Friday 22nd November, 2014
... NEW CHAPTERS AHEAD ...
Back again after a break away from The Studio – and it wasn’t what I had planned, or chatted about before. A stitching get together/retreat was put aside, as I flew up to Townsville to visit my dear Mum, Thelma. Mum’s been on her own now for over 20 years, as Dad passed away when he was just 70 years old. She’s 91, and had been offered a place in Aged Care, as she moves into a new chapter in her life.
It was lovely to be up there to spend some time guiding her into what lies ahead. Mum has dementia, however loves telling me stories from when she was younger and recounting family history, clearly the stories and times she remembers best. So thought I’d share just this … the gene pool runs deep!
The Bundesen family, (my Mum’s maiden name) owned a Laundry in Hill Street, Yeppoon for many years, and Mum being the eldest daughter, worked there for quite some time. She worked the presses … and loved the look and feel of clothes freshly, and beautifully pressed or ironed. She taught me how to iron shirts and trousers ‘properly’ when I was quite young. I still like to iron – every week my clothes come straight off the clothesline and into the Studio, where I have a board and iron set up at all times.
My Mum’s been a sewist for nearly all her life just as I have been, so her sewing room and all ‘that lies within’ will need sorting and clearing out. Many boxes of fabrics, patterns, threads and haberdashery ‘gatherings’, will be re-homed for others to treasure.
My own Studio here is certainly not in need of anything … but Mum insisted on me leaving with something she’d treasured over the years.
I’ve gained a new doorstop! It’s a vintage Mrs. Pott’s iron – one she apparently used when she was very young! (Not in the Laundry business though – Mum kept houses for others as a job, from the time she was 13) Imagine keeping an iron all those years!! It’s heavy, old … and I love it! It has a timber detachable handle, and fits in well with the decor in the Studio. Mum will never be far from my thoughts every time I open the Studio door, and move it into place.
I managed to squeeze in a surprise visit to Just Country Crafts … and it was their Bernina Club Day! Merina was teaching Foundation Paper Piecing in the morning, and Jeanie had the girls all busy in the afternoon embroidering Christmas Tree Snow Globes in the hoop! What fun! Merina took the photo – so here’s Kathryn and Jeanie with myself, just after I walked in – the smiles say it all!
... The Studio Update ...
Last time I chatted about what was happening up here in the Studio, we had a new tool to unbox! The Airless Spray painting outfit!
It’s been unboxed, setup and put to work! I had a little break away as I mentioned before, and came back to this lovely surprise!
Now what’s that saying about ‘plans of mice and men’ ?? You see, it was planned to have ‘The Studio’ match up with ‘The Cabin’ … well, a certain well known hardware store (insert eyeroll here!)… mixed the paint to the wrong strength/colour!! However, I actually quite like it darker and, that it’s different than ‘next door’. Oh, and a RED door will certainly make it pop even more! (Here’s my mockup version with a red door!)
It’s been raining here since I got home, and the puddle out front just won’t dry up! Here’s a radar image of the rain one day this week!!
... Innovative Accessory ...
BERNINA Stitch Regulator #42
In 2004, my new Bernina machine that year, the 440QE, came equipped with the fabulous Bernina Stitch Regulator, or BSR as we refer to it as. The BSR helps beginners quickly master free-motion stitching by ensuring consistent stitch length, and speed. It also gives experienced quilters the confidence to try more complex techniques with greater control and precision.
The BSR includes three interchangeable soles for various free-motion quilting techniques. The closed-toe sole (similar to Foot #9 and Foot #15) offers central needle visibility, while the open-toe sole (similar to Foot #24) provides extra visibility. The large transparent circle sole (similar to Foot #44C, coming up soon in the Blog) helps glide over bulky seams or high-loft battings. These soles are perfect for projects ranging from quilting to thread painting.
There are three modes of operation, and I use ‘rhyming words’ to remember how each of them stitch. Mode 1– Run … (Active by default) It continues to stitch until you press the stop button. Ideal for designs with points and corners. Mode 2 – You … only stitches when you actually move the fabric underneath. I use this mode when stitching with lots of curves. Mode 3 – Free … I generally use this mode when basting small quilts, ‘frees up a lot of time for me’, as it has two different options available – SPI2 (Stitches Per Inch) = 2 stitches per inch and SPI4 = 4 stitches per inch. This Mode has been available for some time on the Bernina Q-Series machines.
The BSR foot is attached and connected, and then the feed dog is lowered. Use the Stop/Start function to commence/stop stitching. The sewing speed is regulated by the movement of the fabric underneath. The stitch length can be adjusted to suit different techniques.
My B790PRO has the added ability of operating the BSR with the Kickstart Function. This has the advantage of keeping stitching without having the foot control pressed, or having to move to press the Stop/Start button on the machine. Another hands-free operation!
Options available for the foot – One version only – Not all Bernina models are sold with this fabulous accessory included in the initial machine package, however the BSR can be purchased separately. Not all models are BSR compatible. Check your sewing machine manual, ask your preferred Dealer or go to the Bernina website.
Foot #42 had 4 different techniques to stitch out, all free-motion, and I loved playing with some of my lovely threads in the Red Bobbincase again, for some bobbinwork!
... This Week’s Foot Highlights or Challenges ...
‘Free-Motion Bobbinwork’ – love this technique – used my Red Bobbincase – not sure what thread the purple was, Pink is ‘Moonlight’ 8 ply, and Green is ‘Cameo’ Rayon 300D/4 – info off the labels – I have had them all for quite some time. I hooped the fabric and stabiliser in my favourite timber hoop which has a cutout area for placing under the foot, however if you use the knee lifter you can raise the foot higher than just with the foot lifter button. Used circle stitching for a curvy finish. Note: Check tensions on upper thread when using heavy thread in the bottom – I found the default of 3.75 way too low – best stitch was Upper thread tension 5.75. Design as per the Big Book of Feet, and I enlarged it on the printer, tracing it then onto the interfacing at the back.
‘Stipple Quilting’ – I combined the next three techniques in the one sample and played a bit more with some freemotion quilting. I’m really not a good freemotion quilter – but I had fun! I need some practice, however with the BSR I still got great regulated stitch lengths! I used Mode 1, however usually use Mode 2 for curves – forgot to change!!
‘Continuous Line Quilting’ – I stitched the outline for this continuous heart as per the diagram in the Big Book of Feet, drawing it on with a chalk marker first.
‘Thread Painting’ – after doing the outline for the sample above, I changed to Zigzag and ‘painted’ the left side of the heart. Love the variegated thread for this.
... A Little Something Extra ...
Oldie but a Goodie
There’s a Bernina eBook out just for the BSR, and as it was published in 2015, it does not have Mode #3 detailed in there. However, lots of great information in it.
Here is a link to the ‘Just QUILT it Bernina Stitch Regulator eBook’ …
... and a Tool Tip ...
So, this week, as I had threads to hand work back into my samples, I reached for a special little pouch that hangs from my Multi Spool Holder, which attaches to the back of most of my machines. (The only one it does not fit is my sweet little Simply Red 215.) I actually have two of these holders, as one is always fully loaded with my garment making threads, and lots of other ‘keep handy’ things like safety pins, my leather thimble, floss threaders and bodkins, and the other sits ready to use for embroidering tasks, or decorative threads.
Whilst the Multi Spool Holder is a ‘must have’ here in The Studio, what I wanted to talk about is what’s inside the little pouch. But first, a special mention and thank you again to my dear stitching friend Deb, who made me this little leather pouch (it’s actually for lipbalm), which has the most fabulous whipped handstitching around the edges. Deb is an ‘upholstery trimmer’ during her working day (custom making THE most incredible hotrod seats etc), and a Bernina lover just like me! The edge stitching reminds me of the stitches inside a steering wheel cover.
What looks like a tube of lipstick, is actually a little needle holder, where I store my most ‘reached for’ needles, including these fabulous Clover Self Threading Needles. There are other brands available, but I prefer the quality of these over other brands. Simply place the thread at the top of notch of the needle (u-shaped groove) and then by pulling it down, the thread will go through the eye of the needle. Perfect for burying those quilting thread ends. Game changer!!
As I was also using thicker ply threads this week, I selected the Chenille needle I had in there (large eye like a Tapestry Needle, but has a sharp point) – and yes, like sewing machine needles, there are a LOT of different handsewing needles available too. The little needle holder is available at lots of sewing stores and has been around for a while.
... A Little Reminder ...
Bernina’s Foot of the Month November 2024 *
is Lapseam Foot# 71– 20% off – contact your preferred Bernina Dealer for this fabulous offer … and it’s not just for seaming! I’ll be covering this foot later in the Blog.
*Australia and New Zealand Promotion Only – ends … 30th November, 2024 …
Black Friday and other promotions
13 DAYS of Black Friday SALES
The Black Friday 13-Day Sale is ON NOW, and Bernina are offering incredible discounts on BERNINA and bernette machines…
Chat next Friday,
‘Foot’note: The BSR #42 is a fabulous accessory, and I’m looking forward to when my B990 arrives to be able to use the new BISR – Bernina INTEGRATED Stitch Regulator – where I can use other feet to get beautiful, consistent stitching.
Simply put, the Stitch Regulator is built into the machine, and you use a different stitch plate (the 5.5mm one) that allows the BISR to operate through a ‘viewing hole’! Magic!!
Rulerwork with Foot #72/#72S just got easier!