Marcus Launches Holiday 2010 Block-of-Month Program

Marcus Fabrics recently announced a new holiday block-of-the-month program for 2010.

Create an elegant home accent for the holidays, as Marcus introduces its Holidays at Home Block-of-the-Month Program. It runs from April through November 2010, so you can complete it at a leisurely pace in time for holiday entertaining, decorating, or even a very special gift! The fabric collection, by Faye Burgos, builds on her popular “Holidays” collections of previous seasons with rich, festive reds and greens. Classic motifs include lush florals and cardinals, a beautifully detailed diagonal stripe, holiday greetings, and more.

This wonderful sampler-style quilt incorporates the entire collection, including the large floral suggested for the backing. Designed by Vicki Bellino of bloom Creek, the project features her exclusive tricks & tips using the Strip-It print in the collection (shown below). Her clever piecing methods are perfect for all skill levels, making it both fun and educational to make, and the blocks can even be customized by the quilter for a one-of-a-kind look.

For more information, visit the Marcus website.

Product Release Block of the Month, Marcus Fabrics, New Programs

New Collections from Blue Hill Fabrics

Blue Hill Fabrics just announced their upcoming collections for spring. The following is a preview of each of the collections:

Descriptions of each new collection was provided by Blue Hill.

Circus by Sibling Arts Studios – already well known for their adorable Aunt Lindy’s Paper Dolls fabric, Sibling Arts’ next collection is just as exciting! Created from vintage coloring book circus patterns, these adorable animals, clowns, and circus motifs are not your typical juvenile prints and are a must-see!

Honeymoon Cottage by Gloria Parsons – Adapted from a private collection of vintage fabrics, these beautiful lace patterns and pretty floral “wedding prints” are the epitome of romance. The focal fabric print – the wedding certificate – is perfect for creating that special heirloom piece that any couple would cherish forever.

Victorian Christmas by Sara Morgan – Following the Puritan ban on celebrations, it took nearly 200 years for Christmas to once again become an important event. Many of the things we most love at Christmas, such as sending cards and pictures of a fat, jolly Father Christmas or Santa Clause, date back to the Victorian age. These wonderful “postcard prints” and their coordinates capture the sentiment of the season.

Snowman Christmas by Edith Collections – Santa and snowmen make an adorable combination
on these wonderful holiday fabrics. The light-hearted characters on oversized blocks and borders will stir up many a creative quilt or craft project for sewing enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels. Colorful coordinates offer many blending choices, as well as stand-alone possibilities.

Berkshire by Jeannine Bach – bubbles, butterflies and bold geometrics in trend-setting color combinations make this collection extra special. Borrowing the whimsical florals of the 60s and circles reminiscent of the 70s, these happy prints are perfect for a variety of favorite quilt blocks.
Abigail by Sara Morgan – The rare prints found in this vintage group date back to the 1850s – 1870s and have been appraised as having originated from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia and regions of Pennsylvania. Adapted from a private estate collection of period clothing and quilts. These unique prints have been reproduced to preserve the integrity of the original patterns and colors.

Empire by Rose Studios – In colors that represent the vibrancy of life during the height of the Art Deco movement, this collection returns us to the splendid and lavish period when distinctive style ruled the decorative arts world. Simple lines and elegant shapes give these Art Deco prints lots of creative possibilities for today’s quiltmakers.

Sakura by Rose Studios -inspired by Japanese indigo textiles, c 1880-1900, offers variations in the colors reflective of the patina and wear found on these unique pieces. The brilliant reds, unusually difficult to achieve during this time period, became the mark of a truly prized possession. The indigos are reminiscent of the beautiful resists once considered a “phenomenon‚” and prized throughout the region.

Freedom’s Children by Sara Morgan – This collection reflects the social and political importance of children in the mid-1800s, as adults began to focus on them as the “promise of tomorrow” and politicians began to see the value of featuring children in their campaigns for American Pride. Images of flag-bearing children became very popular and were thought to be very persuasive.

Charlotte, c. 1880 by Sara Morgan – These soft florals make a beautiful statement of elegance in mute colors – just perfect for home decorating projects and sophisticated quilts. Grace’s Dowry Shirtings by Beth Fuller – Beth and her mother were asked to date a customer’s 1930s feedsack quilt, her mom noticed the batting of the quilt was a little unusual to the touch. When she opened a small seam, she found not one, but two much older quilts inside! One of these quilts was created from shirting prints dating from the 1890s – and the basis for this collection.

Samantha, c. 1900, by Sara Morgan – This collection is based on the influence of Asian art on decorative arts in the United States in the early part of the 1900s. Beautiful sweeping florals in soft subtle colors began to appear not only in quilts, but in home decorations and fashion as well. Soft leaves and climbing vines found their way onto chair covers, table clothes and other home decor. Samantha captures the delicate, intricate details of these beautiful fabrics.

For more information, visit www.bluehillfabrics.com.

Upcoming Collections Blue Hill Fabrics, new collections

Patrick Lose Releasing New Collection for Robert Kaufman

Popular designer Patrick Lose is releasing a new collection of fabric this May for Robert Kaufman, Fizz. This is a bright, tone-on-tone polka dot collection with 17 SKUs. Selections from this new collection are in the slideshow below.

Images via Checker Newsletter

Upcoming Collections fabric, New Releases, Patrick Lose, Robert Kaufman

New Collection from Quilting Treasures – Northern Woods

Quilting Treasures just announced that they will be releasing a new collection of masculine, outdoors-inspired cotton prints, designed by James Meger, in May 2010. The Northern Woods collection features 13 prints and one panel.

Upcoming Collections fabric, Quliting Treasures

Two Brother Machines Earn “Best Buy” Status from Consumers Digest

Brother International just announced that two of their machines have been rated as “Best Buys” by Consumers Digest.

Following a comparison of all machines in the marketplace, the ‘Project Runway’ Limited Edition CE-5000PRW was rated a ‘Best Buy’ in the economy category of computerized sewing machines, and the Quattro™ 6000D (an innovative 4-in-1 sewing, embroidery, quilting and crafting machine), was rated a ‘Best Buy’ in the premium category of embroidery and sewing combination machines. The magazine awards its Consumers Digest ‘Best Buy’ seal to products which its staff judge to offer the most value for a given amount of money.

Read the entire press release (PDF) here.

News Release Brother, press release, Sewing Machines