Acceptance
Acceptance doesn’t come easily to me. I am an inveterate problem solver. My instinct is to tackle things head on with a confidence that frequently belies my inner dialogue. I am finding, as years pass, it is necessary to be gentler and more accepting of my what might not ever be possible or will take much longer than I might have thought before starting out.
Bernina 990 – Modifying Stitches
One thing I have learned about myself is that I learn best via experimenting on my own in my own environment. I am very much a trial and error, often many errors, person in order to achieve what I want to achieve. This is the trajectory of my learning how to use my Bernina 990. This week I set aside a studio day to try two new to me functions on the Bernina I have never had on any previous sewing machines.
A nifty feature of the Bernina 990 is you can select a stitch and modify aspects of its appearance beyond the typical width and length. I chose the motif on the bottom of the image above, a fun swirl and star burst pattern to try my hand at modifying it. The upper motif is the same stitch with my modifications. Can you see what I changed? I created a loop by closing one swirl and extended the central spike in the triple spike. I prefer the original stitch. Still, I did what I set out to do. I modified a stitch.
Stitching it Out
Time to take a deep and practice radical acceptance of venturing into creating with the embroidery side of the Bernina 990. I have never had an embroidery machine, so everything about creating my own embroidery is new to me. What you see belies the agony that went into making it. My goal was to stitch out my initials and surrounded them with an embroidered frame.
I started with the G. Once I got material hooped and the hoop secured to the machine (at least an hour, don’t ask) I selected my favorite G from the alphabets provided. So far, so good. Then I needed to position the T. Many more false starts resulting in unstitching, poor placement and more. Let’s just say acceptance of my ineptitude was a struggle.
Then it was time to surround my initials with the embroidery motif. I continue to have difficulties with the set-up, however I was able to:
- Scan the hoop. This places an image of the hoop’s contents on the screen.
- Select the embroidery motif and superimpose it over the scanned image.
- Make sure that the embroidery motif was with in the hoop and surrounded the initials.
- Finally, I let the machine stitch out, changing threads at the end of each pass.
Rainbow Scrap Challenge
Since I have finished all my purple blocks for July. I opted to continue to work on quilting my 2024 Rainbow Scrap Challenge quilt. The settings are quilted and so are approximately 50% of the blocks. I remain cautiously optimistic that I will have this done in time for my November open studio. If not, well I will just have to accept that.
Question of the Week
How do you know when it is time to accept something versus moving on?
I’m linking up to the following posts:
I’d say you are making awesome progress getting to know your machine! Yes, it takes a lot of starts to figure out what appears in the videos to be so simple and easy! LOL. As far as your question, it varies. . .have I run out of patience, time, expertise or supplies to continue fiddling? Or does the project say to me, “That’s it!?”
You are so kind, Terry. Thank you! Bernina did a great job of putting together a series of short videos. Frequently I can follow along on my machine. In fact, that is where I come up with what to try next. Then there are those simple things like verifying the embroidery machine’s “arm” can move freely and attaching the hoop that stymie me. You can’t start embroidering until you have proven to the machine that the arm can move. I am not sure what triggers the red light versus you are set to go. As you said, in the video it looks so easy and straightforward.
It isn’t easy to know when to stop fiddling, is it? Sometimes all that is needed is a break.
I think your embroidery with the initials turned out nicely, Gwyned! I love the look of the flowers. Those four things that you listed that you accomplished seem like important ones to me! I’ve never used an embroidery machine or even seen one at work. Does it stop and tell you when you need to change threads? To answer your quedtion, at least when it comes to quilting (and mistakes made), my limit is ripping out and re-sewing twice. If I get the same results twice, I’m calling it good and moving on!
Diann, I had never seen a home embroidery machine at working, either, before I checked out the Bernina 990. I have seen machines embroidering baseball caps and T-shirts at malls. Didn’t appeal. However, since my machine automatically can be set up for sewing and embroidery, I figured I give the embroidery a go. Naturally, to keep me interested, I needed to see how I can customize what it stitches out by combining motifs, substituting colors or even removing parts of the embroidery.
Yes, since the Bernina 990 is working with a single needle, the machine automatically stops after stitching all of one color. You then rethread with the next color and hit start. I have the machine programmed to secure the stitches at the beginning and ending of each run. It tells you how long a color run will take. Love that I can dash out for a quick bio break, or do more if the run time is 20 minutes. The machine just keeps humming along. If there is an issue, such as running out of bobbin thread, then the machine stops. I replace the bobbin thread, press start and it begins exactly where it left off.
My threshold is twice, too. 🙂
I love your embroidered monogram. I applaud your tenacity in working it thru. I’ve never used an embroidery machine, but I always knew it wasn’t as easy as it looked. Brova!
My hunch is, once I master the opening steps (attaching and scanning the hoop) then the machine will be relatively easy to use. It’s like any new tech item, there are simply some things you think should be intuitive and obvious, but aren’t. Then when you did master it, you wonder what the big deal is.
Thanks for the supportive comment, Norma.
I’m greatly enjoying reading your posts!
I’m so glad, Sherryl. I tend to write assuming my readers have basic sewing/quilting vocabulary and knowledge. So, it is good to hear you are enjoying the posts.
I’d say you succeeded in your mission on both! Give yourself grace, embroidery does take a bit of practice and time.
Thank you for the encouragement, Chris. I do find the actual stitch out quite easy once the machine eventually gives me the green light that the hoop is attached and free from impediments.
I’m with you on this. Acceptance is hard to swallow here too. If I don’t like something, my attitude is fix it or trash it (well, usually the word is f**k it). I’ll try until it is acceptable in my mind, meaning I ran out of ideas, fabric options to try, different angles to look at the problem piece from, or elevate it to another level, either into a new block or project (a quilt becomes a pillow). If all fails, I trash it. I have a few blocks made that didn’t turn out the way I envisioned. That quilt will never see the light. So, the blocks are sleeping until I can come up with something to do with them. An “Orphan” block quilt comes to mind.
For a first effort, I think your monogram turned out great. It can only go up from here, so very well done! You should be proud. ;^)
Chantal, I admire your perseverance. You don’t give up/accept easily, always willing to give one more thing a go.
Thank you for the vote of confidence. I haven’t given up yet.
Wow, that is amazing machine embroidery, Gwyned. What fun to play around and have that result. Will be something to consider in future projects, I’m sure. My last machine could do a little of this and I always felt badly that other than for a few line type embroidered stitches, I never used the feature. Meanwhile, lovely RSC blocks in a great setting there. Overall vibrancy to this one.
As you know, Jocelyn, I wasn’t planning on getting an embroidery machine, but once I saw the capabilities, how could I resist. I feel fortunate that it arrived when I am between projects. So rather than immediately launch into my next work, I am taking the time to learn the Bernina 990. Not sure what I will attempt next.
Happy you like the embroidery. It was fun to watch it stitch out.
I am finding your journey with your new machine to be fascinating. Should I ever decide to buy a machine that does embroidery, I now know that there will be a big learning curve. Your first embroidery attempt is really good. Your 2024 RSC quilt is beautiful
Of course, I didn’t intend to get a machine that does embroidery. Works a bit like attending a quilt exhibition with vendors. Hard to resist those gorgeous fabrics and nifty new tools. Since the Bernina 990 had the throat I needed it rose to the top of the short list. The fact that does embroidery, too… I don’t need it, but it sure looked intriguing. I knew there would be a learning curve. As you said, the end product does look good, especially for a first try.
Thank you for motivating me to move forward.
Well done modifying the stitch, and your initials are lovely. Great embroidery combo, once all the steps will be mastered, you are going to have a lot of fun with this machine! At my previous work, we had an Brother embroidery machine, and a software (PE-Design) to design our own motifs. I loved it! Too bad, I’m not there anymore and I miss the machine!
I know when it’s time to accept and moving on when I have tried every possibility that comes to mind. And I end up settling for the slightest improvement or success!
Naturally, I had to check out what PE-Design is.I can see why you miss the machine and the software. I know I can do something similar with additional software for the Bernina 990. Unfortunately, I am a dedicated MAC girl and all Bernina compatible software is for PCs. Sigh. There are many embroidery designs already loaded, so I am not exactly deprived. 🙂
There are times when close enough just has to do. I agree, Frédérique.
I like the way you learn ` I too like to be in my own environment. the stitching looks great . Does it take a long time or is it pretty speedy?
your rsc is amazing – it looks like a stained glass window – so pretty
Great question, Alycia. It’s both. 🙂 You can set the speed. I forget what the fastest setting is, but it is around 1,200 stitches per minute, I think. I prefer to set it somewhere in the middle. I did try it at full speed once I was sure it is running correctly, but it felt like a washing machine when it is unevenly loaded going through the spin cycle. I don’t have the cabinet yet. Right now it sits on a table. Once it has its designated table it might do better.
To answer the question: it’s a gut feeling. If I have doubts, I let a piece “percolate” for an undefined period of time. I haven’t scrapped a piece in years. Then again, I’ve not made an art quilt since 2023. With hooked art, it’s much easier to take out a strand of hooked yarn or fabric and replace it, or to hook over your original drawing (done free-hand with a Sharpie on the burlap). With some unfinished bits, I remember what my first art quilt teacher told us: “Don’t fuss over it. It’s just a sample.” Of fabric landscapes, another artist/teacher said in a lecture, “When in doubt, plant a bush!” Those two things have kept me going with my art making an explorations for almost 20 years.
Margaret, I wonder if scrapping a piece when a solution can’t be easily found is something more typical to do earlier in the learning to create phase and after years of figuring it one becomes more adept at finding solutions.
Katie Pasquini Mausupust shared something similar to your teacher, only Katie was referring to fabric that is too precious to use. Katie’s philosophy was you can always buy more fabric.
My philosophy, exploration and failure are part of the process. There may be disappointment, but you dust yourself off and move on.
It’s been a delight sharing these past two decades of making art with you.
I have a friend who can do embroidery on her machine (not sure what machine she has) and she “practiced” on dish towels. I have a few of them. If the design is off just a little, no worries.
My thoughts… If I have a goal of entering a piece for a show or competition, keep working toward perfection! If not… do the best you can and accept it.
Melva, my sister has an embroidery machine, too. She has also done her share of dish towels and similar projects. Unfortunately, we live on opposite coasts and rarely get together. What makes the Bernina 990 unique is that it is too machines in one. Most people buy a sewing machine and an embroidery machine. In my case I bought sewing machine that IS an embroidery machine and that same machine is an embroidery machine that is a sewing machine. Part of the process is learning to go from one to other (done via software) and the other is learning how to operate the machine in general because it is so very different from any sewing machine I have ever used.
There does seem to be a bit more pressure when the work is destined for an exhibition. 🙂
Gwyned, congratulations on your new B 990! I am so impressed with you, diving into the Stitch Designer and embroidery features already. Yes, it can take a bit to get the hang of hooping. If you continue to struggle with hooping and attaching the hoop, I encourage you to go back to your dealer for one-on-one help because it’s probably something that someone watching you in person could quickly say, “oh, try it like this instead” and then — eureka! You did great with your monogram project, but if I am reading this correctly, you may have made it a lot more difficult than it needed to be. Did you stitch out one design, then try to position and stitch the next design and so on? You can bring multiple designs in on your B 990 — the wreath motif, each of the letters, bumblebees etc., as many different designs as you want, and then edit them right there on the screen until you are happy with the combination, and then have the machine stitch them out all at once. Check out this video: https://youtu.be/gff03QrRZ-c?si=wLWnK5w_ZmFGXSE_. Near the end, she also shows you how you can back the machine up through an embroidery design stitch by stitch after a thread break and restart in exactly the desired spot. As for metallic thread breaking during embroidery generally, best practices would be slowing the embroidery speed (because speed increases friction and heat that lead to breaks of metallic thread) and using silicone lubricant with metallic thread. Ask your dealer about the Thread Lubrication Unit and Silicone Fluid: https://www.bernina.com/en-US/Accessories-US/Sewing-Accessories/Supporting-Sewing-Accessories/Thread-lubrication-Unit. There’s a video showing how those are used at that link, too. You are doing great already, Gwyned, and there is no reason at all for you to feel “ineptitude” as you explore your new machine’s features through trial and error. Just remember that famous Edison quote about his arduous journey to invent a viable light bulb: “I haven’t failed. I have found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” And here you are, trying a few different things that don’t work, and then landing on the successful way just an hour or two later. That struggle is not called ineptitude; it’s called learning and it’s what keeps your brain sharp and makes the eventual success so much sweeter than if it had been instantaneous. Rock on, my friend! 🙂
Are you saying I’m brighter than Thomas Edison? Just kidding. I do do best via trial an error versus being shown how to do something.That being said, prior to you sending me the links I had already obsessively watched the first video multiple times. It was part of my research into what machine to buy.
Now, I hadn’t seen the one on lubricating problem thread with a special accessory. THANK YOU! I checked out the accessories that came with the machine. Hurray, the lubricant and accessory were included. That was easy to attach as needed. Can’t wait to give it a whirl. I do love metallic thread, but rarely use it because it can be so problematic.
Yes, the dealership is happy to provide one on one lessons as needed. They come with the purchase of the machine. I may need to take advantage, but since it is a full day to drive there and back and take a lesson, I am trying to hold off until I have a list of issues.
that embroidery done on your machine is so pretty and I love your RSC quilt – that is quite the design there – love it.
It is amazing how many cute, elegant and decorative stitches are available on the machine. I’m having fun figuring out different ways of configuring them and incorporating them in my work.
I spied the basic block for my 2024 RSC on Pinterest. I did come up with my own layout. So glad you like it. My goal is to have it as our Master bedroom quilt when we move into a CCRC.