Now Available at Missouri Star: Liberty Fabrics!

In 1875, Arthur Lasenby Liberty opened Liberty on Regent Street in London. He sold imported goods from the East such as ornaments, textiles, and artifacts. The imported goods went so quickly, Liberty opened an in-house studio in which to design and print their own fabrics. Now, 140 years later, Liberty is internationally recognized as a leader in print design and textile innovation.

Each collection designed by Liberty is inspired by some form of worldly art – architecture, history, music, florals, etc. A new collection is released each season and every season the fabrics tell a new story.

Each design is created by hand using a variety of techniques: paint, pencil, ink, and even computer textile packages. Their methods are very traditional with fine detail, intricate patterns, and original color palettes.

We’re happy to announce we now carry three Liberty collections here at Missouri Star!

  • Originally designed for Liberty Fabrics in 1933, the Wiltshire collection has been transformed into a two-color silhouette creating the perfect blender. Tonal leaf and berry prints are available in multiple colorways, designed to coordinate with our vast archive of Liberty prints for a seamless mix-and-match effect. 
  • The Winterbourne collection draws inspiration from the Arts and Crafts movement – a creative period from c.1860-1910 when English designers led a return to high quality, handcrafted pieces, creating elegantly stylized interpretations of botanical and historic motifs. It’s available in three complimentary colorways.
  • The Flower Show – Spring collection drew inspiration from British flower exhibits. Traditionally screen-printed onto soft Lasenby cotton, the collection includes quintessential 1930’s florals, re-imagined from our print archive. Illustrating Liberty’s rich heritage of floral design, the collection offers a tonal palette that compliments Spring.

EXPLORE THE LIBERTY BRAND

“Home is Where the Quilts Are” – Behind the scenes of BLOCK Magazine Volume 7 Issue 2

A Note From Jenny BLOCK Magazine

Writing to you from the comfort of home is a privilege in this fast-paced world. I often find myself between places, driving long distances or flying to far-off locations to visit quilters around the world. It can be hard to feel comfortable in such circumstances, but I’ve found out something incredible about the quilting world. No matter where I go, as long as I can find a quilt shop, I feel right at home. After all, home is where the quilts are! 

Home is such a lovely place to be. I recently dug into my sewing studio for some spring cleaning and unearthed some truly vintage finds! It’s been a pleasure to sort through my treasured fabric stash and remember what I really love about quilting…

…the feel of the fabric, the joy of selecting a stack of prints and sewing them together without a pattern. Cutting, stitching, pressing, and repeating the process over and over. There’s something very comforting about it and I look forward to spending time with these simple creative pursuits whenever I get a spare moment.

This spring, let’s dig into quilting with renewed vitality! Do what is necessary to start fresh, whether it’s a bit of light cleaning and dusting or a major fabric stash overhaul, and you’ll be amazed to find yourself itching to get back behind a sewing machine again. Celebrate the art of quilting by treating your machine, your fabrics, and your space with gratitude and you’ll be rewarded every time. 

Love,
Jenny


“Home is such a lovely place to be!” This message from Jenny is truly comforting as many of us prepare to stay indoors. As we watch the bustling world around us wind down, we notice the incredible way people have worked together to keep one another safe, educated, and inspired during these trying times.

Here at Missouri Star, community is something very close to our hearts and BLOCK Magazine is a big part of that. This “idea book” is a way for us to share with you how quilting has impacted our little part of the world. When you open an issue of BLOCK, you become apart of our community as we connect with you through authentic stories and photos and the sharing of ideas.

Missouri Star BLOCK Magazine Volume 7 Issue 2 Cover

We recently redesigned BLOCK Magazine into something we feel is a better visual representation of who we are and what we value: YOU and our ability to educate and inspire you to create. We still have all the same content you love, but we’ve added more for you to truly experience and feel the joy that creativity brings to us all!

Things like…

  • The Ruby Sensation Sew-Along which comes in FIVE parts! A new sew-along block will be featured in each issue that comes out this year. (If you’re not subscribed, you’ll want to do so now so you won’t miss a step!)
  • A mix and match of patterns and prints (Unique, modern patterns meet traditional prints, and vice versa)
  • Educational articles with helpful tips and tricks and even, fun articles like celebrating local history!
  • 10 step by step quilt patterns, bonus mini projects, and gift ideas!
  • Jenny’s Journal (See what Jenny’s working on. You may see something you’d like to try!)
  • And as always, there are NO ads and your subscription ships free!

Take a look behind the scenes and get a sneak peek of
what’s inside our upcoming issue:

Missouri Star BLOCK Magazine Volume 7 Issue 2 Road Trip

In the next issue, you’ll discover how to turn your adventures into a quilt filled with your favorite appliquéd states with the Road Trip pattern. Choose your own or embellish them for a customized quilt (or pillow!)

Missouri Star BLOCK Magazine Volume 7 Issue 2 Road Trip

BLOCK’S photo-stylist, Jennifer Dowling, and sister, Maggie proudly display their favorite appliquéd states next to the Christopher S. Bond Bridge in Kansas City, MO.

Missouri Star BLOCK Magazine Volume 7 Issue 2 Luminary

BLOCK Magazine’s creative director, Christine Ricks, stands atop the National WWI Museum and Memorial displaying patriotic colors in the Luminary quilt. This is a great spot to take a good look at Kansas City’s gorgeous architecture and Union Station!

Missouri Star BLOCK Magazine Volume 7 Issue 2 Wonder

Alongside the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, Christine cozies up with the Wonder quilt, a design by Katie Larson.

This center, located in Kansas City, MO, only 60 miles from Missouri Star, is a place where people from all over come to discover culture and community through theater, art, music, and history.

Over $50 worth of information is packed into each bi-monthly issue of BLOCK Magazine for just $7.99! ($9.99 bi-monthly for Canadian subscriptions.) 

SUBSCRIBE TO BLOCK MAGAZINE TODAY

What inspires you to create? Let us know in the comments!

DIY: Scrunchie & Tech Case

Dive into a new sewing project and create something fun like a tech case or a scrunchie!

DIY Scrunchie, DIY tech case, Tula Pink Monkey Wrench

To make a tech case, you’ll need:

Watch the tutorial >


DIY Scrunchie, DIY tech case, Tula Pink Monkey Wrench

Or make this scrunchie
You’ll need:

Watch Jenny and Misty whip one up in just a few minutes >

Just follow these six easy steps!

  1. Lay your strips right sides together and sew together down one side. Turn the strips over and sew down the other side, creating a tube.

2. Turn your tube inside out. (Iron if desired, but not required since it will be scrunched up by the end.)

3. Grab your elastic and attach a safety pin to one of the ends of elastic and through the end of the tube so the elastic doesn’t fall through.

4. Scrunch the tube up over the piece of elastic.

5. Sew back and forth across the elastic to close the ends together. (You can also tie a knot.)

6. Now, place one end of the tube into the other end and stitch down. Viola! You’ve got a cute, new scrunchie!

SHOP KIDS & BABY THEMED FABRICS

Winter Color Guide

Dread the winter no more! Sure, the cold weather can put a damper on the fun things in life and those cold, messy snow piles all over the house can be annoying, but think about all the amazing things this season presents! Things like…

  • Sipping hot drinks on a cold day
  • Crock-pot meals and hot casseroles
  • Warm, cozy quilts
  • Fuzzy socks
  • Valentine’s Day chocolates
  • and these beautiful color palettes!

CLASSIC

BLACK // CHRISTMAS RED // MEDIUM GREY

Missouri Star Winter Color Guide 2019
Shown Here: Mini Tumbler Table Runner

Classic Valentine’s Day colors never go out of style! Freshen up the standard red and whites with a bold splash of black or medium grey to create a stunning combination that keeps the classic color traditions of Valentine’s Day and brings them forward with a modern twist. Snuggle up under a quilt in these hues with a loved one for a truly romantic holiday feeling.

COZY

TEAL BLUE // TEAL // CABIN

Missouri Star Winter Color Guide 2019
Shown Here: Simple Diamonds Quilt

Imagine yourself snuggled up with a warm quilt covered in these Earth-y tones, hands wrapped around a steaming cup of cocoa and watching fresh snow fall outside your window.

I’m already looking forward to this moment, but now I can’t stop wondering how much better it will be wrapped in these calming colors!

ELEGANT

SAFFRON // JUNIPER // FIG TREE CREAM

Missouri Star Winter Color Guide 2019
Shown Here: 4-Patch Stars Quilt

Are you an elegant decorator? The one who brightens up a room with bold color choices? Places a giant poinsettia wreath on the front door and dresses in an array of creamy white sweaters through the season? If so, then I have a feeling these gorgeous colors are for you!

What’s your winter style?

Try These Birthstone-Inspired Quilt Projects!

There are some of us who like to feel connected in some way to the mysteries around us. Thus, we read our daily horoscopes and give meaning to our birthstones because whether they hold true or not, fate or folklore, they are a fun way to celebrate ourselves and our loved ones.

To celebrate our birthday this year, we wanted to find a way to set some meaning in stone… or quilt. So we’ve come up with a few birthstone-inspired projects!

Our birthday is in September, making our gemstone, the gorgeous Sapphire. Find your gem color and sew with us!

Birthstone-Inspired Sewing Projects

JanuaryGarnet
FebruaryAmethyst
MarchAquamarine
AprilDiamond
MayEmerald
JunePearl

July Ruby
AugustPeridot
SeptemberSapphire
OctoberOpal
NovemberCitrine/Topaz
DecemberTanzanite

Now that we’ve got the right colors, let’s start making!


Hexi Gems Quilt

Hexi Gems Birthstone-Inspired Sewing Projects

Get your “mod” on with this insanely versatile technique from guest designer, Lisa Hirsh. The pattern includes a blank diagram of the quilt that can be enlarged so you can color and spec-out a creation of your own. The best part is this quilt pattern is a great place for your scraps to end up! Grab the hues you need, and get started!

Birthstone-Inspired Sewing Projects

Watch the tutorial >
Get the pattern >


Burst Block Quilt

BurstBlock Birthstone-Inspired Sewing Projects

The Burst Block pattern is especially fun to use for birthstone memorabilia! The 3-D diamond shape creates life-like jewels exploding from the quilt!

Watch the tutorial >
Get the pattern >


The Gemstones Quilt

Gemstones Quilt Pattern Birthstone-Inspired Sewing Projects

Create this vibrant quilt by filling it with different variations of a single stone, or represent several people whom are close to you!

Get the FREE DIGITAL DOWNLOAD >


Update Your Account For Birthday Gift

What’s your birthstone? Tell us in the comments below!