Tag Archives: Marcus Brothers

Miriam Rawson, Cover Girl!

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Wow!…We had to share with you this just-released Summer 2015 issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine!  The cover shows off a gorgeous quilt by Miriam Gourley Rawson, talented craft and quilt designer and friend of Marcus.  You’ve seen some of her designs on our website, in out booths at Quilt Market, as well as her own blog, Miriam Crafts with You. 

Miriam’s cover creation is a Scandinavian-inspired piece that incorporates Marcus wools. Grab the issue for instructions – it’s on newsstands now!  Congratulations, Miriam!

It’s Official: PEPPERY is “Hot”!!

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PaulaBarnes-SP15

It looks like Paula Barnes knew what she meant when she named her newest collection PEPPERY!  Just days into its official release, the collection of black, cream and beige small prints is a noticeable winner already! Easy to see, because these colors transfer from reproduction and historical quilts to modern, and they lend themselves easily to quilts and projects with a tailored, more masculine feel, such as out Heidi Pridemore’s project (coming soon as a download at your local quilt shops):

PepperyQuilt

Peppery prints example

Versatile, stashworthy Peppery prints are also great as subtly textured grounds for applique and needlework, like this example from Crabapple Hill Studio.

PEPPERY comes to your local quilt shop this summer – see the entire collection online now, and plan a project to enjoy all year long!

 

 

Welcome, Hat Creek Quilts!

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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…

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A Chilly Start to Spring…

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OK, our calendars might say “Spring,”  but here in NYC we still welcome the cozy touch of a flannel scarf, especially for those unpredictable morning and evening commutes!   Which means there’s still time to whip a quick PRIMO PLAID scarf, or two…I uncovered this nice little stack in Brandy’s office (she’s our Merchandising Coordinator), along with these easy instructions on Ehow.com

Primo Plaids Stack

Personally, I enjoy a cool spring  ; )  And no doubt, soon enough, we’ll be reaching for the PRIMO when the office air conditioning get a bit too efficient  ; )  No wonder it’s a year-round favorite!    ———-  lisa s

The Australasian Quilt Convention … Who’s Going?

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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

Mary Ellen’s HISTORICAL STRIPES, in Progress

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HistoricalStripesBlocksMary Ellen Robison, of the Red Crinoline quilts design team (along with Paula Barnes), showed off these blocks from her in progress Richmond quilt featuring Paula’s HISTORICAL STRIPES collection.  The quilt was one of her projects from the Camp Blanding Retreat, one of their annual events.  From her blog post, I’d say everyone had a fabulous time, all 110 of them!!

 

Eventually, Mary Ellen’s quilt will look like this. Don’t you love the look of an all-stripe quilt?  You can create your own; visit Red Crinoline Quilts to order the pattern.

 

 

Colorful Comfort from The Pieceful Quilters

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We love updates from our guild friends!  This just in:  Sandra Gibson of the Pieceful Quilters in Richland, MO, submitted this great photo:

As promised, attached is a photo of the more than 25 lap quilts our club members made for the local hospice program, using the box of donated Marcus Brothers fabric (and a little of our own).

Pieceful Quilters Guild of Richland, MO #marcusfabrics

Pieceful Quilters Guild, Richland, MO

Sandra, we applaud your beautiful creations, and we know that the hospice will appreciate your generous gifts also.  And I have to say, the color coordination of this particular display is impeccable  ; )  We’re pleased to know that our remnants are used for such a worthy cause.  Keep stitchin’  —    lisa s

Coming Soon: Bright Ideas… in Wool!

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BrightWools15A sneak peek from Pati’s office reveals these juicy new wool colors, coming soon to your favorite quilt shop!  A range of brights and two heather tones round out the already popular collection, THE SEASONS WOOL COLLECTION ready to be used off the bolt, or felted, using this simple technique.

For creative applique and other techniques for quilts, accessories and more, wool knows no season.  Watch for these new additions to appear online in April, and in quilt shops in May!

#makeitwithmarcus

Flowers in Springtime

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Flowers are a perennial springtime favorite, and they’ve taken over as THE motif for Spring 2015, in all forms and fashions.  So we thought we’d show off just a few of our own flower prints for the season, from gentle, romantic blooms to big, bold batiks!  We love them not just for quilts, but also for little girls’ dresses, gorgeous table settings, home and fashion accessories and more.

#MakeItWithMarcus And we’ve thrown in some added inspiration by way of Macy’s annual Flower Show (now thru April 4 in NYC).  Much like our collections, their beautifully curated displays throughout the store flaunted flowers of every color, shape and size.

Notice Mechelle down below, among the windows photos.  She’s currently the assistant to the President here at Marcus, but I think she’s hinting at her next career move  ; )

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#macysflowershow

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#macysflowershow

#makeitwithmarcus

Our Top 10 Ways to Enjoy World Quilting Day

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Worldwide QuiltiWorldwide Quilting Day logong Day is upon us again, taking place this Saturday, March 21, 2015.  Even though the day is highlighted, it actually kicks off a full month of activities, ending on April 21.  And we’ve come up with 10 great ways to enjoy this annual celebration:

  • 10.  Gather a few fabric-loving friends (and your favorite snacks) for a modern quilting bee.
  • 9.  Share your love of quilting with a young person.
  • 8. Join a local guild. (Already belong to one?  Join a second one!)
  • 7. Devote some time to your creative space by tidying up, or stitch up a new mug rug, or pincushion.
  • 6. Create a charity quilt for a nearby hospital or other organization.
  • 5. Choose a BOM quilt project — we’ve got some suggestions!
  • 4.  Book yourself on a quilting-related vacation, expo or weekend retreat.
  • 3.  Visit your local quilt shops, including those participating in Worldwide Quilting Day.
  • 2.  Enter WQD’s Star Block Challenge (you can enter from March 21 through April 21, 2015!
  • 1. Expand your creative repertoire to include fabrics you’ve never tried before, like 1930’s prints, wallpaper stripes, or wool

Of course, these suggestions are great any time of year, and we know you’ve probably got lots of other ideas… How will you spend the day?