Patchwork Plus Sewmiriam Workshop

It is workshop season indeed and my Sewmiriam Workshop at Patchwork Plus in Miranda was such a delightful day.  Lorraine and her team made me feel so welcome and the ladies in the class were outstandingly talented and enthusiastic. Much was achieved and the results speak for themselves.

This workshop was all about making the Sewmiriam Handy Zip Top Bag.

The ladies learnt about

 *   choosing and mixing fabrics
 *   how to put in zippers
 *   quilt - as - you - go techniques
 *   boxing bag corners
 *   how to put in a pocket and lining, and
 *   how to make modifications to the pattern to create a variety of different bags.


And that's just to name a few of the things that were covered and discussed during the day! What I love about these workshop days is how each participant brings along their own style and works it into a Sewmiriam Bag. Bespoke bag making!

Brenda brought along a beautiful piece of fabric and she used this to make her bag front and back panels. This is what her bag looks like before boxing the corners. If she stops here, and just adds lining, she has a zip top bag that fits an iPad. Awesome !

Here is Brenda"s bag finished. I love how she has showcased a special piece of fabric. This method results in a bag in quick time!

Anastasia curated a beautiful selection of fabrics to create this divine bag. Here is the front 

and equally as beautiful -here is the back. I also love the texture created by the use of a large stitch size and thicker thread. 

Sue is happy with her bag front panel . How effective are her choice and placement of these vibrant fabrics.

Here are Judy, Carol and Elizabeth working away in class

Below is a special part of Judy's bag front. She used an exquisite patchwork piece ( note the tiny fussy cut hexagons) as the focus for her panel. I really wanted to steal this one!

Here is the Judy's other panel- just look at the beautiful fussy cut diamond star centre,

 Carol has a great eye for colour and she created this masterpiece.

Here is a small sample of the lovely panel  Elizabeth was working on . The fussy cut birds provide the perfect focus for this bag.

And last but certainly not least is this absolute stunner of a bag front, created by Denise. Tula Pink and Jen Kingwell fabric used together to perfection.

And here is the back

Well that is a wrap from this wonderful workshop day. Thank you one and all. I hope this blogpost has provided you with a wealth of inspiration.

I look forward to my next Sewmiriam Workshop at Patchwork Plus in Miranda on Friday 27th April. Call Lorraine for details on 02.95402786


Happy Sewing, love Miriamx

Blogger's Quilt Festival 2017

Thank you for stopping by as part of this year's Blogger's Quilt Festival. You are always welcome here at Sewmiriam. 

Thank you to Amy of Amy's Creative Side for gathering us all together to share our passion for quilting.  

Here is my entry for this years Blogger's Quilt Festival. I am delighted to showcase my design which I am calling Sunshine that will be the raffle quilt for the Fairholme Quilters Show to be held April 6-8th, 2018 . As it's Spring here in Australia, I decided to take the quilt on a road trip to the countryside last weekend to take this shot. 

The story behind this quilt is delightful. Doesn't it always warm your heart when quilters come together and share their talents and time for others! What a generous group the Fairholme Quilters are. Each year they work happily to make over 40 quilts for those in need of all ages in our local community.  Every 2 years, they put on a beautiful display of their quilting efforts and raffle a quilt made by the group. Our next show will raffle the quilt you see here in these pictures. 

Various people generously donated fabric and batting. 

I designed the quilt, posted a tutorial on my blog on how to make the blocks and made up 36 block kits.

Then the Fairholme quilters went to work! They hand appliquéd the blocks to perfection. I assembled the blocks in a pleasing arrangement and designed a hand quilting pattern. Jo-Ann basted the quilt ready for hand quilting.  Next I made up a quilting template and thread /needle kit and started the quilting by completing a few hand quilted blocks. Then away the Fairholme quilters went again! The quilt was never without a good quilting home over several winter months . Lynette stitched on the binding and Voila!  Before we knew it we had a gorgeous quilt ready to raffle!!

Even the horses liked the look of the quilt and came up for a closer look.

It is going to be hard to part with this beauty .

Thank you for visiting Sewmiriam and being a part of the Bloggers Quilt Festival 2017.

Happy sewing, love Miriam 

Bloggers' Quilt Festival

Welcome to Sewmiriam - my blog about quilting, sewing and design. Today I am sharing my quilt entry in the scrappy Quilt section of the Bloggers' Quilt Festival. which can be found at Amy's Creative Side. Click here.

This quilt takes me to a happy place when I look at it. I think it reflects the joy I found while making it. Hopefully you will see the sunshine in it too.

I have decided to enter my Trip Around the World quilt as I think it fits perfectly with my philosophy of quilting, and hopefully it will resonate with you as well! I don't want to feel lonely. 

First and foremost it is scrappy. All fabrics used came from my stash. 

Secondly it is all hand pieced. I even eyeballed each seam, no measuring allowed. Boy- was that a test in self trust , and a definite skill builder exercise. 

Thirdly it is hand quilted in a cross thatch pattern. 

The stats you ask? Well the quilt is made from 2 inch squares. The seams are a scant quarter inch.  There  are 24 rows. The finished size of the quilt is  60 inches by 60 inches. The idea for this quilt came from A Brigitte Giblin Trip Around the World sew along which I just happened to chance upon while looking up what's new in Brigitte's world on the net. Serendipity it would seem. The instructions were easy - use what you have, start with a red spot , and include a row of red spots every now and then. Some rows are all the same fabric, others are make do, which I actually found really fun and added interest to the quilts overall design.

Needless to say this quilt has become a family favourites already. I loved making it. But be warned should you wish to make one - it is addictive!! 

If you like my quilt please vote for it in the Scrappy Quilt section of the Bloggers' Quilt Festival.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Please visit again soon. You are always most welcome !

Happy sewing, Miriamx