Here I am with the amazing new Bernina 830. Wow. What a sewing machine……the latest and greatest in a long line of fabulous  sewing machines by Bernina.

Maybe that’s not quite accurate. I think the 830 is really in a class of its own. Many of we Bernina fans have been waiting for a machine for years that gives us more space in the throat…you know, that area where you actually put your fabric when you’re sewing or quilting.  And it’s here!!!

The wait was definitely worth it. Not only is there more space, there’s everything else you can think of…..it’s super loaded with all those things sewers dream of…more speed, bigger bobbin, amazingly simple operating system even for a nontechie like me (that’s saying something!) and the list goes on and on.  One of my favorites….it’s REALLY an automatic threading system, not like earlier models that were really an automatic put-your-thread-through-the-needle system.  For more information on all the details, check out the website at

www.bernina8series.com

or www.berninausa.com     for all kinds of good reading

Unfortunately, it won’t vaccum my studio floor, but it does have an alarm clock on it! You know, just in case  you forget to go to bed while you’re sewing. Now you can just set the alarm to remind yourself!

And how was I able to wrap my arms around this dream machine? I just returned from Chicago from the annual  reunion of National Artisans for Bernina…..a group of designers, teachers, and others in the quilting and sewing world who are dedicated Bernina users.  This year’s get-together was dedicated to showing us all the unbelievable features of the 830…..plus lots of learning and sharing from each other as well as the Bernina people. And…as always….lots of laughs and good times. More photos of that to come…I promise!  Here’s a quick look…..national sewing teachers learning the ins and outs of the new machine.

I have another Bernina that I love, the 640 model, (that’s probably only significant info if you’re a Bernina fan) and I did not go off to Chicago thinking I would fall in love with the new machine. BUT, I have to tell you, I’ve been lusting after that machine ever since I returned.  It’s truly amazing….and that comes from someone who’s spend years and years behind a sewing machine.

I’m plotting just how and when to make it my own. I’ll keep you posted. Believe me, it will be a red letter day! After all……I deserve it, don’t you think!

How’s that for a charming looking  village scene….it’s typical of the sights will see on the August trip to the UK and the Festival of Quilts. I’ll be teaching on a textile tour of these delightful places sponsored by Sew Many Places….here’s the link to their website for more info

www.sewmanyplaces.com

There’s also more details on my blog in the travel section.

I’ve been to the UK a number of times…but never to the Festival of Quilts and I hear from everyone who’s attended that it’s a wonderful show. I absolutely can’t wait!

And…for a special bonus, I got an email from a former student, Loretta, who told me she was going on the trip. She was in my class back in New York last summer ….and how nice I’m going to get the chance to see her again. I love it when I run into former students again. It’s such a nice surprise.

Remember, I’m a former high school teacher….and those kids you teach are always just a little bit yours….even years later when you see them. Quilting students aren’t much different. You just don’t have them in class as long…and probably don’t have to give them the well-cultivated “I-mean-business-look” from time to time.

Watching my quilting students work diligently on their projects is very rewarding…..but then class is over and they leave. It’s so nice to have a reconnection to see how their doing or even a photo is great. Those quilting students seem a little bit mine too. OK, I admit it. I’m a born nurturer. What can I say.

So….I’m happy to be seeing you again, Loretta. Thanks for letting me know you’ll be along for the good time!! And to the rest of you, if you haven’t checked out the details of the trip, be sure and do that. A textile tour with others with the same passion as you is so rewarding….and SOOOO fun! Hope to see more of you!

If you’ve been around the world of quilting, you probably know that the word “challenge” doesn’t mean an insult to your good name…or a duel to the finish. Not likely….in this world it means “here’s-some-fabric-now-what-can-you-do-with-it!”

You know….a chance to show off just what you can do using your imagination, skills, and lots of good fabric! Now that you get the idea….let me tell you about the challenge I received.

It was from my good friend  Sharyn Craig (and soon-to-be-coauthor) whom I affectionately call The Queen of Sets or The Princess of the Challenge.  If you know Sharyn’s work……you’ll know why those titles fit her perfectly! Anyway….she and I are both big fans of the fabulous overdyed fabrics created by Wendy Richardson.  What arrived in the mail from Sharyn was a gorgeous collection of Wendy’s fabrics….as you can see above…..along with the Challenge for both of us to use them to create a  garment!  You know, as in one we would actually WEAR. Ok….now that’s a challenge! Sharyn shopped for some of Wendy’s fabrics, divided them in half and sent half to me. The official  deadline is next year’s Road to California gathering in January.

Now….remember, Sharyn and I are experienced quiltmakers…..but we’re not experienced garment makers. In my case……I DREAM of making fabulous wearable art, but so far that’s just what it is. Still a dream. However, I have decided that this is the year to work on that. You might remember that from my early posting on goals for the year.

SO….this  should get me started thinking anyway. I’m very excited about it  for a number of reasons. First and foremost….because it’s just for fun. Believe me, when your hobby (quilting) becomes your profession, as in our cases, there isn’t a lot of time left over for doing it for “fun.” This one is just for us AND it’s a stretch and a challenge for both of us.

The idea of a challenge isn’t a new thing for us, though. We’ve been working on a book for the last several years called Quilt Challenge…..”what if” ideas for color and design. The book is all about doing just that….challenging yourselves or your friends or whomever to work out of the box….try something new….challenge yourself. It will be released late this summer and is published by Martingale & Co. I’ll include more details to come as the date approaches…but of course, I HAD to mention it now since we’re on to this garment challenge!

Trying something new can be a wonderful antecdote to ho-hum projects or just operating in the same mode. Creative change is almost always a good thing. In fact,  I’m so excited about this personal Challenge thing, I’m thinking of making a challenge to another of my friends. It seems we both have this pile of signature blocks that have been sitting around for a couple of years. I’ll keep you posted on that one. …..how about you? Any body out there that it would be fun to challenge to an exciting, new project?