of mid-brights, or keep it cool in her monochromatic blues of CELESTE. The project features Nancy’s classic combination of piecing and applique.

Or, work from your own stash and create a palette to work with your own decor, from solids or textures, to calicos to holiday inspiration – the options are limitless! Then visit Nancy online to request the free pattern.

Next week: Dolores Smith of Timeworn Toolbox Designs

#MondayswithMarcus Week 3: Pam Buda

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Our third featured MWM designer is Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts, with a free “Star Maker” table runner pattern! She says “I adore small runners as I can find many more places to decorate with them in my home than I do with large runners.  I like to switch them out and change them up with the seasons.”  This Star Maker measures 5 1/2″ x 17″. 

Like all MWM projects, the instructions are free, and Pam’s optional kit comes in two of her favorite colorways – choose red paisley print with a tonal light and black accent print, OR blue print with tiny shirting light and red accent print. Makes a terrific gift.  The Star Maker Mini Runner kit includes all top, binding and backing fabrics for just $ 16.50! 

Next week: Nancy Rink of Nancy Rink Designs!

#MondayswithMarcus Week 2: Deirdre Bond-Abel

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You’ll love this pretty wall hanging by our second MWM designer, Deirdre Bond-Abel! Entitled “Betty’s Blooms”, the look is shown here in 1930s prints, yet would translate equally well in your favorite Marcus collections, including prints and basic texture lines for a more contemporary look! It’s a fun mix of piecing and applique that will add charm to any room setting.

To get the FREE PATTERN, just email deirdre@hatcreekquilts.com.au. Then, check out (and be sure to bookmark!) her companion video of applique tips and techniques!

Next Up: Pam Buda – October 19!

#MondayswithMarcus Week 1: Vicky McCarty!

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We’re thrilled to begin our new Mondays with Marcus program with Vicki McCarty’s Farmhouse Fall Pillow project! It features appliqued pumpkins and fall blooms, and measures a generous 22″ x 25″. .

To order the FREE PATTERN DOWNLOAD, a complete kit or a printed pattern, visit Vicki online. In addition to the free pattern, you can visit Calico Patch Design’s YouTube channel for tutorials.

Next Up: Deirdre Bond-Abel – October 12!