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Material Girlfriends

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In Like a Lion, Out like a Lamb

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What is with this weather?

In Like a Lion, Out like a Lamb. According to the Farmers’ Almanac, the weather folklore stems from ancestral beliefs in balance, meaning if the weather at the start of March was bad (roaring, like a roaring lion), the month should end with good weather (gentle, like a lamb). Wavy.com

I, for one, am looking forward to the end of March. Lora and I live in the East Bay Area of California. We’ve had years of drought – longed for the rain, prayed for the rain, delighted when it sprinkled. The last three months have not been at all “typical” California weather. Blink, blink.

I Love Us Sew Along

To brighten your day, we’ve a few FREE downloads for you. First, I’ve added the April block to the I Love Us Sew Along. Just check on this link (also in the header) for all the details and all the free downloads to the I Love Us Year Round quilt.

I Love Us in April block

April Showers Free Download

Next, we have another cute Bite Size block to share. This April Showers bite size 12″ block is the same size as the I Love Us Sew Along blocks. You can swap blocks, or make as an individual decoration. Download the April Showers block below. Available for a limited time. Download will expire in 90 days.

April Showers Bite Size Block
April Showers Download

We have kits for this pretty block too. The kits have die-cut fusible appliqué pieces! Kit includes pattern, fabrics for the front and the binding. The kit does not include backing, batting, or hanger. Check them out here.

Easter is Coming!

Speaking of kits, check out our new kit for the Bite Size Bunny! It turned out so cute! He was very popular at our last two shows (hoppy to be home). He is now listed on our MaterialGirlfriendsShop.com page. You’ll also find a new Bunny Runner pattern and kit too.

Bunny Bite Size kit
A Charming Bunny Run Table Runners
Material Girlfriends Shop

Lora and I will be headed to Sonora, CA for a quilt retreat this coming week. Woohoo! We’re sew looking forward to it. The forecast is rain, rain, rain. However, I think we’ll do as Mr. Angelo recommends.

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. – Anthony J. Angelo

And plenty of quilt projects to sew.

Happy Sewing!

Lisa W. Norton and Lora W. Zmak

Boing Boing Boing

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You know when you have too much to do and you just bounce from one project to the next? I’ve been feeling that – especially since two of the new projects are super cute Easter Bunny patterns.

First off, Lora and I are headed out Monday (2-27-23). Through rain, sleet, hail, or snow, we will carry on to the next quilt show. Who am I kidding? I throw in the towel at sleet, hail is iffy, and “Jesus take the Wheel” if I have to drive in snow. Fortunately, Lora is a pro at driving in the snow. This California girl is still trying to figure out how to drive in the rain. Nonetheless, spring is in the air and the hills are turning green and we’re super excited to get on the road. We’re headed to Puyallup, WA for the Snow-Expo, I mean, Sew-Expo. Come visit us in our booth, row 800. We will have sunny smiles and warm hugs waiting.

Free Sew Along

If you weren’t aware, we are doing the I Love Us sew along. Last month we gave the February block as a free download. This month the March block is a free download. Check out the tab above, 2023 “I Love Us” Sew Along for all the details plus the download link for the blocks.

March 12″ square for I Love Us quilt
or for mini quilt decor.

Mystery Revealed!

We had an amazing time with the Mystery. Introducing Bundles and Bows our next 10″ square series pattern. This design is created from 10″ squares. You only need 24 light 10″ squares and 24 medium/dark 10″ squares. Slice and dice to make two L blocks (light L and dark L) then watch the magic happen in Lora’s video demo! L block construction notes are in the video comments. Like, subscribe and leave us a comment!

Cover Quilt

It goes together very fast. You can make it in a weekend. Throw size, 48″ x 64″ or add the optional 5″ border for 57″ x 73″. The pattern is now available. It is Bundles and Bows is $11.99 on our web store, plus we have kits available. For instant gratification, we have Bundles and Bows for $10 on our Etsy store. Oh, did I forget to mention there are 16 layout options in the pattern?! You can get so many different looks with this one block! Lora – clever girl – designed this one. How many light bulbs did Edison make before he actually got it to work? Yep, about that many squares hit the trash. But, working with the “disappearing block” technique, Lora came up with a winner!

Boing Boing Boing

I told you I was bouncing. Check out our new Easter patterns! The Bunny Bites size just got a little facelift, and we now have kits. The pattern is a $4.50 download on our Etsy store. Our get a kit or paper pattern when we get back from the SewExpo. We just didn’t get all the kits made (we have 75!) but they’ll be available soon.

Our newest addition is this fun Charming Bunny Run Table Runner. I just got the instant download version listed on Etsy. Paper patterns are en route and the kits are made up, waiting for the patterns. Check back in a week or so for this charming Bunny Run Table Runner. I know, what a tease, right? The tails or sooo cute. We used white fleece.

We have a bunch new kits now online. Check them out. We’ll ship your order when we get back from the SnowExpo, SEWExpo!

I hope to see you all sewn,

Lisa Norton

My Christmas Quilts

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My Christmas quilts are like quilted hugs for myself. Sure, I have made several quilts as Christmas gifts but my holiday themed quilts, and particularly the Christmas ones, are my favorites. What is it about holiday fabric that makes me sew happy?!

Each are stitched full of special memories. Lora, Mom (Carolyn), and I were talking about our huge collection of Christmas quits. Lora won by the way. She had the most Christmas quilts. I came in second and Mom was definitely last because we wouldn’t let her count her unfinished Christmas quilts. We thought we’d share some of our special Christmas quilt memories with you.

Lora’s Memory

I am still getting the biggest chuckle out of this Christmas quilt. Ten years ago we had a movie filmed in our home.  It was during Christmas time and I had my house completely decorated. Six months later the set director called asking if she could buy a few of my Christmas quilts. It was summer and they were filming a Christmas movie and she desperately needed props. I sold her one quilt and rented a couple of others. I never knew what movie they were filming. No clue until last December (2021) Donna Merrill posted on Facebook in the Quilting Group a request for a pattern name.

THAT’S MY QUILT!!  I kept repeating over and over.  The quilt was actually laying next to me on the sofa and I spread it out on the floor and posted a photo for Donna. 

I’ve got a date with my Mom and sister to watch “Let It Snow” on the Hallmark channel.  Thank you Donna!  You certainly made my day!! ❤️  

Oh! and the pattern is in a book called 40 Fabulous Quick Cut Quilts by Evelyn Sloppy, page 64 called Fall Frolic.

Carolyn‘s Memory

I saw the sketch of this Christmas quilt right after Lisa had drawn it. We were in church. 😉 I loved it from the beginning. However, it took her about three years before it became a pattern. It seemed like a long wait for Christmas Morning Delight. It is still my favorite. I made mine using a silver, charcoal, and red Christmas line of fabrics.

When I saw this background, I knew it was perfect for the appliqué portion of my quilt. The light just seem to burst forth. Do you remember hanging tinsel on the tree? I love the sparkle and shine of Christmas. I chose fabric that had a silver thread, Christmas red, and the drama of the black. Then I added bling to the quilt that catches light as you move about my room. (Lisa: panel was Hoffman Fabrics Supernova Onyx Spectrum Print Panel 43″ x 43”, Red and Silver ornament fabric line was Robert Kaufman’s Holiday Flourish).

Lora and Lisa had made the Charming Christmas Runner on the table as a kit sample and when their kits sold out they gave me the runner!

Mom Blinging Baby Jesus

Lisa’s Memory

One of my favorite Christmas quilt memories started in long ago January well before Material Girlfriends Patterns was even a twinkle in my eye. I sewed with a wonderful group of quilters. We called ourselves the Material Girls. One year, we decided to do a round robin. Each of us made a 12″ block for the center of our quilt and at the end of the month, we passed that block and a yard of the feature fabric off to the next Material Girl on the list. Each month we received a growing masterpiece from one of our quilting girlfriends to work on. We wouldn’t see our own quilt until 8 months later, after each quilter had a chance to add another row around the center. I LOVE this quilt – and I only sewed the small center square! Each of my quilting girlfriends worked very hard to create a wonderful unique Christmas quilt for me to cherish.

Sorry, this isn’t a pattern.

Do you have a favorite holiday quilt? It doesn’t have to be Christmas, of course! We’d love to see it. If you do the Facebook thing, we have a group called Material Girlfriends Quilting Gang. Please post and share your story with us. If you don’t have a favorite holiday quilt yet, it is time to get started my quilting friend! Begin your holiday quilt this season and stitch it full of special memories.

By the way, we’ve a fabulous sale going on until November 30, 2022. Check it out. This is our best sale of the year!

Receive 20% of EVERYTHING, plus free shipping!

MaterialGirlfriendsShop.com

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, (an enriching Black Friday, delightful Small Business Saturday, Super Cyber Monday for small business owners), a happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, bang-up Boxing Day, and a kicking good Kwanzaa. We will check in again before New Years. Until then, stitch some special memories together.

Lisa, Lora, and Carolyn

Naughty Elves

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Is it Christmas time, yet? It is if you like to sew Christmas items! Now is the time to select your holiday projects. Check out our new line of fabrics, Naughty Elves by Material Girlfriends, produced by Marcus Fabrics and Studio 37.

We had too much fun making that video. Our mom, Carolyn Wooldridge, was our camera woman. Lora the producer (she always has great ideas) and I did the video editing.

We just love how the fabrics turned out. They are soft, high quality quilters’ cottons, printed by Marcus Fabrics. The colors are so fresh, minty green with a lovely blueish red – traditional holiday colors, but with a bright Christmas palette update. The line includes a cute Naughty Elves panel, plus 11 coordinating prints. The background prints include a gray or red text, Naughty List. Is your name on the Naughty or Nice list? You’ll have to check, lol! Lady Bug Quilts in Manteca, CA just received the line and In Between Stitches in Livermore, CA should be getting the shipment very soon. Visit your local shop and ask for the Naughty Elves fabrics by Material Girlfriends and Marcus Fabrics. Thanks!

Naughty Elves by Material Girlfriends

Check out MaterialGirlfriendsShop.com for all our Naughty Elves kits and fabric bundles or better yet, come visit us at the Delta Quilters Guild Quilt Show this coming weekend, August 20 & 21, in Brentwood CA, at the Brentwood Community Center. We’ll have a large booth packed full of Naughty Elves plus other Material Girlfriends Patterns and kits.

Only at the Delta Quilters Guild Show, August 20 & 21, 2022

Would you like a free pattern download?

Have fun with this Naughty Elves Mug Rug and Runner pattern. His hat is paper-pieced but don’t worry, we have video tutorial for that. Lora tears away the paper during tv time.

That Naughty Elf! He’s at it again. Three strips of binding was just a couple inches too short. Better cut four strips.

Download this super cute Naughty Elves Christmas Mug Rug and Runner.

Naughty-Elves-Mug-Rug-and-RunnerDownload

Kits available at MaterialGirlfriendsShop.com

Need a refresher or don’t know how to paper-piece? Check out Lisa’s tutorial.

Save the Date! We’re having a Naughty Elves Christmas Workshop November 19, 2022 at In Between Stitches in Livermore, CA.

Merry Christmas! We hope to see you all very sewn. Ho Ho Ho!

Lisa Norton

Round Rosie Runner

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No foundation piecing, no paper-piecing, no specialty rulers. No corners to line up and no accuracy needed. This truly is loosey-goosey, easy-peasy FUN. Therefore, we knew we needed to make this pattern available for easy-peasy, fun-loving quilters and fast. So fast, it’s available as a digital download. Seriously, who can wait for the mailman? And at an introductory reduced rate. Drum roll, please….. Megaphone cheesy, sale-pitchy voice, “Get your digital download pattern for just $8.00! That’s 20% off the $10 cover price!” Visit the Material Girlfriends Etsy Store or click on the button below if you’d like to have loosey-goosey, easy-peasy fun too. For a limited time only, price reduction expires, June 30, 2021.

Round Rosie Runner Pattern

Lora made a yellow one. However, she went off the reservation. She was having so much fun making yellow Rosies that she made twice as many Rosies as needed for the runner. Her Rosie Runner isn’t in the pattern, but it is super easy to figure out. Make two runners, plus six extra leaves. Sew three of the leaves to the end of one runner and sew three of the leaves to the end of another runner. Sew the two runners together. Tadah! Lora’s yellow Rosie Runner version is just double the fun. That would be loosey-goosey, easy-peasy, shilly-shally, AND hoity-toity fun. Whew! We’re not even going to discuss making a queen size. Someone might call the cops.

But wait! There’s more! Take the Round Rosie Runner Zoom class, Saturday, June 26, 2021, 10am-4pm PST for just $25 (includes pattern). Class size is limited! Don’t wait to register. Be entertained by twin sisters, Lora Zmak and Lisa Norton of Material Girlfriends in this fun Zoom class, Round Rosie Runner. They’ll share their personal Round Rosie projects to teach and illustrate the runner. You’ll have a front-row seat with 3 camera angles to see piecing and quilting demos. Round Rosie Runner is an improv round log-cabin block and very fun and easy to put together. This Material Girlfriend pattern is a new launch, however, class participants will be emailed the Round Rosie pdf pattern for FREE. Work from your stash! Scraps work great for this free-form piecing project. It is such an enjoyable block to make you’ll find you’ve made a bed of roses before you know it!

Zoom Class for Round Rosie Runner

I hope you’ll join us via Zoom for a little fun. It is always nice to see you. A c t u a l l y … I hope we can see you in person soon! We will be vendors at our first quilt show since the pandemic shut us down. HOORAH! We’re so boogie-woogie, antsy-pantsy excited! Come see us in RENO at the Reno Quilt Show June 10-12. We will have a 10′ x 20′ booth packed full of new kits and patterns. We weren’t just twiddling our thumbs last year, you know. 😉

Absewlutely,

Lisa W. Norton and Lora W. Zmak

Another Freebie Fix

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Free pattern last week and another free pattern today? Have the Material Girlfriends gone crazy. Well… I’ve always said our family doesn’t suffer from insanity. We rather enjoy it.

This Freebie Fix is a GORGEOUS pattern download from our friend ‘down under’, Deirdre Bond-Abel of Hat Creek Quilts. How do we know Deirdre? She is a fabric designer for Marcus Fabrics! I look forward to when we can actually meet in person, but Zoom and emails have been our mode of connecting with Deirdre. Mondays with Marcus is a program run by Marcus Fabrics. The designers all got together, select a Monday and then we offer a free pattern download! Lora and my free pattern download was a few weeks ago, April Showers. You can get your free pattern download from us by filling your email into the “Join Our Tribe” box.

https://marcusfabrics.com/mondayswithmarcus/

Since Deirdre’s website isn’t set up for digital downloads, our Marcus Fabrics designers at Homestead Hearth, offered to help her out. They are hosting her free download pattern and kits in her fabric line. Add her pattern to your cart, and then use the coupon code, Hatcreek, to make the pattern purchase free. Homestead Hearth also has kits in her fabric line by Marcus Fabrics.

Free Download

One of the perks of being a Marcus Fabric Designer, is we can get the pattern early! We thought Deirdre’s design was lovely and wanted to make a sample in Marcus Fabrics Batiks, R06 the Material Girlfriends Collection. Check. It. Out. Lora selected the combination of batiks. We put this together really quickly since we do fusible appliqué. The only difference we made was to add an additional circle to the flower, making our flower a thistle. We only have 5 kits. We are including a printed image of our completed quilt so the fabrics are easy to figure out which goes where, but you’ll need to download the pattern at the link above.

Material Girlfriends Quilt Kit for Deirdre’s Spring Flowers

And a little quilting eye-candy from the back…

Download your pattern and enjoy this fun gift from Deirdre. Check out the other free pattern downloads from the other Marcus Fabric Designers as well.

Happy Sewing!

Lisa W. Norton and Lora W. Zmak