Happy New Year, Now Get to Sewing!

I have a ton of sewing planned for the next few months, and plans to be made for the months after that. Do you plan your sewing, or is it a willy-nilly process that takes you to a beautiful quilt or garment for yourself or a loved one? I have to have a plan, then I have to make myself see that plan through. I tried to be willy-nilly in 2010. I wound up with many unfinished projects and a very frustrated me.

This year I have resolved to stay ahead of the ballgame, and plan to stay accountable by posting my accomplishments here on the Stitchin' Post. My first-needed project of the year, the hemstitched heart pin cushion for January's All About Machine Embroidery is complete and ready for next Thursday's club meeting. My next project 'Pockets To Go' for January's Groovy Girls Quilt Club meeting will be this week's project to start, while I work on the Sarah Vedeler Silk Hearts Quilt for our Valentine's window display.

Pictures to follow! I left the heart pillow at the store. Thanks for helping me stay accountable!

When Sewing Christmas Pajamas for an Army, Follow the 'Bold and Beautiful' Plan!

I have never been more of a procrastinator than I have been since the store opened. Now, it is coming back to bite me. On Christmas Eve this year, deep into the night, I was sewing 6 pairs of flannel pajamma pants! Was it because I was too busy the month before? Not busier than anyone else who got their pjs sewed on time. Was it because I had to wait for Christmas flannel to hit the store. Hmmmmmm, Christmas flannel gets to our store in JUNE!

When we order seasonal fabrics at the store, we have gotten used to the fact that they will be 'hanging out' for a few months before hitting the shelves. It's the best way to plan our shelves, and the very best way for manufacturers to make sure they have enough to go around before the busy season arrives. It's like the CBS soap 'The Bold and the Beautiful'. If you are watching it currently (I have not watched it in years, so I hope they are still fashion designers.) you KNOW they are not currently planning the fashion show for spring and summer. That was months ago. No, they are planning the fashion show for next fall.

So, my resolution for myself this year is to stay at least one season ahead with my sewing and my samples. Yes, yes, I am presently sewing the Silk Hearts quilt for our Valentine's display, but maybe if I hadn't been working on it, I would have had my Christmas pajamas done on time! Stay a season ahead, and I guarantee you will enjoy your sewing even more.

PS: While I did not get one picture of all of us in our pj's, I sewed an impressive 9 pairs this year. Already ordering my bolts for Christmas 2011! If you need a bolt of Christmas flannel for your family, speak now! And watch for pictures of the other BIS families coming soon to this blog or our Facebook page very soon!

I Got to Meet the 3 Series!

On Sunday, I had the opportunity to sew on the new 380. It is such a great machine! Some of the features that come standard are LED lighting that fully illuminate the sewing area, long-term stitch memory capabilities in all three models, a very easy to read screen, start/stop button so you don't have to use the foot pedal, and all three models has an automatic buttonhole!

The 3 Series should be delivered within the next two weeks, and we invite all of you to come in for a test drive. You'll make a cute zippered pouch that you'll take home with our compliments and also be registered to win a BMW!

We will keep you updated on the arrival of the newest additions to the Bernina line.

Hello From Bernina University!

We have been in VERY HOT Orlando Florida since Thursday evening, attending the XL Bernina University. There are several new machines being unveiled including the 3 Series which is replacing the Activa's and the limited edition Bernina 635 E which has a designer front that coordinates with a beautiful tote on wheels! Some of the updates include a new exclusive to this machine embroidery design package, the circular embroidery attachment comes standard, and the front panel can be re-designed on the Bernina USA website! We plan to bring several back with us, stop by and take a look before they are gone!

The 3 Series will be showcased on our website and also our Facebook page. They are such an excellent addition to the Bernina line and a fine update to the Activas. You will be very impressed with these sturdy machines! Come in for a test drive and register to win a BMW!!

Come by the store soon and take a look! You will be impressed with these new additions to the Bernina line!!

Summer Sizzle Sale!

Summer Sizzle Sale and great classes this week at Bernina In Stitches!!http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs040/1102478511491/archive/1103478222848.html

A New Embroidery Star is Born!!

Donna Herbert, new Deco owner extraordinaire, brought in her first completed embroidery project for us to admire. She generously allowed us to post them in our blog! Thanks Donna! We are so proud of you!

More photos from my 830 embroidery job!!

Bernina 830 Saves the Day!

So, we had this embroidery job come in last week that also requested that we sew grograin ribbon onto little tshirts beneath the embroidered lettering. My first reaction was 'I can't do this! I'll ruin these little shirts!'

After I got myself together and got the embroidery done with my 830, I felt adventurous and decided to see if the dual feed feet were as priceless as they claimed to be. I fused a strip of Polymesh to the inside of the shirt where the ribbon would be placed, then cut the ribbon to the size of the front of the shirt and began to straight stitch it down. Guess what?! It stitched perfectly!

Another part of the job was to stitch a satin ribbon to the grograin, then stitch that ribbon to the front of a newborn cap. Again, with the dual feed #1 foot and some 505 Spray to hold the ribbons together for stitching, the ribbon stitched perfectly together then perfectly onto the cap.

My mantra has gone from 'I can't!' to 'Let's see what the 830 thinks!'

It's a brand new day!

Sewing for the Grandboy!

I wasn't supposed to be posting this until Easter, but my first grandson decided to be my Valentine instead. Cayden was born on February 8, a whopping 4 pounds, 3 ounces, 9 weeks premature. Let me tell you...........there is not alot out there for a stylish preemie to wear. Thank goodness Nana works at Bernina In Stitches and Ms. Carol and Ms. Serena have chosen a great fabric pallette for teeny tiny clothes.

I started with Children's Corner 'Bunny's Knit Nightie', which I thought was out of print but looks to maybe be back! There are some great Westminster knits at the store to make some sweet little caps (which was all the boy could wear until today!), gowns and booties from. I have also made two sweet flannel receiving blankets, which at the preferred size would swaddle three of him, but I digress........he will grow!

My next project is to embroider some teeny tshirts for him to wear while he is in the NICU using the precious design that Ms. Linda digitized for him (says 'Nana's Little Man' with two sweet hearts.....just adorable!), and then it is on to diaper shirts, bubbles, and John-John's! Lots of great ginghams and pique's to chose from for his little wardrobe.

If you are one of the two people in Washington County that HASN'T seen photos of my Little Man, please stop in soon and take a peek. And make sure you have plenty of time to hear all about him............as I can't stop gushing!

SNOW!

If it's snowing, we're sewing! Well, maybe not at the store, because snow can cause big problems for travel to and from the store. Our policy continues to be if the Johnson City schools close for snow, then we are open for limited hours or maybe not at all. So, if the weather is bad, please give the store a call before coming by. We will do our very best to be there for you, but safety is our main concern. For us and our wonderful customers.

If there is a sewing emergency at your house, leave a message if we aren't answering the phone. We check our voice mail frequently and will return your call as soon as possible.

Taking the Plunge!

It's time..........for me to have my own 830. I am excited and scared at the same time, but I am committed to being as excited about this machine as most of you are so it's time to just do it! I will hang onto my 450 for classes, but my 730 has been adopted by a very loving new mommy (thank you Sara!) and my 200 has gone to live with my daughter so it's time to open my doors to this giant machine and see what all the buzz is about.

My goal for this year is to sew many garments for myself on my wonderful Bernina's and to wear at least one 'made by me' article of clothing every day at Bernina University. You all have seen the beautiful clothes that Carol makes for herself and her girls. I aspire to do a little bit of that myself, and I'll keep you all updated as I complete my outfits.

The Newsletter is Late Late Late!

I can't believe that we didn't get the newsletter finished and to the printer in time for it to be mailed by January 1. December was a very busy month at the store, and we were treading water most days just trying to keep up. Since we have barely started working on it, it would be best for you to not expect it before, say, midmonth. Many apologies for this, and I promise to be more organized by this time next year.

In the meanwhile, the weekly eblasts are covering our class schedule quite nicely. If you are not receiving the emails, make sure we have your email address, and also make sure your mailbox is not filtering us out.

And check out the website and the Google calendar for classes and events that are coming soon to Bernina In Stitches. Call the store if you have questions!