Making for Others

Many quilters already know that making a special something for loved ones is very special indeed. There is the joy of thinking about the recipient and choosing just what they would like. Bespoke quilting! This often challenges us to work beyond our comfort zone and try new things.

So what a delight it was for me this week to receive a photo from my friend Elizabeth showcasing the scatter cushion cover I made  her last year. I am thrilled that my cushion cover is in such great Marimekko company. The cushion even enjoys awesome New York views. 

Over the Easter break I shared a sewing day with my Mum, and the result was this shopping bag. Sorry about the dark background - it was way too late when these photos were taken!!

Mum has always loved the bird print fabric which we used as the focus print. I upsized my Handy Zip Top bag pattern and added purchased handles. 

This week I also had the joy of seeing two more gorgeous bags made following my friend Elaine's attendance at one of my bag making workshops last year. Her two granddaughters are going to love these beauties! The polka dot handles are just the thing to make them professional and stunning! 

Such a week of joy it has been. Next week I am teaching a bag making workshop at Cottage Quiltworks. I am really looking forward to a day of creative fun. 

Happy sewing, Miriamx 

Zip it!

For 6 months I have had the pattern for the Sew Together Bag by Sew Demented. The sewing of the four zippers into this bag had me feeling nervous. Surely my skills would not be up to the task. I am pleased to report that the instructions were very clear, and I am delighted with my bag.

I chose a British theme for my fabrics to celebrate the 4 1/2 years we spent in England as a family. 

If you wish to make this funky bag make sure you read the instructions carefully before beginning, and don't be afraid to unpick if you are unhappy with a seam. I guarantee you will feel very clever when you are done. If you want to impress your friends, make them one to suit their personality. 

The three internal zips enclose lined pockets and the longer outside zip stitches down on the sides to create handles. Really a clever design indeed. The bag is large enough to hold a myriad of sewing supplies, or craft materials. I used a directional fabric, and the instructions include details on how to do this. I also hand stitched down the final seam for the binding , just like I would do on a quilt.

The rainy Easter weekend provided an opportunity for me to sew a storage bag for my rotary cutters . I used my Handy Zip Top Pattern and made size adjustments. This is the outside

      This is the inside 

This bag is really handy for storing sharp tools , but it also a great size for storing templates too. 

Happy sewing, Miriamx

Happy Easter

Wishing all my readers a Happy Easter!

A time to draw breath and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.

The Easter bunny is making an appearance at my home.

I knitted Daisy May last year and she is just adorable. She's a keeper.

Chocolate eggs don't last long around here though! 

My table runner was finished just in time for Easter morning tea with my parents today. Jen Kingwell's Gardenvale fabric range for Moda goes well with Kona solids for a scrappy vintage look. 

It is raining today and feels a bit more like Autumn at last . Out comes the ol' crochet rug for completion. This project has been in progress for 2 years and there are now 150 squares ready for joining. I love the colour play in this project- rich and vibrant.

Just like patchwork  but in alpaca wool. 

Wishing you all  a peaceful Easter with family and friends,

Happy sewing, Miriamx 

New Bag Prototype

 Part of my quilty heart lies with the Margaret Sampson George exhibition today in Victoria, and oh how I wish I was there to see friends and view the outstanding quilts on display. By all accounts on Instagram it is a sensation. In one of the posts I did manage to spy my quilt hanging on one of the walls in the exhibit which did make my heart skip a little beat!! How exciting to be a part of something so rare and special. Congratulation to Marg, Jean, Liz and all the team at Quilts in the Barn. Congratulations to all the quilters who shared their quilts and their passion for stitching.  I have no doubt quilting can now officially be called an extreme sport! Beyond Blue is such a worthy cause for us all to work for. I look forward to hearing first hand accounts this week when quilters return back to Sydney.

Nevertheless I have had a wonderful week here at home. I decided to play around with a new shoulder bag design and here is the prototype. It is just the right size for a wallet, phone,sunglasses and small makeup bag. It sits nice and flat on the shoulder and feels very comfortable. Here is the front

and here is the back

Oh , and did I mention it is fully lined? The zip top is placed on a gentle curve and gives it an extra professional feel. 

I was so pleased with the result , that I wore it to work at Cottage Quiltworks on Thursday.

My Easter table runner is nearly finished with the binding being stitched on this afternoon. But photos of Easter happiness will have to wait for my next blogpost.

Happy sewing, Miriam x 

Oh Baby!

In a few weeks time I will be going to a Baby Shower for my dear teaching friend Stacey. She is expecting her first baby and I just know that she will be an awesome Mum. This is one lucky baby!

Over the last few months I have been squirrelling away fabrics that fit the brief for a soft baby play mat/ cot quilt which features green and aqua - favourite "Stacey colours!" I also wanted it to be a simple pattern with lots of " I Spy" elements.

Deciding on squares, where fabric is the feature,the result is this

If you look closely you can see lots of interesting things- circus tents, whales, kangaroos,cars ,beetles and birds in cages.

To keep it soft, I have hand-quilted diagonal lines using turquoise Sulky thread. The batting is polyester, so it is light, easy to wash and soft to quilt. The back is a turquoise print and also could be used as a reversible quilt front.

In the meantime I have started to hand quilt the table runner I made last week

Hopefully this will be finished this week.

I know that in our busy lives we can so easily get caught up in "lightning speed" approaches to our projects. Hand-quilting reminds me of the pleasure of taking time, enjoying the process and creating something especially handmade and precious. 

Happy sewing, Miriamx 

Sewing for the Soul

After an enormous week of bag making and  quilt binding, all working towards the Quilts in the Barn Margaret Sampson George exhibition, I was in desperate need of some sewing for the soul. You know- just sewing with no deadlines, no real direction but just making the most of some quiet time surrounded by favourite fabrics. I think there are ideas bubbling away in the back of my mind at all times just waiting for the opportunity to get some recognition and attention.

It started with a mini charm pack of 2 1/2 inch squares in the much anticipated Gardenvale fabric range by Jen Kingwell for Moda.

 I cut some coordinating plains and started playing.

First I pieced together 25 squares into a 5 x 5 grid square . With the restriction of only one mini charm pack I was able to make only 3 of these, alternating Gardenvale prints with coordinating plains.

I was fortunate to be given a lovely retro print with sewing motifs this week which was a perfect match for these blocks.

Deciding to set them on point I ended up with this patchwork top, large enough for a table runner.

      

Now I have to decide on a backing fabric, and binding. I have already decided to handquilt in diagonal rows using a pale pink Aurofil 12 thread. 

Sewing for the soul feels great! 

I must also show you a picture of bags made by one of my wonderfully talented  bag-workshop ladies. Robyn has made 2 fabulous bags. She has used a Kaffe cabbage print with great effect. 

Happy sewing, Miriamx 

Quilts in the Barn - Sneak Peak

Welcome to Sewmiriam ! Thanks for stopping by. This week has been busy indeed. With Quilts in the Barn rapidly approaching, by request I have started making some bags for the boutique that will be there.

Here are some of the bags so far. Just a sneak peak! I want there to be a few surprises. These zip top bags have just the right gusset/base size for fat quarter bundles and sewing supplies to sit comfortably in. The bags are fully quilted and lined with a handy inside pocket. These sturdy bags will keep your stuff happy and safe inside. The bags stand up on their own and open widely to make things easy to retrieve. Want to make one, or 2 or 3? Join me at The Cottage Quiltworks in Warriewood for a class. Contact the store for details. 

Here is another sneak peak of my quilt which will also be in the Quilts in the Barn Exhibition, featuring the quilting life of Margaret Sampson- George and her students.

Plenty of sewing to do, so this week's post is short and sweet. 

Happy sewing, love Miriamx