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!

 

 

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.

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!

Easter decorating

I think the reason why I love Easter is because it's so pretty!

 

 

The Easter Bunny, Easter Basket, The Bunny Sisters, Dig Here and Bunny Crossing patterns are sold as PDFs.

You won't need to wait for the postie, if you fancy making an Easter project in time for the holidays.

PDF Patterns

 

 

Bunny Tote Bag

I'm going through a stitching phase (hoping to move onto 'finish a quilt stage' this week).

I can't stop stitching bunnies. Which is lucky as the first two are now officially samples and I need to stitch another for an Easter gift.

 

The tote will make a lovely all year round gift.

Great for a birthday with a book tucked inside.

 

The pattern is $10 plus P&H

Bunny Tote Bag

A kit is $36 plus P&H

The kit includes the pattern and materials to make ONE bag.

Not included iron-on-pellon and threads.

Bunny Tote Bag Kit

 

Please email me for international orders.

 

Anything with a bunny on it says Easter to me!

Click on the link below for more Easter ideas.

Easter Patterns

March already!

I'm not going to ask where February went. I know I spent days thinking about what I could be and then what I should be doing with very little to show.

I kept jumping from one project to another until I stopped and asked myself which project was a priority. The answer: a small baby quilt.

 

 

The cute bunny fabric is a 50cm piece I purchased a few years ago and had in my stash. I played around with numerous ideas before settling on the stars.

 

I had an idea ages ago to make a different block each fortnight for an entire year. I made four on my holidays and then nothing! No surprises there!

 

 

This is my favorite block. I toyed with the idea of pieced borders, but my heart said keep it simple. The fussy cut spot and floral are the perfect borders.

I was thinking to finish it over the weekend but.....

there's an Easter project I started this afternoon and another one last night

 

 

I don't know if I can choose!

 

Have  a lovely weekend.