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Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Hawaii with Superior Threads

This month has just flown by and I have been meaning to post what I was up to at the start of this month. No I wasn't in the shop, but I was fortunate to be over in Hawaii attending a training course with Superior Threads. Superior Threads produces fantastic threads such as King Tuts, Bottom Line, So Fine, Razzle Dazzle and many more. They run a three day course called: The School of Threadology. Three days fully packed with information about threads. Not only was it a very informative time but very enjoyable. I never knew there was just so much to learn about threads. Many of us - I know I am definately one, who blames the thread when it doesn't work, but with simply the changing of the tension, checking of the needle and or a couple of other small things, you can make that thread work so well. It does need to be a quailty thread, bad thread no matter what you do it will always be a bad thread and most likely will stuff up on you.
The course was run by the owners of Superior Threads: Bob and Heather (mother superior) and Annie who is the creator of ByAnnie Patterns. 
On the first day Bob explained about threads, wow it was simply amazing the information that he provided for us. I went on this course to learn, but didn't expect to pick up so much infomation. Many little questions were answered. In the afternoon we then went to work, working with several different threads that Superior sells. We  played with tensions on the machine (you MUST play with your Tension, don't be afraid to!) this session was with Heather and Annie, while testing out the different threads. On the second and third day we worked on several small products. We played with Texture Magic - this is a product that is fun to play with and we have several samples in the shop using it. Soft and Stable was another product we got to use- this is a product that Annie has created and is fantastic in your bags, we have just gotten a roll of it into the shop and I can't wait to sew some bag samples up with it - more on it later! On of my favourite threads to play with was the Fusible Thread - yes you did read it correctly there is a fusible thread and it is amazing to work with, forget having to use a vlisofix or heat and bond, fusible thread is some much easier and doesn't give you that hard feeling to your piece, (quilters I hope you know what I am talking about), I never thought having to do applique could be so much fun. 
Heather on the last day presented a show of a large collection of quilts that Superior Threads have. These quilts are jaw dropping. I am not one who likes alot of quilting on a quilst, but the quilting on these quilts were not only heavy but a credit to the quilters who quilted them.
So after three full days of learning I now can proudly say that I graduated with a PHD in Threadology. (Mum and Dad are so proud of me)
I had such a fantastic time, and was so busy learning that I only took a few photos. I did have the opportunity to get to go outside, not for long mind you and have a look around and did take some photos.

So here are some links. Superior Threads - their website is a wealth of knowledge, take some time to check it out there is alot on there, even if you don't buy their threads there is information about tensions, troubleshooting, Thread Eduction. They have many videos which are worth having a look at, sometimes it is better to see how to use a product than just to read about it.
Annie's website is byannie.com We stock a large range of Annie's patterns, also the texture magic and soft and stable. There are some samples of Annie's patterns to be found in store for you to have a look at. 
Annie and Superior Threads are both on Facebook and have newsletters.

These are some photos of the samples from Annie's Patterns

 


 Some photos of Beautiful Waikiki




Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Workshops with Michele Hill: Dublin

This week we are fortunate at Berrima Patchwork to have Michele Hill teaching 3 x 2 Day workshops. On Sunday and Monday was the first workshop: Dublin. This was a hand applique class - though you could do this on machine if you wanted, but everyone choose to sew by hand.  Dublin is  wall hanging that started with a rubbing that Michele took of a plaster moulding in a hotel in Dublin! The surrounding blocks reflect the architecture of the Renaissance era – another period of design Michele admires.

Here are some of photos from the class.

Workshop with Michele Hill
The Ladies working hard
Dublin
This is Michele's Finished Quilt: Dublin
Below are some sample of the ladies work from the class. I always love to see the selection of fabrics that everyone chooses and how great they always look. Check out the hand stitching around the blocks!
Dublin Class  Dublin

Dublin

Dublin  Dublin

Dublin       Dublin


Monday, July 25, 2011

Free 12" Block: Monkey Wrench

This week's free pattern is called Monkey Wrench, however it can also be known by the name Snail Trail. It has several triangles in the pattern and due to the way you sew it together make sure you are using a 1/4" seam. I decided this week to use some bright fabrics - not my usual colours but it is bright and cheerful. Enjoy
monkey wrench


having trouble with this link then type the link below to take you to the free pattern
http://www.berrimapatchwork.com.au/freepattern/monkeywrench/
To view previous free 12" patterns you can go to our website free pattern list
having trouble with this link then type the link below to take you to the free pattern
http://www.berrimapatchwork.com.au/freepattern/

Thursday, July 21, 2011

TUTORIAL: Circular Embroidery Attachement

Our first sewing machine tutorial is now available for viewing. All the sewing machines tutorials will be done on a Bernina Sewing Machine (that is the brand we sell) HOWEVER the information will still be relevant for other brands. The Circular Embroidery Attachment is one of my favourite accessories for you sewing machine - if you have never tried one out have a go they can be lots of fun.

To view this tutorial please click the above link or
go to http://www.berrimapatchwork.com.au/tutorial/circularembroidery/

If there is a particular sewing machine foot or accessory that you are either have no idea what it does or unsure how to use it then let us know so that we can help you with a tutorial.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Free Pattern 12" Block: Churn Dash

This weeks free pattern is Churn Dash. An easy block but you can have lots of fabric with different fabrics - fussy cutting the centre and more. Use up your stash to create this block.


For this sample I used a couple of different fabrics from the collection: Under The Australian Sun.
It still amazes me how different fabrics and colours and change the look of a block.
  

having trouble with this link then type the link below to take you to the free pattern
http://www.berrimapatchwork.com.au/freepattern/4thjuly/

To view previous free 12" patterns you can go to our website free pattern list
having trouble with this link then type the link below to take you to the free pattern
http://www.berrimapatchwork.com.au/freepattern/

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

New Fabric in Store: Phillip Jacobs

We have just had a new arrival of Phillip Jacobs, Brandon Mably and Kaffe Fassett Fabrics.

I just love some of the new Phillip Jacobs' fabrics. I can't decide if I like the Begonia columns or the Moon Flowers better. The colours are just fantastic in this collection.

Phillip JacobsPhillip Jacobs

Moon FlowerMoon Flower

We stock a large range of Kaffe Fassett and Phillip Jacobs fabrics instore and online. Prices start at $23.50. To view this collection please go to Berrima Patchwork: Kaffe Fassett Fabric Collection. Or simply go to our website www.berrimapatchwork.com.au and click on Online Shop.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Free Pattern 12 Block: 4th of July

This weeks block was meant to be last week's block but it was delayed,  with the power outage this week and me being overseas it has been a very busy week!


This week's block I have named 4th of July as it has a very distinct American feel. It is a mixture of a hourglass block and 9 patch. Once again it would look great in a range of fabrics - I just had to use the stars and strips for this block.
having trouble with this link then type the link below to take you to the free pattern
http://www.berrimapatchwork.com.au/freepattern/4thjuly/
The next couple of weeks the free patterns will be using the technique of Quilt As You Go (QAYG)
To view previous free 12" patterns you can go to our website free pattern list
having trouble with this link then type the link below to take you to the free pattern
http://www.berrimapatchwork.com.au/freepattern/