Martingale Archives - American Quilt Retailer

Posted on August 10, 2021August 10, 2021 by AQR Piece by Piece

Hot Picks!

Need more inspiration? Check out our picks of notions and fabrics to freshen up the supply in your store.

Fabrics

Time For All Seasons: Janet Rae Nesbitt of One Sister Designs – If you’re a fan of gardening then this is the design for you. One quilt breaks down into seven different seasonal projects to be pieced and stitched.
Beginner Box Cuddle Kits: Shannon Fabrics – Help sewers get used to working with plush fabrics through this stylish project.
Gemini Flight Bag: Studio Kat Designs – Get ready for traveling again with this flight bag that includes two zippered areas.
Camping Quilter: Puppy Girl Designs – Going camping? Then take this embroidery design to stitch during your stay.

Notion Picks

Silicon Applique Mat: Sew Quirky – This 18 inch mat is clear to provide better visibility while working on your projects. It can sustain heat up to 428 degrees Farenheit and fabric won’t stick to it (even after it cools off).
2022 That Patchwork Place Quilt Calendar: Martingale Wholesale – 2022 marks the 20th year of this calendar tradition. Each month contains a different quilt to inspire your creations (and even comes with the quilt patterns).
A Scrapbook of Quilts: Joanna Figueroa and Carrie Nelson for It’s Sew Emma – Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie’s Quilt Co. and Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree & Co. paired up to create over 30 projects with just six quilt blocks.

What new products have you brought to your store? Leave your favorite picks in the comments below.

Inspiration for this post came from “Hot Picks!” published in the June 2021 issue of American Quilt Retailer.

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Posted on October 1, 2020September 30, 2020 by AQR Piece by Piece

Fall Virtual Blue Bag

This year has been full of adaptations. In lieu of Fall Quilt Market, we’re continuing our Virtual Blue Bag event! Check out what goodies are in store for the rest of the year.

Virtual blue bag fabrics

Beginning Fabrics Gallery has updated their collections. Check both the old and the new as they’re all beautiful.
Northcott is continuing their re-ordable Essentials that includes fabrics of all color schemes including light, dark, warm, cool, and more. Check out the Lustre line that includes more colors of their iconic paisley pattern.
Continuing with the Northcott theme, Bandana is a collection filled with rich palettes of “bright reds, bold blues, and saturated grays.” Also included are patterns to make your own patriotic themed quilts.
Christa Quilts is giving you a free pattern along with their breathtaking fabric (we never get tired of looking at their supply).

Projects, products, and more

RNK Distributing: Has been working hard to keep their dealers stocked. Check out their YouTube channel to stay up to date.
New Leaf Stitches has you covered for any upcoming classes. Get everything you need including fabrics, patterns, notions, and more; New Leaf Stitches has it all.
It’s pumpkin spice time! Head over to Puppy Girl Designs to check out her new line of Postcard Patterns including fall themed patterns.
Have you checked out Martingale’s Sew-A-Sample shop program? If you haven’t, you need to. At no cost to you, you can download any sample pattern to have ready to display the day your Martingale book arrives in the mail.

Stay tuned for more Virtual Blue Bag goodies in next week’s blog.

Posted on January 31, 2019January 30, 2019 by AQR Piece by Piece

Threads of Success Registration Open

The wait is over! Registration for this year’s highly anticipated event at Quilt Market, Threads of Success, is now open.

The event takes place from October 25th through the 28th at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.

Threads of Success will include 35 breakout sessions that include opportunities for networking, lectures from keynote speakers, and educational features.

Geared toward industry entrepreneurs, the sessions will cover topics including writing, inventing, pattern design, Focus Tracks of Fabric Designers, accounting, copyright law, and more.

Of course anyone is welcome at the stand-alone conference but the event will be extremely beneficial to anyone breaking into the industry.

22 industry leaders have already been announced as speakers including Tula Pink of Tula Pink, Inc., Jennifer Keltner of Martingale, Christa Watson of Christa Quilts, and more.

Some of these speakers will present during one of the conference’s three breakfast and two luncheons.

The conference also includes a mentorship program with well-known names in the business and exclusive access to the Quilt Market trade show on the last day of exhibits.

Schoolhouse Series

Registration for Schoolhouse Series is also available upon registration to Threads of Success.

Schoolhouse Series includes over 250 sessions offered in 15-30 minute intervals on October 25th. The information-filled forum provides opportunities for manufacturers, designers, retailers, and veterans of the industry to display new products and techniques.

Both of these events give attendees insider access to a wealth of knowledge. Industry professionals will help you find out how to get published, avoid costly mistakes, market yourself, expand your creative network, and so much more.

Registration for Threads of Success costs $750 for the four day event.

For a complete list of classes and events, check out their website.

Continue reading Threads of Success Registration Open

Posted on August 30, 2017January 10, 2019 by AQR Piece by Piece

Martingale to Distribute Stitch Publications Books

News flash! Stitch Publications, a Seattle based publishing company, will now have their books distributed worldwide by Martingale.

Stitch Publications may be best known for translating Yoko Saito’s Japanese quilt books into English. Yoko Saito, known for her precise needlework and taupe color palette, has had 11 books translated into English by Stitch Publications.

Stitch Publications has a goal of finding craft books outside of the United States and introducing them to the English stitching world, while maintaining the original intent of the authors and creators.

Stitch Publications journey was years in the making. The owner, an American born and raised overseas, eventually had a career in software that enabled her to travel the world. Many stitch-related books were bought during these excursions, and in 2011 Stitch Publications was born to introduce new approaches to color, technique, and design in the United States.

Through partnering with Martingale, a 40 year old company known for publishing works on quilting, sewing, knitting, and crocheting, Stitch Publications can boast a support system with over 3,000 books that have sold over 24 million copies.

Saito’s books vary widely, from topic to skill level. Her 11 books include cute and easy projects as well as more difficult and extravagant undertakings. Saito has published two books on bag making with over 45 traditional block patterns and Saito’s favorite fabrics. Other books get sentimental including story quilts, inspired from Saito’s own life as well as holidays, school, and animals.

Saito shares her signature skills in a book on taupe color theory and another with 130 original appliqué designs. Although known for her Japanese inspirations, Saito’s Scandinavian quilt book also features her delicate needlework and beautiful floral patterns. Single patterns are available for wall hangings, table runners, wreaths, pouches, and more.

The next time you’re looking for creative inspiration or a gift for a fellow craft-lover, keep your eye out for one of Stitch Publications unique books.