#MondaysWithMarcus: UpClose with Deirdre Bond Abel!

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 catch up with Deirdre Bond Abel of Hat Creek Quilts. She’s juggling lots of great projects, and we’ll all benefit from her hard work…

“What I have been up to –

The first two weeks of January I was madly finishing patterns for a series of quilts that will be published later this year in Today’s Quilter magazine.

Since then it has been fun, fun, fun, playing with my gorgeous “The Midlands” fabric collection that have just been shipped to US stores and to other countries soon.

I have designed a free two block quilt called “Happy Trails”. The instructions can be found on my Instagram page @hatcreekquilts, So far I have only made one of each of the blocks but I am hoping to get back to them next week.

I have started an appliqué quilt that features each of the prints from The Midlands in one block on their own so they can shine.

I have never joined in on the hexagon movement but my Midlands fabrics are so gorgeous I had to see how they would look pieced in that format. I am totally loving the subtle flow of colours through the diamond setting.

I have just made a little table runner just using the gorgeous green for the collection and truly love how it turned out.

And of course there are so many designs in my head just waiting their turn to become a quilt.”

That’s quite an update, Deirdre, thanks!

#MondayswithMarcus Week 2: Deirdre Bond-Abel

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!

Trending at Market: Butterflies!

DeirdreWoolButterflyIt looks like one of the top themes emerging from Spring Quilt Market was Butterflies!  So we had to share this gorgeous interpretation of the trend by Deirdre Bond-Abel of Hat Creek Quilts.  What sets her look apart from the rest?  The stunning mix of wool applique on cotton prints, more specifically the Marcus WOOL COLLECTION paired with INTRIGUE prints by Nancy Rink. Deirdre named the quilt pattern, “Borboleta,” the Portuguese word for “butterfly”.

“When I first saw the bright wools at Market last May (2015), I thought “butterfly sampler” so I have been waiting a while to have time to make it. The wools are just divine, the colours so beautiful and the quality of the fabric is first class. The wools combine so beautifully with the Intrigue prints “
Visit www.hatcreekquilts.com.au

www.hatcreekquilts.com.au

…and One More from Deirdre!

More gorgeous fabric mixing from Deirdre at Hat Creek Quilts!  “I have just finished this quilt that uses prints from Paula (Barnes’) HISTORICAL STRIPES and the Marcus WOOLS. It is 80” square and has reverse applique in the blocks.” Learn more at www.HatCreekQuilts.com.au

deirdre3

Deirdre at Hat Creek Quilts Shares Her Brighter Side

In honor of QuiltCon this week – and all things contemporary – it’s the perfect time to share a few recent projects by Deirdre Bond-Abel of Hat Creek Quilts.

HatCreekQuilts.com.au Marcus Fabrics

“I have always been a Reproduction, “muddy” person, so people are fairly amazed at what I am doing with the brights but so far they all like it, we might turn some of them around to the bright side, it is nice to have a change after all.”  We love Deirdre’s cheery mix of RADIANT REFLECTIONS batiks by Sarah Maxwell and the solid Marcus WOOLS.

Tell us if you’ve been “turned around to the bright side” in your quilting, too, even if only to experiment.  You’ll find that traditional techniques you’re familiar with can often translate beautifully into more modern fabrics.  Want more inspiration?  Follow Deirdre on Instagram and Facebook @hatcreekquilts or visit www.hatcreekquilts.com.au

Deirdre1

 

Welcome, Hat Creek Quilts!

DeirdreBondAbel&QuiltWe’re thrilled to announce the addition of Deirdre Bond-Abel of Hat Creek Quilts to the Marcus designer family!  You might recognize Deirdre’s name as half of the Quilted Crows design duo, based in Australia (think Pomegranate Lane and coordinating wools).

She’s created an exciting new venture under the Hat Creek Quilts name, and we’ll continue our design relationship with her debut fabric collection called TIES THAT BIND.  Inspired by her husband’s collection of neckties, the prints work nicely together, or blended in with your other favorite Marcus collections. My guess is that she’ll also be mixing them with our wools!

**And don’t worry, I already asked her about the quilt she’s holding here, and yes, it’s one of the many beautiful patterns now available under the Hat Creek Quilts label. It’s called Oranges and Lemons –   It’s on my list already, and everyone in the office loves it!

Check out a sampling of the TIES THAT BIND prints below, and learn more about Deirdre online.  It’ll be shown online soon…

TiesThatBindCOMP

The Australasian Quilt Convention … Who’s Going?

Unfortunately, none of us in the NY office will be in attendance (Note to staff –  2016 Road Trip!!), but Marcus Fabrics will be well represented at the upcoming Australasian Quilt Convention.  It takes place in Melbourne, Australia April 16-19, 2015, and among its lineup of star instructors are Marcus designers Deirdre Bond-Abel and Karen Styles!

AQC is the region’s premier quilting event with tutors from all of the world and vendors that are only quilt related — no other crafts. People travel from all over Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific to attend. Deirdre will teach three classes that incorporate Marcus prints and wools (Ashmore, Warwick and Colbrook, in the order shown below…patterns and kits to follow!)Quilts by Deirdre Bond-Abel of Hat Creek Quilts

…and  Karen is teaching Mrs Billings’ Coverlet at the convention.

If you’re attending the Australasian Quilt Convention next week, feel free to be our eyes and send in some images!

#makeitwithmarcusfabrics