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!

Diamond Chain Quilt

MSQC New Tutorial on the Blog!
Diamond Chain Quilt

Can you name the notes on a piano keyboard? ABCDEFG. That’s all! And yet, those seven notes can be played in a gazillion combinations to create sonatas, fugues, jazz or even a hearty rendition of chopsticks! 

Diamond Chain Quilt

The same is true for quilts. We use basic four-patch-blocks and half-square triangles to create an endless array of gorgeous quilt patterns. This week, Jenny arranged ‘em into a Diamond Chain quilt. Watch today’s tutorial and make this quick and easy charm pack pattern!

Diamond Chain Quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co.
Watch the Latest Tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co!

Behind the Scenes: BLOCK Magazine

Behind the Scenes: BLOCK Magazine

BLOCK Magazine is an “idea book” designed, produced, and published by Missouri Star Quilt Co. When you flip through these fresh, glossy pages you’ll find gorgeous photography, fun patterns, brilliant ideas, and one-of-a-kind stories! You’ll be left to wonder, “Who are these people surrounded by beautiful quilts and pretty props?” or “Who wrote that inspiring story?” and “Who in the world pieces together all these quilts!?”

We want to introduce you to the team of around 40 people who bring BLOCK Magazine to life! Take a peek into all the hard work, creativity and just pure love that is poured into each issue!


Executive & Managing Editors

Natalie and Jenny

The design of a quilt is decided by Jenny Doan and her daughter, Natalie Earnheart. They choose patterns and themes and then request the fabric they want to use. Once the fabric arrives, they team up with sewists, Carol and Janice, to complete the quilt tops.





Executive Editors include Mike Mifsud, Alan Doan, Sarah Galbraith, David Mifsud, and Jenny Doan. Natalie Earnheart is Managing Editor.


Sewists, Quilters, and Binders

“I’m a sewist so I help piece the quilt tops… I love that I get to be a small part of inspiring people who read BLOCK magazine. I have visions of people sharing their love of others through the gift of quilting… I have been a model a few times for the magazine and that has been really fun. Something I never thought I would get to do.” – Carol Henderson

Jenny Doan, Natalie Earnheart, Carol Henderson, and Janice Richardson make up the sewist team for BLOCK.

Piecing, Quilting, Binding

After the sewists piece together the quilt tops, they are sent over to our Machine Quilting department of over 20 skilled longarmers. Here, the quilt tops receive batting and backing and are then carefully quilted. After, the sewists stitch on the binding and then voilà, a finished quilt ready to become the star of the latest BLOCK issue!


Pattern Team

Before the quilt tops are quilted, they are sent to our pattern team to examine. The pattern writers will then write step-by-step instructions on how to create the quilt. They figure out yardage requirements, tools needed, and outline every little action needed to be taken in order to complete a quilt and send them off to the editors. Once approved by the editors, the pattern is sent back to Carol and Janice for testing. When the sewists give the okay, it is ready the talented designer, Tyler, to whip up some illustrations for our readers to have a visual representation for each step in the pattern. After one last review by all, the pattern is ready to featured in the next BLOCK Magazine!

Pattern Team and Editors
Here the Pattern Team: Jessica Toye, Denise Lane, Tyler MacBeth, Edie McGinnis go over final drafts with Creative Director: Christine Ricks, Managing Editor: Natalie Earnheart, and Executive Editor: Jenny Doan.

My favorite part of my job is working with such a talented group of people.  And how we all work together to put together something that we can all be proud of.” – Denise Lane

I love seeing BLOCK come together. It is so much fun to see a quilt in its earliest form and work on the transition to what our readers see in the magazine.” – Jessica Toye


Copywriters

Nichole, our lead copywriter, collects the memoirs of Missouri Star family members as well as inspiring stories from quilters from all around the world to plan story prompts for BLOCK. Then, Nichole, Camille, Julie, and David will craft beautifully written stories that go along with each quilt. Our copywriters truly have a way with words. You’ll fall in love with the stories they create!

Nichole Spravzoff (top left) and Camille Maddox (top right) both work remotely and are still able to wonderfully capture the voice of Missouri Star! Julie Barber and David Litherland (bottom) work together in the creative studio on copy ideas for the next issue!

When I write stories, I often get to reach out to people, Jenny included, and ask them about their own stories. It’s so much fun to hear their stories and bring them to life in BLOCK. I love writing, so it’s all fun to me.” – Nichole Spravzoff

My favorite part about writing for BLOCK is when I get to use personal memories and experiences as inspiration for the story prompts. It’s a lot of fun for me to figure out how to build a story off of a special moment!” – Julie Barber


Photography Team

Mike Brunner is our talented lead photographer. In charge of completing a successful photoshoot for the team, Mike enjoys working with and appreciates the ideas and collaboration of everyone involved. From unwelcoming weather to making the models feel comfortable to making sure the colors and settings are accurate, Mike has an intuitive eye for creating beautiful photography for BLOCK Magazine.
Prop Making with Lauren
Lauren Dorton is not only a talented photographer and photo-stylist, but she is an brilliant maker. Above, we see her strolling old country roads to gather pretty plant life in which she pieces together to create a winter bouquet for a scene in BLOCK Magazine. The entire team is very resourceful when it comes to finding props and Lauren is amazing at crafting everyday items into amazing props.
Jennifer designs and models
Jennifer Dowling is responsible for locating places that are indicative to our hometown, casting the right models, and gathering props. When food is involved, Jennifer turns into a caterer and prepares food such as a Thanksgiving turkey for a fall scene or baking cookies for celebratory backgrounds. Jennifer styles the scene in a way that brings the story to life for each quilt.
Dustin re-touches the photos

Once the photos are all shot, they are sent off to Dustin Weant, our amazing photo retoucher. Dustin really helps to bring the quilts into focus and allows for the models and scenery to really shine in the background!


Creative Director/Printing Coordinator

Creative Director, Christine Ricks is behind the scenes the entire 4-6 months it takes to create and finish an issue. Christine designs mood boards and creates style guides with the help of Tyler from the pattern team in which the rest of the team can refer to during the making. They use the changing seasons and coming holidays for inspiration. Flying in from her home in Utah every few months, Christine works closely with all of the teams involved to ensure the entire creation of BLOCK is done smoothly and timely.


Lastly, all the last minute details and printing services are organized and set into motion by BLOCK’s printing coordinator, Rob Stoebener. Then they are ready to be sent out by our speedy shipping department from the warehouse and into your mailbox!


Each issue is only $7.99 for a total of $47.94 a year for six issues when you subscribe.
[Canada rates are $9.99 per issue, for a total of $59.94 a year for six issues.]

The best part about this magazine is there are absolutely NO ads! It is a 100% pure, original, authentic Missouri Star creation!

“Your subscriptions matter. You help us keep it ad-free! It’s Missouri Star’s choice to keep it a high quality magazine and get value out of it. From the quality of paper to the photography, and the writing, it’s all from the heart.”

-Christine Ricks, Creative Director

SUBSCRIBE TO BLOCK MAGAZINE!



Winter Wall Hanging

MSQC New Tutorial on the Blog!

Winter Wall Hanging

Decking the halls is delightful; putting it all away after Christmas is the pits. But..what if your holiday decor could stretch all the way through winter? I’m here to say, it totally can! Jenny’s Winter Wall Hanging is festive enough for Christmas, but you can leave it up all the way to spring!  

Winter Wall Hanging

This cheery project combines several fun-to-make elements: easy present blocks, little wonky stars, a simple evergreen tree, and a pair of fuzzy-bearded gnomes that will look as stylish in February as they do on December 25th!

Winter Wall Hanging

Watch the Latest Tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co!

Kite Season Quilt

MSQC New Tutorial on the Blog!

Kite Season Quilt

Rumor has it that in 18th century Japan, kites were totally banned. The reason? Folks were having so much fun flying kites, they weren’t getting any work done. I have to admit, I can relate. When I get excited about a new quilt, everything else fades away. The dishes can pile up in the sink, the lawn can grow knee-high, but I’m happy as a clam in my sewing room with a stack of freshly pressed quilt blocks.

Kite Season Quilt

This week Jenny is working on a new pattern that is so cute, you may have to put your chores on hold while you stitch up a kite or two with Jenny. Click HERE to watch the tutorial!

Kite Season Quilt

Watch the Latest Tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co!