Friday 18 October, 2024
... BREATHINGS OF MY HEART ...
Thursday 9pm … Another week, and another blog post and I’m truly stuck as what to write tonight – and I had best get unstuck because, it’s only 10 hours before this is scheduled to be published! I’m not often without something to say … my dear Mum used to tell me that really often!! So let me just ramble on for a bit … and see where it all goes …
There’s always a lot of things happening in my life, as both sewing and my family and friends, keep me really busy. I’ve settled back into life ‘after Academy’ and one thing I noticed was it’s very quiet here at home … during the days when the young people are at school and the parents are working at least! Being around ‘my Bernina people’ for a whole 8 days down in Sydney, talking/living all things sewing, really made me miss being around sewing stores, customers and even my ‘working life’ … just a little. I’ve been away from full time work for over 4 ½ years now, and casual work for nearly 2 years. Writing this blog has certainly taken ‘a chunk’ of time every week, but as I’m over the half way mark, I’ve been thinking about ‘what happens after’ I get to #99 ? … yes I’m always looking for the next ‘Challenge’!
My mind is full of ideas that stretch me beyond what I am ‘skilled up’ for – however, I’ve never let that get in the way … so I’m going to delve into a bit of ‘technology research’ over the next few months whilst I await the arrival of my new B990 machine, sometime in the New Year … and I believe it will be good to keep my brain active too.
Oh, and I’m going to indulge in a little bit of ‘retreating’ with some dear sewing friends, take myself on a few little road trips to get my toes in the sand again, and fill my notebook with ideas for 2025.
Well, I should have looked up a little earlier because here’s what the little shelf in front of me, told me to do …
Seems I do that every week, when I share my love of Bernina with you all.
My time spent over the years assisting with Bernina Shows, Training sessions and events, have strengthened my love of sewing (and the product of course), and brought me to be in the company of many inspirational tutors.
Back in the early 90’s I helped out at Doll-arama here in Brisbane, when Bernina provided machines for use in workshops. A highlight was meeting Elinor Peace Bailey, a renowned doll maker extraordinaire, who flew in from the US to teach classes. I was in a little ‘doll-making phase’ at the time. Great fun times carting machines from one classroom to another (well, we made the hard work look fun!) – here’s a great photo I shared recently with some friends, of the late Martin Whitton (Bernina Chermside), Joy Harvey (Queensland Area Manager for Bernina), and myself ‘on the job’ at Doll-arama. Yes, years ago as you can tell by the fashion … and Joy and I were still carting machines around at Bernina Academy in Sydney!
In Sydney just a few weeks ago, I helped out in workshops given by Veruschka Zarate (Pride and Joy Quilting), and foundation paper piecing is her ‘jam’! One of this week’s feet, Foot #97 was used throughout the workshops, as a clear view, with a great straight stitch is required for such precision. Just stitch on the line … couldn’t be simpler, or more accurate! I’ve been a bit of a ‘girl fan’ of Veruschka for a couple of years now, and it was a delight to spend time seeing her teach her techniques. (Sadly didn’t get a photo with her)
I’m always on the lookout to be in the company of people who are passionate about their craft, and genuinely great people.
I’m keen to get to some classes next year … as well as my retreats and roadtrips!
... ‘Gathering’ at the Studio ...
A little gathering of two friends is planned for tomorrow and Monday, when Marjorie and Jenny join me for a couple of days of discovering their beautiful Bernina L890 Combination Overlock and Coverstitch machines.
I’ll post some photos next week if I manage to get time to take some – it does get busy in the classes.
Meantime, here’s a before shot of the Studio as it was on Wednesday morning when I was stitching the Blog post samples …
And as it is tonight, all set up ready for the ladies to arrive in the morning!
A fun day of discovery of the basics tomorrow, and then more knowledge for them to add when they get to play with lots of accessories on Monday.
Sharing the Bernina Love!
... Did You Know? ...
Quarter Inch Feet not just for Patchwork
This week I’ll be stitching out samples using three different numbered feet – #37, #57 and #97 – that are mostly used by patchworkers. However, like some other feet in the range, I do love to utilise their ‘features’ in other techniques not related to patchwork at all.
Oh, they are fabulous for piecing/patchwork of course, and as I took my first class in that in the early 80’s, they’ve been well used feet by me for many decades now.
All three feet have an open area in front of the needle, and are my go-to feet for Foundation Paper Piecing, and doll/toy making, where you sew on a traced line. The toe widths/markings on the sides of the feet are invaluable when doing my seams of all types, and I find them particularly useful for French Seams.
French Seams can be straight or curved, on the insides of a garment, sewn on a 90 degree corner, and even on the inside lining of a bag with ‘bagged out corners’. I used Foot #97D for these – 3/8” final seam using left hand edge of the foot.
I’ll share the how-to’s of all these another time – here’s the finished samples I created.
Next sample was created using my overlocker set up for a rolled hem for the first seam, sewn with wrong sides together. I then switched over to my B790 PRO and Foot #57D, with its guide on the side, to do the second part of the seam. (I use Foot #23 for this technique if I’m needing a very narrow finished seam)
Another use as I mentioned is for Foundation Paper Piecing, a favourite technique of mine! Here’s my set up in the Studio for FPP with my little A5 light pad connected direct to the USB port of my sewing machine! For FPP I like to use #37D (or #97D). So, they all get a turn somewhere!
I actually had to stitch the FPP sample three times to get it correct! First one had the wrong fabric chosen, second one was where I mistakenly trimmed off the bottom seam allowance … and the third one was the ‘Goldilocks’ sample – just right …
... Triple Treat this week ...
Patchwork Feet #37/#37D, #57/#57D, and #97/#97D
These patchwork feet are all designed for straight-stitch only, and best results are achieved in combination with a Straight Stitch plate.
Patchwork Foot #37/#37D is Bernina’s original quarter-inch foot, and it has the ability to attach a seam guide to the back of the foot as well.
Patchwork Foot #57/#57D has the addition of a spring-loaded guide, allowing it to move easily over seams.
Patchwork Foot #97/#97D comes with a separate seam guide, which screws into the bed of the machine. The foot has a wider sole to fit across the feed dogs of a 9mm stitch width machine.
All feet have three markings on both the left and right hand sides of the foot – ¼” behind the needle position, at the needle position and ¼” in front of the needle position. The area in front of the needle is open to give excellent visibility.
Options available for these feet – All available in a regular version suitable for all models and a ‘D’ version designed for models equipped with the Dual Feed function.
Foot #37/#37D, #57/#57D, and #97/#97D had 6 different techniques to stitch out, highlighting the versatility of these feet.
... This Week’s Foot Highlights or Challenges ...
‘Quarter-Inch Seams’ – aligned raw edges with outer edge of foot – Used #97D
‘Eighth-Inch Seams’ – aligned raw edges with inner edge of right toe – Used #97D
‘Turning Corners’ – stopped once front edge of the fabric reached the notch ¼” in front of the needle – Used Foot #97D
‘Tucks’ – stitched aligning the guide aong the folded edge of the tuck – Used #57D
‘Curved Piecing’ – mark centre of top and bottom piece – ensure convex curve is on top and concave edge underneath – Used #97D
‘French Seams’ – wrong sides together – 1/8” seam (inside edge of toe) – press and fold wrong sides together – ¼” seam (outside edge of foot) – Used #97D
There are a few extra tips in the Big Book of Feet for this foot/feet – including stitching with a Straight Stitch plate, spray starching your fabrics first and stitching with a Quilting Needle #75 (although I still prefer my Microtex 80)
... A Little Something Extra ...
Patchwork eBook
Another eBook to add to your collection, and this time covering all three feet from this weeks post.
... 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 fabulous 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 next Friday,
