Wednesday, September 9, 2015

What We're Sewing: Jen



After stumbling across a link to this tutorial on Instagram, Jen knew she needed up whip up a few to use at home! Inspired by the Lotta Jansdotter prints that May Chappell used, Jen pulled out some long coveted fat quarters from Lotta's line, Echo. 

Tools & Notions Jen found helpful:
-Make a Zipper Tape (if you haven't used these you don't know what you're missing!- 12 zipper pulls on 5 1/2 yards of zipper so you can customize the size!)
-BERNINA Feet: #52 Teflon Sole  & #10 Edgestitching (read a bit about why we love these feet here)
-Wonder Clips (again, if you've never used these- treat yourself to some!)


A short time later....Voila! Two super cute project bags ready to be filled with What We're Sewing next! Jen varied a bit from the tutorial, and inserted the zipper on the back side of one of the bags. It's always good to have a bit of variation! 


**Jen shared that she thought these were great bags to make in 'production line' style, (do all your cutting at once, step 1 for all bags at once, etc.)** 

We have everything you'll need to make some of these great bags, so stop in (or shop online with us) to grab your supplies, and mosey on over to May Chappell's tutorial to get started! 

BERNINA's Fall Sale

Although I'm sure we're all upset that summer is winding down, there is a silver lining to the beginning of Fall--now's the time to stock up on all those wish-list presser feet! BERNINA's Fall Sale is starting! September 10-14th save 25% on BERNINA presser feet! 



Here are some of our favorite BERNINA feet that we couldn't live without:


#10/10C/10D Edgestitch Foot: Ideal for  clean topstitching finishes, hemming, decorative sewing and "stitch in the ditch" sewing

#12/12C Bulky Overlock Foot: Ideal for sewing bulky knits, creating and attaching piping, or adding decorative items like thick cords and sequins 


#30/#31/#32/#33 (3/5/7/9) Groove Pintuck Foot: Ideal for sewing pintucks with either single or double needles on all weights of fabric 



#50 Three-Soled Walking Foot: Ideal for sewing bulky fabrics, or fabrics of different weights. Can also be used in machine quilting. Comes with three soles: standard, quilting, central guide 



#52/52C/52D Teflon Sole Zigzag Foot: Ideal for sewing on 'sticky' fabrics such as leather, plastic, vinyl or pleather. We used this foot the other day when making project bags- check out the tutorial here!


#71 Lap Seam Foot: Ideal for sewing laped and flat-felled seams on heavy fabric. This foot can also be used to sew on quilting binding- check out this great tutorial to learn how! 


#86 Ruffler Foot: Ideal for gathering and pleating fabric. You can choose to stitch/gather at every stitch, 6th stitch, or 12th stitch


#97/97D 9mm 1/4 Inch Foot: Ideal for 9mm machines, this 1/4 foot with screw-in guide helps in the creation of perfect quarter-inch seams




Not in the market for feet? In the market for a new machine? BERNINA's Fall Sale has something for you, too! You can take home a B215 for ONLY $699! This is an amazing deal for an amazing machine! The 215 is incredibly versatile- perfect for a beginning sewer, someone who needs a utilitarian machine for home projects, or even a sewing enthusiast looking for a 'travel' machine to take to class. 



What's better than this amazing machine for only $699? Using BERNINA's site DesignSkins, you can customize the look of your machine! Choose from one of their pre-selected images, OR upload one of your own! 

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Our Trip to BERNINA

We had a great time at Q20/Q24 longarm training in Chicago! We learned all about these beautiful machines. Bernina's longarm machines are unlike any other. Here's a quick rundown of some of the AMAZING features of the Q24 frame model, and Q20 sit down/frame model:





-Fully front operated (you can do everything but turn the machine on/off from the front!)
-Maximum stitch speed of 2200 stitches per second
-Unique tension control
-Programmable personal settings
-4 Programmable toggles on frame model handles
-Programmable 'kick back' of foot pedal on sit down model
-TWO count them TWO Bernina Longarm Stitch Regulators
-3 BSR modes and 1 manual mode with programmable max/min speeds

....and those are only SOME of the amazing features of these machines. 

Oh, we can't forget one of our favorite features: they use domestic sewing machine needles!! No more special longarm needles needed! You can EVEN use twin needles for decorative quilting. 

Our Q20 sit down floor model will be arriving any day, so stay tuned for an announcement and a date for our 'meet & greet'! 

Until then, check out this amazing video BERNINA released showing the process of how these revolutionary machines are made in their Switzerland plant. 




While we were at training, we also had the opportunity to tour the BERNINA and Brewer headquarters, as well as sneak a peek of the warehouses. We thought we'd share some of the photos with you! 

Here is the BERNINA warehouse- look at all the machines! When we order your new machines, and our floor models, this is where they come from! 



Here's a sneak peek of Brewer's side of the warehouse. Many of our notions, books, patterns, stabilizers and more come from Brewer. This warehouse also holds much of their lines of fabric from Stof, a Danish fabric company. We've got a number of bolts from them in the store! 







Monday, August 10, 2015

August's Accessories of the Month


August's Accessories of the Month: Designworks Tools

BERNINA has an amazing deal this month for you all! All Designworks Tools (PaintWork, CutWork, CrystalWork) are 25% off now through the end of August! These tools are must-haves to accentuate your embroidery and sewing! Read on for more information on these amazing tools:

With the CutWork tool, you can cut out clean and precise shapes- your possibilities are endless! With a BERNINA embroidery machine and the CutWork tool, you'll be amazed at the beautiful effects you can achieve with garments, accessories & quilts! Here's a sneak peek of what you can do:



With the PaintWork tool, use permanent marking pens to paint forms, patterns and images clean and precisely. With your BERNINA embroidery machine and PaintWork tool you'll be able to combine embroidery designs with PaintWork designs for stunning additions to apparel, accessories or quilts! Here's a sneak peek of what's possible with BERNINA's PaintWork tool:




With the CrystalWork tool you can add sparkle to any design. The tool punches small, precise holes, that are then filled with heat-set crystals. With your BERNINA embroidery machine and the CrystalWork tool your bags, quilts, and clothes will be sparkling in no time! Here's a sneak peek of what's possible with the CrystalWork tool: 


These amazing tools are only 25% off until August 31st, so don't miss out! 


Saturday, July 18, 2015

Easy Orange Peel Tutorial

We are excited to share that we are now a Missouri Star Quilt Company wholesaler! 
Check out what's in stock from Missouri Star on our website here 

Today we'll show you how easy it is to use one of our favorite templates from Missouri Star- the small orange peel template. 


To begin, you will need the following:
- 5" squares of fabric that will be your orange peels (we used a charm pack from Heather Bailey's line  Clementine--you can find them on our website here)
- 5" squares of background fabric, which the orange peel will be sewn on to (we used FreeSpirit Essentials Solid in color 'Cream')
- lightweight fusible interfacing (we used ShirTailor) 

**The amount of 5" squares that you'll need will depend on the size of the finished product you want to make! One charm pack will make a small wallhanging or table runner. For a throw sized quilt, you'll need about 4 charm packs (or roughly 170-5" squares of both orange peel and background fabrics).** 

Once you have your squares ready, you're going to use the orange peel template to cut both your printed orange peel fabric, AND your interfacing. We stacked a layer or two of interfacing and fabric to expedite the cutting process, but do what makes you comfortable. 



You'll notice that the template has a number of holes 


Mark the holes on the non-fusible side of your interfacing


You're ready to sew! Take one of your orange peel fabrics, and one of your interfacings, place the right side of the fabric against the fusible side of your interfacing. (YES! you read this correctly! Right side of your fabric against the fusible side of your interfacing!!) Sew along the entire edge with a 1/4" seam. 


Once you've sewn your seam, you'll want to pull the two pieces apart a bit, as you'll be cutting the interfacing, but you don't want to cut your fabric. 


Clip your interfacing, and cut a slit running between the two center dots you traced onto your interfacing

Turn right side out. Use a purple thang, stilleto, point turner, etc. to ensure you have crisp points. You should now have an orange peel that has your printed fabric on one side, and the fusible side of the interfacing on the other. 




Grab your 5" background square, and press a crease to find the center line of the square. Place your orange peel, fusible side down, on the background square, making sure to center it between corners, and along the center fold. 



Press with your hot iron, on both sides



Now that your orange peel is fused to your background, take it to your sewing machine. Using the line in the center of your #1 foot as a guide, use a zig zag stitch to sew your orange peel to your background. We did not need to change the stitch length/width of the standard zig zag stitch, but we recommend you do a test piece first, to ensure that your stitch is as you'd like it!  






Continue with the rest of your orange peels. You can arrange your blocks in different ways for different designs. Look for a class on making an orange peel quilt in August, but until then, you can purchase the ruler here












Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Swiss National Day!



If you've been pondering a new machine, now's the time! Take advantage of BERNINA's financing special in celebration of Swiss National Day. One day only- August 1st- BERNINA is offering 0% financing on all purchases over $3000 with the use of a BERNINA credit card. 

Stop by today to learn more, and to try out the machine of your dreams! 


Monday, July 13, 2015

July's Foot of the Month

Bernina Foot of the Month:
#39 & #39C Embroidery Foot with Clear Sole


Embroidery foot with clear sole #39/#39C is Bernina's remake of an old favorite: #6. The transparent sole of foot #39/#39C allows for a clear view at all times during sewing. This foot is extremely versatile- your perfect partner for compact decorative stitching, satin stitching, and applique. 

The additional feature of a small hole in the front of the foot makes it a perfect companion for cording, as the cord is fed directly under the needle. 

The raised channel on the underside of foot #39/#39C makes stitching with raised effects, or a dense design a breeze! 

Check out this great tutorial from BERNINA International:


Tuesday, May 19, 2015

May's FEET of the Month:

Bernina Feet of the Month:
#88 Binder attachment with #95/95C

BERNINA has an amazing deal going on this month! They're offering 25% off the purchase of a #88 Binder attachment (which comes in 3 sizes) with the #95/95C foot! 

Binder foot #95/95C is a specialized presser foot that is used in conjunction with the binder attachments. For 9mm machines, you'll use the #95C, for 5.5mm machines, the #95. The design of the foot facilitates the easy application of bias binding with the #88 attachment. 

Binder attachment #88 for use with unfolded bias tape produces even, neat binding on quilts, clothing seams, and home furnishings. It is available in three different widths: 28mm (scant 1 1/8"), 32mm (1 1/4"), and 38mm (scant 1 1/2"). 

Together, the #95/95C and binder attachment #88 work to feed the unfolded tape through the bias tape feeder, and position it accurately on the fabric's edge. It is then held securely in place until it's sewn onto the fabric. When used conjointly, these feet will make sewing bias-binding on your projects a breeze! 

Check out this great tutorial on these must-have accessories from BERNINA International:



Thursday, March 12, 2015

Check Out the New Spot!


Here's a sneak peek of the new location! It's still a work-in-progress--we're still finding homes for everything--but we hope you enjoy! 











We hope you stop by to come see in person soon! We're still open Monday-Saturday 10-6 and Sundays 12-4. From out of town? You can shop on our website 24/7 here!