Marg Low Designs

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.

 

 

Gift Tag for you .......

You know me. I love the simple, playing with trims and making gifts, especially tags!

No need for a card when I can tie this one to the gift.

 

The Gift Tag is fun to make, easy to personalise and ideal for a last minute gift. A great way to use those lovely pieces of trim I'm sure you have tucked away in the cupboard.

Click on the link below to download the free pattern

Download Gift Tag

 

Holiday Break

I'm taking a break commencing Monday 19 December, returning 23 January.

I'm so looking forward to it. I'm hoping to recharge the batteries, clear the head and finally have consecutive days working on new projects, something I haven't been able to achieve this year.

Plus garden. I'm hoping the cooler weather continues!

Orders placed through my website will be posted week commencing 23 January.

 

Thank you for your continuing support throughout the year.

Wishing you a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.

Happy Stitching!

Marg

 

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!

 

 

New Garden Blooms Kit

My Pop up Shop is open Saturday and I've been restocking the kits.

The fabrics I used in the Garden Blooms Kit are sold out and I've been on the lookout for substitute fabrics that would be just as lovely.

I thought the grey La Vie Boheme Linen would be ideal but at the time didn't have a background fabric for the applique.

 

 

The grey check is perfect and the felt colors work too!

 

 

Garden Blooms Kit $40

Normally $45.

Kit includes the pattern, fabrics, felts, ribbon, interfacing & cardboard.

Threads not included.

 

Pop up Shop

Saturday 1 October (what happened to September & August....!)

10.00 am - 1.00 pm

Mirambeena Community Centre,

Martha Mews, Lavington NSW

You're welcome to bring along your stitching!

 

Can't make it. You can always order online.

Please email me if you are ordering from overseas (outside Australia).

 

 

 

Spring Purse Love

Sometimes class preparation includes remaking the project.

 

My favourite step in this project is embellishing the flowers.

I use Aurifil 12wt Cotton Mako Thread which is equivalent to two strands of DMC Stranded Embroidery Thread or DMC Perle Thread 12wt.

 

You can see I kept the stitches simple, embellishing the flowers with  straight stitch and colonial knots. The leaves were left unadorned.

 

I made the second purse using the Songbook fabric.

The print inspired me to try different stitches and add more colour.

I used daisy stitch, running stitch and cross stitch on the flowers and a combination of back stitch and straight stitch on the leaves.

 

I hope this inspires you to grab your felts and threads and get stitching!

 

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.

Did you know I stock felt pieces?

Find all the gorgeous colours here.

Pieced quilt backings

It's been ages since I allowed myself to just play. And you can play with a backing. It doesn't need to be perfect. There's no pattern to follow. It just needs to be bigger than the quilt top.

Anything goes on the back. Use leftover pieces from the top, less than perfect blocks that didn't make the cut for the front and fabric from your stash. Favourite pieces or pieces you've used in multiple projects and never want to sew with again.

A while ago I remade a few blocks from Sarah's Sampler. I often remake part or all of a sample if it's been a while since I made the original and need to refresh my memory for a class.  I had a fleeting idea to remake the entire quilt but then thought of all the projects I needed to make.

But now I had nine blocks. I didn't want to put the blocks in a box only to forgot about them nor did I want them in the way every time I opened a cupboard.

The best solution was to make a mini quilt. I plan to hang it on the gate (weather permitting) at my next pop-up shop.

Here it is after it was quilted by Rose of Pandora Quilting.

It hasn't been trimmed and you can see the batting and a glimpse of the backing along the side edges.

I asked Rose to centre the top on the back.

 

The black square shows the placement of the top.

I've learnt from experience to keep the seams on the back away from the edge of the top. It created extra bulk when I sewed the binding on and folded it over to the back.

You can see I've kept the seams away from the top edge.

Now my dilemma is what to do with the pieced strips when I trim the backing!

 

The back can also be a place to repeat the block used on the front, changing its size and the layout.

 I love how simple this quilt back is, in fact I now prefer it to the front!

Two fabrics, big blocks (I used 12 inch Drunkards Path templates).

I cut and pieced the blocks. Then calculated the width and length of the borders including the allowance for the quilter.

One quilt, two tops!

Just one more reason to love pieced backs.

 

If you haven't tried piecing a quilt back why not give it a go!

 

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!