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Marathon Australia Pty Ltd, 7a Ford Crescent, Thornbury (2026)

01/09/2026

Barb’s Embroidery Blog

Making a Travel Tote Bag

For the past four weeks I have been making the Sweet Pea Embroidery Travel Buddy Tote.
The design is very appealing and so practical for holding carry-on articles when flying. The tote fits over the suitcase handle and is easily accessible with its large zip opening and the clever inside flaps that prevent bag contents from spilling out upon opening.

There is one drawback I must warn you about before making the bag. It is the length of time it takes to progress through the various steps of construction.
The panels are embroidered and sewn on the embroidery machine, then stitched together on the sewing machine.
This process is involved, especially inserting the zip gusset, as the panels are quite stiff, as they have been reinforced with heavy bag pellon.

There are several tips I will share with you, to prepare those tempted to make this tote.
Firstly, watch the Sweet Pea U-tube video presented on the purchase page. It is comprehensive and shows the complete sewing machine construction. This will make the very wordy instructions much clearer.
I downloaded the instruction pdf to my iPad where I was able to follow each step from my sewing machine chair.

Second tip - choose the coordinating fabrics you will use and label them with their purpose and measurement cutting details of each piece.

Third tip - thoroughly check you have the cutting measurements for the bag size you are sewing (the 8” x 12” bag sizes of pieces are in a lower paragraph to the 6” x 10” measurements). How do I know that?

Fourth tip - choose your embroidery thread colours and keep them together until all your embroidery panels are completed.

Fifth tip - the long zip. This I found really challenging because I was unaware you could purchase a zip where the two pulls run in opposing directions. I bought a 3 yard yard roll with 12 zipper pulls and found all the pulls moved in the same direction.
I ended up cutting two zips, and where they joined at the top of the bag, I was left with a 1½” gap. I did make a flap and covered the gap before inserting the zip gusset, adding a Kam Snap to the end of the flap. Purchase a two directions zip or two separate zips.

I have made this tote bag to take away with me, as I am travelling for several weeks with my family.
I intend to re-commence my blog in early November.

Until then, happy stitching and good luck to those sewing the travel tote.
Barbara Rae

18/08/2026

Barb’s Embroidery Blog

Australian Birds Table Runner

This past two weeks I have been occupied making a special gift for an American friend - who really appreciates handcrafts depicting Australian themes.
I purchased the Australian Birds Table Runner and the add-on bird designs from Sweet Pea Embroidery some years ago and decided this would make the perfect gift for my friend, who also enjoys cooking and entertaining guests in her home. She especially loves telling them of her visit to ‘the land downunder’ and often describes the Australian flora and fauna she noticed during her stay
in Australia.

I have a beautiful collection of batik fabrics (mainly fat quarters) and was able to applique the birds and their backgrounds with these fabrics. I used another fabric depicting May Gibbs Gumnut Babies on the back of the table runner.

The eight birds were all appliqued ‘in the hoop’. They are the: magpie, sulphur- crested cockatoo, lorikeet, black cockatoo, cockatiel, kookaburra (from the Australian animals table runner), eastern rosella, and the galah.
Once each block was embroidered, I decided to separate each bird with a strip of dark border fabric. This emphasized each bird individually.
I chose a border fabric which enabled the strip of eight birds to stand out more.
Quilter’s felt worked really well for the batting, and simple ‘in the ditch’ quilting was all that was required to keep the layers together.

I decided not to ‘bag’ the runner but applied a 2½ inch wide folded binding instead. I sewed this to the back first, then folded it over to the front of the table runner, securing it with a straight machine stitch using the walking foot.

I am currently digitizing a label to attach to the back as the table runner is a gift, but I also want to identify each bird. My friend will then be able to explain to her guests the name, habitat and mannerisms of each bird.

This proved to be an easy project to complete. The instructions were very clear, minimal fabrics were required for each bird, and the decorative embroidery stitched out accurately and quickly.

Happy Stitching
Barbara Rae

31/07/2026

Using Organza to Achieve a Watercolour Effect

I am not alone in admitting I have purchased many machine embroidery designs over the years. Amongst my collection I have some Anita Goodesign sets, one being ‘Watercolour Confetti Technique and Designs.’

Watercolour confetti is a technique very similar to raw edge applique, only regular fabric pieces are substituted for organza type fabrics, which are applied to a background fabric using a combination of small pieces of organza (confetti) and appliqued layering, almost mimicking hand painted brush strokes.

The best part of this technique is that only one thread colour (usually black) is used to apply the organza fabric and stitch the surrounding design detail.

The Anita Goodesign Watercolour Confetti designs included with this set are bird compositions.
Having stitched out some of the bird designs, my brain went into overdrive and thought of floral designs.

As it happens, Secrets of Embroidery released their July Silver Sale of USD$2.00 sets and among the designs offered are Kreations by Kara’s Impressionist Florals.
These designs are very suitable to adapting the Watercolour
Technique, however a little extra care needs to be taken when applying the organza fabric to achieve the flower shape, instead of embroidery stitch infill.
Ensuring there is an excess of ¼ to ⅛ inch of organza fabric around the blackwork floral shape, the watercolour effect is very easy to achieve.

As my readers have come to expect, I have trialled the designs to produce greeting cards, but I think they would look stunning as quilt blocks, table runners and even tote bags.

Happy Stitching
Barbara Rae

16/07/2026

‘In The Hoop’ - Embroidered Gifts

This past two weeks have found me producing embroidered articles that I can give away as gifts. There are many times one needs to give a present to someone, but the recipient really doesn’t have the need to receive sweet treats, homewares or clothing. Instead, I find a hand-made article is extremely useful and very well received.

Over the years since I have owned an embroidery machine, I have produced a fabulous variety of items that have been gifted. These include quilts of all sizes and uses, bed and table mats and runners, decorated towels, bags, zipper boxes and purses, mug rugs, oven mitts, bowl cozies and especially, greeting cards. It is a list that is only limited by my imagination.

I have always loved to embroider flowers, and to me orchids are really special.
I decided to produce a gift of 12 embroidered orchid cards and present them in an orchid decorated pouch.
The pouch design I chose was a little too tight for the 12 cards and envelopes, so I enlarged the design on my embroidery machine by 20% and added another orchid design to this pouch design, so it was large enough to hold the cards and to also close the pouch with a cam snap.

Another gift I produced is three hand towels onto which I embroidered embossed designs that really gave a quality look. Embossed designs are quick and easy to embroider, as generally that are stitched using one thread colour.
There are a lovely variety of embossed designs to purchase from Embroidery Library.

Embroidered kitchen tea-towels were another gift item I produced recently. I had some purchased towelling tea towels. Onto these I embroidered some of the Sassy Tea-towel sayings from Julia’s Needle Designs. I matched the embroidered tea towels with some hand towels that I had purchased.

Having some spare embroidered eye-glasses cases, I added one using lovely floral fabric to my gift.

It is amazing how often a simple gift is needed, and how, with some basic materials such as towels and card stock on hand, the home embroiderer can produce a lovely collection of items that can be given at any time.

Happy Stitching
Barbara Rae

30/06/2026

Barb’s Embroidery Blog

Completed At Last

Well, I can finally announce my Zentangle Zodiac couch quilt is completed. I make this comment with both a sense of relief and sadness. Relief that the quilt-making efforts of piecing, quilting and binding are finished, but sad to think I have no more than twelve zodiac blocks to embroider. They really were fun and stimulating to produce.

I would like to share a few thoughts about making this quilt with you.
When I was selecting a suitable background fabric for the embroidered blocks, and subsequently the quilted blocks, I found I had a 2½ metre piece of beautiful cream linen fabric that I really liked. It was easy to embroider, but I do wonder if a quilter’s cotton fabric may have been less heavy and easier to sew with.
The other choice I made was to include a quilt wadding of bamboo and cotton, which I thought would provide warmth when draped around the lower body whilst watching TV on cold nights. I now believe I should have chosen a wadding of quilters felt instead. It would have made the quilt lighter while still providing warmth.
I quilted ‘in the ditch’ around each block and the inner border, but it would have been an easier job if the wadding had been lighter.

I shouldn’t grumble, as the project is now completed and looks very cosy and appealing draped over my lounge room couch.

Following the relief of finishing the quilt, I decided a couple of simple embroidery projects would be a diversion, so I decorated some hand towels with embossed designs. They will be perfect birthday gifts.

Happy Stitching
Barbara Rae

15/06/2026

Barb’s Embroidery Blog

Embroidering designs featuring Zentangles

In May 2024, I wrote an article describing the Zentangle technique, here on my blog page. I have had an interest in Zentangles for many years. My local patchwork and quilting group held a workshop, inviting a local tutor to partake of a Zentangle
design class. The designs we experimented with could be free motioned quilted onto fabric.

Since that workshop, I have ventured into machine embroidery and have been thrilled to find digitized designs featuring Zentangle shapes.
I purchased a set of Zodiac Zentangle designs from The Accidental Embroiderer store on the Secrets of Embroidery website.
Over the past year, I have produced a number of birthday cards using the zodiac signs, but more recently I decided to make a couch quilt to add extra comfort on cold winter nights.

The sizes of the designs are only 6½” x 6½”, but I was able to enlarge each one by 20% on my embroidery machine without causing any distortion, making my embroidered blocks 10” x 10” which allowed an inch around the embroidery.
I combined 12 zodiac blocks with 13 machine quilted blocks - all using cream linen fabric.
The alternate quilted blocks were 10” x 10”. Cutting each square 10½”, I joined the blocks with a ¼” seam.
I intend to quilt the three layers of the quilt with ‘in the ditch’ sewn lines around all the joined blocks.

I have the blocks sewn together, but I believe a narrow and darker border needs to be added before a final cream border of around 2 inches in width.
This is where I am at this point in time. I hope to be able to share my completed quilt in my next posting

Happy Stitching
Barbara Rae

27/05/2026

Barb’s Embroidery Blog

Muddling Along

I have come to the realization that machine embroidery and entertaining house guests cannot happen together! Something has to give and in my case the embroidery had to take second place. Very little has been achieved.

The quilt I discussed in my last blog has actually been completed and I am very satisfied with my work. It will be delivered to its recipient within the week, and I know she will be both surprised and thrilled.

Two May birthdays of close friends living in New Zealand inspired me to embroider two cards to send to them. One featured a beautiful Lady Slipper orchid and the second showed a nautical scene. I posted them off in my hand- made envelopes, in the hope that delivery will be before their birthdays.

Over the past couple of months, I have been attempting to replace my tatty old tea towels that I embroidered years ago with sassy kitchen sayings, with some new tea-towels using similar designs. So far, I have finished two. There are more to come.

Currently, I am seriously searching for Australian designs to embroider on something that will make a beautiful birthday gift for a very special American friend. I have searched the internet for appropriate designs and have considered Sweet Pea Machinery Embroidery Designs as well as BFC Creations. Sweet Pea have Australian birds and flowers that can be made into
table runners, and BFC have a “Windows of the World - Australia” wall hanging featuring the Sydney Opera House (without the Harbour Bridge), surrounded by Australian native flowers. The picture is impressive, but with a finished measurement of 18” x 24”, the wall hanging is too small to justify all the embroidery involved.
I think the Australian bird table runner has more impact and additional add-on bird designs will make the runner even more impressive.
This project is still in the thought phase of its development. Will I embroider all the birds? And what type of background fabric and colour will suit each bird? Also will I enlarge the designs slightly to produce a larger table runner?
I will come to a decision during the next couple of weeks and then will share my progress with you.

Happy Stitching
Barbara Rae

09/05/2026

Barb`s Embroidery Blog
A Simple Quilt Idea

Many commitments over the past two weeks have resulted in very little sewing time in my lovely sewing space.
I have however, started sewing a quilt for a very dear friend in appreciation of her services over the years. Having suggested my wish to make her a quilt, she requested simplicity with colour choices of mustard and grey tones. She would love a couch quilt that could double as a caravan bed quilt.

I have made similar quilts using ITH quilted blocks that I sewed together, placing binding strips between each block.
The upper fabric, wadding and backing fabric are quilted together and trimmed to size after the block is removed from the hoop.
Each block is then joined (backs together) and a binding strip is stitched at the same time as the blocks. The binding strip is then folded over the second block and stitched down to cover the seams.
Each horizontal row is joined in this manner. The rows are joined together with longer lengths of binding. Finally, the joined blocks are bound around the outer edges.

The quilt size is determined by the number of blocks and the size of each block.
My friend’s quilt has been made with 36 blocks each 10 inches finished - making it a 60 inch square.

Initially, I cut my fabrics and wadding 11 inches square, and binding strips 2½ inches wide which I pressed in half lengthways. Backing and binding used 4½ metres of fabric.
The quilting designs were from Kreations by Kara - Feather Quilt Blocks 10 x 10 inches.
In my large square hoop I placed the top fabric and wadding above no-show mesh stabilizer and the square of backing fabric under the hoop, securing it with a thin line of quick drying glue to hold it in place.
I trimmed each block down to 10½ inches square and used a ¼ inch seam to join the blocks. I did trim the wadding back before joining to reduce the seam bulk.

I regret to say I cannot show you the completed quilt yet, but I will in my next post.

Happy Stitching
Barbara Rae

19/04/2026

Barb’s Embroidery Blog

Miracles do Happen

I have made some simple embroidered gifts to give to friends I am visiting next week.
My first project has been some embroidered glasses cases and I have been impressed with the professional looking finish of these. They were simple to make, using very little fabric and could be done quickly.

I also decided to gift some of my embroidered cards as they are always well received and appreciated. The recipient then passes them on to people who are celebrating special events.
This lead to my thinking how nice it would be to present the cards in their own pouch, something that could be stitched ‘in the hoop’ and hold around 6 cards and their hand-made envelopes.

I checked my ‘zipless’ ITH bag and pouch designs and could not find one that was the size to hold six cards and envelopes. The pocket dimensions had to fit roughly 8 inches square.

Looking through internet designs, I found what I thought was the ideal pouch design that was listed as a “Pouch Project 8 x 10” . . . . . Perfect!
Having purchased the design, I found the actual pouch only measured 5” x 7½”.
Nowhere did the design literature say this. The hoop they used measured 8” x 10”! Frustrating for sure. Oh well, I thought. I would try to enlarge the design at the embroidery machine, but that only enlarged up to 20%, not enough to slide in the 6 cards and envelopes.

Last resort - Use my digitizing program to attempt to enlarge the design before sending it to the machine. This was not quite as simple as I thought as the design had to be reduced to less than 50% to fit it all into the hoop frame on the program screen.
That’s fine if the whole design could be enlarged together, but
no, each thread change had to be enlarged. This proved inaccurate by 1 – 2mm, which meant the embroidery stitch-out did not follow the extreme edges of the design. The completing satin stitch edging showed frayed fabric around the outer edge!

I was not satisfied with the pouch finish to hold my lovely cards and decided the only solution was to wrap the cards with ribbon and tie a bow - really disappointing! I felt I had wasted many sewing hours over the past week.

Then bingo!
Heather from Kreative Kiwi, with no prompting from me, posted her latest design last Friday evening - an ITH Easy Pouch. It is a gem with 5 different quilting designs and a variety of different sizes.
It holds 6 cards and envelopes perfectly, with only one hooping and less than 10 minutes to stitch.
This proves that Miracles do Happen.

Happy Stitching
Barbara Rae

03/04/2026

Barb’s Embroidery Blog
Easter Greetings

I intended that my Easter blog would be posted a few days before Easter, but as we know, projects take time and sometimes time is in short supply.
My first Easter project was to make my usual Fabergé Easter cards and this year’s design is from the Anita Goodesign Online Set-Faberge Eggs.
I have mentioned in a previous article how much they are appreciated and saved by the recipients.
This year’s response was very positive.

I made some extra Easter cards using a few very special Easter designs, and these I will give to some young people with their egg gift.
I did use some really cute Easter designs to decorate hand towels as well.

Heather at Kreative Kiwi added an ITH reusable gift box to her extensive designs list, and I made a few of these boxes to present the eggs in. The base has a ‘box fold’ type closure, but I found it required something firmer, so I added Kam Snaps which made it perfect. A perfect box to hold an Easter Egg gift.
Using another beautiful Easter design of Kreative Kiwi, I made an ITH Stacked Easter Peekers wall hanging for a special little one. It is really cute and very easy to make, using the detailed instructions included with the pattern.

Some of the free Easter designs offered this year have been very innovative.
Sher’s Creative Space offered a ITH Chocolate Bunny Key Fob. I made three of these but found the double layer of leather used prevented me from using Kam Snaps to secure the tab, so I gently machine-stitched the key ring attachment
to the bunny fob.

I wish all the Marathon Australia embroidery enthusiasts a very Happy Easter, and if time allows, a productive embroidery and sewing experience.

Happy Stitching
Barbara Rae

Marathon Australia Pty Ltd

01/09/2026

18/08/2026

31/07/2026

16/07/2026

30/06/2026

15/06/2026

27/05/2026

09/05/2026

19/04/2026

03/04/2026

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