Marg Low Designs

Stitching in May

This month I've been stitching.

Mostly I stitch on fabrics I can trace the pattern onto using a light box and lead pencil.

 

On fabrics, like the French General Red and Faded Red I use a white ceramic pencil.

 

The amount of detail traced is a personal preference.

I trace the basic outline and stitch details, like colonial knots and cross stitch, by eye.

 

The grey Artisan Cloth, below, was too heavy to see the pattern through.

Instead I marked lines with a hera marker and stitched a sampler of sorts.

A full description of the project is here .

I love how colour pops on a grey background and wanted to stitch more than just straight lines!

 

When I finish a stitchery I don't want to wash it. I like that brand new look and feel. So I've been hesitant to adopt any transferring technique that requires washing!

In the end, I decided to try Stick 'n Stitch, a self adhesive wash-away.

 

Now I can stitch patterns. Yay!

I can't wait to stitch some more on the Slate Hanky Linen.

And next time in colour!

 

Happy Stitching

mad about circles

My year started with an obsession for circles. I'm mad about them.

 

 

No pattern required, simply trace circles of various sizes onto a piece of linen, then start stitching!

Applique smaller circles inside larger ones. Work different stitch combinations for each circle. Keep it random!

I think I'm happiest making it up as I go.

There are a couple of circles I don't love but one of my rules was no unpicking.

I now have something of a sampler covering this year's diary.

 

I used the left over threads on the inside of the front and back covers.

 

You can see I had lots of left over odd length threads.

Normally I would end up tossing these threads but it seemed a shame to waste them when the plain linen needed some color.

On reflection I could have staggered the start for each row, so they were not level across the top.

This can be a reference tool if I ever decide to do something similar again.

And I think you'll agree it looks nicer than plain linen.

 

There are plans to make another circle project and release it as a pattern.

 

 

it's been awhile

My stitching and sewing mojo is back and just in time for Christmas!

 

I've been telling myself for sometime, just sew or stitch SOMETHING. I've missed being on a creative roll this year. When one finished project rolls into another, then another and you just can't stop!

So my thing for Christmas this year is TREES!

Last year I had so much fun with the Slow Stitched Zipper Purse I decided to give the stitches a Christmas makeover.

I went with the easiest shape possible - a tree. I really like how the green with a dash of red is turning out.

 

Keeping with the tree theme I started a small quilt for my granddaughter. I was making it on the fly and thinking about a quilt for her baby sister and some how the ideas became merged so a doll size quilt is more like cot size ........

The tree block was too big for a doll quilt and I messed up the math with the first border.

But at the heart of it all I'm in my happy place, using fabrics from the scrap box and sewing them together.

I do need to make a plan for the next one!

 

 

Spring Purse

My favourite fabrics, at the moment, are

Morning Light, Meander & Sanctuary.

Maybe it's because they're not my usual colours.

 

A few weeks ago I made myself a project pouch with a clear vinyl front. I love being able to see what's inside. At the time I thought about adding a few felt flowers but held off as I needed a super quick finish.

 

 

However the idea of combining the fabrics and simple felt flowers together into a project stayed with me.

It was only when I restocked the spring strips did the idea for a new purse occur to me.  It's such a great feeling when the idea, head and heart are all in synch; the making feels effortless.

 

 

I used a combination of DMC Stranded Embroidery Thread and Aurifil 12wt Cotton Mako Threads.

It was a delight to make and while I was thinking of using it to hold a few sewing things it's just the right size for a little tube of hand cream and bottle of hand sanitizer, a happy bonus!

It would make a lovely gift.

 

The Spring Purse pattern is $10

Pattern & Spring Strip $15

The Spring Purse Kit is $25

The kit includes the pattern, spring strip (1.5cm x 12cm), fabrics, felts, iron-on-pellon and interfacing. Threads not included.

 

 

 

Pop-up shop Saturday 4 June

 

My pop-up shop will be open this Saturday between 10am-1pm.

I book a lovely room at the Mirambeena Community Centre, Martha Mews, Lavington NSW. 

Access is via the carpark, no need to enter through the main doors.

Your welcome to bring along your stitching, or just make yourself a cuppa and have a chat.

 

 

My mojo went missing for most of May, I'm hopeful it's returning (fingers crossed).

My pop-up shop has spurred me along and I finalised the pattern for my cute new stitchery, Sweet Stitches today.

 

 

Nice and quick, the perfect weekend stitching project.

Sweet Stitches is sold as a paper pattern (posted) or PDF pattern (delivered to your inbox).

You'll find the fabric (Sanctuary) I stitched on here.

The frame was purchased from Camera House - Albury

 

 

will I ever finish?

You'd be right in thinking these stitcheries are taking me forever. Started over twelve months ago, I'm having so much fun stitching them I don't know if I will ever stop.

 

 

I added another bird to the collection after watching and listening to the birds in my garden.

(The Wattlebirds let me and the neighbours know when it's their turn to take a morning bath. So noisy!)

The plan was to pop the stitcheries in the frame I used for Sew Some Joy. An everyday set to alternate with the Christmas ones.

Now I'm not sure.

Guess I'll just have to keep stitching!

 

Bunny Loves Flowers

I can hardly wait to start the Easter weekend. It's my favourite holiday of all.

I love to do a little bit of everything, cooking, stitching, sewing, reading, gardening, snoozing ....

 

 

The little pillow is one I made a few years ago. I'd forgotten all about it until I was asked on Facebook if there was a pattern.

It's a nice quick project to stitch over Easter.

Click on the link below to download the free pattern.

Download Bunny Loves Flowers PDF

 

Have a wonderful Easter.

Happy Stitching!

Happy 2022!

You may be surprised to read my first project for the new year was not a diary cover. Instead, I made a decoration to pop inside a heart shaped wreath. The wreath stays up all year round and I simply switch the decoration inside depending on the season. The green tin heart decoration I’d hung inside it for I can’t remember how long needed replacing.

 

 

Whatever I made had to be green plus colour. The green check and felts worked perfectly.

I have to say it was fun and interesting to see how the colours worked together.  

It was a lovely start to the new year!

 

I'd been mulling over ideas for my diary cover (I start in December). Sometimes an idea is crystal clear and other times they’re murky and jumbled together, like this year.   

Making the heart decoration helped me focus.

I decided to needle turn appliqué the bird and stitch the flowers and if I liked it maybe use it on the cover.

 

 

I did, but continued to go around in circles thinking about the fabrics, should I or shouldn’t I turn the heart shape into a pen pocket (the one on last years cover was so handy) and would adding buttons and ric rac be too much.

So I was very pleased (and relieved) when I finally finished it.

I won't be releasing either of these projects just yet.

I need to play with them a little more.

 

 

a long weekend

I think I've ticked most of the work boxes which means the next three days are mostly mine to do as I please. What I hope to do is finish these little stitcheries I've been working on.

 

I've really enjoyed stitching them. Most of the fill detail is worked by eye, which means I don't have a clear picture of how it will look until the final stitch. It's how I love to create!

 

This week I finished writing the pattern for the Playtime Scrap Quilt.

Playtime with my fabric stash is something I wish I could do everyday.

Playtime Scrap Quilt

If you can't want wait for the post, you can purchase a downloadable PDF pattern

Playtime Scrap Quilt PDF Pattern.

 

I had fun updating and adding to the Fat Eighth bundles.

Five Fat Eighths on sale for $10.

There are limited bundles.

If you love scrappy quilts this is a great way to acquire an eclectic mix of fabrics.

Bundles of Five Fat Eighths

 

And I'm really just posting this picture as I think the colours are lovely. It makes me want to play!

Twill $1.50 per metre

 

Have a  great weekend.

Stay safe & well.

A Little Something - Gift Pouch

I love giving and receiving Christmas decorations; they create memories for the both the maker & receiver. A dear friend hangs, stands and drapes every decoration I've made for her in the past 20 years or more. I admit to feeling a tad embarrassed when I visit at Christmas and see it all on show especially some of my earliest creations!

A Little Something was designed ten years ago and I found the Gift Pouch when I was going through my samples. It is still a gorgeous design and I was delighted to find the fabrics have not dated!

There's a pocket for a personal message or little gift.

I've released the Gift Pouch as a PDF (digital/downloadable) Pattern.

No need to wait for the postie.

Just click on the link below.

A Little Something - Gift Pouch PDF Pattern

Once your payment is processed an email will be delivered to your inbox with a link to download the pattern.

 

I remade the sample this week.

 

I combined Aurifil Cotton Mako 12 wt thread and DMC stranded embroidery thread to stitch the new sample.

Why both?

The fine decorative detail on the trees and gifts is is worked with a single strand of DMC thread.

I could have just used DMC, as I did when I made the original sample, but I love stitching with the Aurifil Cotton Mako 12wt thread!

 

Aurifil Cotton Mako 12wt Thread

 

Happy Gift Making!