Friday 29th November, 2014
... A BIG DAY INDEED ...
Exciting times this week as my long-awaited new machine arrived! Two large boxes awaited unboxing – but first I needed to make room on the bench by moving the fabulous B790PRO … it went straight up on one of the cutting benches as I had some embroidery to do anyway …
It’s been some 8 years since I sold my B830LE ‘Big Red’ when I went travelling around Australia. It was just too big to travel with in a camper trailer and four wheel drive, where we were often off road and remote. I planned on buying a B880PLUS when I arrived back into Queensland and resumed working fulltime, however even in 2018, there was already whispers of a new top of the range, expected then around 2020. I missed that large space to the right of the needle (12” on the 8 Series) and a Jumbo Hoop to embroider in. I decided to stay with my versatile 5 Series machine to travel with, and later added a 7 Series machine in the Studio until the time the new 9 Series machine was released. Then in 2020, along came Covid, resulting in big changes in production in the world of not just sewing machines, but so many other things! It’s been worth waiting for, I can assure you! The photo below has the Maxi hoop laid on top of the Giant hoop … which is large enough for me to step through!!
On Wednesday night after setting it all up, I embroidered a little Christmas item for my Daughter Gemma, who loves Christmas just as much as me! It’s not finished yet, but here’s what I got stitched … It’s Rudolph’s Placemat from Sweet Pea Designs.
I stitched out this week’s samples on my new machine as well, whilst the B790PRO happily embroidered another project behind me.
... ‘Gathering’ at the Studio ...
Well, not a Studio gathering, but a wonderful gathering up at Yandina on the Sunshine Coast last Sunday. What a colourful, bright and happy time we all had. It was the Devonstone Fashion Summer Abroad collection launch by an industry friend of mine, Lindsey Rae, the founder of Sew To Grow Patterns. The beautiful fabrics, her first collection with Devonstone, were vibrant colours with fun patterns reminiscent of her summer travels overseas.
I met up with my friend Marjorie, who had the loveliest dress made from one of the fabrics in the range – she had won the piece at the Brisbane Frocktails event recently. Marj made a matching bag too!
Kim, Maddie and Hayley from Kimz Sewing and Patchwork on the Sunshine Coast were there as well wearing amazing outfits from Lindsey’s new range – Lindsey teaches dressmaking at Kimz, so they got an early look at all the beautiful fabrics. I forgot to take a lot of photos, so check out all the photos on their Instagram pages.
@kimzsew @devonstone_fashion @sewtogrow
... Did You Know? ...
Accessory/Feet Support
A couple of posts back I talked about accessing information on how to update your particular machines via the ‘Support Tab’ on the Bernina Website. You can download your User Manual from there as well.
Did you know that feet and accessories (for sewing machines AND overlockers) also have this ‘Support Tab’? For example, this week’s Free-Motion Couching Foot #43 can be found at this link …
If you scroll down to the bottom of the page you will find the Support Tab to click on … here you will find the link to the ‘User Manual’ for the foot. It’s usually the same as the little fold out instructions in the plastic container that come with each foot when you purchase it. Within these documents are hints and tips on using the foot/accessory, and settings to obtain the best results.
There’s also a link for the latest Accessory Catalogue …
If you were wondering how I got to each of those links, here are the steps I took …
Bernina Home > Accessories > Presser Feet > Decorative Sewing > Free-Motion Couching Foot #43
I’ve spoken about the different bobbin cases in one of the earlier Blogs (Foot #15) and this week I used the Yellow Bobbin Case (high thread tension) when I was embroidering on my new B990 machine – here’s the link to the ‘User Manual’ for that accessory
... Smooth Operator ...
Free-Motion Couching Foot #43
Bernina designed this foot for use with smooth, flexible cords/yarns with a diameter of approx 2mm, usually too thick to use through the bobbin or needle when creating fabric surface texture. I love this foot and have used it extensively.
The cupped base of the foot is larger than most free-motion feet, which enables the foot to glide smoothly over previously couched yarns without catching.
The left hand side of the foot has a tunnel to guide the yarn/cord into place as it’s stitched down. There’s also a notch at the side of the needle opening to position the yarn/cord right under the needle.
Foot #43 is another great spring-loaded foot that helps eliminate flagging of the fabric underneath the foot as the yarn/cord is couched into place.
Two guides are supplied with the foot to attach to the side of the machine for your yarn/cord, one for the 4/5/7/8 and 9 Series machines, and one for other Bernina models. The user manual for the foot shows how to fit this to your machine, and it can be left in place as using the foot. A wire loop threader is included with the foot to make placing the yarn/cord into the tunnel a lot easier. An easy to misplace piece, you can purchase additional ones separately, or substitute with a Dental floss threader.
Options available for the foot – It’s available in one version only, suitable for all models
Foot #43 had 3 different techniques to stitch out, including one using the embroidery model attached.
... This Week’s Foot Highlights or Challenges ...
‘Free-Motion Couching’ – a favourite technique that I have used often – I drew lines on my sample, both across and down, and stitched little ‘pumpkin flowers’ at alternate positions as I went. Used DMC Perle yarn and matching threads in the needle.
‘Couched Embroidery’ – for this sample I used Patons Cotton Blend 8 ply yarn and stitched a simple quilting design built into my new B990 machine. I did stitch it on ½ speed to ensure the yarn was caught in every stitch. It’s possibly the thickest yarn that flows through this foot.
‘Free-Motion Weaving’ – I simply didn’t have enough time on Thursday night to stitch this sample, so I’ll do it in the week to come and add it into the blog later on. I’ve taught this in a class and so many different samples are created depending on the yarns used underneath and what is couched on top of them. I’m looking forward to playing this week ahead.
Thought I’d add some helpful notes from the User Manual:
Couch the cord by guiding the fabric with smooth, round movements and guiding the cord loosely.
Use this presser foot only with a needle size 80.
Cords of 1/16” – 1/12” (1.5 – 2 mm) in diameter which are not too stiff and have a smooth surface structure are suitable for couching with this foot. Unsuitable are loosely twisted or soft cords, as the needle penetration in the thread is not always guaranteed and the cord cannot be couched properly. Therefore it is recommended to sew a test first. If monofilament thread is used, the stitches are hardly visible.
... 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 …
Chat again next Friday,
