Back to Front

I have just spent a wonderful few days at the Camyr Allyn Homestead in the Hunter Valley with my very special quilting  friends and the talented Brigitte Giblin as our teacher. How lucky am I! Being masterful multi taskers we admired Brigitte's quilts, we talked ourselves silly, we ate like kings, AND we also managed to do some sewing. Under Brigitte's expert guidance we got down to stitching.

I set myself the task of adapting one my favourite quilts 'Back to Back' from Brigitte's latest book Feathering the Nest 2 , which you can find at Brigitte's website, by clicking here. 

Here are photos of both sides of Brigitte's quilt 'Back to Back' , which is a true celebration of colour, fabric and scrappy happiness. 

I decided to use an eclectic mix of prints based around an Australian print theme for my interpretation  of Brigitte's quilt.

Being me, I tackled what will become the back of my quilt first. Brigitte and I  sorted lots of triangles

And here is the result so far.....

There are two Aboriginal print panels yet to be added to either side of this quilt back so that it will eventually match the front in size. I love where this quilt back is  heading. It has a fresh contemporary feel and I am so happy with it so far. These prints will be used again for the quilt front  along with the addition of more aboriginal prints and jewel toned shot cottons. 

With such beautiful surroundings, I just had to take the quilt outside, fighting against quite a strong breeze...

Much to the amusement of the local wildlife...

There are many more squares and triangles cut ready for stitching for what will become the front of the quilt

Thank you wonderful friends and Brigitte for lifting my spirits and for your inspiration,

Happy sewing, love Miriam 

This week's blogpost has been styled by Louise Flint 

Up to More Miss Chiff!

Welcome to my blogpost this week. A big warm welcome to those of you from Russia and the USA who are visiting so often! What a fun time I have had this week making a  Sewmiriam Tote using the Blue Suede range of fabric from Miss Chiff Designs available  from Spoonflower.

This Sewmiriam Tote has a summer feel about it.

Look closely at the flowers - not your average Daisy ! 

These flowers are made with record centers and shoe petals! I love this Miss Chiff fabric range with its mix of sunny stripes, record prints, and blue suede shoes. 

Elvis just had to make a sneak appearance for this photo shoot, along with my husband's Gretsch Tennessee Rose guitar. 

For this bag I have used the Spoonflower linen cotton canvas weight fabric with Soft and Stable foam wadding. 

I have placed some of those awesome flowers in the inside pocket as a sweet surprise .

When you make a bag, these little extra details make all the difference and add a wow factor. 

Miss Chiff  has a clever way with design and a wonderfully unapologetic  love of colour. You can find her many delightful and inspiring fabric ranges by clicking here. It has been a delight to showcase her fabric over the last two weeks. 

I hope your days have been filled with joy, and a few moments for some stitching. 

Happy sewing, love Miriamx 

Up to Miss Chiff !!

Welcome to this week's Sewmiriam blogpost for a special collaborative edition! I have had the pleasure of working with fabric from Miss Chiff Designs  available from Spoonflower.

Miss Chiff Is a pattern designer who creates stunning surface  prints that can be used on not just fabric but paper and wallpaper also. You can see her Spoonflower ranges by clicking here.

I have made a Sewmiriam Tote bag using the Warm and Wooly Range of fabric from Miss Chiff Designs  in the linen cotton canvas weight fabric. I loved the weight and feel of this fabric. It had enough body to create a sturdy tote, using Soft and Stable foam wadding, yet was still easy to sew using my domestic sewing machine. I have to admit I fell in love with the 'thank you sheep' and the 'ball of wool' prints in both cream and taupe in the range. 

The Sewmiriam Tote would certainly make a perfect carryall for the keen knitter. 

I put in a zippered pocket and lined the bag with the woven arrow print. 

The inside of the pocket has been lined with the ball of wall print in taupe, as a nice surprise upon opening the zipper.

It was  a joy to make this bag with these gorgeous Miss Chiff Design fabrics.  I haven't seen a fabric range that suits knitters and yarn lovers better than this !

Happy sewing , love Miriam x 

Sewmiriam Workshop - Quilt Escape Week

This week got off to a fabulous start with a Sewmiriam workshop. Ladies came from near and far to take the class as part of the annual Quilt Escape Week at Cottage Quiltworks. The focus of this workshop was not only about bag construction, but also about colour, fabric choice and placement. The class results speak for themselves so let me share with you what was created.

Ruth Ann cut into her highly covetable Tula Pink stash and made this wonderful Sewmiriam Handy Ziptop Bag. It is truly stunning. 

Her friend Leah made this gorgeous bag front 

and back 

Jen made these bag fronts and backs . They have a 3-dimensional appearance.

They make you want to travel right this minute! I love the pops of colour.
Here they are all finished together, taken from an Instagram posting.

Annette will be holidaying soon and made herself a bag to take away, with a travel theme.

Here is the back..showing how effective graphic prints can be.

Joka used Australian fabrics acquired while travelling to Alice Springs to make her bag. I love the results. 

That retro caravan fabric! I know - we all want a piece of that! 

Ann used a piece of toile and gave it a modern twist by framing it with a graphic print , creating maximum impact. Gorgeous! Congratulations Ann on a beautiful bag, finished with hexagon trim and matching lining. 

Here is the back

Elizabeth commenced work on a Sewmiriam Tote bag. The front is done already, in shades of soft blue, again showing how a toile can be used creatively. I love the way our eye is drawn to follow the hunt. 

Nancy made a Sewmiriam Quilt as you go Cushion Cover during the class. I love the way there is a textural quality to the cover, created by the quilting lines and fabric placement. Clever. 

Sandy brought along several projects to finish in class, and wowed us all with her collection of  Sewmiriam Handy Ziptop bags and a Sewmiriam iPad cover.  We all want to be Sandy's best friend by Christmas ! 

As you can see, it was a tremendous class, filled with talent and creativity. Thank you all for an inspiring day. I think I have the best job in the world! 

Happy sewing, love Miriamx