I had several people e-mail me and ask about pin stitching after reading my last journal entry , so I decided to create a tutorial and show...
A lot of people have asked me why I chose the Bernina 750 QE. The machine is huge, and weighs about 50 pounds. It is not a machine to be lugged to retreats or on airplanes. It has a really strong and powerful motor compared to a regular machine. The throat area is wide and deep, letting you roll your quilt and fit it really easily to the right of the needle. Sometimes I even keep a pad of paper with notes on the throat when I am piecing a quilt. As I mentioned before, the motor in the machine is very strong. No matter what heavy duty sewing I am doing, the motor never sounds strained. I can quilt twice as fast, the speed and versatility is unmatched. There are sensors that alert you when the bobbin is out of thread. This is a huge help, because I have sewn and sewn and sewn, before I knew I was out of thread. There is also an alert that lets you know when your needle comes unthreaded. The bobbin holds 80% more thread than a regular bobbin. The machine comes with a stitch regulator. I used to have such a difficult time keeping my stitches the same length when I was machine quilting. Now, the stitch regulator keeps them all the same length no matter what!!! This is a photo of my actual stitch regulator. Here is a sample of stipple quilting that I did with my stitch regulator. All the stitches are even! There are many different feet you can get for this machine which are unbelievable! This is my 1/4" foot that has a regulator that you pull down from the back. It feeds the fabric between the foot and the feed dog without pulling or straining. I love it!!! Sewing is so much easier :) All the feet have a sensor that let you know important facts on the screen monitor. The foot knows that you can only choose certain stitches and it notifies you accordingly. I saw a great wavy quilting stitch that I tried on my tee shirt quilt. It's stitch 4, the width is 4.9 and the length is 2.5 The sewing machine also starts out taking a few stitches in place to stabilize the thread and when you are through sewing a row, you can touch the scissors button and the machine will take a few stitches and then cut the thread for you. This is what the machine looks like when I turn it on. It takes about 30 seconds for the computer to load. I typed a personal greeting :) You can select from a variety of colors for the background. I chose aqua. My Bernina was purchased at an authorized Bernina dealer, and came with 2 free classes from an authorized Bernina dealer. I learned a lot about my machine but I know there's a lot more to discover. Another nice feature is an arm that plugs in and you can sew by pressing your knee against it. This is especially helpful when you are machine quilting. I absolutely love my Bernina 750 QE!!!
If you are a midnight sewer like I am, you know the feeling of being in the “zone”, making progress … More
If you’ve made even one quilt, you have narrow strips of batting. Sometimes they’re just shy of the size you need for a wall hanging, purse, or anything else. WHAT TO DO? You can join t…
Why is everything so much cuter when it's small? Make the Turning Triangle Mini Quilt as a wall hanging, table topper, doll quilt, or place mat.
On the topic of portables, there are two Singers that stand tall above all others, the famous 1/2 size Singer 221 Featherweight (including it's various incarnations) and it's full size cousin the Singer 301a. Today I'll discuss the later.
Description of the new BERNINA 530 Swiss Edition sewing machine, which has a red face plate in front.
This past Wednesday I sold my sewing machine. To be frank, I was sad to see her go, but it’s on to bigger (well, actually about the same size) and better things. Before I start in with machin…
The Bernina Bernette 334D serger is a great option for sewers who are looking for a versatile serger with durability and good features.
An edgestitch foot has so many uses! Edgestitching, topstitching, understitching, tucks, pintucks, stitch in the ditch, fine hems, more.
Get four tips for better buttonholes on any fabric by BERNINA Ambassador Andrea Davis
Couching is an embellishment technique that lets you add color and texture to the surface of fabric, stitching cords, yarns, … More
Vintage images of the tradition Swiss Brand Bernina. Manufacturing of sewing machines in Steckborn, Switzerland. Old advertising visuals. Also shown: images of the founding family.
Make a simple Summer Floral Floor Cushion with this tutorial to relax and enjoy the summer breezes wtih a favorite book.
Make a traditional Scandinavian Christmas gift with this fabric scandinavian heart tutorial. Fill with candies, nuts, or other small gifts.
One of my favorite things to do is spend hours on the web seeing what other creative types are doing … More
Ever wonder how sewists get perfect topstitching. The secret is to use an Edge Stitch Foot. Learn the secrets to better sewing with this amazing presser foot.
I'm going to take a break from portables for a bit and talk about one of my all time favorite vintage domestic machines, the Bernina 730 Record. It seems everyone sings praises about the quality of Swiss engineering and the 730 definitely ranks among the top in terms of features, c
Don't know about your area but here in VaBch/Norfolk Friday was July Sew Day. It wasn't just another sew day this one had a little spice. Our local PBS Station, WHRO, was filming and interviewing for a piece they are doing on the work Elaine and I do for and about QOV. It is apparently a new segment on events and people around our area that support our active military and veterans. To be chosen as the first story is quite an honor. We will post and link what we can when it becomes available. They will be making another trip to the home/studio for some more footage and interviewing this coming week. Are we excited...ask your 7 year old on Christmas Morning before you hand him/her their first present. Duh!!! To say we are lucky when it comes to space would be very true. The Ocean View Senior Center Norfolk allows us access to the gym area. Our guild also holds our Day Chapter meeting s here. They have been very generous and gracious hosts. Above, the WHRO camera operator, Shannon, takes some shots as Laurie explains the photos of her family she has on her cup. Elaine and I had the honor of awarding QOV's to her parents. WWII Veterans who meet when her dad was wounded and the treating nurse was...you guessed it...her mom. Above, left to right Nancy B. Nancy Z. and Anne H. share stories and experiences with the WHRO Reporter, Michelle B. (standing) Michelle is a 26 year veteran from the U.S. Air Force. She was also one very surprised recipient of a Quilt of Valor that we presented. We will post some photos at first opportunity. Shannon videoed and took some stills of the Award Presentation. Nancy Z's name will come up again here in a few minutes. Above Susan P. and Nancy F. (I know a lot of Nancy's) were working on bindings. While Davis M. (below) was doing some cutting. He was working on some blocks for future QOV's. Davis has been quilting since February 2013 and has already ribboned. A former engineer he took to quilting and sewing like, as they say, a fish to water. I think I've seen at least a dozen of his finished projects...at least...oh did I say finished. One month he brings a couple of tops to Show and Tell and next month he brings the completed quilts. My guess is the life expectancy of a UFO is very short around Davis. We displayed a couple of finished quilts and there was an area where we had quilts to be bound, bordered, and labeled. Everyone had plenty to do. There was one quilt that wasn't there. It was in the Longarm Room attached to the machine waiting for someone to get home and apply some thread. You'll recall I mentioned Nancy Z. would be heard from again. Well here she is. Elaine and I were graciously invited to attend this years Region 8 Retreat. While there it was announced by Betsy that a company that makes the blue star fields for flags has a very strict and rigid quality control system. If there is a flaw, any flaw, the smallest of flaws detected as the field comes off the machine the field is removed from further production and prior to Betsy, discarded. The fields are never part of an American Flag. Well long story short Betsy took delivery of apparently a pallet full of blue fields of different sized stars that didn't get past quality control. So of the 90 individuals that attended the retreat we all got some blue fields. You may have seen some postings of what others have done with those blue fields. Well here is Nancy Z's. I got to quilt it and more than likely will get to award it down the road. This truly is one of those times when the picture doesn't do justice. This is one fabulous quilt. My goal as a longarmer, whether a QOV, a Project Linus, someone's baby quilt or one of Elaine's custom T Shirt quilts, regardless, is to compliment the quilter's work. I haven't seen Nancy yet so I'm kind of on pins and needles but I hope I was successful. Her work is always beautiful and meticulous. Picking the pattern and putting down the first few stitches was more nerve racking than flying into a combat zone under fire. At the time I was used to that, it was the routine. Complimenting the work of quilters is a tad bit more challenging. If I get it wrong a lot more dangerous. I'll leave you with this...by the time I get the quilt all of this has been figured out...thank goodness! I have to admit I'm a littler concerned in regards to the size of the lap as indicated above. I'm gonna have to talk with Elaine. Apparently I'm gonna need a "nap quilt." I'm certain I qualify. Quilt till you wilt...we do.
Pintucks are a great way to add texture and interest to fabric without going overboard. It's a subtle embellishment that is fairly simple to sew. … More
Description of the new BERNINA 530 Swiss Edition sewing machine, which has a red face plate in front.
Serger tension can be tricky for the beginner sewist. But with a little bit of clarity, you’ll know exactly how to turn those dials or knobs to achieve the perfect tension for all of your sewing projects.
I've always been a purist when it comes to creating a shell hem, however there comes a time when you have to seek an alternative technique...
Adapted from a hand embroidery technique, couching is a simple way to add color and texture to a project, stitching cording to the surface of the fabric.
This post is part of the Sewing Back-to-School series, 30 days of helpful sewing articles by guest bloggers. Feel free
Heute geht es weiter mit unserem Puppenkurs. Die vorherigen Anleitungen findet ihr hier: → Puppen nach Waldorfart nähen Jetzt geht […]
My Bias Binder Attachment was given quite a workout as written in this earlier post. Today’s post is about the tool and some tips to keep in mind. Bernina has a new version to go with their fabul…
Couching is an embellishment technique that lets you add color and texture to the surface of fabric, stitching cords, yarns, … More
A beginner's guide to overlocker stitches and when to use each stitch.
Summer is just about here and yep, I am a slacker! I can't believe it has been 2-1/2 weeks since I have written in my sewing journal! Summer...
Learn how to successfully fit an armhole by using a muslin. Adjust the bust, back, and shoulder—and your armhole almost takes care of itself.
This is going to be a quick post with lots of photos, as quite frankly it’s too nice out there to be indoors working and this sunny, warm weather may not last (sorry if you’re not enjoy…
