Now I'm Cooking with Gas...

Some of you have seen the antique quilt I'm copying. I was working on it in California just before we moved. The antique original is here now, and I'll pull it out and post a photo soon. This lovely old quilt is just too fragile to use, so I drafted it in EQ5 and am remaking it with modern fabrics in similar colors, and resizing it so it will fit on a queen or king bed...haven't decided which. Here's my first bit of sewing yesterday on the new Bernina. I have quite a few blocks made, and decided to put some of them together using the new machine. What a dream to sew on! My only problem is getting used to the Bernina quarter-inch foot. My old Elna quarter-inch foot had a little flange on the right side, so you could just rest your fabric edge against it to sew. It requires a little more concentration to guide the fabric using just the edge of the foot for guidance, but I'm getting there. Also decided to be brave and put the BSR foot on and have a little play...my first with the new free motion toy. It's a lot of fun, but it's going to be a challenge to regulate the moving of the fabric at an even pace. I tend to go in swirls and swoops, and it's hard to keep a regular pace, but still, the machine does its best to make a consistent stitch length. I didn't think this was bad for my first time. I've decided I'll try to play around with it regularly, so that when I'm ready to quilt the first quilt on this machine, I'll be very comfortable with the BSR. What a GREAT invention, though!
It was kind of funny when I fired up the Bernina for the first time yesterday morning. I had put it in the new cabinet for the photos I posted yesterday. When I turned on the power switch, I got a funny, high-pitched whine sound...uh-oh! I thought there was something wrong with the power outlet, or the extension cord I was using. Moved the machine to another power outlet...same thing. Sigh. So I called the dealer in Sydney and described what was happening. "Hmm," she said. "Sounds like the bobbin is trying to wind." Oh. Yes. I must have bumped the little gizmo when I placed the machine on the sewing cabinet. Can you spell d-u-m-b?!!! One little flick, and it worked fine!

Comments

Anonymous said…
Oh, Dianne--honey! Get thee back to the Bernina shop and get yourself the #57 patchwork foot. It's wonderful and sounds much like the foot you described your old machine having. I wrote a little bit about it on my own blog recently.

http://jettstream.wordpress.com*
/2006/12/07/favorite-things*
-7-8-and-9/

(Note: I had to cut the link into 3 bites for it to fit in the comment box. If you want to copy it, delete the *'s and the space following each, so it's all one continuous line.)
Judith said…
Sounds like you have fun with your new sewing machine. Same here although I have mine already since june. I am looking forward to seeing that quilt grow.
The Calico Cat said…
I am 99% sure that there is a similar flange foot fo rthe Bernina.... (There has too be, she has more feet than Imelda Marcos!)
QuiltingFitzy said…
...but in the meantime, stick a pad of sticky-notes on the machine to run your fabric next to...it works in a pinch!

You look happy and calm in your pics! You could of course be back here with record cold temps (Napa area's been in the 20's!). Don't forget the Northern California winters so you can appreciate a little extra sun, lol.
Oh have a wonderful time with your new machine! And I hope you have a wonderful Christmas! I"m hoping I have more time in the new year to keep up with things!
Libby said…
Enjoy getting to know your new machine -- lots and lots of fun ahead *s*
Tonya Ricucci said…
Your blocks look gorgeous - you have a wonderful way with colors. I was in a class once with someone whose machine was making an awful racket and after a couple of hours I got fed up and went over to discover that her bobbin winder was on.
Rian said…
Oh, look at you with your BSR! Have fun with that! I really like your antique repro--the colors are marvelous.

I'm glad the kitties arrived safe and sound. Merry merry!

I stack up about 4 layers of that colored tape you get the hardware store and use it as an edge guide with my Bernina.
Mary Johnson said…
Dianne, I love the quilt - what a great idea to remake it since it's too fragile to use. I bought a log cabin quilt just before I left Marietta that needs some repairs but I'd like to be able to hang it if it wouldn't damage it further.

I have an Elna and I love the edge foot. When I'm visiting my Mom, I have to make the same adjustment to the Bernina foot.
You are really cooking with gas now!! Lots of sewing, a party and the cats look happy. What more could you wanr! Happy Holidays, Tracey
Congratulations on your new machine. I got a new Bernina with BSR last year and I love it! Have fun!
Lily Mulholland said…
Great work on the free motion Dianne - looks like you're set up nicely!

Don't worry - I rang roadside care to come and fix my car one night when I couldn't get it to start - they came and had a look and changed the gear from 'drive' to 'park' and started the car up! How embarrassing. I had forgotten to put it in park - of course the car wouldn't start!! And it sounds like that happens often to Bernina stitchers!

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