For years, I said "I would never buy a Bernina Sewing Machine they are always in the shop for repairs", but now I can say I was totally wrong. But in February, I had to finally make the move, and so glad I did. I have gone Bernina and Loving It!
Here is the story!
In February, I dropped my Janome 7700 off to have a repair service done, since it stop letting me make any zigzags or blank stitches. The following, we called about it, and found out the Quilt Shop where I dropped it off at Flooded. My machine was not damaged but was in a box in storage, so I would have to wait a while. So I was using my smaller Janome and Brother Machine, but they were not doing the job.
So, My husband and I talked about it that a good back-up machine was needed. We went down to my favorite quilt shop in the local area Material Girls Quilt Boutique (LaPlata, Maryland), which is a Bernina Dealer. We talk to the girls down there for a good hour or so, about what machine would be good for me. I even went back the next day, to talk to them again. I decided on a B580 with Embroidery attachment. I got the machine a couple days later. When I picked up the machine they should me everything I need to know to get started. I have just fell in love with this machine, it is such an easy machine to use. The only thing I miss is the larger neck that is on my Janome 7700, but not missing that much to buy the bigger machine. This machine does everything I need and more. I sold my Brother Embroidery Machine, due to the Bernina can do the Embroidery when I set it up and does it so much smoother. I love the Blanket Stitch on the machine, which is the only stitch besides the Straight Stitch.
As for my Janome, I still have not received it back, due to after the shop that had it reopened in April, and I was told that my machine need a new A-Board, and it was on order. To date, we keep calling the quilt shop on status, and have been told that the part was in the US in a Shipping Container with a customs number, just waiting for it to be shipped to Janome. I have a feeling it could be a couple more months until I get it back. Thats ok, I have my wonderful Bernina to use and is my new main machine.
Tina
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oday, was a day of traveling all over Virginia and Maryland. The travels were all well worth it, as we were traveling to 5 different Quilt Shops. Today, I was joining 35 other ladies on the 2013 Quilters Quest.Shop Hop. The bus I was on started at Material Girls at 7am. We had a great tour guide, Mike.
The first stop was Patches Quilting in Mt. Airy, Maryland. This shop was really nice inside. Lots of fabrics to choose from. The help was very friendly and helpful.
The next stop was on to Hagerstown, Maryland for Traditions of White Swan Quilt Shop. I have seen this shop as a vendor at several different Quilt Shows. They have a great collection of fabrics and tables of fat quarters. 
As we traveled to the next shop we were handed our lunches that were provided by Apple Spice Junction. The Turkey sandwich I had was great, and very fresh.
The next stop was The Scrappy Apple Quilts & more in Winchester, Virginia. I atmosphere of this shop. Everyone was helpful and willing to go the extra step to work with you. The variety of patterns and fabrics was great.
Kelly Ann's Quilting, in Warrenton, Virginia was the next stop. As we approached the door of the shop we were greeted by these three Minions, what a great greeting. The store was nice and the people were really nice.The final stop, of the day was in Great Fall, Virginia at Jinny Beyer Studios. It was nice to meet and talk to her personally. Her shop is really nice and full of nice fabrics. Lots of fat quarters and kits.
Then we were off back to Material Girls. Tomorrow morning we are off for 5 more shops to finish up the Shop hop. What a great day of fabric shopping.Tina
T
oday, was a day of traveling all over Virginia and Maryland. The travels were all well worth it, as we were traveling to 5 different Quilt Shops. Today, I was joining 35 other ladies on the 2013 Quilters Quest.Shop Hop. The bus I was on started at Material Girls at 7am. We had a great tour guide, Mike.
The first stop was Patches Quilting in Mt. Airy, Maryland. This shop was really nice inside. Lots of fabrics to choose from. The help was very friendly and helpful.
The next stop was on to Hagerstown, Maryland for Traditions of White Swan Quilt Shop. I have seen this shop as a vendor at several different Quilt Shows. They have a great collection of fabrics and tables of fat quarters.
As we traveled to the next shop we were handed our lunches that were provided by Apple Spice Junction. The Turkey sandwich I had was great, and very fresh.
The next stop was The Scrappy Apple Quilts & more in Winchester, Virginia. I atmosphere of this shop. Everyone was helpful and willing to go the extra step to work with you. The variety of patterns and fabrics was great.
Kelly Ann's Quilting, in Warrenton, Virginia was the next stop. As we approached the door of the shop we were greeted by these three Minions, what a great greeting. The store was nice and the people were really nice.
The final stop, of the day was in Great Fall, Virginia at Jinny Beyer Studios. It was nice to meet and talk to her personally. Her shop is really nice and full of nice fabrics. Lots of fat quarters and kits.
Then we were off back to Material Girls. Tomorrow morning we are off for 5 more shops to finish up the Shop hop. What a great day of fabric shopping.
Tina
Yesterday morning,I went to Material Girls Quilt shop to pick up the extra borders I needed for Tulip Quilt. While I was there, I was looking for the backing for the quilt also. It was not that easy to find the right design that had enough fabric on the bolt. After walking around the store several times, I finally found the right one. The colors are right and the design works really great with the whole quilt top.
Tomorrow, I will be back in the studio working on putting the borders on the top. Then, cutting more leaves and stems to sew on the borders.Tina
Yesterday morning,I went to Material Girls Quilt shop to pick up the extra borders I needed for Tulip Quilt. While I was there, I was looking for the backing for the quilt also. It was not that easy to find the right design that had enough fabric on the bolt. After walking around the store several times, I finally found the right one. The colors are right and the design works really great with the whole quilt top.
Tomorrow, I will be back in the studio working on putting the borders on the top. Then, cutting more leaves and stems to sew on the borders.
Tina
I spent all day yesterday working on the decorative stitching around all the melons on the quilt top. By the end of the day I was able to trim up the excess background fabric. So today I was able to sew on the borders.
I started with the inner border which is 1 1/2" pieces cut from the background fabric. I sewed on the width pieces first and then sewed on the length pieces. This makes it looked finished, but I still have one more set of borders to make.
The next set of borders, takes the set of 2 1/2" strips that I aside from the preparation process. I cut 4- 2 1/2" x 10" bricks and with the rest of them 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" blocks then I sewed the bricks together. To do this, I first made 2 sets of four and sewed them end to end. Once those were completed, I added the 4 - 2 1/2" x 10" brick at each of the ends. Pressed the seams to either side. Then I then needed to make 2 more sets, but this time sets of 8.Once I had the borders sewn on the set of 8 borders, with the seams centered with the seams of the melons as much as possible. Once I had them sewn on, I press the side borders open. Then I centered the borders on the top and bottom of the quilt top and I pressed the final seams open. I finally completed the quilt top and I love it!
After completing the quilt top this afternoon, I made a trip to Material Girls Quilt Shop and picked up the backing and binding for the it. For the binding I will be using the background fabric and for the backing I will be using the fabric that inspired all these Batik colors. Overall, this was a great pattern, I have made several notes on what to remember for the next time. I would love to do this patten again, in a different color scheme this time. Tomorrow, I will finish getting the backing ready for the long-arm.Tina
I spent all day yesterday working on the decorative stitching around all the melons on the quilt top. By the end of the day I was able to trim up the excess background fabric. So today I was able to sew on the borders.
I started with the inner border which is 1 1/2" pieces cut from the background fabric. I sewed on the width pieces first and then sewed on the length pieces. This makes it looked finished, but I still have one more set of borders to make.
The next set of borders, takes the set of 2 1/2" strips that I aside from the preparation process. I cut 4- 2 1/2" x 10" bricks and with the rest of them 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" blocks then I sewed the bricks together. To do this, I first made 2 sets of four and sewed them end to end. Once those were completed, I added the 4 - 2 1/2" x 10" brick at each of the ends. Pressed the seams to either side. Then I then needed to make 2 more sets, but this time sets of 8.
Once I had the borders sewn on the set of 8 borders, with the seams centered with the seams of the melons as much as possible. Once I had them sewn on, I press the side borders open. Then I centered the borders on the top and bottom of the quilt top and I pressed the final seams open. I finally completed the quilt top and I love it!
After completing the quilt top this afternoon, I made a trip to Material Girls Quilt Shop and picked up the backing and binding for the it. For the binding I will be using the background fabric and for the backing I will be using the fabric that inspired all these Batik colors.
Overall, this was a great pattern, I have made several notes on what to remember for the next time. I would love to do this patten again, in a different color scheme this time. Tomorrow, I will finish getting the backing ready for the long-arm.
Tina
So, My husband and I talked about it that a good back-up machine was needed. We went down to my favorite quilt shop in the local area Material Girls Quilt Boutique (LaPlata, Maryland), which is a Bernina Dealer. We talk to the girls down there for a good hour or so, about what machine would be good for me. I even went back the next day, to talk to them again. I decided on a B580 with Embroidery attachment. I got the machine a couple days later. When I picked up the machine they should me everything I need to know to get started. I have just fell in love with this machine, it is such an easy machine to use. The only thing I miss is the larger neck that is on my Janome 7700, but not missing that much to buy the bigger machine. This machine does everything I need and more. I sold my Brother Embroidery Machine, due to the Bernina can do the Embroidery when I set it up and does it so much smoother. I love the Blanket Stitch on the machine, which is the only stitch besides the Straight Stitch.
