Foxes, Frogs, and Flamingos. Find them all at Funky Friends Factory!

When I was a child, my grandparents gave me a brand new stuffed bunny for my birthday. He was white with blue and purple ears and thus, I named him Jelly Bean. For many years, he was my good friend. We read bedtime stories, snuggled together for movies, and hosted the best tea parties.

As I grew older, I played with him less and eventually stored him away. Today, Jelly Bean sits on a shelf in the back corner of my closet, but I still hold his memories dear and I cannot bring myself to get rid of him.

Foxes, Frogs, and Flamingos. Find them all at Funky Friends Factory!

Create that same imaginative bond for a special child in your life! We have over forty Funky Friends to choose from so you’re sure to find their favorite animal! Personalize it to their tastes with realistic colors or fanciful prints! Use cuddle, flannel, or cotton for a cuddly touch and to make it even more special, add some embroidery!

If you are needing some ideas of where to get started, here are a few of our favorite Funky Friends and fabrics to make them with:

Foxes, Frogs, and Flamingos. Find them all at Funky Friends Factory!
Georgie, The Good Luck Elephant

Cuddle Charcoal and Majestic by Gerri Robinson


Foxes, Frogs, and Flamingos. Find them all at Funky Friends Factory!
Sue the Squirrel

Primitive Muslin Oatmeal Flannel and Woolies Cedarwood Flannel or Lava Batik Solids by Anthology


Foxes, Frogs, and Flamingos. Find them all at Funky Friends Factory!
Nate the Narwhal

Cuddle Opal and Cuddle Iris or Wilmington Essentials Bubble Up by Hello Angel


Need help getting started? Find helpful tips and tricks from the Funky Friends Factory creator, Pauline McArthur.

Introduce us to the animal you made on Instagram using #msqcshowandtell or post a picture in the comments below!
Don’t forget to tell us your funky friend’s name!

School is Back in Session šŸ«

Back to School Sewing DIY Projects

Les Brown, an American motivational speaker, once said, “You donā€™t have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great.” So if your kids are bummed about back to school month, you’re a college student who’s dreading 10-page papers and tiring lectures, or if you’re a teacher not ready for vacation to end, then remember these words of wisdom to find your motivation!

It doesn’t matter if you’re a student, teacher, or parent… everyone can start the school year with confidence and style with creative projects to show off!

Tech Case Back to School Sewing DIY Projects

Make a custom case for your tablet that is quick, easy, and fitted to any device.

Watch as Jenny and Shea Henderson of Empty Bobbin put one together!

Back to School Sewing DIY Projects Tote

A Missouri Star favorite, the Everything Bag!

This adorable tote made from 2.5″ strips is great for all your back to school necessities, yoga class, or just simply picking up groceries! This bag holds it all!

Join Misty and Courtenay as they show how it’s done!

Back to School Sewing DIY Projects Totes

What’s your favorite part of the school day? Ours is lunchtime of course!

Learn how to make this quick and easy lunch-bag with Misty and carry your lunch in style!

Back to School Sewing DIY Projects

Make teaching fun with a classroom theme!

Find several trendy patterns and prints for reading time quilts or classroom decor!

Back to School Sewing DIY Projects

Know someone starting college? How exciting!

Make their transition easier with modern style pillows and quilts to personalize any dorm room (and don’t forget to incorporate some school spirit)!

(By the way, this Mod-Dog pillow is just adorable!)

Grab some stationary to make taking notes less boring and get started on a knowledge seeking adventure!

Education, creativity, and just being passionate about what you love is important at any age. So if you are wondering what you’ll be doing once the kids are back in class… take one yourself! Never stop learning with Missouri Star Academy!

What education journey are you taking this year?
Let us know in the comments!

Cozy Colors For Fall

You may not be able to see it just yet, but autumn is on its way. It’s going to creep in, sweep you off your feet and leave you to wonder where summer has gone. Don’t worry though, you aren’t missing anything with summer soon gone, you are just simply awaiting the next amazing thing. Welcome the season that awakens all the senses! Feel the wind, taste the cider, smell the spices, hear the rustling of the leaves, and see the colors change. Best of all… this is the season to break out all the quilts!

We hand picked some of our favorite fall colors! Use these pretty shades to create a lap quilt for all things fall: Friday night football games, campfires, and simply cozy-ing up on the couch!

Fall Color Guide Missouri Star 2019

Sienna > :: Taupe > :: Moss > :: Cheddar > :: Chinese Red >

Not sure what to do with these colors? Here’s a few of our favorite autumn-themed patterns:

…Or keep it simple with fall kits or easy appliquĆ©:

Autumn Air Periwinkle Quilt Kit Fall Color Guide Missouri Star 2019

Imagine your next breath is one of brisk autumn air with the smell of wood smoke and pine, sitting in your backyard, and wrapped up in this cozy quilt.

Designed just for Missouri Star Quilt Co., this pieced quilt kit contains a pattern and Autumn Air fabrics by RJR Fabrics.

Laser Cut Fusible AppliquƩ Shapes Fall Color Guide Missouri Star 2019

Oak leaves or maple leaves? Keep it simple with our precut, fusible appliquƩ shapes.

With shapes ready to iron-on, create your own nature scene with trees, leaves falling, or whatever your heart desires!

What is your favorite fall color? Let us know below!

Congrats to Our Grads! šŸŽ“

Congrats to Our Grads!

We are excited to announce that our first year’s partnership with North Central Missouri College (NCMC)was a huge success! The collaboration between Missouri Star Quilt Company and North Central Missouri College on this apprenticeship program culminated with 21 team members completing a registered apprenticeship program through the US Department of Labor, with 20 of those individuals earning a Business Management Essentials certificate through the college.

We are excited to announce that our first year's partnership with North Central Missouri College (NCMC)was a huge success! The collaboration between Missouri Star Quilt Company and North Central Missouri College on this apprenticeship program culminated with 21 team members completing a registered apprenticeship program through the US Department of Labor, with 20 of those individuals earning a Business Management Essentials certificate through the college.
Front row (from left to right): Amanda Gray, Ana DeJesus Gutierrez, Sarah Garland, Jennifer Souza, Kelly Gallion, Estella Granville, Adriana DeJesus Gutierrez, Brooke Barnett, Brenda Glidewell (Missouri Star Apprenticeship Coordinator)
Middle row (from left to right): Sarah Harvey, Sara Thomas, Andrea Kinzler, Teresa Kinzler, Kaitlyn Cooley
Back row (from left to right): Julia Birkeness (Missouri Star Apprenticeship Coordinator),Kristeana Reed, Kelsey Stollings, Beth Snow, Kassandra Carr, Keslie Hays, Lisa Gray, Corey Adams
We are excited to announce that our first year's partnership with North Central Missouri College (NCMC)was a huge success! The collaboration between Missouri Star Quilt Company and North Central Missouri College on this apprenticeship program culminated with 21 team members completing a registered apprenticeship program through the US Department of Labor, with 20 of those individuals earning a Business Management Essentials certificate through the college.
The students were invited to walk during the commencement ceremony in their caps and gowns at North Central Missouri College in Trenton, MO.
We are excited to announce that our first year's partnership with North Central Missouri College (NCMC)was a huge success! The collaboration between Missouri Star Quilt Company and North Central Missouri College on this apprenticeship program culminated with 21 team members completing a registered apprenticeship program through the US Department of Labor, with 20 of those individuals earning a Business Management Essentials certificate through the college.
Certificates were handed out in the classroom space of Missouri Star’s warehouse by the president of NCMC, Dr. Lenny Klaver (back far left), Director of Business and Industry Partnerships at NCMC, Jason Helton (back far right) and Missouri Star’s CEO, Mike Mifsud (back, third from right)

Before handing out the Apprenticeship Completion certificates from the US Department of Labor, Director of Business and Industry Partnerships at NCMC, Jason Helton, said with enthusiasm, “This is a formal credential, it’s kind of a big deal. You should be proud of what you are about to receive.” Afterward, the students cheered, the Missouri Star leadership and management teams clapped proudly, and Missouri Star’s Apprenticeship Coordinator was brought to tears!

Between academic training by professors from NCMC AND on-the-job training here at Missouri Star, we are incredibly proud of our team members who have worked so hard to enhance their skills, both personally and professionally throughout this past year! Way to go, graduates! šŸŽ“

Comment below or head on over to our Facebook page to congratulate this amazing team! ā‡©

How To Figure Yardage For Quilt Binding

How To Figure Yardage for Binding

The final step of making a quilt may seem like the most intimidating, but have no fear! Adding binding can be a really enjoyable process when you know how much you need and how easy it is to make and stitch on your quilt.

How to Figure Yardage for Quilt Binding

Supplies needed:

  • Pencil
  • Paper
  • Calculator
  • Your finished quilted project 
  • A measuring tape or template

Finally, choose a lovely fabric, bias, or precut for binding and load it into your Missouri Star Quilt Co. shopping cart!

Step 1: Find the perimeter of your quilt. Measure each of the four sides and add them together.
Step 2: Add 20 inches to your total.
Step 3: Choose your binding width. We recommend using 2 Ā½” wide strips.
Step 4: Divide the total length of binding needed for your quilt by 40″. This gives you the number of width of fabric strips needed to create your binding.
Step 5: Round up to the nearest whole number of strips. Multiply the number of strips by the width of binding you decided in step 3. That will give you the number of inches required to cut the necessary number of binding strips for your quilt.
Step 6: Divide the number determined in step 5 by 36″ to calculate the yardage. Round this number up to the next 1/4 yard increment and youā€™ll have your total yardage number!

Tips and Tricks for Binding:

How to Figure Yardage for Quilt Binding
  • Precut strips work great for binding as they are already 2 Ā½” wide.
  • Sew strips together end-to-end on a 45 degree angle into one long strip using diagonal seams. Press seams open to reduce bulk.
  • Fold strips in half lengthwise with wrong sides together and press.
  • The entire length of your binding should be equal to the perimeter of the quilt plus 15 to 20 inches.
  • Using a Binding Tool makes the process even easier!

Example Quilt:
(Quilt length + quilt width) x 2 = perimeter of quilt
(66″ + 58″) x 2 = 248″ This is the total perimeter of your quilt
Add 20″ to that number = 268″ needed of total binding length
Take the total inches and divide by 40″ to get the number of strips you need
268″ divided by 40″ = 6.7
Round up. Youā€™ll need 7 strips of fabric for your binding.
Take the number of strips you need and multiply by your binding width. In this case, itā€™s 2 Ā½”.
7 x 2 1/2″ = 17 Ā½”
Divide the number of inches needed by 36″.
17 Ā½” divided by 36″ = .48
Round up to the nearest Ā¼ yard and you get Ā½ yard.