Friday 4 October, 2024
... MAGIC HAPPENED! ...
Bernina Academy 2024 wrapped up on Saturday afternoon, and what a fabulous time we all had! I flew down to Sydney on the previous Saturday morning, hopped into a taxi and arrived at Wentys League Club (the Venue) before midday! Then it was straight into helping the Bernina Team unpack machines, and set up classrooms and the retail area ready for the busy days ahead. The next day was more of the same, and we left there Sunday evening rather tired. Our excitement level was very high, as ahead were two days of Reveal/Dealer Training on the new Bernina Top of the Line machine B990, as well as presentations by OESD, (Oklahoma Embroidery Supply & Design), part of the Bernina Family, and hands-on Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) classes with Veruschka Zarate, of Pride and Joy Quilting from the US. Following afterwards were four days of Consumer hands-on classes on the B990, Intro to Embroidery Classes on the B735’s, more FPP with Veruschka, quilting with Amanda Murphy, of Amanda Murphy Design also from the US, Bag Making on the new Bernette 08 Straight Stitch machine, ‘Threaducation’ with Jennifer from Wonderfil Threads, and the L890 Overlocking classes I would be presenting. Here’s the B990 room all set up and ready for Monday … and my classroom nearly finished for first class on Wednesday.
I spent both Monday and Tuesday assisting in Veruschka’s classes, as the Dealers/Staff had 3 hours working on a Foundation Paper Pieced Sewing Machine, and learning her technique. I picked up quite a few new tips, and was excited to meet Veruschka. I’ve been a ‘fangirl’ for quite a few years now! prideandjoyquilting is her Instagram page.
Wednesday rolled around and it was my turn to be the Tutor in a classroom of machines and attendees. Ten beautiful Bernina L890 machines set up all in one area! I had some fabulous ‘classroom helpers’ of my own over the four days … here’s a few ‘in action’ glimpses I managed to take …
Two full days of ABC’s of Overlocking, and two full days of Creative Embellishing with your Overlocker certainly kept me busy! It all seems a bit of a blur to be honest, as the hours … and those 8 days I had in Sydney just flew! I hardly took any photos … but oh, I have a head full of unforgettable memories and laughter-filled times spent with ‘my people’. Oh, and I did manage to fit in a night at the theatre … Sister Act was FABULOUS!!
... ‘Gathering’ at the Studio ...
The only ‘things’ that were gathered in the Studio last month … were overlocking samples, bodices and sleeves! Oh, and a huge pile of fabrics, all from my stash!
In the six days before I left for Sydney, I ‘power sewed’ my way through two pairs of Itch to Stitch Belleville Jeans (including my white ones that I embroidered some OESD designs on), two pairs of Tessuti Tamiko Pants, (navy and black) four Sew Different Joti Duster Coats, two sleeveless shell tops (again navy and black) copied from a ready to wear Target top of mine, and a Style Arc Sadie Tunic. I had cut out two more Joti Dusters, but they just didn’t make the ‘cut off point’ of Friday evening! So yes, I wore almost exclusively ‘me made’ garments for the whole time I was down there. I took another pair of Tamiko pants with me, and a black cowl neck top I’d made late last year. I mixed and matched the top/pants combos and did a little handwashing whilst I was there. I’ve now got a ‘new section’ in my wardrobe, and it was great to be sewing for myself again.
Back home now, and I’ve got mending to do, those two Joti Dusters to complete … as well as two swings to make! Yes, I do stitch up some different things!
... The Studio Update ...
A really quick update this month on the Studio progress … I arrived home to see Sally had been busy prepping the front outside wall with primer, ready for painting! She said she painted only as high as she could reach! Might get a chance to do some painting myself, now that the Academy work is all finished.
Next task will be painting it all the same gray colour as the Cabin. Summer’s fast approaching here in Brisbane, so I can’t wait for the new patio roof to go on to keep the Studio a nice cool temperature without having to run the airconditioning all the time.
... Did You Know? ...
Decorative Stitches ... and Stitch Recipes
Well, this subject just ‘floats my boat’! I’ve always been ‘fond’ of decorative stitches in all my machines, and after discovering the possibilities of combining stitches many years ago, I shifted to a ‘deep love’ of decorative stitches. Sounds a bit corny I guess, but there are just so many combinations and variations of stitches in our machines that we never truly get to play with them, outside of our everyday sewing times.
Combining decorative stitches can transform simple projects into stunning pieces of work. By layering different stitch patterns, you can achieve depth and texture that resemble elegant machine embroidery, or mimic speciality trims. Experimenting with coloured threads and varying stitch lengths can further enhance the design. Creating your own ‘stitch recipe’ allows for endless creativity, making each piece uniquely yours.
New stitch recipes were often found in a publication called ‘Through The Needle’, published between 2002 and 2013, which sadly, is no longer produced. However, thanks to the digital age, they are all available online!!
When I was making samples for Bernina Clubs over the years, decorative stitches often featured, and Clear Foot #34 was one of my often used feet in these projects. This Thread Case Project was from 2012 – Online Issue #12 – pictured above – here’s a glimpse of the article, and close-ups of the stitches I used.
Google ‘Bernina Through The Needle Magazine’ and you’ll find lots of places where you can download individual issues of this magazine. If you’re struggling to find any, drop me an email and I’ll help you out.
... Visibility and Alignment ...
Clear Foot #34/#34C/#34D
I often refer to this foot in classes as my clear version of Foot #1. With similar indentations and needle opening as Reverse Pattern Foot #1/#1C/#1D, this foot has the added benefit of a clear sole, marked with red lines to indicate the needle position in relation to the stitching line. These marks are also useful to align rows of decorative stitching.
The indentations under the foot are not deep enough for satin stitches, or dense designs. A better option for a clear foot would be Foot #39 – which I’ll cover later in the blog. That foot I often refer to as a clear version of Foot #20.
Options available for the foot – It’s available in a regular version suitable for all models, a ‘C’ version for models with a 9mm maximum stitch width, and a ‘D’ version designed for models equipped with the Bernina Dual Feed function.
Foot #34/#34C/#34D had 1 technique to stitch out, which highlighted its use for Decorative Stitching.
... This Week’s Foot Highlights or Challenges ...
‘Decorative Stitching’ – a very simple stitch out this week … highlighting the use of the red markings on the foot to align the rows of decorative stitching. I chose the ‘Beaded Garden Flowers’ Stitch recipe from ‘The Best of Bernina Stitch Recipes’ – link at the end of the blog. Stitches used on my B790PRO were –
Centre Line – Combination #450, #450 mirrored
Right Section – #376 mirrored NP +5 … #633 SW 6, SL 3.4, NP +2 … #1311 mirrored NP +2
Left Section – #376 NP -5 … #633 SW 6, SL 3.4, NP -2 … #1311 NP -2
I then handstitched some little flowers and pearls onto the centre row.
... A Little Something Extra ...
More Stitch Recipes
Here’s two links for you to add some ‘stitch recipes’ to your next ‘stitch play session’. Sewing Up A Recipe commences on Page 39
... A Little Reminder ...
Bernina’s Foot of the Month October 2024 *
is # 18 Button Sew On Foot – 20% off – contact your preferred Bernina Dealer for this great offer. This is a fabulous foot that I’ve already covered in the Blog!
*Australia and New Zealand Promotion Only – ends … 31st October 2024 …
Chat again next Friday,
