Monday February 12, 2024
...JUMPING IN FEET FIRST...
Following on from my story on the ABOUT PAGE …
It’s been over a year now since I ‘retired’ officially, and I’ve truly enjoyed having quality time to spend with family, friends … and all my ‘fun stuff’ in The Sewing Gypsy Studio.
It’s already mid February, and so far 2024 is shaping up to be the year of ‘more’, that is more sewing, overlocking, coverstitching, ‘make-and-doing’, learning, up skilling, socialising, movies, cups of tea … and definitely more road trips, planned or spontaneous! Simply put … MORE FUN!
... My 2024 Challenge ...
Although my days are often busy, life without work commitments, has found me looking for a challenge to keep the old ‘gray matter’ stimulated and growing. I’ve loved creating and teaching sewing classes and projects now for almost 40 years, utilising all those amazing, wonderful feet and accessories I own for my machines.
So this year, I’m jumping in with both feet … or should I say with ALL 70+ different ‘numbered’ feet and attachments that I own/use here in The Sewing Gypsy Studio, and entering the ‘arena’ of regular blogging about what happens here in the Studio.
... The Inspiration ...
My initial inspiration for this challenge was the movie ‘Julie and Julia’, which was based on the real life story of a blogger who, over the period of a year, challenged herself to cook all 523 recipes from Julia Child’s book, ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’ … and blogging daily about it. (Check it out if you haven’t already seen it – I’ve watched it quite a few times!)
... The Book ...
So, I set myself a challenge to use every Bernina foot and accessory I owned, stitching out samples using different techniques, over the period of about a year … and sharing my journey through a weekly blog. That was the ‘recipe’ and … just saying … I’m sort of glad there are not 523 feet made by Bernina! The next part of the challenge was that I needed a book to follow along.
The best reference I’ve seen for gaining the most from each foot/accessory (which have special characteristics and uses) is Bernina’s BIG BOOK OF FEET. It’s the ideal reference tool whether I’m sewing for myself, developing classes or when I’m educating new Bernina owners with the amazing possibilities ahead for them.
... The Machines ...
I’ll be using all the sewing machines in the Studio; right from the ‘new kid on the block’ Bernina’s B790PRO, my Bernina B590E, B750QEE, B435 and even my little Simply Red 215 (perfect for a little sewing road trip).
... The Stitch Outs ...
Now, along with all those fun feet and accessories, and my Bernina ‘BIG BOOK OF FEET’, I’m going to stitch out ALL the samples in the book, beginning at #0 (Yes there is a Foot #0) working my way through all the numbers, adding in any other techniques/uses I’ve found, whilst sharing my weekly sewing ‘highs and lows’, and maybe adding a little project or two for you to sew using those feet!
If you have this fabulous book (it is available through any Bernina Sewing Machine Dealer), I encourage you to take it off your shelf and read along with me … or even stitch along with me! Actually using those feet you have in your ‘stash’ again, and maybe finally conquering some of the more challenging techniques, will, I’m sure, add to your ‘skill set’ in the sewing room … enabling you to enjoy sewing even more.
I’ll show ALL my samples I’ve sewn – particularly the ones I might have to re-do along the way … I’ll have my unpicker at the ready always … these are just opportunities to learn!
... Just One Foot at a Time ...
The journey starts this week … so join me on Fridays and remember … it’s just fabric and thread … however, to get the best result … it’s ‘The Foot that Counts’!
Chat again Friday,
'Foot' note:
I shared my ‘challenge/crazy idea’ with Joy Harvey and Kerrie Hay from Bernina Australia, and their support for this blog is very much appreciated, and my heartfelt thanks go out to them both. Bernina Australia has loaned me the latest 7 Series machine, the amazing B790 PRO for use throughout the posts. All other machines, feet and accessories used, belong to me