Behind the scenes of BLOCK Magazine – August 2020

A Note from Jenny

Dear Quilters,

This year has been so completely out of the ordinary, and challenging in so many ways, that I find myself simplifying again and experiencing great joy in the things that I have often taken for granted. Now, preparing for the holiday season is less about the hustle and bustle of finding just the right present, but taking the time to help create a warm, welcoming spirit in my home and in my community. 

As I contemplate the spirit of generosity, I recognize that giving comes in many forms. Some give of their time and energy, some share love abundantly and easily, some can listen for hours, some give the biggest hugs, and some create handmade gifts to share. There are many ways to be generous and no matter how you like to give, your intentions absolutely matter. As we’ve experienced, the simplest gift from a child—a crumpled flower, a scribbled picture, or a sloppy kiss—can mean so much. Their intention comes through, as does ours. Never give in to the thought that your offering is insufficient. If you’ve given from the heart, that’s all that truly matters.

Considering the state of our nation, we could all use an extra boost of kindness. Let’s make this season a time to truly give from the heart and reach out to our loved ones. Let’s slow down, savor the simple moments with friends and family, and do the things that bring us joy. Please remember, you’re always welcome at Missouri Star and you are all family to me.

Love,

Jenny


WHAT IS BLOCK MAGAZINE?

BLOCK Magazine is a great way to become a part of the Missouri Star Family. The goal of this “idea book” is to empower others to learn, get inspired, and create! With more than 10 quilting projects in every issue, plus stories that warm your heart, BLOCK Magazine is sure to deliver something for everyone and become a trusted source of inspiration for your sewing room!

Produced and published right here at Missouri Star – each issue comes to you completely ad-free. We incorporate personal stories from our family and our dear readers, provide tips on favorite notions, and teach skill-building techniques.

“I don’t usually feel the need to contact the company of the magazine I purchased, however, this is a different circumstance. I just received my first issue of BLOCK Magazine. I wanted to let your company know how thoroughly impressed I am! The quality of the magazine is far more than I have come to expect from different companies. The quality of the images right down to the print stock… just fabulous! Thank you for putting so much thought and effort into your product. This is the type of publication that you hold on to. I am just so very pleased, I had to let you know.”

Lora Andera, BLOCK Magazine subscriber

WHAT’S IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF BLOCK MAGAZINE?

  • Planning ahead for the holidays with Christmas decor patterns and a Halloween bonus!
  • Learn English paper piecing and how to make a pincushion with Sue Daley!
  • Get helpful tips and tricks for fun with fusible appliqué.
BLOCK Magazine Volume 7 Issue 4 August Issue
  • In Jenny’s Journal, join her in her home studio to see what she’s been working on for her friends, grandchildren, or just for herself and her home.
  • Several quilt patterns such as Pop Stars, Diamond Terrace, and Dresden Blooms.
  • Plus part three of our Ruby Sensation Sew-Along >>>
It’s not too late to join in the fun!

HERE’S A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES OF OUR NEXT ISSUE!

When you flip through BLOCK’s fresh, glossy pages you’ll find gorgeous photography, fun patterns, brilliant ideas, and one-of-a-kind stories! Those are all brought to you by a team of almost 30 people who bring BLOCK Magazine to life! Take a peek into all the hard work, creativity and love that is poured into each issue:

Natalie and Jenny working together to plan for BLOCK Magazine
The BLOCK Magazine copy-writing team working hard

“When we were reviewing the quilts for this upcoming issue of BLOCK, there was concern expressed that the advent calendar project was not reading as a tree in the center with the first fabric choice made (as seen below)! We decided to see if the sewing team could redo the project using different background fabric. With deadlines coming quickly, that seemed very concerning. Luckily, our team is filled with creatives that are always thinking up innovative solutions”

– Christine Ricks, Creative Director of BLOCK Magazine

“I pondered this for about six hours. Then, while driving home from dinner with my husband the ah-ha moment struck. I kept thinking about the Triple Play that Natalie, Jenny, and Misty did using hexies. Misty turned her hexies around and used the back for the front, so it dawned on me that we could turn around those red hexies to the front. We did it, and the tree is much more defined (as you can see above)!”

Courtenay Hughes, Missouri Star Academy instructor

Subscribe by Monday, July 27 to receive this next issue to your doorstep (with no shipping cost!) by mid-August! Pst! You’ll also receive April and June’s digital issues completely FREE so you can jump right in to our Ruby Sensation sew along without missing a beat!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Triple Play! Circle Magic

Join Jenny, Natalie and Misty once a month for a Triple Play!

What’s so magical about Circle Magic? Plenty! 

Jenny’s Design

The Circle Magic Roundup Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Watch the free quilt tutorial today.

These clever templates are designed for quilt-as-you-go circles. That means the top, back, and batting are stitched together all at once – no raw edges!

The Circle Magic Roundup Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Watch the free quilt tutorial today.

Misty’s Design

The Architecture Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Watch the free quilt tutorial today.

Join those finished circles together and your quilt is complete! 

The Architecture Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Watch the free quilt tutorial today.

Natalie’s Design

The Circle Magic Flapjack Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Watch the free quilt tutorial today.

The Circle Magic template comes in two sizes: One for 10” precuts and one for charms.

The Circle Magic Flapjack Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Watch the free quilt tutorial today.
Watch the Latest Tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co!

Tile Style Quilt

The Tile Style Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Watch the free quilt tutorial today.

Have you ever admired a stained-glass window and thought, “That’d make a great quilt block!” 

We quilters find inspiration everywhere we look! We see quilt blocks in the facets of sparkling diamonds. We see quilt blocks in patchwork fields of wheat and corn. And this week’s new quilt was inspired by…a tile floor!

The Tile Style Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Watch the free quilt tutorial today.

Click HERE to learn how to transform 2.5 inch strips of fabric into the fabulous Tile Style quilt!

The Tile Style Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Watch the free quilt tutorial today.
Watch the Latest Tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co!

Simple Log Cabin Quilt

The Simple Log Cabin Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Watch the free quilt tutorial today.

Life on the American frontier was hard. There were prairies to tame, trees to fell, and fences to build. There was butter to churn, laundry to scrub, and water to fetch.  

Despite such labor-filled days, those resourceful pioneer women found ways to whip up easy patterns like the Log Cabin block. These simple, pretty quilts were used not only as bed coverings, but as windows, room dividers, and doors, too!

The Simple Log Cabin Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Watch the free quilt tutorial today.

This week Jenny is working on a Simple Log Cabin with a traditional red center square to represent the heart of the home—the hearth.  Click HERE to learn how to make this classic 19th-century quilt!

The Simple Log Cabin Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Watch the free quilt tutorial today.
Watch the Latest Tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co!

Easy Fabric Flowers

On Mother’s Day, we shared a bouquet of fabric flowers that bloom year round! We were so excited by your response to this lovely project, that we teamed up with the creator, Missouri Star’s very own, Cassie R., to share a step-by-step tutorial on how to make these easy fabric flowers!

Fabric Flowers from Missouri Star Quilt Co

Follow along below to learn how to make your very own fabric flowers. These can be made with any fabric (and are a perfect scrap buster!), however, Cassie used batik fabric strips so that the back side of the fabric is not as noticeable when twisting the flowers.

Supplies needed: 
2.5”x22” fabric strips (you can use a scrap from a package of 2.5″ strips or a fat quarter cut to 2.5”) We recommend batiks for their reversibility.
Hand needle and thread to stitch together the stem 
If desired:
Straws or mini dowel rods and super glue to use as stems 
Missouri Star Thimble Container

How to create easy fabric flowers: 

Step 1: Cut fabric strip to 2.5”x22″. Feel free to experiment with skinnier strips for smaller flowers and wider strips for bigger flowers.

Step 2: Fold fabric strip in half lengthwise, but do not press with an iron. A finger press works just fine.

Step 3: Begin at one end of the folded fabric strip and fold in about 1″ from the end and then fold again.

Step 4: Fold a third time so it’s super tight. This will form the middle of the flower. 

Step 5: With the vertical fold at the top of the flower, loosely roll it around the middle one time. 

Step 6: As you wrap the fabric strip around the middle, fold the strip about halfway. This will form the petals of the fabric flower. Be sure to keep the fold at the top of the flower.

Step 7: Keep folding and twisting to form the flower

Step 8: Continue folding and twisting the fabric around the flower until you run out of fabric or reach the desired size. As you fold, you will notice that the stem of your flower will form. 

Notice the stem forming below.

Step 8: Once your fabric flower blooms to your desired size, glue or stitch together the end to secure it. 

Use this technique to create fabric flowers that bloom all year round! Be sure to share your creations with us online using #msqcshowandtell! Happy sewing!