Friday April 05, 2024
... REST AND RAIN, BUT NO RUFFLES! ...
Well, April has arrived! It’s going to be a busy couple of weeks ahead as I prepare for my trip away! I’ve should have been ruffling away through metres of bias strips of fabric, getting the class sample ready for Just Country Craft’s ‘Journey Cut Create’ Retreat on Magnetic Island later this month … but I’ve been spending time trying to rest and shake off my dose of this year’s Influenza Virus! … so today, as more rain is falling outside, my fabulous Ruffler Attachment #86 … which is Bernina’s Foot of The Month for April … is sitting atop of this pile of fabrics – thankfully, all washed, sun dried … during a couple of rare sunny days … pressed and ready to cut, ruffle and stitch down, as I make another Ruffled Rug … and perhaps a couple of Chair Mats for The Studio, if I have time. I might manage a progress shot for next week’s post ??
It’s a fun accessory, and one I’ve loved since I first bought one in the early 80’s. My daughters Sally and Gemma both had ruffles on a lot of their home sewn clothes! … and when my Granddaughter Ambah arrived … the Ruffler worked overtime!!
... The Studio Update ...
What can I say, except … March brought lots of rainy days, (Sally and Bobby loved it) …
… so progress has halted outside, until weather fines up, and work can resume again. Thought it was getting better… first photo last week … but second photo was taken just yesterday!
Inside, there are just a few more boxes to ‘discover’ what’s inside … but all that will have to wait until I return home from Townsville.
I’ll have lots to focus on as well as more feet to stitch samples for, write up blogs, and then there’s fun stuff for Bernina Academy to go through … yes, all packed into a special box!
Still keeping a ‘lid on’ all that’s happening yet … Class details released soon!
... Did You Know? ...
Pattern Repeat Function
Many machines now have this capability, and it is used mostly on decorative sewing tasks. However, I use it when I am stitching ‘functional’ items as well.
Pattern Repeat was a great step to add when I was entering the setting for the ‘Tailor Tacks’ sample … and this feature is often overlooked I feel for basic stitching tasks. I’ve used it a few times to quilt hexagon shapes … as when I was making a little Hexagon toy bag for my Grandson Bobby at Christmas, I had 17 stitches per side to quilt, turn and repeat … 6 sides all the same! Saved slowing right down before the end of a row!
Here’s another toy bag I made a few years ago, same technique used, and the quilted ’17 stitch’ hexagons.
On most of my machines I am able to select up to 99 repeats of a pattern (via a numbered keypad), and on my B750 and B435, my choice is up to 9 repeats. My Simply Red 215 does not have this capability.
Here’s how to operate it if you have this function …
Pattern Repeat 1-99x (My B790PRO and B590E)
Enter the number of times the stitch pattern or stitch pattern combination is to be repeated and press green check mark to ‘Confirm’ .
To deactivate the pattern repeat, tap and hold ‘Pattern Repeat’ on stitching area.
Pattern Repeat (My B750 and B435)
Touch the icon 1-9 to select the number of repeats desired
1x: machine stops automatically at the end of an individual pattern or stitch combination
2x – 9x: machine stops automatically at the end of a pattern or stitch combination after the number of repeats selected
... Functional to Fun ...
Tailor Tack Foot #7
This foot was originally designed to make tailor’s tacks, temporary thread loops to mark seam lines, darts and notches quickly and easily, as before the days of disappearing/washaway fabric markers, this was achieved by hand. However, the foot can also be used to create decorative techniques such as fringing, fagoting and 3D effects.
The first thing you will notice about this foot is the raised metal bar (‘blade/ridge’) in the centre of the foot. Next, is the v-shaped cutaway area at the back of the foot for the stitched thread loops to pass through, without flattening them. No … it’s not for the ‘Dual Feed’ mechanism!
Zigzag stitches are formed over the ridge (For setting options, see ‘Foot’note at end of post) … and combined with a reduced top thread tension (I used 1.0), when the work is removed, the stitches formed on the surface of the fabric are loose.
Some stitches are then cut/trimmed, or if used in a decorative way, secured in place with an additional line of stitches.
Tailor Tack Foot #7 comes as a single version only. It fits on machines right across the Bernina range. When using this foot, I change out to a 5.5mm Stitch plate and select that plate in the Security Setting area.
Foot #7 had 4 different samples to stitch out which included the ‘practical’ use that the foot was created for, along with three decorative techniques.
... This Week’s Foot Highlights or Challenges ...
‘Tailor Tacks’ – these are great to use when the fabric of your choice cannot be marked successfully with some sort of fabric marker. A high contrast thread is ideal. I tend not to use the Auto thread cutter function as it leaves the thread tail too short. Stitch #2 SW 3 SL 0 or drop Feed Dog (book suggested SL 4 – 5mm !!) and I engaged Pattern Repeat x 4 – machine stitches the 4 repeats and then stops – saves counting each time J
‘Textured Trim’ – I stitched over a seam with blue thread on top first, and then using pink thread in the needle, down the centre of a striped ribbon trim. Found SW 3 and SL 0.2(Pink) and SL 0.4 (Blue) gave a nice finish. Second Row I switched out to Foot #20, Stitch #1 SL 2.5 and sewed down the centre of the zigzag, flattening them in the middle.
‘Fagoting’ – Using Wonderfil Tutti thread (Cotton Size No 50), I used Stitch #6 SL 4 down the centre of the pulled apart seams. On the side of the fagoting, I used Stitch #8 SW9 (but i felt it was too wide). Love this technique – I made a dress in the mid 80’s in cream linen with rows of variegated thread fagoting down the centre part of the drop waisted bodice, and wore it often to work – turned a plain garment into something very special!
‘Fringe’ – with tearaway stabiliser on the edge and the same beautiful variegated Wonderfil thread, this one stitched out well. First row was Zigzag SW 5.0 SL 0.4. Then I used Stitch #406 (Mirror Image) SW 9 to secure the threads on the edge, forming a fringe.
No real challenges this week, however do read the tips regarding stabilising/starching fabrics prior to stitching!
... A Little Something Extra ...
Mixed Media Seam Fun
Here’s a great little project to stitch up when you have some spare time!
‘Just Sew It’ Seams to Me Tag File is a project by Susan Beck (Editor of the wonderful Bernina Big Book of Feet … and others).
I made this many years ago when the project was first released, and it travelled around with me in a suitcase full of teaching samples, when I was working in stores, or as a Freelance Tutor. Lots of different feet are used, and Foot #7 is used for a fagoted seam. Why not stitch it out with the feet as we are working through the Challenge.
Here is a link to the ‘Just SEW It Seams to Me Tag File’ PDF …
Bernina’s Foot of the Month April 2024 *
is the Ruffler Foot #86 – 20% off – contact your preferred Bernina Dealer for this fabulous offer. … it really is a lot of fun! I’ll be covering this foot later in the Blog.
*Australia and New Zealand Promotion Only – ends … 30th April, 2024 …
Chat again Friday,
‘Foot’note:
The needle opening can handle stitch widths of up to 5.5mm, ideally suited for zigzag stitches of at least 3mm width. However, using this foot with a straight stitch setting is not recommended, as the needle may collide with the central ridge of the foot, potentially causing bending or breakage.