Tuesday, May 26, 2015



How to use the CutWork Tool on the Deco 340





1.    Download a CutWork design directly to the machine or to a USB stick.  As with any design for the Deco, be sure to copy the design to the EmbF5 folder.




2.    Hoop the fabric and stabilizer (multiple layers work best for CutWork).  Thread the machine.  Then stitch out the placement line/basting stitch for the design.  The placement line/basting stitch holds the layers together for a better cut.


Stitch first step as usual
Placement Line/ Basting Stitch in blue


3.    When the machine stops for the first thread change, remove the needle and insert the CutWork tool.  Unscrew the screw at the needle bar quite a bit to accommodate the CutWork tool.   Use the stitch plate and presser foot that come with the machine.


Unthread and remove the needle

Attach the CutWork Tool


4.    Go to Settings on the machine.  Push the arrow button (on the left, the one outlined with a diamond).  Using the page scroll icon, scroll to Thread Check and turn off (this is on the 4th page).



Tool Icon


Arrow Button
Page Scroll Icon
4th page shows Thread Check Sensor; turn off

select OK





   

5.    This machine will not give a prompt to move the blade positions on the CutWork tool like the bigger machines do.  Just move the blade through positions 1-4 (on the tool) each time the machine stops for a color change.  As in normal embroidery, X out of the screen at each color change and press the start button to continue.



Work  through the design steps as with any typical embroidery design

On the tool itself, move the cutter position to a higher number at each color change





















X out of the screen  and press go to continue after  each color change



Try the BERNINA CutWork tool using free designs found here.  
 http://www.bernina.com/en-US/Experience-en-US/Free-Downloads/CutWork-Freebies

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Experience Row by Row

 

 

 
OH, SEW ELEGANT license plate

 

 

 

Calling all Quilters!  Come join us for a quilting event created to be similar to a shop hop with no boundaries, no fees and no passports.  AND you have all summer to enjoy! 

 

 

 

Hmmm...what could it be?



The picture is just a little sneak peek into the design for a quilt row that Elegant Stitches will be giving away during the Row by Row experience. Row by Row offers quilters a chance to make a quilt using a variety of row designs from a vast number of shops. Stop by the shop anytime between June 21 and September 8 to collect your free pattern. You will have all summer to collect designs from all 50 states and several Canadian provinces. This year's theme is water. You can add as many rows as you'd like; there are no limits.

A few things to keep in mind...

  • One pattern per customer and walk-in customers only; sorry no phone or internet orders.  
  • The designs are copyrighted by the designers and can not be photocopied to share. 
  • Each shop participates in the way they choose, so enjoy each unique experience in every shop. 
  • Check the website: www.rowbyrowexperience.com to see a list of participating shops.  All the participating shops do not operate the same business hours so be sure to check their websites or call ahead when planning a stop on your way through town. 


Elegant Stitches will have kits available for purchase to make their quilt row as well as a collectible License Plates to show off to your quilting friends.  The license plates can even be used in your quilt if you'd like!  The shops license plate with be OH..."SEW ELEGANT"!

Every customer can enter their finished quilts to win prizes. You must use 8 different rows from 8 different shops participating in 2015. Be the first to bring a finished quilt meeting these qualifications to a participating shop and you can win a stash of 25 fat quarters!  You can win a bonus prize if that store's row is included in the finished quilt.  This does not have to be your local shop... if you are traveling and quilting, take it wherever you land!  In order to spread the love, there will only be one prize awarded per quilter. Make as many quilts as you would like, but you can only claim one prize.  Shops would love to photograph your finished quilts and share them on their Facebook pages.The quilt challenge expires October 31, 2015.




Another sneak peek


Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Inspired...

 

It is so easy to be  inspired by all the creativity at Elegant Stitches, seeing all the amazing projects anywhere from the  idea phase to completely finished items.  Lately, I've gotten the quilting bug.  Quilting is something I never thought I'd want to do.  I know my personality, and I like to work hard and fast, get things done quickly, and have instant gratification.  I have to admit, quilting requires a lot of time and energy, but it is truly rewarding once the process is complete.


Idea...


A few weeks ago,  an employee at the shop, Deborah, shared a jelly roll quilt with her coworkers.  I immediately asked her how she made the quilt and thought,  "I can do this!  This is the answer to my need to work hard and fast and complete a project in a timely manner." I bought the Chantilly jelly roll by Moda that very day, went home, and got started. 


Snag...

 

I began the process the way that I thought was correct.  I had only verbal instructions, not a written pattern.  As I finished cutting and sewing my jelly roll, I realized that what I had was not what I had seen and wanted to recreate.  OOPS!

Chantilly Fabric by Moda

What to do...

 

With the way that they were now combined, I could not wrap my head around these fabrics blending together nicely in a quilt.  I found a pen and paper and started sketching out different designs to see how to salvage what I had started. I decided to make TWO quilts instead of one! I definitely turned a "quick and easy" quilt idea into something a little more complicated and time-consuming. Not only was this my first experience, but I then took on the added challenge of designing my own pattern. 

Design Idea Number 1

 

Starting again...

 

I added white to break up the colors




Design Idea Number 2


Sewing Begins...

 


I love chain stitching!  Remember my motto...work hard and fast!

 

Getting there...

 

Design 1 from sketch above


Straightening my squares (please be kind...my first piecing job, EVER!)

Not quite right...
 

Finishing... 

 

Quilt One

 

I decided I would give the first quilt I ever pieced (design 1 from sketch) to my mother for her birthday.  She is always quilting for her family and now the gift would be returned to her.  How fitting for my first quilt to go to the one who taught me to sew!  Since this was a gift, I decided to have a friend actually quilt it with her long arm instead of me attempting to quilt it.  Notice in the picture below, I did not stick with the design layout in the above photo. 


First Design, I'll call Diamonds and Feathers




Quilt Two

 

The second quilt design would be done for my new granddaughter.  I thought that this would be a good one for me to attempt to quilt myself. I have the machine, the feet, the time -- I'm gonna do it!  Well, let's just say, I am a "go big or go home" kind of girl...  I decided to quilt with my circular attachment!  I had it, it would be cute, and the circles would compliment the rectangles and the squares.  Okay, I've got this!


And a round and round we go!


How many more circles????

I will admit, this was not the most brilliant idea for a first time quilting experience.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the finished product, however, stitching in straight lines for a first time quilting experience would be my recommendation for a newbie!  This experience taught me how to use the circular attachment, kept me at my sewing machine for days on end, and taught me that patience is definitely a virtue!


Can you just picture me turning this quilt in circle after circle to complete it?  What a sight!

My grandbaby loved it.... I'll call this Circles Galore!

"Now," you ask, "will you listen to your own advice?"  Probably not!  I say pull up a chair and stitch -- in a circle if you want! No project is too daunting and accidental mistakes turn into beautiful finished items. Try it! You just might enjoy it!

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

One Lucky Little Girl!

Elegant Stitches employee, Barbara, is going to have one excited Granddaughter at Christmas this year.  Barbara has been lovingly creating an entire wardrobe for her granddaughter's beloved American Girl Doll.


Take a look at these sweet little outfits!



Southern Belle

Mermaid

Super Hero

Little Witchy Poo

Princess

Can you imagine the look on little Annie's face upon opening her gift from her beloved Grammie?  This is definitely a gift to treasure and pass down from generation to generation!  

*Barbara recommends reading through the instructions completely before cutting the patterns.


Joan Hinds published these books for sewing clothes for 18" dolls. You can find these and other books at http://www.elegantstitches.com/























Monday, September 22, 2014

Heirloom Sewing is not just for Christening Gowns


Renee' Spell, one of the owners of Elegant Stitches, is a Martha Pullen Certified Instructor in Heirloom Sewing and Serging.  The techniques, awareness and appreciation for the needle arts is something Renee' wants to preserve and pass down to future generations.  As focus shifts from just children's clothing and quilting, many trends and techniques are being developed through BERNINA and the couture industry and being strongly fed by Craftsy, Pinterst and Etsy type sites.  Embracing the evolving trends, Renee' created this beautiful blouse using the built in stitches on the BERNINA 880 and Heirloom techniques.


Simplicity Blouse Pattern # 8523


The inspiration for this blouse was from an article written by Laura Jenkins Thompson in Sew Beautiful Magazine.  Renee' chose to work with Italian Organdy however, this blouse would be just as lovely with a  Swiss Batiste or a lightweight handkerchief linen.  You can see how the embroidered panels were created at http://weallsew.com/2014/09/22/diy-lace-insertion-in-the-mega-hoop/.  After creating the panels, Renee' added the lace insertion with pinstitch #720 on the BERNINA 880.  The notions used were a size 100 needle and 60 wt. Mettler Embroidery thread.  The width of pinstich #720 was adjusted to encompass only the heading of the lace.  This adjustment is done with each piece of lace as each piece is woven differently.  As you change your settings from one fabric to the other, it is helpful to keep a notebook to record the changes for future reference.  The lace insertions were placed on both sides of the embroidered design at an equal distance measured from the center of the embroidered design. A tip from Renee' is to stabilize the lace work with a lightweight tearaway such as Stitch'n Ditch Heirloom.



Embroidery and lace insertions create the front bodice




After creating the front lace panel, fabric was added on  both sides creating a palette for the bodice.  From this point, lay the front pattern piece on the fabric panel and trace.  Continue to follow the cutting and  sewing directions for the pattern. Keep in mind, you can make the pattern your own with minor adjustments.  Renee' decided to make the back bodice as eye catching as the front.  She created a key hole opening using lace shaping techniques and closed the opening with a pearl button and thread loop.





Stunning details





Saturday, August 16, 2014



BABY!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Sept. 6 from 9am-4pm join us at Elegant Stitches for an Exciting Event: SEWAPALOOZA!   It is an all day event discovering the wonders of BERNINA Software 7,  Sergers and Overlockers and BERNINA accessories.    Space is limited so call us soon!

 

 

Join Lisa Veith, a BERNINA educator, and learn some new moves!

Our talented BERNINA educator is Lisa Veith.   Lisa is from Orland Park, IL.  Lisa lives in a suburb of Chicago with her husband Hank.  Her youngest child is studying Culinary and her oldest is working on his PHD at Bayer College of Medicine. At the age of 10, Lisa started making her own clothes. She learned many tips and tricks from her stepmother. One of them was the importance of having a garment look as good on the inside as it did on the outside. So she became proficient in the detail of sewing seams! 

Continuing to develop the fundamentals taught from her step mom, Lisa turned her focus to home economics in school in order to foster and develop her creative instincts. When it became time for Lisa to purchase her first machine, her researches lead her to a BERNINA 1230 with its many features enabling her creativity to come to life. Over the years, Lisa has purchased many BERNINA machines and has become proficient in their use. Lisa now has 30 years of experience in sales and customer service. 

Always trying to stay close to her first love, sewing, she managed a BERNINA store for 5 years. Always focusing on the customer’s needs, Lisa excels in her ability to help customers find their own creative side. She continues her own educational growth by learning new techniques from BERNINA Educators. As a result, she is qualified to teach classes in quilting, embroidery, Machine Mastery, BERNINA Embroidery Software and additional Software programs. She is also trained to do consumer events. 

Lisa currently facilitates BERNINA All About Me Club at her local dealer, along with sharing her knowledge of software at the BERNINA Software Sampler. She travels with the National Trade Show Team to coordinate classroom monitoring responsibilities. As a result of her creativity, she has created samples for BERNINA, one of her samples was in the 19th issue of Through the Needle and taught at BERNINA University. She also prepares samples of the newest Embroidery Collections for Brewer. But she still finds time to nurture her own clientele encouraging them to find their inner creativity. 





Hanspeter Ueltschi wants you to Sew like a Rock Star!
Be the Life of the Party!  Be a Sewing Super Star!