Tidbits August 2007

Babylock Tech 2007:

After four wonderful days at Babylock Tech 2007 I arrived home tonight tired but extremely glad to have been invited to the show and to have had the honour of meeting some of my sewing and embroidery idols as well as to see the new products that Babylock will soon be announcing. Nancy Zieman has been the “Sewing” Goddess for so many home sewers not just in the US but in many countries around the world. I have tons of her shows taped so I could watch them at my leisure. I really wanted just to say….I’m watching you on TV but live and in person.

The first that has definitely caught my attention and will almost certainly catch the interest of many home sewers and quilters but also those who are looking for a sewing only machine is “The Quest”. This is a sewing only machine but with quilters and home sewers in mind with tons of features and a table that will certainly make you think again about a sewing only machine.  Software wise, I did have a look at Masterworks lite and perhaps at the Round Bobbin show coming up in September will have a good look and workout on it. From what I could see it is possibly going to become a definite “I want” item for many friends who are looking at digitizing and for those already in the field.

Margaret Tully is indeed the Queen of Serging and I was extremely glad that after so many years I finally had a chance to sit and attend her class. The lady knows the sergers inside out and what she can create with a serger is unbelievable. Btw, I’m now more learned on my Evolve and hope never to repeat cutting my fingers on it ever again! Margaret showed us some interesting techniques and I’m itching to get started in the sewing room once more. After the class I had to make a run to immediately purchase some more feet for the Evolve, especially the ruffler foot, it is amazing! At one go, one can attach ruffles to the base fabric! WOW!

Eleanor Burns is perhaps the most loved of all Quilting personalities. Not only does she have a sense of humour that will keep you laughing and rolling on your sides but her techniques are amazingly simple with a look that says “I bet you spent months creating that!”. And that is exactly what her class was about, creating a wall quilt of appliqued florals. Yes, we were all able to finish the top in the class…four hours! My first quilting book was “Quilt in a day” and yes it was the famous log cabin quilt. I came home with not just my quilt top but also a purple boa! compliments of Eleanor Burns.

I have to admit that for a long while friends have been after me asking that I create something only for quilters or a set of designs just for a quilt. After attending Eleanor’s class, I think I have just the perfect idea, simple yet that will make people wonder how long you worked at it…and ofcourse it will be all done in the embroidery hoop!

Sewing is an art that like many others is fast disappearing. I have to commend all sewing machine companies and their continued presentations of better and better sewing machines for the home market. I have to also commend the teachers who continue the love of this art to the next generations. It is only through a combined effort of all that this art will survive.

Bobbin Show St. Charles, MO 2007:

Mark your calendars : Sept 21-23, 2007 for the Round Bobbin show in St. Charles, Missouri. Yours truly will be hosting a special hands on class on Lace Adventures, creating roses with simply threads and the embroidery machine as well as a Trunk show. I hope to see many friends there. Carolyn Edwards from Creative Needlecrafts will also be with me at our booth so please come by and see her gorgeous purse kits and patterns and say hello.