Review: Block, an MSQC Magazine

First and Second Issues of Block

Branching out from their traditional quilting shop activities, the Missouri Star Quilt Company (or MSQC) have developed their own quilting magazine. This is a big step for the small company, as they begin to push through the traditional quilt magazines, such as Fons and Porter’s Love of Quilting and Quilt Magazine, and grasp a foot hold in the wider world of quilting.

(The pictures featured here were personally taken by me, of my personal copies of Block, and are only intended for the purposes of this review.)

MSQC’s magazine, appropriately named Block, is a collection of everything that the small company embodies, while doing their part to keep this traditional art alive. Although Block is a magazine, MSQC has chosen to publish the issues as paper back books. MSQC have used the already completed projects featured on their tutorial and YouTube pages. I really enjoy this feature because if you get stumped while working a project, you always have the option to login to YouTube and view the corresponding video.

MSQC has personalized their magazine with small articles that accompany each project. These articles are first person accounts of quilting stories which explain how each project was developed. The stories come from a wide range of staff members at MSQC, helping endear each writer, and their love of quilting, to the reader.

Second page of each issue

After each story comes the actual project. Every project is dedicated to a specific technique that the MSQC hails as the simplest way to complete a particular task. For example, their signature way to make half square triangles (a technique required for most quilting blocks) is showcased in their very first quilt. Their crystal clear pictures and excellent instructions make it easy for even a novice quilter (such as myself) to complete any project.

Finally, MSQC dedicates their last few instruction pages to small projects and general instructions to complement the quilt you are creating. These techniques include items such as binding and labeling your quilts.

As my love for MSQC grows, I find that Block compounds my passion for quilting. The small magazine has everything that a amateur and expert quilt needs for their quilting projects. I recommend Block, for any quilter and especially for those who are just getting started.

Important Facts:

Price: $5.99 per issue or $35.99 a year (I did the year calculation myself, forgive me if it is incorrect.)

Subscription: Bi-monthly

Shipping: Free

Block© is a Missouri Star Quilt Company© product. All Rights Reserved.