Marg Low Designs

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.

and the winners are.....

Congratulations to the following winners

Yvonne Cain - Christmas Treats , Laila - Springtime Blooms and Julie, who could identify with my struggle through the door - Class Carry Bag.

I will email you for your postal address.

Thank you to everyone who entered and all your lovely comments. It's nice to know my blog does get read!

I've been on the receiving end of some gorgeous gifts of late.

Brownyn brought this oh so sweet button basket back from Vietnam for me.  I'm not sure how she could bear to part with it.

These beautiful fabrics are a thank you from Jenny for taking part, albeit at a distance, for her stitchery weekend.

And this gorgeous pear was just one of the lovely gifts Christine gave me for teaching with her at Mamre House this year.

I feel very spoilt!

christmas club

The Christmas club classes have finished for this year.There were 5 classes held every two months. Not to often to become onerous and often enough to inspire.

The final project was Christmas Treats. The girls were keen to make the bag in class and make another one later on with the stitched pocket. It was good to see the bag could easily be finished in 3 hours.

Ann brought along the table-runner, Believe! started in the last class.

Kaye and Maddie brouhgt along their finished table-runners on Saturday. It's so nice to know the projects are finished and not lanquishing in a pile of UFOs. The Saturday girls decided to make the bags but leave a big opening in the lining so they could stitch the pocket on later. Kaye planned on stitching the pocket and having it totally completed that night.

Thank you to Sheryl, Ann, Kate, Pam, Corry, Robyn, Janice, Sue, Kaye, Heather, Vicki, Maddie, Lynne & Belinda for the lively chatter and laughs; and to Kay and Sharon (Avonleigh) for organising the classes and providing those delicious home-made treats.

new patterns to giveaway

Springtime Blooms. This is one of the projects from Mamre House. (And yes it was my project for Jenny's stitching weekend in New Zealand.)  As well as the framed stitchery, the pattern includes a Chatelaine (mobile phone or gift pouch) and scented sachet.

Barb's 'Be Inspired' button was perfect for the 'Beautiful Blue Birdies' theme.

Class Carry Bag. I first made this bag about four years out of need. One day I found myself struggling to a quilt class with a basket, bag, sewing machine and cutting mat tucked under my arm. You can imagine trying to sqeeze through the doorways, past other students without bumping into anyone or dropping anything. How wonderful if everything, apart from the sewing machine, could fit in one bag. Since then I've made a rotary cutter case and ruler cover (6.5 x12inches) to match.

 Christmas Treats. What I like most about these bags is you don't need to wrap the presents. Pop them inside, pull the drawstring closed and instant wrapping. Slip a gift card in the stitched pocket and it's ready for giving. The tags are designed for those of us who leave things to the last minute but still want to give a handmade gift.

I have one copy of each pattern to giveaway (no choosing). Simply post a comment no later than Sunday 8 November to enter the draw.