Why?
Sometimes I need to remind myself of my why. Honestly the number of lessons I need to learn, sometimes over and over again, can make it tempting to give up. So it goes with my Bernina 990. I do know why I purchased the Bernina. It is so I can get down to one all purpose machine for our next move, several years hence, to a significantly smaller residence. I am determined to become comfortable with the machine long before the move, in the same way I was with my prior machines.
Bernina 990 Progress
Despite how I began the post, I have made significant progress. Simply being able to thread the machine and swap out the bobbin, not just at the start of an embroidery, but midway through the stitch out seems like a major accomplishment. Yesterday, I even figured out how to minimize the color changes by editing the color in the stitch out program. Huge!!
Why not make a Table Runner?
I have decided to make an autumn leaf table runner as a way to use the 12″ block above that I made several weeks ago and the leaves I made last week.
I designed a simple, OK simple for me, 12″ block. It will have a 2″ border of flying geese. The central 8″ square will be another autumn wreath stitched out in slightly different colors. Part of the learning curve is organizing my work. In other words, figuring out what section of the block is to be pieced and what is to be embroidered. Although it is relatively easy to switch from piecing to embroidery, it does require some set up for each. The embroidery element is heavy and slightly ungainly. I try to minimize taking it on and off.
I began by cutting out and stitching 32 flying geese units. I still need to cut and stitch the four corners. These will be HST (half square triangles with the sky on the outside and the inside triangle matching the adjoining geese.
One trick I’ve learned in order to have minimal waste when stitching out an embroidery is to baste muslin around the perimeter of the fabric to be stitched on, if the hoop is too large. Unfortunately, the Bernina 990 came with a “giant hoop” and several relatively smaller hoops. The smaller ones are two small for an 8″ square design, but the big one is way too big. Looks like I will need to invest in one that handles 8.5″ x 8.5″.
I will trim the above block to measure 8.5″ x 8.5″. This way it will finish perfectly 🙂 within the flying geese border.
Rainbow Scrap Challenge
The saga of the 2024 RSC quilt continues. I did focus on it at the beginning of the week. Unless something catastrophic happens I will finish quilting it before the end of September, which is my goal.
Question of the Week
What is your why and how do you keep it front and center?
I’m linking up to the following posts:
Ooh – love the leaf wreath and the scrappy blocks.
Thank you, Sally. There are some amazing embroidery patterns out there.
Your embroidered leaves are beautiful, and the runner is going to be magnificient and perfect for the season! Will you use the FSL as earrings, by attaching a clasp? I’m more a “how” person than a “why” one I guess. I don’t often question my why once the decision is made, but I dwell on how to achieve it 😉 Thank you for sharing your creative process and linking up!
Thank you, Frédérique. There is still room for improvement. However, I am pleased with how well the machine stitches if I don’t get in the way.
Each earring has a small, circular, satin stitched hole at the top. This is part of the design. I have purchased earring wires that come with an “o” ring. The ring slips through the hole. Then it is inserted into a smaller ring at the base of the earring wire. I purchased a mix set of these colored silver or gold and made out of hypoallergenic material. The SEDOSO has tested how easy they are to assemble and gave them the thumbs up. Perhaps I will sport a pair in next week’s blog.
Figuring out the how is half the fun.
Your autumn leaf embroideries are beautiful, Gwyned! Looks like you are mastering this technique. Sounds like you’re making progressing on quilting your RSC quilt, too – but I bet it’s just always tempting to play with the new Bernina instead! I always try to answer your question of the week, but this is a hard one. What is my “why?” I like to create, and the act of sewing is a relaxing and positive thing for me. If I make sure to get some sewing time every day (kind of like making sure I also get some exercise everyday!), I feel steadier and more balanced. It definitely helps me deal with the stress of managing my mom’s care, which is foremost on my list to deal with these days. I’m fortunate to have my days set up where I can fit sewing in every afternoon. Thanks for making me think!
You know me too well, Diann. I’m being semi strict with myself. Two days focused on FMQ and third day focused on embroidery. Unlike you, I devote 3 days a week to studio time, almost exclusively. The other 4 days are for family business, studio business, appointments, domestic duties, etc. I determined to finish quilting the RSC quilt, especially now that I can see the end.
Your why makes sense to me. Self-care includes doing what brings you joy. Clearly quilting qualifies.
Your leaf project is great and I do the same with the hoop. I don’t have a “why” but a “what if.” What if I used that fabric or that design or. . .sometimes when I’m stuck, the answer to that question gets me unstuck!
Terry, I’m not surprised to hear you add temporary borders to your work requiring hooping. It just seems like a good and simple option. I see what if as a why. You are curious and want to discover what will happen when… Curiosity is a great why.
I love quilting. May WHY is that I wanted a long arm. I whined for 4 years and finally got a studio make over and a long arm. Learning curve, yep. But I can’t churn out enough tops to keep practising the learning. I’ve done charity quilts but that takes away from my designing and piecing. I’m always nervous when I go to quilt on it. Will the tension be ok, will the shiny thread not shread, is there a better/easier way to load a quilt, etc. So today, after a long hiatus I will be long arm quilting because I WANTED this.
Precisely. I think tackling a new, complex machine is a bit like jumping/diving off a high diving board. Sometimes you just have to take a deep breath and go for it. Practicing on charity quilts is perfect. It does take time to learn a new machine, but it is, so, so worth it. Good for you for taking the leap, acquiring a long arm and returning to it again.
I love that block and the flying geese setting you are planning. Usually my why is that there is a deadline. Otherwise items often languish unstarted or unfinished. Another why is trying to organize and downsize in the future just like you.
Deadlines are certainly a motivator. But why pursue the deadline, unless of course it is for a client, say. The knowledge that downsizing in the near future is an excellent why.
I have EQ8 to thank for that border. I took a 4 x 4 block and adapted it to my needs. I’m glad you like it.
Those leaves & earrings look wonderful! Can’t wait for the runner finish.
Thank you, Sue. Perhaps I will finish the runner next week. Shouldn’t be too difficult to do. I will at least have all the blocks completed.
Why I quilt? It is a creative outlet for me. If I am able to make a little profit while quilting for others, GREAT! If a customer is not in the mix, I will often rehome quilts to places that I feel will appreciate the work and effort that goes into a project. 🙂
It definitely sounds like you need to invest in a proper sized hoop. Thanks for sharing in the Sew & Tell party.
An excellent why. Creative outlets are crucial.