Patty's Bunny Hill Blocks

Patty Young is having a ball digitizing the free monthly blocks from Bunny Hill. She's working on the borders now as you can in the image below. She's being very creative in how she pulling parts of the blocks in for the border. Wonderful job Patty!!

The following shots are 2 of the monthly blocks I thought you might like to see. Patty is really getting into digitizing and creating her own designs. Totally different look than by hand applique - all the decorative stitches you can use from the software, not to mention the outline and fill stitches. Sometimes makes it hard to choose which one to use!!

Great job Patty!!

Webinar Reminder for Monday, Dec 7th

Reminder to sign up for the Bernina webinar we are hosting this coming Monday at 10am. Join us at Strawberry Patches for the latest webinar on the subject of Corel Draw Essentials in the Bernina embroidery V6 software. Webinar will last 1 hour then time for discussions afterwards.

Here's a Cute Free Shrug Pattern

Here's another cute pattern to make a snuggly shrug (say that three times quickly won't you) out of the yummy minky fabrics! The pattern is here and comes in sizes 8-28 so there's a size for everyone! Oh and it's FREE!!

If garment sewing would be a new experience for you this is a perfect beginner project- no darts, just three pieces plus the band around the edges and that's it. Probably have it made in about an hour - no fooling.

It's Here!!

Yes, I did the happy dance when I got home last night. You see my large hoop for the 830 had been delivered. Yes! I have been anxious to receive this so I could start experimenting with stitching a whole quilt block in a single hooping. The embroidery area size in this hoop is 10" wide by 15.5" tall. Wow! I love my mega hoop also but this big Daddy is going to be awesome for sure.

I've got some ideas for classes next year for those of us that have this large hoop - so let the testing begin!

Speaking of classes - if you weren't at Bernina Club last month you may not be aware that we're going to be offering a Bernina program for increasing your comfort level with the BERNINA embroidery software in 2010. Right now the dates look like the 3rd Saturday each month, beginning in February. So watch for more news on this in the Strawberry Patches newsletter. We're also going to be doing a block of the month program that will allow you learn new techniques and try new feet with each block - sure to help you become even more familiar with your favorite Bernina sewing machine! So some new, good classes coming in 2010.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Christmas Towels

Aren't these the cutest towels? No, I didn't make them but sure could have! Isn't that how it goes. Anyway, these can be found here for purchase if you are so inclined. I think they are darling and love the festive colors. Oh, would you look at that - a lime green towel. I love it!!
Anyway, with your software you could create a design like this using your backstitch outline stitch and the little pompoms we have at the store in several color choices. These would stitch up pretty quickly. The little postcard cutie designs I did from Bunny Hill take from 5-8 minutes to complete and that's using DMC and Maderia cotton threads with my machine slowed down a bit - and these remind me of the designs on the towels above. I've got two more blocks to stitch and the top will be completed.
Have a terrific Tuesday!!

Bernina Webinar for Corel Draw Essentials

Join us Monday, December 7th at 10am in Strawberry Patches as we host the hour long webinar for you. Bernina staff will be on the webinar to show how easy it is to turn artwork into embroidery, plus other creative designing tips! The session runs from 10am until 11am.
Call the store today to have a spot reserved in your name for this webinar.
Corel Draw Essentials is new in version 6 of the Bernina Embroidery software. If you are thinking of updating but haven't done it yet this webinar is for you. If you have updated this webinar is for you! Hope to see you then.

Mystery Quilt New Years Day 2010

I enjoyed constructing this one myself 3 years ago so know you'll love this as well. Don't limit yourself by thinking the background has to be your standard "background" choices. I took a chance when I selected my fabrics and I really liked how it turned out. This one I didn't do the embroidery before constructing the quilt because this was a mystery to me as well. But I liked it when done, and most importantly my Herbie did too because it was made for him. That's all the hints I can give you without giving any more away. So Margo, you won't have to stay up the night before doing your embroidery before class.=) The other thing you can be mulling over is the size you want to construct. I did the lap size (almost said laptop size), but will have info available if someone wants to do a larger size all the way to King.
Ok, here's the yardage for the lap size. If you want to do a larger size of this let me know and I will send you the yardage.

Background 3 2/3 yards
Dark 1 1/4 yard
Medium 1 3/4 yard

I will have the cutting instructions available at Strawberry Patches so that after you pay for the class you will be given the list of strips to cut from each fabric and the supply list of things to bring to class.

We start class at 9am to allow plenty of time to enjoy the project and the day with our friends. Should be a lot of enjoyable time for us all and I look forward to spending the day with you all!