Texture Magic Purse.....

This is the purse I made in class yesterday using "Texture Magic". In case you don't know what TM is, it's a paper material which is layered on your sewing project. First the main fabric, then the batting followed by a layer of the Texture Magic. I drew lines on the TM to create the quilting pattern which can be done with straight lines or doing free motion quilting with the BSR foot. Sewing the straight lines took a lot longer than the free motion with the BSR. Once that's done you simply place the layered fabric with TM up on the ironing board and begin steaming, holding the hot iron just above the TM as you don't want to touch it with the iron. I used a piece of silk organza as an ironing cloth between the iron and the TM which worked great. It was fun to watch the TM crinkle up as it was steamed. I chose a floral fabric for the center section with coordinating fabric for the top and bottom bands and lining which has several pockets. I used the BSR to do free motion quilting on the top and bottom bands. I will add a hard bottom on the inside for support and it's done. This was a fun bag to make and I'm looking forward to making another one.

Swanky Bag....Before and After........

BEFORE AND AFTER.....Just to give you and idea of how it begins. Today I finished this tote bag. It's from Sherri K. Falls' This & That pattern called "Swanky Bag". I'm always amazed at some of the patterns quilters come up with. I learn so many helpful tips and shortcuts from the instructors at the Bernina store sewing classes. This bag went together pretty easily with Connie's helpful instructions. Though, don't get me wrong, it did take me all day. It was made with various cotton Batik fabrics. I had a great time picking out and putting together the various colorful fabrics. I later added pockets using the same fabric as the lining material. I plan to add a hard bottom too.

Travel Case For Sewing Tools, etc........

Today I made a little travel case for carrying supplies to sewing classes. It was made using pretty Batik fabrics in greens and blues. My new Bernina #43 Free Motion Couching foot made applying the cording easy. Can't wait to use it on other sewing projects. I also used my new #38 Piping foot to help attach the Velcro. It's also a good foot to have for working with straps. This was a fun project which took only a couple of hours to make. I might just make another one soon. Tomorrow's class is making a purse. The Bernina sewing classes really help me become more comfortable with using the speciality feet.

More sewing.....

Today I finished the billfold which matches the purse I made for my daughter, Sherry. This project was a little tricky for me. Not sure if I'll make another one like this or not at this point. I used mostly the same fabrics I used on Sherry's purse. This billfold has a grommet with one inch elastic for the closure. The inside has eight credit card slots and a place to put a check book behind them. On the lower section is a change pocket with a Velcro closure.I finally finished the center embroidered medallion for my Floral Visions quilt. I added the outer blue sashing today. I still need to add the outer binding, the backing, batting and quilt it all together then add the binding.

Scrap Therapy

Just finished these two projects. The cell phone case was made from some left over fabric from making the matching purse. The snap and strap was one I had saved from who knows what. This was my first attempt without a pattern. The next one should go together much easier. I'm going to try some velcro closures made to attach to fabric using heat. My plan is to make one each for Sherry, Haley & Kierstin, to match the purses I made for them.

This Scrap Therapy Pocket Pouch was a fun and time consuming project, but I am happy with the outcome. The tote is made for carrying your sewing tools, sissors, threads, etc. The patchwork fabric was made by placing 2x2 inch squares of batik fabric on a gridded, fusible interfacing, ironed and sewn into the 1x1 squares and vala you have patchwork fabric. Well not exactly that easy, it does take some time. This was my first time trying this technique.

Double Diamond Table Runner

I completed another table runner using the Double Diamond cutting tool. This was actually a fun easy project, once you get used to using the cutting tool for the center pattern. I did realize later that I should not have used the geometrically lined pattern fabric for the outer boarder, since I didn't get it cut and sewn perfectly straight. But, this is a learning process, so I'll know better on the next one. Of course no one, but me, will notice when this is placed on a table and covered with plates of food, etc.

Table Runners

I enjoyed working on these table runners. The blue one was done using the "Tucker Trimmer" ruler which was a great help in getting the triangles cut evenly. It was fun picking out coordinating fabrics and seeing them come together for a beautiful table runner. Can't wait to use it this Fall.I did a "stitch in the ditch" around the stars which made a cool pattern on the back side of this runner. The stitches are supposed to be hidden in the "ditch". I still need practice on this technique, but I'm getting better. For me it's a slow process. This table runner is called "Harvest Homecoming" and was a sewing class project. This was an easier one to make, but still took time. I enjoyed using my BSR free motion quilting foot on my Bernina sewing machine to more quickly finish these projects.The back side of this table runner has a very nice coordinating fabric with leaves and berries. This runner could actually be used on either side.

Floral Visions Blocks...continued....

Finished four more blocks for my Floral Visions quilt. Most blocks are taking me around two hours +/- to complete, what with thread color changes, etc., depending on the interruptions. This group picture loads vertical instead of horizontal for some reason. The following pictures are in the correct positions though......

This machine embroidery is so addictive. I must make myself stop so I can clean house, eat, etc. At least it gives me something to do while inside avoiding the 98+ degrees temperatures outside. So far I've finished doing the machine embroidery on eight blocks. I'm not sure if I'll have twelve or fifteen blocks for a king size quilt. Guess I could just go with nine blocks and make a wall hanging. We'll see. I could design new blocks or repeat some of my favorites, although I do enjoy the designing process.

Last Sewing Class Day

Friday was the last sewing class day for Kierstin and Haley. They completed zippered pouches which turned out really nice. They did a great job of putting in their zippers, especially considering this was only their third class in sewing. After class we went out to lunch then off to JoAnn's Fabric store to buy some fabric so they could make pillow cases.They picked out their own fabric and thread to match their rooms. Then we went to their house to set up Sherry's sewing machine and make pillow cases. It was a great learning experience for them. They did a great job and are excited about sewing. That's the idea. :)

Sewing Classes....

Yesterday, I took Kierstin and Haley to their first ever sewing class at the Bernina Sewing Center of Lake Mary. They did a great job making pillow cases and even started their next days project which is a wall hanging organizer. I brought them home with me so we could use my machine to embroidery their names on their cases. Now they both want their own Bernina sewing machine.

Second day sewing....they made wall hanging organizers with pockets. They did a great job for only their second time sewing. Tomorrow's project is a zippered bag.

Floral Visions Quilt Blocks

My current project is using my Bernina sewing machine and the "Floral Visions" software for a new quilt. I believe that there are twelve blocks to do in this one.

So far I've completed four blocks using my embroidery module with my Bernina sewing machine. I'd hate to think how long these blocks would have taken me to do them by hand. Each block takes 1.5 to 2 hours on the machine. I'm going to complete the quilt using a medium blue fabric for the main boarder and a pale blue fabric around each square. I'm not sure how I will do the backing at this point. I should be finished with it in a couple of months. Of course, I'm getting helpful instruction on this project from Mel the owner of the Lake Mary Bernina Sewing Center. She's a wonderful instructor. More photos to follow.....

A Purse For Sherry.......

Finished this purse for Sherry last night and she was so excited to get it that she stopped by on her way to work this morning so she could use it today. She called to say that she loves her purse and everyone at work wants one. That made my day. It has three pockets on the inside and two outside pockets. I later added an additional insert with a magnetic snap for a large inside pocket. Sherry wanted just an "S" on the outside pockets. I also made a small matching make-up bag. I put her name on this one, but it isn't very noticeable using that thread on that fabric pattern. Maybe I should have used red or gold thread.

Papillon Pillow

Here's a pillow case I made using the embroidery module on my Bernina 830 sewing machine. The butterfly portion took two hours to machine embroidery. I added four covered buttons to the back closure. It is very beautiful. The picture doesn't do it justice.My next big project is an embroidered quilt using flower designs. I'll be going to a class on Saturday to learn about the software. Then we have one more class and we are then on our own to finish the embroidered squares to be put together and finished in September. The owner of Bernina, the manufacturer of my sewing machine, was visiting from Switzerland and stopped by the Sewing Center here in Lake Mary where I was taking a class. He was nice enough to autograph my sewing machine.