Marg Low Designs

ho hum

That's exactly how I was feeling about making a red and white quilt this year. I've made one the last four years and was wondering if my enthusiasm for them had waned to the point where I would give it a miss.

 But after a comment by Sue-Anne at sewing last Friday, I decided I might just go with red and white in the hallway. (Now this could be me being a bit lazy - it's much easier to hang a quilt than a whole lot of little things and easier to pack away too - that's if I decide too!)

 It soon became apparent, I have to make more quilts - lots of them - small ones, medium ones, big ones and ones in between. Suddenly my enthusiasm has returned.

But I must be sensible. Last year I made three star blocks with Sue Ross (Patchways). I've made a fourth and together they will form the centre for this years quilt.

The blocks are hand pieced so it's a shame not to do something with them.

Secretly though, I'm hoping to find time for one or two more between now and Christmas.

best plans

It seems like ages since I made a quilt. So I happily offered to make a baby quilt for my daughter's friend's new baby boy. I purchased these fabrics from A Day in the Country at the AQM.

  I decided to combine them with white quilter's muslin. Did I have any in the stash? NO! So off to the shops for some of that and a bit of this - the animal print and orange fabrics. This is where you are allowed to have a really good laugh - I purchased 2.25 metres plus 14 Fat 1/4's to make, wait for it......a quilt measuring 22 x 28 inches. Do you think I might have a tad too much?

 You'd think with all that fabric I'd have had no trouble deciding what to make. Originally, I did have an idea of sorts, it just that I decided to use the animal print in the top - not just on the back. When I should have been cutting and sewing I was still procrastinating about what to make. After lots of deliberation and some advice from Jan I decided to go with a strippy quilt. I'd planned to machine quilt it myself but it was all starting to get a bit tricky. The easy option was to have it professionally machine quilted. I guess the only thing that has gone to plan is its little!

Christmas Belle at Attic Crafts

Last Friday was my final class for the year. It was held at Attic Crafts, Bendigo. A big thank you to Teena and Donna for organising it and the the trunk show that followed. The day was lots of fun with the girls almost finishing their dolls. I did take my camera but somehow forgot to get it out.

This is Sharnie's Christmas Belle, so close to being finished. I'm sure she's finished by now.

The only good thing that can be said about the hot weather is the paint dried nice and quickly!

I was surprised and delighted so many girls turned out for the trunk show given the hot blustery, trying to rain weather!

I spotted this fabric as soon as I walked in the door and fell in love with it straight away. One of those impulse buys with no particular project in mind.... but an idea is starting to form. Something that doesn't involve cutting the fabric into smaller pieces - why would you - it already looks pieced!

AQM and new patterns

Here are some pics of my stand at the AQM. I must have been busy as each day just flew past. What took hours to go up took just minutes to pull down.

 I finally got the chance to meet Lyn from Moore Patchwork & Quilting.

A big thank you to Jan for all her assistance leading up to the weekend and over the weekend. It really does take two!

  Sweet Heart Birdies, the pattern I taught at Mamre House, was released at the AQM.

Here it is in blue. I can't decide which I prefer. I guess it depends on my mood. The blue would make a perfect bridal gift. Stitch the bride & grooms names and wedding date on the back for a lovely keepsake.

  The pattern for Pear Tree, a felt needlecase and pincushion was also finished for the AQM (also a Mamre House project).

It's always very encouraging and delightful to hear my designs inspire, but sometimes there is a downside, when a pattern is purchased and the concept used for teaching purposes. If you like a pattern, you are welcome to teach it, as long as each student has purchased a copy.

a little hectic

It has been a little hectic here with the preparations for the AQM (Trade Fair) in Melbourne this weekend. I think I'm almost ready - well I hope I am.

The new fabrics arriving at the local shops tempted me to remake a couple of my favourite patterns.

Aunt Ivy's Sewing Basket. I'm not sure how many of these sets I made when the pattern first came out. So making this one was like visiting an old friend. This is my favourite now!

 Scissor Essentials.  Have you ever found your GOOD scissors being used to CUT PAPER! More times than I can remember, but all that stopped the moment I made these bags. The bags were much more effective than anything I said. I'd forgotten how quick and easy the set was to make. Green with a little pink is my favourite colour combination.