Marg Low Designs

merry christmas to you

This must be a record!

The stitching is finished & it's still daylight!

 

 

Have a lovely Christmas.

 

onto the last gift

The last Christmas present was started today and I'm stuck. Like most things, I simply start sewing and work it out as I go, but it's not happening today. So rather than sit there and become frustrated, I'm taking a short break.

There are still a few things to finish like the binding and label on this quilt.

Do you remember the bundle of fabrics Kay & Sharon from Avonleigh gave me in July? I didn't put them in the stash, but left them in clear view, determined to use them. 

I wasn't sure what to make with them until I saw the gorgeous Drunkards Path raffle quilt Shelley made. This meant I had to overcome my reluctance to cut and sew anything with curves. The fabrics and block have taken me well outside my comfort zone. It was easy to cut and simple to piece together. I wasn't sure how to lay the blocks out, but happily fluked a layout that required only minimal matching of seams. Something I only realised once I was sewing it together.

I think the pieced back took nearly as long as the front!

Sewjourn

There hasn't been much happening in the way of Christmas stitching as I've been busy preparing for my workshop in March next year.

It's my favourite time of the year, the Christmas rush is forgotten, the New Year’s routine is established and there is the promise of balmy days ahead. It’s the time I find myself unwinding and the nicest way to do that is with needle and thread in hand.

There will be something to stitch, some simple felt appliqué and best of all no pressure!

 

 SewJourn

When: Saturday 22 March

Time: 10.00 am – 4.00pm

Venue: The Joy Bus, Barnawartha

Cost: $85.00

You will receive

• two new patterns by Marg Low Designs, a starter kit, tips and ideas for adapting the patterns
• morning & afternoon tea and lunch is included

A $40 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of booking, with the balance due at the end of February.

You can book online or email me.

This is the first workshop I’ve organised and I’d love you to be there.

 

Sarah's Sampler (1855) show & tell

Last night was show & tell for the girls who have been making Sarah's Sampler (1855).

The stages of completion ranged from finished blocks to completed quilts. It was exciting to see them all together. They all looked fantastic!

 

Cate's applique border and a sample of the blocks she has made.

 

A selection of the blocks Belinda has made.
 

 

Lyn's quilt, back from the quilters, with just the binding to do.
 

Sue's finished top. The fussy cut border looks stunning.

 

Jenny's finished quilt. Like Sue, Jenny opted for a finishing the quilt, knowing it may never be finished if she appliqued the border.

 

This is Kerry's first ever red quilt.

 

Kerry is really a blue girl, so she made a second one in her favourite colour. This one has been quilted and just needs a binding.

 

 Sue is now appliqueing pillow cases to go with her finished quilt. Sue's pointing to her beautifully fussy cut bird.

 

 Beth's almost completed quilt top. Beth wasn't sure about the light print in her border, but we all assured her it was perfect!

 

 Mel & Sally decided to quilt-as-you-go. Lots of questions and interest about this technique.

 

Sally is finishing hers with an applique border on all sides.

 
Rhonda's applique border and a selection of her blocks. It looks gorgeous and fresh in these colours.

 

 Else is so close to finishing the top. Else used different background fabrics in the blocks.

 

Very exciting to see Marg's in black & white with a sprinkling of green. it's completely finished - that's exciting too.

 

A big thank you to all the girls who attended the classes this year . For those who couldn't make it last night, I still want to see your quilts!

little treasures club 2014

Yesterday, I played around with the first project for next years club.

 

It’s no secret I love creating small achievable projects and this is what the Little Treasures club is all about, five simple & quick projects. The type you can prepare, stitch and complete in a night or two.

Club details will be available early in the new year, and starts February.

 

a little bit of christmas

It's a start.

Sometime between now and Christmas Eve, yes I do keep decorating until the very last minute, I'll find the time to do more.

 

I love to keep it simple!

last minute felt projects

These quick and easy felt projects are in fact needlecases, but other possible uses are serviette holders or decorations.

Kits for the Santa, Pudding, Christmas Gift, Flower Basket and Birdie have been added to my store. Great projects to simply 'whip up' before Christmas, they are ideal for beginners and children.

Kits including the pattern and felt to make a single decoration are on sale for $18.00 plus P & H.

The All Things Nice pattern includes instructions to make all 9 needle cases. Once you have the pattern it will be difficult to stop at one. Additional kits are available for $4.50 each plus P & H, but you will need to contact me for these.

 

Simply Vintage

The Winter edition of Simply Vintage arrived in my letter box on Friday and how exciting to discover my projects on the front cover.

Carol visited my stand at the Melbourne Craft & Quilt Show and immediately asked if I would like to contribute to this edition. The next half hour flew past in a blur as projects were hand picked. The list grew longer, things were crossed off, others added until a lovely complimentary mix of projects was chosen.

Little pillows, stitched table mat and of course decorations adorned with Barb's Theodora Cleave buttons.

The magazine is available in English from Quiltmania.