Have You Seen Our BOM Quilts for 2020?

View the Slideshow!

Our big, beautiful new BOM programs for 2020 have just been released, and with traditional, contemporary and updated classic looks, we’re sure you’ll find a favorite among them! View the slideshow above for a preview…

Reunion features Sarah Maxwell’s FULL CIRCLE collection, a tribute to Judie Rothermel ‘s signature reproduction style, in an updated, slightly brighter palette.

Harmony is Nancy Rink’s new BOM, designed with prints from her NIGHT RIVIERA collection of cool, calm purples and greens. It continues her exploration of medallion style quilts, with well-placed touches of applique, or course!

And the Red Crinoline ladies bring us Hill Country Heritage, designed in a gorgeous fabric line of the same name by Paula Barnes. The HILL COUNTRY HERITAGE prints were inspired by an antique border stripe.

Quilt Shop Owners: Reserve a Trunk Show Model

Do you own a quilt shop? If you’re interested in available dates for Sarah Maxwell’s Reunion quilt, and Red Crinoline Quilt’s Hill Country Heritage quilt, please contact the respective designers directly. Simply email: sarah@designsbysarahj.com; or call Mary Ellen Robison at Red Crinoline at 281 232-2583.

Studio 37 Fabrics Welcomes Casey York!

CaseySwatchesCaseyYork-HeadshotAs autumn approaches, we’ve got lots of great things planned for Studio 37 Fabrics, and one big highlight is the introduction of our newest “Marcus Maker”,  author and designer Casey York.  

Her debut collection, A DAY IN SPAIN, hits your favorite quilt shops in January, and you’ll be able to read more about Casey, and view the entire collection (with great quilt concepts!) in August. But we couldn’t wait another day to give you a glimpse into this talented designer’s contemporary take on historical motifs, based on her travels in the south of Spain.  We know you’ll be as excited as we are… Welcome, Casey!

Let’s Meet at QuiltCon!

We’re thrilled to return to QuiltCon as a sponsor in February 2016, and right now, we’re putting a few finishing touches on some amazing Studio 37 Fabrics events and promotions! Presented by the Modern Quilt Guild, QuiltCon is the largest modern quilting  show of its kind, and its popularity grows each year.

Victoria&QuiltThis time, it takes place in sunny Pasadena, CA, and highlights include two workshops and a lecture by sewlebrity designer Victoria Findlay Wolfe.  You’re sure to find Victoria’s new collection, MOSTLY MANOR and your other favorite Studio 37 collections among the QuiltCon vendors, too!

Are YOU planning to attend?  Stay tuned for more details…

Who Won the July 4th Flannel Giveaway?

Fourth of July "subscribers only" giveawayThanks to everyone for your comments.  It looks like many of you are spending the summer in relocation mode – have fun setting up your new sewing spaces  ; )  Now that I’m back from my own overdue vacation, it’s time to announce that Lisa Zook is the winner of the PRIMO PLAID FLANNEL Country Squire FQ giveaway!

Congratulations to Lisa who says she “plans to refinish my bathroom vanity and finish up a mystery quilt from my local quilt shop.

Remember to SUBSCRIBE to the Marcus Mentions blog and COMMENT for your chance to win in our next random blog post giveaway…use the subscribe box on the right side >>

–lisa s

So, Who Won the “Random Reds” Giveaway?

Thanks for all of your great comments on last week’s “Seeing Red” post!  And without further delay, congratulations to Margaret McCullough of Okemos, MI.

Here’s the Random Reds bundle I pulled together from various collections…enjoy them, Margaret, and feel free to send us a pic of whatever you create with these!

RandomRedFabricPack

“Charity Begins at Home” in West Houston, TX

Our friends at the West Houston (TX) Quilt Guild have been very busy, stitching up quilts for local recipients. Representative Betty Baker submitted these photos, reporting that so far hundreds of quilts and other items have been sewn and donated by its active and very generous membership.  We’re pleased to be a part of their activities through our community service fabric donations.

Above, Helen Recane, Barbara Ann Watson, Connie Bihner and Linda Whetsell are unpacking quilts.  Below, a wonderful array of quilts ready to comfort seniors in area nursing homes, young children’s hospital patients, and others.

We congratulate these guild members, and all quilters who share their time and talents with others.  Thank you for all that you do!  To learn more about the guild, visit the West Houston Quilt Guild.

New Views from Booth 1802

It’s great to get booth pictures from new sources — it gives us a chance to see what our sales reps, designers and other associates found especially picture-worthy.  Here’s what they loved:

Marcus Fabrics

Boutique garments from a mix of Marcus Fabrics

Lynn Wilder quilt

Lynn Wilder of the Sew’n Wild Oaks Quilting Blog designed this quilt, entitled Emilie Elizabeth, using a mix of JUDIE’S ALBUM QUILT prints and PAULA BARNES COMPANIONS. Pattern Info: sewnwildoaks@gmail.com

Primo Plaids - Marcus Fabrics

PRIMO PLAIDS remain the quilter’s favorite for quilts, crafts & cozy clothing, with new patterns and colors each season!

Aunt Grace - Marcus Fabrics

Aunt Grace SIMPLER SAMPLER – BOM quilt by Vicki Bellino and assorted crafts!

Nancy Rink's purples highlight MILL WORKS fabrics & BOM program.

Nancy Rink’s purples highlight MILL WORKS fabrics & BOM program.

Pomegranate & Seasons - Marcus Fabrics

Cute crafts done in POMEGRANATE LANE cotton prints and coordinating SEASONS Wool Collection colors

Marcus Sew-Along, WEEK #9

SAL-LisaBlockOnMatCROPPEDHi, I’m Lisa Shepard Stewart, marketing manager at Marcus.  If you’re a regular reader of our website, blog posts, press releases and newsletters, chances are I’ve written it.  In addition to working part-time for Marcus, I own a company called Cultured Expressions, specializing in the creative use of authentic African textiles for decorating, quilting, sewing and crafts.

Well, if you’ve followed us this far in the sew-along, you’re likely already a big fan of Repro prints.  But even if you’re like me, and the Repros aren’t necessarily your go-to category when you quilt, I’d encourage you to try mixing them in with your favorites and see what happens.  (The many deep, saturated colors and earthy tones of some repros would look great pieced in with bogolan / mudcloth from Mali or even Indian raw silks for a different take, but I digress…)

By now I know you can’t wait for the big reveal of the “Friends & Companions” quilt next week, so let’s get on with the instructions for the final block!  For this block, you’ll need the following from Paula Barnes Companions:     1035-0112 Black, 1034-0111 Burgundy, 1702-0116 Sage, 1038-0188 Beige, 1033-0128 Cheddar

Cutting Instructions:

— from Burgundy, Sage, and Cheddar:  Cut (1) strip 1½” x 15″ long
— from Black, Sage: Cut (4) squares 1½”
— from Beige:  Cut (4) strips 1½” x 2½” and (4) strips 1½” x 3½”

                        (OR Cut one strip 1½” wide x at least 28″ long (for Alternate piecing method)

Block Instructions (Read thru all steps before you begin)SALHowTo1

1. Sew burgundy strip to sage strip. Sew cheddar strip to the other side of the sage. Press. From this pieced strip, cut (4) 3½” sections.

2.  Sew one sage square to each of the four 2½” beige strips. Sew one black square to each of the four 3½” beige strips.*

SAL-Howto2

Note: In the first photo, the beige strip under the machine needle is about to be trimmed down to 2.5″ as the first two were. Next, the units are simply cut apart, then pressed.

(*As an alternate piecing method, stitch the first square to the beige strip. Without removing the piece from the sewing machine, trim the beige strip to 2½” long, Stitch the next sage square to the remaining length of beige strip, and again trim the beige strip to 2½” long. Repeat until you have the four green-tipped strips, and four black-tipped strips. Cut strips apart; press.

3. Stitch the green-tipped strips to the four Rail Fence sections, lining up the sage square and cheddar strip as shown.

4. Stitch the black-tipped strips to the units, lining up the black square to the burgundy side as shown.SAL-Howto3

5. Join the four units as shown; square up for an unfinished block size of 8.5″.

(Download the PDF version)

Week9-CoinPursePrizeRemember to leave a comment below for your chance at this week’s goodies – a bundle of Marcus fabrics in dark reds, one of my favorite palettes, and a Vintage Coin Purse Kit, a gift from Cultured Expressions, so you can create your own.  Good Luck, everyone!  

With your nine blocks now complete, we all THANK YOU for participating, and we hope you’ve enjoyed the process so far! Congratulations — your efforts will soon be well rewarded  ; )  See you next week for the Big Reveal!!  Late to the party?  Start from the beginning!

Did You Catch WEEK #6 of the Sew-Along?

SALButtonHORZ14

Hi everyone! If you’ve had a busy weekend or otherwise missed it, check out our sixth block…the Marcus sew-along excitement continues with Nancy Rink of Nancy Rink Designs.  It looks intricate, but Nancy makes it easy! Read all about this creative author and designer, then stitch up her sew-along block, taking advantage of her expert tips along the way.

With just three more “Friday” block posts to go, we’re two-thirds of the way there, but there’s still time to get caught up!  You’ll find the full sew-along details here, including the schedule. With two-thirds of the blocks completed, we know you can’t wait for the big reveal, and neither can we!!  Stay focused, and stay tuned….   -lisa

It’s WEEK #4 of the Marcus Sew-Along!

Hi, I’m Pati Violick.  As the Director of Marketing for Marcus Fabrics, I am very excited to be participating in our Sew Along. “Sew”, a little about me – I enjoy creating, and I especially love making little girls dresses for Quilt Market as well as making quilts. Those who know me well know these 3 things:

1. My husband calls me “Miss Ivory or Miss Beige”. Yes, it’s hard to believe since I work with color & prints on a daily basis, that everything else in my life falls into the neutral category including clothes, decor, even my dog Scout is a beautiful shade of taupe (and yes “taupe” is my favorite color!), although I certainly like all shades of grey & basic black too.

2. One of my favorite pastimes is English Paper Piecing. I have “thousands”of Pieces, (well maybe many, many 100’s) in all shapes, sizes and colors. I actually use some for special gifts like purses, small quilts or embellishments but, the majority of them are beautifully arrayed in baskets, boxes & pretty containers. Truth is, some are just to pretty to do anything with.

3. Last but not least – I come from a big family; I am the oldest of 8. I have been very fortunate in my job here at Marcus to forge new relationships, working with so many wonderful people here in our NY office & designers that have all become part of my family.

 

OK  — no surprise, my giveaway this week is all of the above: A stunning assortment of 8 fat quarters in my favorite colors with some wonderful paper pieces.  Now, on to Block #4 of the Sew-Along:

Cutting Instructions:

Light print  (1038-0188)  *Cut (6) 2⅞” squares; crosscut (4) once diagonally.
Black print  (1035-0112)  *Cut (4) 1¾” squares.
Green print   (1702-0116)  *Cut (4) 1¾” x 3⅝” rectangles.
Blue print   (1109-0150)   *Cut (2) 2⅞” squares.
Cheddar print   (1033-0128)  *Cut (2) 2½” squares.
Red print   (1034-0111)  *Cut (2) 2½” squares.

Directions:

*Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the (2) cheddar 2½” squares.  Match each with a 2½” red print square.
*Sew ¼” on each side of the drawn line; cut apart.
Pblock1

*Press to the red triangle.  You will have (4) Half Square Triangles measuring 2⅛” unfinished.

*Trim each Half Square Triangle to 2 1/16” by simply placing two edges of the Half Square in between the 2” and the 2⅛” mark on the ruler as shown.  pblockcomp1

*Sew the Half Square Triangles into a Pinwheel; press for opposing seams. The Pinwheel should measure 3⅝” unfinished.

*Arrange the Pinwheel, (4) black print 1¾” squares, and (4) green print 1¾” x 3⅝” rectangles as shown.

*Sew into rows; press to the green rectangles.  Sew rows together; press.
Your center unit should measure 6⅛” unfinished.pblock5*Using the 2⅞” light and blue print squares, make (4) Half Square Triangles using the same method as described previously. Half Square Triangles should measure 2½” unfinished.

*Sew (2) light print triangles to each side of a blue & light print Half Square Triangle unit; press to the light print triangles.  Make (4) units.pblockcomp2

*You’ll sew the big triangle units to the center square next.  To aid in this endeavor, finger press a fold (wrong sides together, just near the raw edge) in the center square to easily find the middle of the block.
pblockcomp3
Fold the light print triangle unit in half (right sides together) and finger press.  Match the finger pressed creases in each unit and pin.

*Sew each of the triangle units to the center square block; press to the triangle units.

Your block should measure 8½” unfinished.

pblock12Download the PDF version