Imagine 10 Bernina 830 machines in one room with 40 excited students learning a ton of embroidery tips and techniques from Bernina Educator Nina McVeigh. That’s where I spent my day today!

4 different projects and endless inspiration. From reverse applique to cutwork. Then monogramming and tassels.

The technique to achieve reverse applique using an embroidery module is very similar to that for doing cutwork. In both, you first stitch out an outline, and then you cut away the top layer.

For reverse applique, there will be another piece of fabric underneath the top piece – this is revealed when you cut away the top layer. There is also the stabilizer underneath everything.

For cutwork there is only stabilizer, so when that has been removed after the project is finished (you will probably want to use a water soluble stabilizer that can be completely removed) you are left with a hole!

For reverse applique you will typically use a running stitch to finish – this will be close to the cut edge, but not covering it. You are left with a raw edge and the effect can be varied depending on how close to the initial stitching line you cut.

For cutwork the edge is finished with a satin stitch to completely hide the cut edge.

Nina brought one of Bernina’s new cutwork tools to show us. It should be available sometime in October, and I can’t wait. The possibilities are endless!!! As well as being used for more traditional cutwork designs, the tool can also be used to cut out applique pieces. Since my passion is embroidered applique, this tool opens up all sorts of doors for increased accuracy and even more complex shapes cut in much less time than you could do with a pair of scissors.

Tassels are definitely going to be added to my design toolbox! Basically, create a longer than normal satin stitch. Make sure that one end is anchored by an additional outline stitch. Then cut away the bobbin thread from behind the satin stitch. Tassels are revealed!

School starts again tomorrow – and I have a busy week ahead!

Monday I am headed to El Mirage and the Calico Cut-Ups chapter of the Arizona Quilters Guild for Quilted All Over 1 – Spirals. It’s been over 6 weeks since I’ve been out and about as a Traveling Teacher. It will be good to get back into the swing of things.

Tuesday is my only day at home to “work”, and it could be tough deciding what needs to be done first. The blocks for Jewels in Silk are all finished and waiting to be put together. Then this will need to be quilted – and the batik Hearts quilt is also ready and waiting to be quilted. The Hearts quilt will probably win as this is going to be the pattern cover for my new Hearts CD.

Wednesday is Embroidery TnT with Bernina Educator, Nina McVeigh, over at Sew from the Heart. I’m really looking forward to spending the day with Nina – getting to know her, and soaking up some of her knowledge. I’m also really looking forward to being in a room with 10 Bernina 830 sewing and embroidery machines!

Thursday and Friday is Bernina Embroidery Software V6.0 training, down in Tempe. Rumors have been floating around about all the new functionality – can’t wait to find out about it and try it out in some new designs.

Saturday will be me and the girls hanging out together, relaxing and having fun!

Sunday is a Jewels in Chocolate workshop over at 35th Avenue Sew and Vac, Northern store. Haven’t taught there before, so this will be a new experience.

What better day to start writing a blog than the first time an article about me as a quilter appears in print!

This year (2009) has so far been an amazing journey. January saw the demise of the investment club that was providing about 80% of my income. What an eye-opener that was! It did cause me to get really clear about my purpose in life:

I create beauty, inspiration and infinite creative joy!

It certainly seems to be true that when you know what you are here to do, the Universe opens up in amazing ways.

January saw the birth of Jewels in Chocolate, a quilt I made to enter in the 2009 Arizona Quilters Guild Annual Show. It eventually won 2nd place in the Machine Embroidery Category. In February I became a Travelling Teacher for the Arizona Quilters Guild, and have since taught for chapters in Wickenberg, Coolidge, Kingman, Kearney, Litchfield Park and several in Phoenix. In April, I started teaching at Sew from the Heart, my local Bernina dealer here in Scottsdale, and also at 3 Dudes Quilting, my now favorite quilt store in south Phoenix. In May I was given a heaven sent opportunity to attend International Quilt Market in Pittsburgh, PA. This led to several introductions, and an invitation for Jewels in Chocolate and another of my new creations, Heather Feather aka the ‘Be You’ Quilt, to be showcased in the Brewer booth at Bernina University in San Francisco in June.

That brings me to today – the first time that an article about me as a quilter has ever appeared in print! It’s on page 6 of the August edition of Brewer Advantage, the monthly newsletter of Brewer Quilting and Sewing Supplies which is distributed to Bernina dealers and quilt shops across the USA.

So… Thanks Brewer! This is definitely the start of something new