Big ideas are coming to life with the next issue of BLOCK Magazine

A Note from Jenny - BLOCK Magazine 2020 Winter Issue

This is the time of year that we think about setting goals. We want to be better and all of you constantly inspire me to keep trying. This brand new issue of BLOCK has been spruced up from cover to cover to start 2020 off in style! The design has been refreshed, exciting changes are on every page, more stories from our readers, and even more to come throughout the year! We hope you love it.

Starting new also means celebrating success and recognizing growth. BLOCK has been through a lot over the past six years and so have you. I love to see how quilting changes us and helps us become stronger. Most of the letters I receive contain stories that explain how quilting has helped you get through your challenges.

No matter how many trials you encounter in your lives, when you spend time at your sewing machine, you begin to put yourself back together, piece by piece. It takes time, but that journey is so sweet. Handing off this precious quilt that you made for someone who needs some love or encouragement changes you.

This year, I want to focus on finding joy each day. No one thrives in negativity and so, each day, I try to look for one good thing. Instead of worrying about all the things I’m not doing, I’m going to find the things I can do. I don’t think I’m going to try and finish all my UFOs or completely redo my sewing room. But I will spend more time at my sewing machine! It brings peace to my soul. You quilters continually bring hope and love into the world. Keep an eye on those around you and spread as much joy as you can!

Love,
Jenny


We’ve been sharing our resolution of New Year, New Projects – a goal to simply create more. As we try to inspire all of you to do this, we hope you realize just how much you inspire us right back.

In planning towards becoming more creative and making more, we’ve started with our own in-house publication, BLOCK Magazine. For the last six years, BLOCK Magazine has been an “idea book” designed, produced, and published by Missouri Star Quilt Co. On every glossy page, you’ll find stunning photography, fun patterns, brilliant ideas, and one-of-a-kind stories!

It was a small idea that originally gave birth to what this magazine became. Now that it’s 2020 – a new year, a new decade… Another small idea has grown into what is now the new and improved BLOCK Magazine. The idea book still holds everything you already love inside, but better and with more content!

The team creatively pieced together a new design concept and the end result is stunning – well, we think so and we hope you love it too! If you’re subscribed, you’ll see the fresh, new look within your next issue. If not, subscribe today so you don’t miss out!

… And because we’re so excited – we just can’t resist sharing a sneak peek of our brand new cover design:

Drum roll please…

🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁

Voila!

BLOCK Magazine Volume 7 Issue 1

Eek! We’re in love with this sleek, modern look! Oh, and notice the new content that’s waiting inside? We’re so excited to share it with you!

Natalie Earnheart, Managing Editor of BLOCK Magazine

“We’re so excited to bring you a brand new issue of BLOCK that’s been completely refreshed for 2020! This new design includes even more of what you love: original articles, beautiful photography, a gorgeous cover, fun projects, stories from our readers, and not an ad in sight… We hope you love it! Stay tuned for exciting updates that will be happening throughout the coming months. It’s sure to be a great year for quilting!”

– Natalie Earnheart, Managing Editor


So what’s coming to BLOCK Magazine?

  • Fresh, new cover design
  • Refreshed content
  • More authentic photo styling
  • Stories (from Jenny AND more from our readers)
  • Educational quilting articles
  • 10 patterns + 1 bonus project
  • Jenny’s Journal (a highlight of Jenny’s personal projects)
  • Mystery Story with a new chapter in each issue
  • and sew much more!

Take a peek into the next issue of BLOCK Magazine


These are a few of the quilts that will be featured in the upcoming issue!


Check out last year’s Behind the Scenes and browse through past issues with us as we look back on the last six years of BLOCK Magazine.

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.) There are NO ads and each issue ships FREE with your subscription!

Subscribe by January 30, 2020 to get this issue in March!

SUBSCRIBE TO BLOCK MAGAZINE

What will your first project of 2020 be?
Tell us (or show us) in the comments!

Organizing the New Year – Scrap Busting Quilt Ideas

Easy Scrap Busting Quilt ideas to organize the New Year and clean out your fabric scrap stash.

Getting organized to start your new year off fresh is an important step in making the most out of your quilting. A clear work space promotes not only creativity, but motivation to finish that UFO that’s been sitting in the corner since last New Year’s! After your room is tidy and all your fabrics are neatly labeled, what can be done with the stash of scraps that you’ve been stockpiling?

Here are some great quilt ideas to utilize that growing pile of scraps:

String Quilt

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

Piece together all those extra scraps to make a String Quilt. In the Missouri Star LIVE Tutorial, Jenny and Misty demonstrate how to make this incredibly simple, yet aesthetically pleasing quilt using no more than what you’ve squirreled away from your previous projects and some 10″ Paper Piecing Squares!

Watch the Tutorial >

Get the Supplies >

Tiny Wonky Stars Quilt

The Tiny Wonky Stars Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Watch the free quilt tutorial today!

Use some extra solid yardage and scraps to create a fun and simple pattern that has no color limitations! Each star can be unique, or for a bigger challenge, try making a star to represent each of your past projects!

Watch the Tutorial >

Mini Rhombus Table Runner

The Mini Rhombus Table Runner Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co. Watch the free quilt tutorial today and purchase quilting notions and supplies!

Maybe your stash isn’t quite ready for a full size quilt, but you still want to cash in on that stockpile opportunity. Take the extra squares from Charm Packs to make this funky Mini Rhombus Table Runner to add some color and creativity to your dining room table!

Watch the Tutorial >

Get the Supplies >

Stash Busting with Style with Monique Jacobs Class

The Missouri Star Academy from the Missouri Star Quilt Co offers online education classes for beginner quilters. Sign up for the Stash Busting with Style course for easy quilt tutorials from MSQC.

Craving more ideas? No worries! Missouri Star Academy offers an educational course with our fabulous instructor, Monique Jacobs! Answering real questions from real quilters, Monique gives you great tips and ideas to help you become the expert in what you like and why you like it—inspiring and empowering you to make beautiful quilts with your newfound stash savvy. As a fabric and pattern designer with an expert eye for color and prints, she invites you to dig into your stash, pull out those favorite fabrics you have tucked away for just the right quilt, and settle in for a class that will help you put your stash to use, finally!

Take the Class >

There’s no need to feel limited by your scraps! With a little creativity you can take all the leftovers from your past works to something new.

What’s your favorite Scrap Busting Project?

Sewing Projects for a Full Heart (and Bobbin)!

When someone is covered in a cozy, warm quilt, they are reminded that someone sat at a sewing machine for hours, carefully piecing and stitching, with them in mind. A handmade table runner sitting on the family dining table shows a loving home to all who feast there. To be gifted a wall hanging is a reminder that they are loved by its maker.

Valentine’s day is one of the best holidays to make for because it’s about love and we LOVE to make! Here are some sweet as pie project ideas:

Tender Hearts Quilt Project Tutorial

Tender Hearts

Image – Tender Hearts Wall Hanging by Christopher Thompson (Check out his blog for a Valentine Ombre Wall Hanging)

Pour your heart into a love-able quilt or mini wall-hanging. This sweet project will make your heart melt!

GET THE QUILT PATTERN >

WATCH TUTORIAL >

Zig Zag Placemats & Napkins Pattern

Zig Zag Placemats & Napkins

Make tea time the best time when you get stuck on these easy-to-sew table accessories!

GET THE PATTERN >

Love Notes Quilt Tutorial

Love Notes

Make their cheeks rosy, by turning our version of “You’ve Got Mail” into “Love Notes.”

GET THE PATTERN >

WATCH TUTORIAL >

Love is in the Air Quilt Project

Love is in the Air

Can you feel it in the air tonight? You will when you become love-struck by appliqué hearts!

GET THE PATTERN >

WATCH TUTORIAL >

You Make My Heart Happy Valentine's Day Panel

You Make My Heart Happy

“You make me happyyy when skies are greyyy. You’ll never knooww dearrr how much I love you…” is what you’ll be singing while putting together this adorable project!

GET THE PANEL >

Check out our selection of Valentine’s Day themed fabrics and get started! Whatever you make, make it with love.

Have you ever received a hand-made gift? Tell us about it in the comments!

January 2020 Quilt Planner Download

Most of us quilters probably had a very similar new year’s resolution – create more. Recently, we’ve laid out the steps in helping us reach our creative goals this year:

  1. Get organized.
  2. Stock up on essential tools & basics.
  3. Plan for big events.
  4. Make planning simple with monthly programs and planners.

Each month, we will release a new printable download to help you stay on course! Get started by downloading the planner for month one below:

Enjoy!

What’s something you want to try this year?

A Look Inside BLOCK Magazine: Winter 2019

“Great stories happen to those who can tell them.” -Ira Glass

A Note From Jenny Doan, BLOCK Magazine Winter Issue 2019

After the winter holidays, I like to write down the moments that made me smile. Like the care that went into a handmade gift from a grandchild, the friendly chatter around the family dinner table, and the sweet older lady who talked to me at the post office. Every day there’s something to remind me there is good in this world. These little moments make up each day and when I stop to appreciate them, it changes my perspective, and ultimately, my life.

Our lives are composed of small moments that make up our stories. Taking the time to recognize them and record them creates a narrative that connects generations. And quilting is another way of telling our stories. Each quilt begins with a moment of inspiration, a desire to create something beautiful and show we care. When a friend or a family member needs some extra love, I may not always know the perfect thing to do or say, but I know of at least one way I can help. Quilts communicate love beyond words.

If you’re ever wondering if your stories matter, take heart! They matter more than you’ll ever know. For the first time ever, this issue of BLOCK features stories from you, our readers. Thank you so much for sharing them with us! It has been a joy to read over them. We sincerely wish we could include them all. If you would like to submit your story for a future issue, we’d love to listen. Send it to us at blockstories@missouriquiltco.com. Here’s to a Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year and many more stories to come.

Love,
Jenny


Behind the Scenes of BLOCK Magazine Volume 6 Issue 6

One of the photographs in this issue was taken above Missouri Star’s Penney’s Quilt Shop. It’s a spectacular space that has yet to be renovated and still holds the heart of Hamilton’s history within its walls. To keep to the authenticity, we modeled two of our very own employees: Joe Morgan, our amazing carpenter who has played a huge role in the renovations of most all our buildings and his sweet wife, Elizabeth, who can usually be found in our Kids & Baby shop.

During this shoot, the photography team got to work closely with Jenny and some of her family. Jenny and Ron posed together for a snugly shot while her son, Alan, his wife, Drea, and their sweet baby Porter modeled for a cookie exchange photo-shoot. Jenny’s grandson, Porter, loved being the center of attention and put on a great little show!

Get a sneak peek of what’s inside this issue…

Here are just a few quilts you’ll find in our next issue, featured in different colors and new collections! Within this magazine, you’ll find that each quilt pattern is tied to an inspiring story and beautiful photography!

Each issue includes 10 patterns plus a few of Jenny’s special projects! That’s over $50 worth of information all packed into each bi-monthly issue of BLOCK Magazine for just $7.99! ($9.99 bi-monthly for Canadian subscriptions)

Subscribe by November 25, 2019 to get this issue in December!

SUBSCRIBE TO BLOCK MAGAZINE TODAY!

While we’re buttoning up the odds and ends of this next issue, would you help us choose the front cover? We just love them all!

BLOCK Magazine Cover Voting Winter Issue 2019

Click HERE to send in your vote! Thank you!

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