Workshop Magic

It really feels like magic to be back to doing workshops again. My latest workshop was truly something special. Just between you and me I was very nervous about my most recent one. You see it was for the talented Karen Cunningham and friends. Now, seriously, I should be taking her workshops, not her taking mine, but there you have it! I nearly wet my pants. (Instead - I just got my knickers in a bit of a knot.)

Karen even bought a new gorgeous pink Singer sewing machine for the occasion. You can't go wrong with pink!



The day went smoothly, and a good time was had by all, and  the wonderful bags made are testimony to that! Let's take a look ...

Susannah made her first Sewmiriam Handy Zip Top Bag using vibrant colours. Just gorgeous!
( as is Susannah)

Megan worked on the panels for her Sewmiriam Tote. I love the mix of traditional florals and bold modern prints.

Megan also mastered how to put in a lined zippered pocket! Well done Megan.

I can't wait to see the finished bag.

Kerrie was also working on a Tote bag using Dutch prints. Here she is sewing away. Sadly, the photos of her bag didn't come out clearly, but you can trust me it is a stunning bag.

Wendy made this delightful bag below. I just love her fabric play and the colour combinations. The choice of the squirrel fabric on the right creates just the right amount of fun. Awesome work Wendy!

Karen made this wonderful, bright bag and mastered putting in her first zipper. What can I say? Karen is amazing.

Ann has a great colour sense and a fabric stash to envy!  She is making a beautiful bag using these fabulous prints.

Kate is working on a cat inspired bag and you can see her front panel in the bottom right hand corner of the photo collage below. She chose a muted palette to enhance the focus cat fabric and the effect is brilliant. 

I think that is the beauty of these bag projects. They allow you to explore colour, fabric and new techniques with a great result in a day!  Well done ladies and thank you for a wonderful workshop.

Thank you to Cottage Quiltworks for always making me feel so welcome. 

My next workshop is with the Epping Quilters - can't wait! We are making  Sewmiriam Pikelets!

Happy sewing, love Miriamx 

Winter Escape Sewmiriam Workshop

I have been spoilt this week. As part of Winter Escape at Cottage Quiltworks I ran a Sewmiriam Workshop teaching the Sewmiriam Handy Zip Top Bag and the new Sewmiriam Large Handy Zip Top Bag.































Thank you ladies  for a wonderful day filled with great talent and inspiration.
Here is a sample of what was created...

Marg made this beautiful Sewmiriam Large Zip top bag. The house focus fabric really shines.

The back is equally as gorgeous ...

Kerrie chose a delightful Kimiko doll print as her focus fabric and carefully selected fabrics to surround it. How stunning is the result! Modern and traditional prints can work beautifully together in these bags.

Lyn used the Elizabeth range of Tula Pink fabrics for her bag. By mixing stripes, spots and prints she has really made Elizabeth the star!

Anne started with an exquisite Liberty tree print as her focus print and built around it to create a beautiful bag front panel. When she came to class Ann had thought her bag would be predominantly blue, but this is the result and I think it is absolutely fantastic!! Well done Anne.

Olga is making a very special baby gift using soft, gentle prints for her large zip top bag, and the result is divine. Wouldn't you just love to be the recipient of this bag ?

Megan made this vibrant bag front using jewel toned prints that are so fun  and bold!
I love these colours, the mix of small and large prints, and the graphic motifs.

Lyndell had to rush off to care for sick family members, but not before she had a chance to whip up these flamingos  with some stripes and spots. This bag will be stunning when finished.

I can't finish this post without a big thank you to Lyn for her cake which was delicious, to Megan for her decadent chocolate slice, and to Gerri for the spicy pumpkin soup and crusty loaf lunch which was so perfect for the Winter Escape Workshop experience at Cottage Quiltworks. 

Quilters are so generous . Thank you all for such a special day.

Happy sewing, love Miriamxxx 

New Sewmiriam Workshop at Cottage Quiltworks

I am very pleased to announce that there will be a Sewmiriam Bagmaking Workshop at Cottage Quiltworks on Wednesday, July 19th as part of their Winter Escape line up. 

Choose between the original Sewmiriam Handy Ziptop Bag 

      or the new larger version    ......

As always, I will guide you through each step of the way, showing you an easy way to put in a zipper, and sharing variations and tips throughout the day.  These days are always fun . Even if you have made one before,  you are most welcome to join me  on the day to make more of these addictive quilt as you go bags. The new version is easy and a great way to use up left over 2 1/2 inch strips. 

For more information, please contact the friendly Cottage Quiltworks 

staff on  02 9997 4661.

It has been a busy week  for quilters and crafters in Sydney with the annual Sydney Quilt Show at Darling Harbour. You can see all the wonderful prize winning quilts by clicking here  . Congratulations to each and every entrant. I would love to give you all a prize!  

Happy sewing , Love Miriamx

Epping Quilters Sewmiriam Workshop

What a delightful day I had working with the very talented ladies from the Epping Quilters on Thursday.

Using one pattern - The Sewmiriam Handy Zip Top Bag - they set about to create their own one of a kind bag. That is what is so great about this pattern. You bring your own style to the pattern and each bag made is unique and personalised. The ladies brought in their own fabrics and away they went!

Techniques, tips and tricks were taught along the way, and the bags took shape as the day progressed. I am thrilled to be able to share with you now the fabulous bags made by  these very talented ladies.

 First up is Ros"s beautiful bag made with gorgeous oriental prints. Here is the front

And  here is the back ..

Ros used Kantha fabric for the base .. how clever is that! 

Edna is a fabulous quilter and made this delightful monochromatic bag.

Christina used an exquisite bird print as her focus fabric to create a beautiful bag 

Anne created this whimsical bag which I just fell in love with . 

Don't you love the play of green and blues!

You can tell that Bev loves colour and she created this lovely bag centred around the 

owl fabric .

For all you Tula fans out there -here is Mandie's fabulous Elizabeth bag!

I love the way you can mix and match old and new Tula ranges .

Here is the back ..

Lorraine has a wonderful colour sense and  made the front of what will be a beautiful bag. 

Here is a sneak peak!

Catherine had to rush off to do the school pick up , but here is the bag she 

is making for her daughter  so far - how lucky are daughters of quilting mothers!

While we are on an animal theme,  here is the front of  Coralie's bag. 

How clever are these fabric pairings! 

Lyn  made a beautiful butterfly her focus with a real wow

factor!

Told you it was an amazing day! Thank you ladies for welcoming me to your 

group and for being such a delight to teach. Your bags are awesome!

Happy sewing, love Miriamx 

Saturday Workshop

I love my Saturday Workshops. They are always busy, fun filled days and I am always inspired by the  talent of the participants. Here is just a small sample of the wonderful work done today.

First up is Sue's Sewmiriam Large Dresden Quilt. Her wonderful friends gave her today's workshop as a birthday present. How nice is that! What wonderful, thoughtful friends. Sue sewed up a storm and the results speak for themselves - spectacular!

Here is how it looks in its awesome entirety.

Caroline made her first Sewmiriam Handy Zip Top bag. Here is the front...

and here is the back. I love the fabric choices and the colours.Well done Caroline. Your bag is gorgeous.

Angela bought in a beautiful selection of floral fabrics to her first lesson. Mixing them with some clever stripes and spots she is well on the way to making both the front and back of her first Sewmiriam Handy Zip Top Bag. You can see some of Angela's beautiful work here...

And here....

Exquisite work Angela!

Sue B is busy building up her 6 inch blocks using Tilda fabrics. This isn't the final placement, but it is fun to start playing around with the blocks and to think about fabric framing. Here are Sue's soft and delicate blocks squared up and on point. 

Anne worked on the square borders of her beautiful star , based on the Barn Star from Victoria Findlay Wolfe's 15 Minutes of Play book. This photo montage does not do justice to the colours and beauty of this quilt which really glows. I can't wait to see it with the square borders stitched on.

So much talent in one room in one day! 

Next on my calendar is a Bag Making Workshop with the Epping Quilters on Thursday. I can't wait . 

Happy sewing, love Miriamx