Friday 4th April, 2025
... GYPSY DOILEY TREASURE ...
I had managed a little ‘me’ time this past week, which was lovely! I took my friend Megan along to a little workshop at Miegunyah House Museum, over in Bowen Hills. I wrote about a previous visit with Kathryn from Just Country Crafts earlier this year. The workshop was making a Vintage Style Caddy using doilies on the outside and vintage sheeting for the lining – a lovely handsewing project.
The very talented Nicky Heron (whose quilts and ‘makings’ adorn the Museum until April 16th), ran a delightful morning class on the house’s verandah, lots of chatter, doilies and fun! Thank you Nicky!
I rummaged through two baskets of doilies and found a set with a Gypsy Caravan on it! Couldn’t resist buying that! I learnt a new handsewing stitch – Glove Stitch, which joined the panels together.
Just where do the days go?!! I cannot believe it is a week since I last sat down to write up a blog post, however it must be … here it is 6pm on Thursday night and I’m just starting to do the write up! EEEEEEEK! Luckily I’m not on dinner duty tonight 😉
I did all the stitching out of the samples yesterday, all set up inside the house as it was a very wet day here in Brisbane. This week my B590 got to have a ‘play’ with the Eyelet Embroidery Set #82 (and Foot #92).
I had my granddaughter Ambah home with me, off school due to not feeling well enough to go – so Ambah did a little filming of me doing one of the samples. Here’s the first round of stitching …
… and then the second round to finish off the Eyelet.
Here’s the finished strip of Eyelets!
So let’s jump right into the fun of this Accessory before its midnight!
... A Box of Free-Motion Fun ...
Eyelet Embroidery Set #82 with Eyelet Foot #92
Eyelet embroidery is a beautiful and versatile design, perfect for enhancing clothing like tops, dresses, and shirts, or adding interest to hems and pockets.
It’s also great for home décor, such as tablecloths, napkins, placemats, aprons, lampshades, and cushion covers. Its delicate, intricate look can add a charming, vintage-inspired touch.
I’ve had my Eyelet Set for many years now, and it seems the contents have changed just slightly to what is available now. The box contains a cover plate to screw onto the bed of the machine, (screw and screwdriver included), 6 eyelet studs (3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 9mm) to help anchor the fabric whilst stitching, and Eyelet Foot #92 …
… a wooden block, two awls – round and square for use with the smaller studs, four fabric punches for use with the larger eyelet studs, and a handle to secure the punches to. Generally speaking the smaller eyelets are best on fine to medium weight fabrics, and the larger eyelets on thicker, heavier fabric (9mm is ideal for leather).
The latest sets differ only in that there is one wooden handled round awl included in the set instead of the two red handled ones. (Photo from Bernina Website)
Options available for the foot – It’s available in a set including Foot #92 suitable for all new generation models. (An older Generation foot #92 is also available.)
Attachment #82 and Foot #92 had 3 free-motion techniques to stitch out. (My little Gypsy was still up in the Studio so was missing in this weeks photos)
... This Week’s Foot Highlights or Challenges ...
‘Free-Motion Eyelets’ – I stitched out 6 different sizes of eyelet, utilising all the punches and the straight awl. I stitch the eyelets with the feed dogs dropped, even though the plate covers these. First row of stitching was Zigzag Stitch #2 NP +3, SW 2.5 and second row at SW 4.0. The largest eyelet (#6 – 9mm) had a third row of stitching at NP -5, SW 1.5 to give a very narrow ‘shadow’ ring. I used Stretch Overlock Stitch #13 around the extra eyelet #3 (5mm). To finish and lock off, I use Straight Stitch #1, NP -1
The smaller the eyelet, the narrower the second row of stitching needs to be so that it does not become too bulky. I used Wonderfil Polyfast on top and Decobob in the bobbin.
‘Eyelet Borders’ – Three border ideas were stitched. The first sample, eyelet #2 (4mm) was used and the variegated thread was Wonderfil Fabulux.
I combined a couple of decorative stitches for the green row of stitching and the red eyelets, #3 (5mm) size (Wonderfil Polyfast) on the second sample.
The third one I used Eyelet #3 (5mm) and Eyelet #2 (4mm), and a variegated Sew Easy cotton thread.
‘Eyelet Beading’ – #5 (8mm) Eyelet was first stitched onto the Grossgrain ribbon before threading with narrower ribbon and appliquéing it to the base fabric. Wonderfil Polyfast again in the needle.
Summary: I always do test sew-outs whenever I change stitches, threads or fabrics. Here’s my little piece of fabric I trialled on initially, and you can see here that the row of zigzag second from the top, has the bobbin thread showing on the top. I changed the tension to 2.0 (default is 4.25) and the stitch then looked ok. (See top row of zigzag) I had the Black Bobbin Case in.
I then changed over to the HTTC Yellow Bobbin Case (High Thread Tension Case – designed for embroidery and free-motion stitching) and it stitched well with the Default setting. I then decided to stitch all the samples with the Yellow Bobbin Case. Easy fix for the tension issue.
Here’s some other ‘test/play pieces’ created along the way this week –as well as a piece of embroidered fabric I had leftover from a skirt I made – good inspirational offcut!
I have used this accessory to create eyelets in a hoodie casing for a cord, covered belts, air holes in children’s hats, luggage tag ends for cords, bookmark cords, baby shoes for ribbon laces, creating holes for binder rings in fabric folder pages, adding touches to embroidery designs and corners for bunting to tie pieces together. Possibly others that I cannot recall tonight, as well. So … quite a bit over the years!
... A Little Something Extra ...
Tips and Project Ideas for Eyelet Attachment
I came across a few We All Sew articles to give you some inspiration for this accessory.
I’ll add in links below for adding holes to a fabric belt, drawstring gift bag, an embroidered cushion, and a kids busy book page – might have been on my idea list for a few years now … and still not started!
... A Little Reminder ...
Bernina’s Accessory of the Month April 2025 *
is Reverse Pattern Foot with Clear Sole #34C: Get a 20% discount at your BERNINA dealer during the whole month – contact your preferred Bernina Dealer for this fabulous offer.
*Australia and New Zealand Promotion Only – ends 30th April, 2025 …
Simply Joyful Mother’s Day Sale!
Visit your preferred Bernina Store from the 7th April until the 18th May to discover the wonderful range of machines and accessories on sale … and there’s 20% OFF BERNINA & bernette Accessories*
*Excludes all other brands, luggage bags, needles, bobbins, bobbin cases and spare parts. While stocks last.
Chat again next Friday,
