Re-Falling in love with my Bernina: Part 3

If you have been following my journey with my love hate relationship with my Bernina I thought I would update you with some recent news. As I had posted earlier, the 750QE was one of the first Berninas to use their new hook system, have a larger bobbin (almost twice as much thread capacity as their original bobbins) and 9mm decorative stitch capacity. In addition it came with the BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator) which operates automatically when you move your fabric around for Free Motion Quilting. When it was released it had numerous problems and for most Bernina owners it was frustrating. But for a new Bernina owner, it felt like I had made a huge financial mistake. This machine isn't cheap and I bought it because Bernina has one of the best reputations in the sewing and quilting industry. It was a huge disappointment to say the least.

After my Thread Painting Class with Joyce Hughes, Miss Fussy Pants (my Bernina 750QE) began acting up... AGAIN! This could not continue. She needed therapy! (And to be fixed up right!!!)

Well, after a lot of research and discussion with several friends, I was led Danners Bernina Shoppe in Hanover, PA. It is a traditional quilt store in every sense of the word. It is run by lovely Mennonite women who share a long history and lineage of quilting tradition. Their repair person, Dave, came highly recommended by my Juki dealer who sends all of their Bernina owners to Danners. (Yes, I own more machines. Dont all quilters?) Well, in 7 to 10 days I will have my Bernina back and hopefully our love affair will be renewed. I have a list of things that need to change. I want the Stitch quality that Bernina promises, I want the BSR to work like it did in the showroom and not take off like a rocket to the moon, and I expect the little quirks to be completey worked out. I am not asking for much. Just what Bernina promised.

I'll let you know how the story ends in about two weeks. Wish me luck.

2 a.m. Excitement

I have so many things to post! But it's nearly 2 a.m. and I have to get up in 4 hours to teach little ones and I need all my wits about! However, I just finished watching a FMQ tutorial by Angela Waters. Dot-to-Dot Quilting If you have never done FMQing or have but aren't happy with your results you need to watch this tutorial. I will be posting pictures of my progress very soon. It's like a quilting road map. Can't wait to give it a whirl.

Best Oliso Iron Review by Pat Sloan

I have had an Oliso for three years and I have never regretted the price! It is the best iron I have ever owned and it will be the one I stick with because I have very bad arthritis in thumbs and wrists. This iron never has to be lifted up on its bottom. I just iron and let go! Take a look here: Oliso® Pro™ Smart Iron with iTouch® Technology TG1600

Fun with Zippers: My first Sweet Pea and a couple Triangle Pouches

Just thought I'd post a few pictures of little projects I am making for friends and family. These little pouches are so handy and fun to make. I need to acknowledge two amazing teachers for their wonderful patterns and instruction. First is Vanessa Vargas Wilson aka The Crafty Gemini. My very first project was a pillowcase that I learned to make when I found Vanessa's tutorial on YouTube. Since that video Vanessa has gone on to become a sewing and quilting world sensation. YouTube tutorials, fabric designer, handbag club, quilting club... She's amazing! The triangle pouches are made from one of her YouTube tutorials. Her instruction is clear, concise and her attention to detail is unmatched.

Second is the Sweet Pea Pouch. This little cutie is from Zippered Bags With a Twist: The One-Zip Way. Joan Hawley is the owner of Lazy Girl designs and is a fantastic and generous instructor, sharing her many years of garment sewing and quilting expertise with her students.

Here they are. Let me know what you think, but even more important, make one yourself!

Thread Painting Class with Joyce Hughes

This was the class that was going to help me reconnect with my Bernina 750QE. Indeed, it was an excellent start and I am so happy I chose this class to begin our couples therapy. I really didn't know anything about the instructor. Of course I checked out her web site and blog, looked over her beautiful designs and work and really admired her work ethic. But nothing prepared me for her amazing story and the journey thereafter. I won't repeat it here because I would rather you hear it from her lips and hopefully be as moved and inspired as I was. In addition, seeing her work in person is surreal. She's self-taught, broke every rule and now has her own unique techniques and is in my estimation one of the greats in the quilting/sewing world. She is a natural teacher and does the work right along with you so you take your thread painting journey together. In fact, I am attending the multi dimensional thread painting course this summer. Look her up at www.JoyceHughesOriginals.com Here is a before and after picture of my work. The applique was done by Joyce and she even did the FMQ'ing around the flowers to save time. Big thank you because it was deliciously beautiful.

Re-falling in love with my Bernina: Part 2

Hello Sewisters! This weekend I am taking a thread painting class. Me and my Bernina are attending a class given by Joyce Hughes at my LQS and Bernina dealer. This comes after I placed a phone call to them telling them I wanted a divorce from my 750QE. After receiving an intervention call from the head instructor at my LQS who talked me off the ledge I signed up for the course based on her recommendation. I'm excited to learn new skills and also for the opportunity to spark a flame with my "nina". For information on the class I am taking with Ms. Hughes check out this link and pictures of her work at www.joyceughesoriginals.com Maybe I will have something exciting to post after I finish on Saturday. Happy Sewing!

Techniques new to this Vintage Kinda Girl

Quilt as you Go or QAYG isn't new in the quilting world. But, it's new to this girl. It's oddly satisfying to watch the quilt take form in only one step. Piecing and basic quilting happen together but that doesn't mean you have to stop there. You can perform more Free Motion Quilting during or after the quilt is complete. Here is a picture of a pillow I recently completed using this method as learned from a class I watched on Craftsy.com.

It was called Fast and Furious Quilt as you Go with Pre-Cuts. The teacher, Gudrun Erla, was an amazing instructor and her projects were creative and fun. Classes expose you to new things and sometimes you try techniques that spark your creativity. That's what I love about working with fabric and thread. Next up? Wait and see!