Snowflake Names

Last Christmas I made my mom one of the Snowflake Name Coasters.  She loved it and asked if I would make one for each of the aides that help her at the nursing home for the 2012 Christmas.  Sure!  It would be an inexpensive, yet personal little gift.  I didn't realize at the time that there is a crew of over 50 that take care of the 29 residents.  That doesn't even include the laundry staff, the kitchen crew, the housekeeping crew or the facilities guys.  I would say that explains the wonderful care she gets.  I am very thankful for these  angels in our lives.  So, I have started the coaster production.  I use the Bernina V6 software to digitize each name, mirror it, wreath it, and sew it out on Woolfelt using Superior Metallic thread in silver.  Forget all the stories you hear about embroidering with metallic thread - this stuff performs without a hitch!  I have 15 done, and the Christmas party is the 14th.  I think I am on track.  I ordered square silver envelopes to put each coaster in, and my mom wants to have me include a little  note in each.  She is pretty excited about this idea.  So, when I tried to find a Christmasy wreath to hang on her room door, I was coming up empty.  The decoration couldn't be too big.  Then, BAM, a great idea hit!  I would embroider a BIG snowflake with her name, Marge, and fasten it to some greenery.  She would have fun telling people to try to find her name, and that would then tie in to their little gift.  Do you see the name Lori in the coaster?  Do you see Marge in the snowflake?  This idea would make really cute snowflake decorations for a tree, don't you think?  I also bought some spray glitter to spray on all of them for extra cheer.  Martha would be proud.  Jerilynn

What Type of Needle Do I Have on the Sewing Machine?

Thursday I am teaching a Threads and Needles class at my favorite Bernina store, Sew Complete.  I have a doctorate in Threadology, don't you know.  You can read about it way back on my first few posts in the fall of 2010.  Actually, anyone who pays the class fees and spends a few days at the School of Threadology at Superior Threads in Utah will get the diploma, so the "degree" should not impress you too much!  I used to teach a  Threads and Needles class at Sew Complete a lifetime ago, or so it seems.  I think it really was only 15 years ago, but it seems longer than that.  The most amazing thing, however, is that I still have my notes from that class, the "bad needle and bad thread" examples, and the little magnifying glasses I hand out to students so that they can see, up close and personal, the bad needle tips.  Where I lived when I taught the classes was three houses ago.  Think about it.  Three moves.  You may not be surprised that I have the class info, but I was pretty pleased.  I also used to teach a class called "Beyond the Basics" on a Bernina 1630, the top of the line back in the 90's.  One of the projects was a Needle Keeper.  You programmed your machine to stitch out the names of the different types of needles, and the most popular sizes of those needles.  You can store slightly used needles in the right spot, or mark what type of needle you currently have in the machine.  So, blog readers....what type of needle do I have in my machine right now?  Yep, a 90 Topstitch.  The above Needle Keeper is one that I designed just today in my Bernina V6 software.  The original one that I taught in the "Beyond the Basics" class is missing.  I can't find it.  I have moved three times, after all.  What do you expect?  Jerilynn

Big Bottom Bonnie Bag in.....Wool Felt!

As I talked about in an earlier post, I am having fun using the stitches on my machine to make felt squares. Previously, I had designed this type of stitching using digitizing software and then sewing them out on my embroidery machine. I challenged myself to use just the stitches in my sewing machine and am finding out that this is tons of fun! Using different threads is fun, too, and I have been using a lot of King Tut variegated thread from Superior Threads. The above pocket is sewn out using shades of green. The stitches do not have to line up perfectly in the corners...I give you permission just to play with designs and threads and have fun. I also like the zipper that I used. I ordered the Brastique YKK zipper from Ghees. I love the zipper pull and also the "steampunk" finish of the zipper. I am going to be on the lookout for more colors and a bit longer length. I used a charcoal grey wool felt on the outside, and lined it with a red. It is very soft and fits perfectly in the bag that I made (can't tell you too much about that right now...secret stuff!) Go buy some wool felt somewhere - Sew Complete in Eau Claire, WI, carries a bunch of colors, and you can order it on line at Wool Felt Central. Cut the squares into 5" and draw a diagonal chalk line from corner to corner to help keep your stitched squares square. I usually stitch the first one out about 5/8" from the edge and keep making smaller squares. Once you are all done, give it a good steam press and trim to 4.5". Stitch on to another square for a cute coaster or a fun pocket on a Bonnie Bag. What??? You don't have a Bonnie Bag pattern? Where have you been? Let me know and I will gladly sell you one! Jerilynn

Day Two of School of Threadology

More good food today. All food has been great, but there must be a couple or more different people the school is using. Some have tablecloths, flowers, "tablescapes" (ala Sandra somebody on Food Channel). I am sad to report that I have eaten all the offered desserts, although I have avoided most all of the bread. Doesn't make much sense, but if I am going to blow it, I want it to be on something really yummy. When they said that we wouldn't go hungry, they were very right! I stayed a bit later after class to hear a presentation on websites and blogs. Pretty interesting. I know I haven't been blogging very long, but it has been three whole days and I don't have any followers! I know, I have to let people know about it, but I guess I just want to quietly sit in a comfy chair and write a bit and have people read it. Anyway, back to the school...today I played with all different kinds of threads. I learned that pretty much all I need are topstitch needles - for piecing, quilting, embroidering. Most of the thread I used today had a needle suggestion of 90/14 Topstitch. Some thicker thread required a 100/16. All of the Superior Threads I used sewed beautifully on the Bernina 730 that I was using. Upper tension was usually lowered to 1 to 3, depending on the type of thread. I am not afraid of playing with the tension dial - unlike some people who had the fear installed in them that IF THEY EVER TOUCHED THE TENSION SOMETHING REALLY BAD WOULD HAPPEN. I am looking forward to being home with my new threads and trying them out on the Bernina 440, 1630, and the Pfaff Creative Vision. Ya, I know, I have a lot of machines. After talking with other students, however, I think my machine "stash" is fairly modest! (This is not a hint for my spousal unit!). We also saw some gorgeous quilts made by Heather (Mother Superior). The quilting was done on a longarm machine and is looking more and more like something I would like to learn to do. Ooops, a machine stash addition? I am liking the King Tut thread the most - pretty colors and a bit thicker. I will let you know how it goes once I get home. Tomorrow we get to make another project and have another talk about threads. Who knew that three days playing with string could be sew much fun! Okay, since I didn't bring my camera (duh!) I will have to look in My Pictures to find something to post because all this wording is a bit dull. It is a picture of my Penny Rug Table Runner. I have a new pattern out for that and am teaching a class on the runner in October. Good night! Jerilynn

Still Getting Educated!

Yesterday was my first day at the School of Threadology in St. George, Utah. Loved the information so far. The morning was spend learning about - are you sitting down - thread! I imagine that some people would have found all the information a bit too much, but I drank in every moment. I always have been a thread fan, and these facts were very informative and interesting. We had a chance (or three) to tour and shop out of the thread warehouse. I am not sure what I will be taking home with me yet - I have to figure out which type of thread I would use the most. Right now there is a silk thread they just developed that looks interesting. I was told that it was too thin for machine embroidery, but I am thinking that two strands through the needle might be just right...The afternoon was spend making a bag with a texture-making material. We made a bag and the teacher was Annie from Patterns by Annie. She is darling and a very good teacher. Her instructions and pattern were very easy to follow. Loved her trunk show of other things she has made with textured fabric. In the past this textures stuff (Texture Magic by Superior Threads) seemed too gimicky, but now I can see lots of uses. A Big Bottom Bonnie Bag might be fun with this material! Today, more classes. A local quilt shop visit might be in order, too. :) Okay, since I don't have a picture of what I created yesterday, I will post a picture of the Big Bottom Bonnie Bag. Just imagine it in a textured material.

As you may know, we are hoping to add on to our cabin this year - we were hoping to get a call from the bank to hear about financing, but no messages yesterday while I was in class. I did, however, get a message from my daughter...she is making her first quilt (YAY!) and had a couple of questions about the cutting. I think she also would love this three day school, but there must be a reason that most of the students here are old, like me....JOBS. Oh, that's right. I am constantly amazed, however, at the talent and style and creativity of women I meet at these seminars/classes. I guess things really do keep getting better with age!

Jerilynn