From a True Judie Rothermel Fan…

We received this note from quilter & Aunt Grace aficionado, Amy DeCesare of Delmont, PA.  Like Amy, we’re amazed that ten years have passed so quickly…check out her recent blog post & great photos!  Thanks for your note, Amy!

I was just writing a new post for my blog, about a quilt I made 10 years ago using Aunt Grace Through the Year.  {Ten years ago, already???}   When I linked to the Marcus Brothers website, I discovered your 25th Anniversary celebration is underway!

 Here is one of the photos I used in the blog post.  As I mentioned in the feature, I do a lot of modern sewing, but will always love vintage quilts and fabrics.  I plan to make another quilt soon from the prints I’ve got left from this line.

Congratulations on 25 years of beloved designs, Judie!  I look forward to many more!
Regards,  Amy DeCesare
DOWNLOAD the details of our current JUST JUDIE Quilt Competition – entries are due July 31, 2013!  You can win one of 25 great prizes, and even help your favorite quilt shop to WIN a VISIT from Judie herself!!

 


Our Road to California 2013 Winner Is…

Congratulations to Kumiko Frydl of Houston, TX, winner in Road to CA’s  “Best Miniature Quilt” category.  Kumiko won the $750 cash prize, sponsored by Marcus, for her 11″ x 11″ entry, entitled Rose of Versailles.  She made and quilted this lovely original work in 2012.
Artist’s statement: “Whole Cloth — I used Superior Glitter thread for Feather, metallic thread for machine embroidery of binding. The challenge was to use the tiniest stippling and echo quilting possible.”  We’re pleased to again be a sponsor of Road to CA, and we hope to see you all there next year!

Entering the Just Judie Competition? Meet Our Prize Sponsors!

No doubt by now you’ve heard about our Just Judie Quilt Competition, and seen the great prizes on our website!  We’ve invited our sponsor friends to submit guest blog posts throughout the contest, so from time to time we’ll be sharing these with you…Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, we know you’ll benefit from the information our sponsors will share here!  We begin with a great post from Dritz/Omnigrid…enjoy!– Lisa

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For every part of the quilt-making process there are some tools you’ll need to make your project as precise and as perfect as possible. And we all need a little help achieving perfection, don’t we?

As part of the Just Judie contest, Prym Consumer is providing some of those essential tools from its Dritz® and Omnigrid® ranges. If you’re one of the competition 25 winners, here are some product details about the items you’ll find in your basket. We know they’ll come in handy on your journey to perfection!

Omnigrip by Omnigrid® 6” x 14” ruler – Not familiar with Omnigrid? Well you’re in for a treat. Omnigrid boasts precise standards, quality materials and manufacturing excellence – its accuracy has made it a coveted ruler brand amongst quilting enthusiasts.

Preparing your fabric is the first thing you’ll do, so using quality tools will yield the best results.  What’s so special about Omnigrid?

  • Double-site lines: uniquely patterned double lines, and grid lines that show up on light and dark fabrics.
  • Unmatched accuracy: they’re laser cut to within .002 inch accuracy, which is consistent ruler to ruler. Printing on the underside eliminates viewing distortion.
  • Heavy-duty acrylic: Omnigrid features durable, premium quality acrylic with smooth, laser cut edges.

The ruler in our prize package also has the non-slip feature of Omnigrip. Its 6” x 14” size is ideal for squares, rectangles and strips.

Omnigrid 5-1/2” fabric scissors – because one good pair of sharp scissors is a must. These fit the bill.

Dritz Quilting Pins – you’ve got to have pins if you’re going to quilt! Essential for piecing your fabrics together. Quilting pins are ideal for multiple layers of fabric.  Store your quilting pins in this stackable box with a snap-top lid. (Editor’s note:  These pins are my personal favorite, especially because the bright yellow heads make it easy to find – and pick up –  the pins from my sewing room carpet…Lisa / Marcus Fabrics)

Dritz Quilting Fine Point Mark-B-Gone™ Marking Pen – for the final stage of finishing your quilt, you’ll need a marking mechanism. This pen has an extra-fine point for detailed marking.

Dritz Quilting binding clips – also a part of the finishing process, binding clips hold binding in place until it is sewn.

We’ll be sharing lots of new Spring 2013 product information on our new blog, so visit us there or check out our website for basic product details.

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Thanks to our friends at Dritz for the information, and for their generous prize selections!  Remember, your JUST JUDIE entry is due July 31!  Good Luck!

 

 

Were You at QuiltCon?

We were there, and we had a blast! We loved meeting old and new friends over the weekend at QuiltCon in Austin, TX — the creative energy was contagious, and the mood was “joyous”, as described by our president, Stephanie Dell’Olio (that’s her on the right, dwarfed by the towering QuiltCon entry sign – Pic 2)  Here are some pix from our booth…

  • Our QuiltCon booth (Pic 1) featured OMBRE HAND DYES (Pic 6) and STRIP-IT fabrics (Pic 4)
  • Visitors loved our circle garland, made of coordinating CENTENNIAL SOLIDS circles fused together, then joined by a single running straight stitch to create the desired length. (Pic 3)
  • And thanks to Paper Pieces for supplying English paper piecing sampler kits for our attendees – everyone enjoyed this fun technique! (Pic 5)
  • Download these free projects by Nancy Rink, using the Ombre Hand Dye pre-cut Strip-It bundles. (Pic 6)

Get Ready for Winter Quilting Fun…

We’re pleased to sponsor two very exciting Winter 2013 quilting events. You can view gorgeous quilts of every description, meet new quilting friends, learn techniques, and shop, shop, shop! Treat yourself to one – or both – of these special events, and start the year off creatively!

Marcus is thrilled to return as a sponsor of the 17th Annual Road to California Quilt Conference & Showcase, taking place in Ontario, CA January 24-27, 2013.

Next up:  QuiltCon, presented by the internationally active Modern Quilt Guild.  It happens in Austin, TX from February 21-24, 2013.  We are equally excited to be involved as a sponsor of QuiltCon, catering to the modern quilt movement!  If you’re a fan of our Studio 37 offerings, then QuiltCon is the perfect show for you!

So, make your travel plans and dedicate 2013 to the enjoyment of your craft!