Cut it Out

We are really jazzed about the Cutwork tool. Expect to see some fantastic samples and parties coming out of this store very soon. Crafting, Quilting, and Applique galore! We're currently cutting out letters that will be appliqued onto a banner! Adios dios, die cut machines!  YES, you can cut paper with this tool!  Did somebody say "scrapbooking?"







Roller Jam

You've heard us say it a million times: "This machine can sew through leather."  We mean it!  Here is our very first attempt at leather applique.  Expect the samples to get better as our leather working skills improve!

Supplies used:
Aurora 430 Sewing Machine
#55 Roller Foot
#53 Non-Stick Straight Stitch Foot
Mettler Quilting Cotton/Topstitching Thread
Medium-weight leather
Standard Zipper

The coin purse:


Caitlyn with her creation, and the roller foot!

Cautionary Thread Tales

There are two things we love here at Bernina Northwest.  Fabulous embroidery projects, and learning from mistakes.  Today we will review an embroidery project gone slightly awry, highlighting common pitfalls and how to avoid them.  We use the term "slightly awry" since the end result could potentially live on in some capacity... Maybe a bag?  We'll let you be the judge:


Not too shabby for our embroidery novices; Casey and Caitlyn.  Let's go to the markup:


#1 - Stabilizer:

Stabilizer is a type of material used to stabilize your fabric while machine embroidering.  In many cases, embroidery designs rely not only on line stitching, but also on heavy amounts of satin stitching.  Alone, fabric tends to fail under this abuse, thus stabilizer is crucial to giving your project the support it needs.  There is no shortage in variety of these types of materials, so rather than build a library here on the blog, we'll refer to this excellent quick-reference table developed by the fabulous Jill McCloy:

Used For: Best Used On: Comes In: Removal:
Cut-away stabilizers Permanent support Knits, loosely wovens Light to heavy weights Not removed, except for cutting away excess
Tear-away stabilizers Temporary support Firmly woven, natural-fiber fabrics Light to heavy weights; fusible and nonfusible Torn away, but not always completely removable, depending on brand and stitch pattern
Heat-away stabilizers Temporary support Nonwashable, delicate fabrics and for off-the-edge stitching techniques Woven sheets, plastic film Completely removable with iron and caution
Wash-away stabilizers Temporary support Delicate, mesh-like, and difficult-to-mark fabrics; also for cutwork and embroidered appliqués Plastic film, paper sheets, brush-on or sprayable liquid Completely removable with water

All of these stabilizer types come in various forms.  Some are adhesive-backed for extra support, while others are developed for use on the top side of the fabric (called toppers).  If you're in a jam about what to use, call the store or come by.  We love solving puzzles!

Back to the photo - This is what can happen if you don't choose the correct stabilizer.  While the entirety of the fabric is puckering, it is quite noticeable in item #1.  We thought we could skate by using two layers of wash-away stabilizer, but it just wasn't in the cards for this design which employed layers-upon-layers of satin stitching.  Sad.

#2 - Hoop On Grain

All Bernina hoops include a plastic grid insert to help you with fabric and design alignment.  Once you've hooped your fabric, place your plastic grid into the hoop and match your lengthwise and crosswise grains to the lines, making adjustments as necessary.  If the fabric has a complex pattern that obscures the grainline, find a thread and mark it with chalk or a temporary marker, then use these markings to compare against the grid.  If your fabric is hooped off-grain, the bias will stretch during the embroidery process and distort your design, as in item #2 of the photo above.  The photo below shows a standard Bernina oval hoop with plastic insert.


#3 - Use a Fresh Needle for Every Project

While difficult to see in the photo, there is definitely a problem here.  We forgot to change the needle at the beginning of our project, so about halfway through, it started to snag on pre-existing stitches.  The embroidery is still intact, but it is slightly shredded and looks shoddy.  Don't let this happen to you.  Choose the correct needle for the job and change your needle between each project.  Needles are probably the most inexpensive, yet supremely critical piece of sewing equipment.

Ok, so now to test our own advice.  This project was stitched out using the new 830, and the design is included with the machine!  You saw the before - now scope the after:


A Tisket, A Tassel

Ask and you shall receive!  Today's blog entry is the answer to customer requests for a serger tassel project.  This particular tassel will end up about 4" in length.  We'll break it down into 6 easy steps.

Supplies:

Serger threaded for 3-thread rolled hem, with a shortened stitch length
Shears or thread snips
Scotch Tape
Thread of your choice... we like Mettler Polysheen, since it doesn't curl up in the final product.
6" length of stiff material (we used a piece of cardboard).  If you want the finished tassel to be longer, increase the length of this material.

Step 1:
Chain off the serger, pulling the thread taught as it comes off the machine.


Step 2:
Continue serging until you have enough chain to wrap around the 6" piece of cardboard.  Use this device to wrap the thread around as you continue to chain off.  Wrap the board to your heart's content.  Later, we will trim one end of the threads off.  This means that the thread on one side of the board will be equivalent to half the overall width/bulk of your finished tassel.


Step 3:
Once you have the tassel looking nice and plump, stop chaining off and cut your threads.  Tape the loose ends down to the board so they are not flitting about while you work.  Chain off another set of threads a little bit longer than the length of the board, then clip and remove them from the serger.  Slide this new length of thread behind all thread layers secured to ONE side of the board, then tie a double knot to secure.


Step 4:
Gently remove the scotch tape from the threads and board, then carefully slide all threads from the board.  Use the same length of chain you tied the double knot with to secure all of the threads together.  This chain will also be used to hang your tassel from the item or location of your choice. 


Step 5:
Gather up the loose ends of the tassel in your hand so that they are all at an even length, then carefully trim away the excess using your scissors.  The goal here is to only trim off the loops that formed at the end of the board when we were wrapping, so that all chains float freely at the end of the tassel.



Step 6:
Attach the tassel to something fun using the securing chain from step 4.  Sit back and marvel at the beauty!  Check us out... Scissors AND the open sign!


Color us with a happy crayon!

Crayons, colors, decorative stitches... Oh my! This little treasure was all completed in the hoop! Can you believe it?! We know...


First Board Is In!

Our first customer-provided blog entry! Maxine Edwards rose to the occasion to create this beauty of a backgammon board! Great color selection Maxine!

June Software Sampler

Oh me oh my, this month's software sampler is a hit! Looking for a way to spruce up family game night? Mayhaps the backgammon addict in your life has a birthday coming up? We challenge you to make the spiciest backgammon board you can! The pattern is now for sale at Bernina Northwest!

Mocktail Party!

Join us for a Mocktail Party on Thursday June 17, featuring the Bernina 830.

This will be the kick-off event to our 5 days of Summer Sale!

We will be offering mocktails and 36 months financing on approved credit.  It's never been a better time to make your 830 dream come true!

Party admission is free, but space is limited.  Please call the store to RSVP @ 206-523-4739

Cheers!

Launch of Bernina Northwest's New Blog!

Welcome to the new Bernina Northwest Blog! The best place to find sewing news, techniques, tips, and fun projects! Follow the blog and spread the word by utilizing the links on the right. You will be glad you did! Now enjoy this photo of Casey, Deb, and Glorianne partying down at our annual embroidery party (T-N-T):

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