Fun and fantastic from Bernina

Bernina is always coming up with something new and fantastic!! Not only have they just introduced their latest and greatest sewing and embroidery machine, the 8 Series, last month, but they also have a new and improved website!

After watching the Bernina webcast introducing the new 8 Series machines, I am so excited and thrilled about this new machine - the Bernina 830! I can just see all the possible projects that can be stitched on this impressive machine.

There are several features which I am totally thrilled about, the number one thing being the jumbo hoop which increases the embroidery field to 16" x 10"!!! Can't you just see all the large designs that can be stitched and just imagine the borders and continuous designs that can be stitched with only one hooping verses several! I have been waiting for the width of the embroidery area to increase for several years and it's finally here!!! :)

Plus there is an added amount of space between the needle and the machine, making it much easier to quilt larger projects and just gives so much more room to hold the fabric! And another favorite feature of mine is the automatic needle threader. Yes, it is totally automatic - a one-process threading system! And the jumbo bobbin which holds 40% more thread!!

Be sure to peek at Bernina's new and improved website as they have great class lessons on sewing, serging, embroidery and software! Plus you can download instructions for lots of neat projects. And there are always free embroidery design downloads available as well as other fun things that get you totally excited about stitching!

You can always catch the latest Bernina news on the BerninaUSABlog!

Gingher lightweight scissors are a treasure!

When I first learned to sew my cutting shears/scissors were my best friend. Especially when I invested in a quality pair of 8" Gingher dressmaker scissors. Once I started quilting, the scissors were stashed away (except for uses here and there) and my rotary cutter was in constant use! How quick and easy it was to cut fabrics with that little round wheel!

Although a rotary cutter is fantastic and can be used in many ways, those 8" pair of cutting shears are still valuable. Lately I have been using Gingher's newly developed line of lightweight scissors. They contain the same Gingher quality and precision, but with molded black nylon handles. Those handles make the scissors much easier to hold in your hand and cut for a longer length of time!

You know how after cutting for a while, especially through several thicknesses of fabric, your finger and thumb starts to develop a little groove where the scissors have been? With these wonderful black handles, that little groove is totally nonexistent! Not only that, but they are much easier on your hands!

Cutting all the little ties in the fleece blanket I made last week can be a challenge to do all at once. But by using the Gingher lightweight scissors, I was finished chopping that fleece in minutes and ready to tackle three or four more blankets!

Gingher has a whole line of the lightweight version of scissors including 8" trimmers and 4" embroidery scissors. Give one a try and you will love it!

New Embroidery Collection from Sue Box: Creative Little Homemakers!!!

Introducing the latest stunning collection of machine embroidery designs from Sue Box Creations!

Create your own unique scenes with the Creative Little Homemakers Collection of beautiful Victorian designs. These little girls are washing clothes, drying and ironing them, playing school and picking flowers.

The Creative Little Homemakers embroidery collection is available on a multi-format CD. The designs of this collection are suitable for most brands of home embroidery machines. Supported formats: .art, .jef, .vip, .hus & .pes. The designs are in two sizes to accommodate the 4"x4" hoop size.

This collection features bonus embroidery templates for both large and small hoop sizes included with the packaged designs!!

Be sure not to miss our on this fun collection!!

What is Stitching in the Ditch?

Stitching in the ditch is a machine quilting technique where you are stitching directly in a seamline. You use a walking foot to create long rows of straight stitching where the stitches are hidden in the seamline of the fabrics. The goal is to stay in the ditch and not stray outside of the seamline. Your stitches will be hidden in the seam, holding your quilt layers together. It's a great supporting stitch for your quilts to really support and hold the layers together before other decorative quilting is done. If quilting is new to you, it is an excellent stitch to start your quilting.

Be sure that your seams are pressed flat to one side as this will make it easier to stitch. As you are stitching, be sure to watch your needle and guide your seamline to follow it. It does not matter where your walking foot is; it is more important to watch where your needle is stitching. If you gently glide your hands over the fabric, slightly pushing it away from the needle as you are stitching, this lets you easily see the seamline and helps you to stay in the ditch.

Many times stitching in the ditch is done with invisible thread to make the seam even less visible, but you can use cotton threads in various colors as well. Whatever thread you use, keep in mind that your stitching will be hidden in the ditch.

Tie those fleece blankets!

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I know it's been a while since I've posted here, but the last few weeks have been rather hectic and there have been some technical issues here with my blog that I have been dealing with! Hopefully in a few weeks my blog will have a complete new design to it with some fun additions! Stay tuned in the next couple of months! :)
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Yesterday I finished a fleece tied blanket for a baby gift. Two different colors of fleece in lengths of 1 1/4 - 2 yards just creates a fun and snuggly blanket! Add a little embroidery to one corner with that special little one's name and it's also a unique gift!

I lay the fleece pieces on the floor, cut the little 1" strips and start tying knots. To make the knots look the same from both sides, I will tie one, skip one, tie one, skip one on the first side. Then flip the blanket over and tie the ones I skipped. This keeps the knots being tied from both sides and gives it a uniform look.

Want to make your own fleece tied blanket? Find step-by-step instructions here...