Sewmiriam Handy Ziptop Bag Workshop

Sometimes everything just works. The weather was perfect yesterday. The classroom was filled with sunshine and a wonderful group of ladies were gathered for a Sewmiriam workshop at Cottage Quiltworks. 

We had a great day of sewing and everyone was well on their way to making a Sewmiriam Ziptop Bag by the end of the day. There were some real treasures to be found in the fabric stashes too! Above are some of Maxine's gorgeous fabrics. I love the way she has put them together. 

Here is a wider shot. Maxine is stitching her quilt lines close together to create a textural quality to her bag. This bag is going to look amazing .

What always delights and amazes me is that we all start with the same pattern and the same instructions, and everyone ends up with a unique bag that reflects a little bit of themselves. Each bag has its own personality. I guess that's why this pattern is so popular. You can make several and no two need ever be the same. If they are for a gift, you can tailor make them to suit the recipients tastes and personality too. 

Nerida has a wonderful flair for combining colour as you can see below. How happy does this make you feel! 

Here is her finished bag...

Marissa is creating a bag with a gentle oriental feel, with accents of soft yellows and pale aquas. Your work is divine Marissa. 

Lay used her love of happy fabrics and spots to create this lovely bag below. Here is the front ..

And here is the back...

You would never know that Elizabeth had never sewn any patchwork before when you take a look at this beautiful bag she made yesterday in class. Drum roll please.... here is the front...

and equally as stunning the back...

And last, but certainly not least Pat brought in some delicate toile fabric to play with. We 'modernized' it for the front of the bag like so..

and left it as one piece for the back ...

A perfect way to finish this blogpost I think! One pattern - many interpretations - all beautiful . Well done ladies indeed! Thank you all for a great day . 

Happy sewing , love Miriamx

Workshop Season

Sewmiriam Workshops are in session! Last weekend was the first of a three part workshop at Cottage Quiltworks and the results were inspirational. Here is a just a small peek at what went on.

Marg made this gorgeous Sewmiriam handbag. How striking is the bear print, paired with the bold red stripe and large black spot.  This bag features a curved zipper closure and is fully lined. It also fits  an iPad perfectly too, so a win, win really. Congratulations Marg. I wonder what you will make next? 

Next up is Judy's first block for a baby quilt using Sewmiriam style quilt as you go and Charley Harper Marine fabric. This quilt block is stunning. Each block in the quilt will be different, but all will feature the penguin fabric. Lucky is the baby receiving this quilt.

Dee works quietly away in class and always produces divine results. She is also making a baby quilt, but donkeys are the star of her quilt blocks and here is block number one. Clever use of stripes and spots create a playful movement in this block. 

Kim is making a delightful quilt for her daughter using batiks and soft pastel prints. In this workshop Kim mastered quilt as you go triangles. Well done Kim! 

Next week I will be teaching the Sewmiriam Handy Zip Top Bag on Wednesday at Cottage Quiltworks. I love teaching this pattern. 

I hope you have had a week filled with joy and a few peaceful moments. Thank you for taking the time to drop by. You are always welcome! 

Happy sewing, love Miriamx

Picnic Weather

This April has had amazing weather. By late April we should be feeling a bit more of a chill in the air but the temperatures are still climbing into the mid - late 20s (Celsius). Perfect for a picnic! And what better way to enjoy a picnic than to have a quilt as your picnic rug, and a quilted cushion to rest upon.

This cushion cover is my latest pattern . It is a quilt as you go design, and has a zipper closure, making the cushion cover easy to remove and wash. 

I have used Japanese linen weight fabric and some modern text prints . The red is a rich cinnabar colour that reminds me of Japanese garden bridges. Evan likes it in our room ( above) but I think our son Nathan may have nabbed it already! 

This cushion looks good anywhere - maybe I should call it the George Clooney cushion! What do you think? 

This coming week is a busy one, with a class at Cottage Quiltworks this Saturday. I love teaching there! I then have a small bag workshop on Wednesday 4th May, and also the 4th July.

Contact the shop for further information about my upcoming classes and sit and sew dates.  The days are always fun and the rooms are well equipped and light filled. 

I hope this week allows you to take a moment to sit and sew. There is a special calm that comes from stopping time for  creativity.  Not a luxury, a necessity. 

Happy sewing, love Miriamx

The Challenge

I always look forward to a good challenge. One that makes you think beyond your comfort zone. One that plays in the back of your mind on its own until it crystallizes into something tangible. My friend Rosyln  Pullen arranged this years Fairholme Quilt Show  Challenge and she did a marvelous job! 

Here is my entry with a few close ups. Can you guess the challenge? Bet you can't!!

Below is the stimulus photo

The challenge was to 

Well now - who would have thought fungi could be so interesting. Below are the entries and each one is so different. Enjoy them all! 

1. Virginia Coote

2. Dawn Cox

3. Lynette Harvey

5. Susan McMahon

6. Val Nadin

7. Pat Nerlich

8. Jill O'Connor 

9. Jo - Ann Phillips

10. Rosyln Pullen

11. Elaine Walton

12. Margaret Weir

14. Nerida Williams

Viewers choice- number 11. Exquisite work Elaine. Congratulations!!!

Happy sewing, Miriamx 

It is Show Time!!!

Can I let you in on a secret ? I am exhausted and it's only been a half day at the Fairholme Quilt Show so far! What a fabulous show it is, so if you can make it to the Thornleigh Community Centre tomorrow or Sunday from 10am to 4pm, we would love to see you there.

You will be greeted by our friendly welcoming committee . They might just try to sell you a raffle ticket or 2 or 3..... who wouldn't want to buy tickets to win Rousillon our raffle quilt, or second prize of a basket of quilting goodies! Proceeds to StudioArtes .Tragically this week a fire destroyed their main studio area and equipment, so let's show them our support more than ever! 

Don't miss the Fairholme craft stall

Items are selling like hot cakes, so get in quick for the best buys.

Here is a sneak peak of just a few of the quilts on show. 

Come and say hi to Gerri the owner of Cottage Quiltworks at the CQW Pop up shop. Here we are together . I am there tomorrow too, so do come and meet us! 

There are shops by Cherry Pie Designs, Kate Quilts and The Stitching Post . StudioAtres has an awesome shop selling a sample of their textile arts . 

I did spy a gaggle of Sewmiriam bags both large and small, completed by Fairholme Quilters who have attended one of my workshops. How clever are these ladies! 

In close up ....

There will be more photos in blogposts to come! 

Happy sewing, Miriamx 

Fairholme Quilt Show - seven sleeps to go!

The Fairholme Quilt Show is on in one weeks time ! Yes . It is on!

This show has been two years in the making. Literally! The Fairholme Quilters have been sewing up a storm making the most inspiring quilts for everyone to see and admire. 100 quilts will be on display.  If you are free on April 8 - 10 please stop by. There will be superb quilts on show, including a challenge quilt section. Displays of quilts and bags made from workshops will also be on display, and Studio Artes is putting on a display of their art works for all to enjoy.

Of course there will be the famous Fairholme Quilters Craft Stall and this year Rosyln has worked her magic to make it a fabulous Boutique . The Fairholme Quilters are talented indeed. Everyone has donated fabric or handmade items for our Fairholme Craft Boutique.These goodies won't last long. 

In the final week leading up to show there is much activity.

The raffle quilt is currently on display at Cottage Quiltworks in Warriewood. Raffle tickets are for sale .

The pop up shop owners are all busy preparing their wares for sale at the show.  There will be something for everyone. You can meet Gerri from Cottage Quiltworks, Carol from Cherry Pie Designs, Karen from The Stitching Post, Kate from Kate Quilts and Rosyln from Grandmas's Treasures at the show. Studio Artes members will be manning their display and their pop up shop too. Stop by for a chat with this creative group. Here is work by Megan and Emily ...

Our Fairholme cafe will be open throughout the show. Fairholme quilters are known for their delicious home baking. My husband and my Dad have found that going to The Fairholme Quilt show is a great day out. They enjoy the home baked treats ( a lot!) and a cup or two of coffee together, while Mum, my sister and I buzz around the show. They also love the quilts of course. Last time Evan even used white gloves to admire them! 

Behind the scenes this week at Fairholme .....

quilts are being prepared, display labels are being typed, cooking is being done, banners are being displayed, raffle tickets are being sold, name badges are being found, Facebook is being navigated, display frames are being picked up and advertising is under way.  I am excited! I hope you are too. 

I look forward to welcoming you to the Fairholme Quilt Show on April 8  - 10 , at Thornleigh Community Centre. Doors open from 1-5pm on Friday 8th and from 10 am - 4 pm on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th.

As always a great day out for everyone! 

Happy sewing, love Miriamx 

Happy Easter

I would like to wish you all a very Happy Easter. Thank you for your support of this blog. Our lives are busy, so I am delighted that you are taking some time  out to drop by. You are always welcome!

To celebrate Easter I thought I would share with you a bunny pincushion. If you look closely you can see little bunnies chasing each other around the centre and more bunnies frolicking around the edges. 

To bring in the centre I have added a delightful thimble button that I found in my button collection. 

The pincushion has 42 pieces and was hand stitched using fussy cutting and paper piecing techniques. I spied the bunnies on a beautiful fat quarter given to me by a wonderful friend Margaret. It is a new Tilda fabric. I used a whole piece on the back of the pincushion.

The pincushion measures 4 inches along each side. For those of you who love colour like me, it is  Carmine Red. It was a delight to make especially because it uses fabric given to me by a dear friend. How generous of spirit are quilters !

Have a wonderful Easter break. May  it be filled with family, friends, and the occasional chocolate egg! 

I am laughing now, as every time I type Easter I accidentally type in Eatser.  Enough said! 

Happy sewing, love Miriamx