CHICKPEA SEWING STUDIO: We All Sew

August 05, 2014

Oh la la!

Last winter I had the opportunity to join in with other BERNINA ambassadors for a fun weekend reunion. We mingled, ate and played with every possible feet and accessories the team of educators could throw at us. I had a blast. The only stressful/terrifying/mortifying part came in the shape of a filmed Q&A. I am not comfortable with public speaking and under stress I seem to forget how to speak English properly. Still they did a wonderful job editing out the terrified looks I kept giving the cameraman and I am grateful for the opportunity to hear what I sound like to others. Not even remotely how I imagined! Such are the perks of working with a seasoned team of professionals.

Since this video was filmed I have switched sewing machines going from the B580 up to the B780. It is not too early to tell you that they are not in the same class. Both excellent but much like a Toyota and a Lexus, not equal. I have been familiarizing myself with the B780 this summer and hope to be able to really start reporting on it as soon as the little one goes back to school. The backpack as been ordered... First grade is an exciting time for mom and child alike!

So with more on the new "ride" very soon, I leave you to find out what a terrified French woman sounds like (spoiler: she drops a lot of plural s).

Posted at 10:57 AM in Bernina 780, SEWING, We All Sew | Permalink | Comments (2)

May 13, 2014

A Room of My Own

This weekend turned out to be a rather memorable Mother's Day celebration: we got sufficiently along with our house renovations to move things into the sewing room. To think that this used to be a superfluous corner of our bedroom... look at it now, a light filled space to create in:

A new studio, Bernina Extravaganza!

The L shaped desk is a bit of a BERNINA extravaganza, as I am finally able to unpack the new machine on loan, the B780 !!!

I had the opportunity to sew on this machine during Sewing Summit and again at the Ambassador Reunion in Aurora. It is simply amazing in its technological advancements. I am definitely in learning mode right now, trying to form the right kind of habits and setting everything up properly. I am sticking with "regular sewing" as well until my next appointment with the dealer, where we will tackle embroidery a bit further. I am glad that I staggered the meetings because I already have a few technical settings questions after a few hours sewing a doll dress. Anyway, getting too much information at once doesn't work well for me...

When unpacking I noticed already a few cool things that sets the 700 series apart from the 500. For example BERNINA went back to the hard accessory case, as it was with the Aurora (see one in profile above). I never "bounded" with the accessory pouch of the B580. A personal preference I suppose. Another neat trick is the magnetic holder for the stylus on the right of the machine. I also imagine that the laminated cheat sheet will be brilliant in the beginning.

A new studio, Bernina Extravaganza!

The machine ships with an additional strait stitch plate,this will be invaluable while sewing quilt pieces or tiny doll clothes which need a great deal of support underneath. I already installed it today to try it out on a tiny dress for Serafinn, more of a prototype really (!). I did let the machine know I was changing the plate, this way there is no chance of mistakes and broken needles, which has happened before unfortunately...

A new studio, Bernina Extravaganza!

So much to learn, so much to share! I admit to being a bit overwhelmed but soon to be in control no doubt! Tomorrow I am trying out a few quilt blocks, red houses or New York Beauties?

A new studio, Bernina Extravaganza!

Posted at 07:45 AM in Bernina 780, Current Affairs, SEWING, sewing summit, We All Sew | Permalink | Comments (4)

April 09, 2014

Urban Thread nod = great day

This morning a friend at BERNINA noticed something pretty great... The picture of my sofa cushions as the new cover of Urban Threads on facebook. I love Urban Threads embroidery files, they come out very well on the B580, which sadly is not always the case with all embroidery design companies. Sometimes the digitizing is just done wrong and terrible things happen, such as big nasty knots of bobbin thread and so on... Not with UB though.

I made the pillows with the Miniature Menagerie design pack and the alphabet preprogrammed in the B580 hooping the large oval hoop three times for each pillows. With the new "immense hoop" (can you tell I don't know the proper term!), on the B780 I am pretty confident you could do all the embroidery in one hooping. Luxury!

Edit: the hoop is called JUMBO hoop, naturally.

new pillows

Posted at 05:38 PM in Bernina 780, embroidery, Home, SEWING, We All Sew | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 14, 2014

Beret and Wrist Warmers Cashmere Disaster! a tutorial

Very few of you will remember, maybe none even but three years ago I posted about my favorite sweater developping a tendency for holes which I patched up with the help of Stella Neptune cashmere bandages. You can read all about it here.

glovesheart

Last month it got caught into a load of extra white, bleached, terminally hot sheets and that was it for the sweater... I cried. Then I recovered and started brainstorming a resurrection for "the beloved". So far I have made a beret and a pair of wrist warmers, the latter I wear everyday to keep warm during the short trip to Finn 's school.

pour Bernina

If you suffered a similar disaster or just want to see how it is done I invite you to check out the tutorial I wrote for We All Sew, these two projects are well suited for beginners and the wrist warmers make especially great gifts during the frigid winter!

Posted at 10:23 AM in SEWING, tutorials, We All Sew | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 15, 2013

The Green Pepper Polar Socks pattern review

As promised, and before I forget, here is the in depth review for the Green Pepper polar socks pattern ($7). This pattern can be bought at Joann's, it is located on the metal carousels by the pattern books, it might also be available from your local fabric store such as Nuttall here in Holladay. For this project I am using a Bernina 580, provided by Bernina USA and my good friends at We All Sew.

I have made several modifications to the pattern, and have found that in general the calf height is sufficient for a child (5-6 years old) while the knee high sock is much "cuter" on a grown woman or a teenage girl.

Continue reading "The Green Pepper Polar Socks pattern review" »

Posted at 08:38 AM in pattern review, SEWING, We All Sew | Permalink | Comments (4)

October 13, 2013

Prairie NY skirt but wait... Handmade!

Simple skirt in silk by Prairie NY

I have been absolutely dragging my body around through this cold. I suspect all the rosy cheeks Finn frequents at Kindergarten. The situation there is difficult, 29 children > one adult, this equation results in chaos and not much learning. After an initial complete melt down on my part (Finn is going to fail! this is the worst situation we have ever been in etc...) and realizing once calmed down that indeed things are bad I decided to put aside whatever it is I do during the week and volunteer in the classroom at least every other day.

The first day I got hit in the chest by a shoe, on the third day the child took my hand to go back in the building after recess something she had no intention of doing if the crossed arms and closed up face were any indication. It hard work and I have developed infinite respect for the teachers, but I think I am supposed to be there, it a profound calling. The children seem to love me, which is completely unexpected. My friends and family know that I am not a avid mother, but when I look at their round faces while they take little proficiency tests I think: This is the coolest job in the word!...

With this new adventure come a slew of germs one of which is kicking me to the ground over and over again. Yesterday was lost but today I rebelled and sewed the fabric bought at Yellow Bird on Wednesday (5-day turn over people! amazing!) into a skirt mostly following Sew Caroline's pattern.

The fabric seems to be a surplus bolt from the label Prairie NY. I don't know how Amy the shop owner gets those but It is worth it. The silk has beautiful drape but the lycra was a tad of a challenge for me at first. I fixed the problem, here is how:

For this first experiment with silk I choose a pattern with not possibility of fit issues, something tried and true. I fitted the machine with a #70 Sharp needle and relied on the Bernina Creative Consultant to guide me through stitch length, foot and foot pressure. This is something that I start with all the time. Imagine, I was sewing three layers of fleece just before, it's nice to recalibrate everything before the silk hits the needle.

The side seams went well but as soon as I tried to attach the lining to the silk, making the mistake to leave the silk on top, I got puckers. I flipped the lining on the top which worked like a charm. For the wide hem however I knew this wasn't going to cut it, and brought in the big guns: my walking foot. I bet the dual feed foot (4c I think) on the new Bernina 700 series would sew the silk as if it was canvas, but in the absence of these Ferrari the walking foot did a perfect job. I mean not even a hint of a pucker when I joined the stitch-line at the end.

Simple skirt in silk by Prairie NY

I didn't buy a large amount of fabric but still wanted a 3 inch bottom hem. I resorted to sewing the lining to the top, and stay-stitching the seam allowance to the lining to keep it in place. With such large hem folds, when stitching from the outside you need something to help guide the fabric. I am well aware that there is a plastic tool to do this but washi tape makes me so much happier!

Pattern by Sew Caroline available next week!

Posted at 07:10 PM in FABRIC, family, Kids, SEWING, We All Sew | Permalink | Comments (4)

September 24, 2013

Grey Leggings

While attending Sewing Summit, I had the opportunity to attend a class by Miranda Anderson of the One Little Minute blog who taught us how to draft our own leggings. I learned enormously about knits about during these two hours but first and foremost I learned that drafting results in a great fit. I have made so many garment that looked good but fit horribly that I had all but given up on the idea. That will change I think, as I would like to draft a T-shirt next and some more flattering pajama pants. What is certain is that many more pairs of leggings will come out of this drafted pattern but I will never ever subject my legs and bum to such close photographic scrutiny, absolutely horrible! still here they are as they appear un-retouched ( mostly because I don't have the skills!):

During the Summit Weekend I set camp at the back of the Bernina 700 series class room (in part to help attendants exchange presser feet) and familiarized myself with the top of the line Bernina 780. It was a revelation. The machine is so advanced you could call it a sewing computer but really what did it for me is the dual feed. When using foot 4D a little "finger" pulls the top fabric for you as the feed dog pulls/advances it from bellow. A lot like a walking foot but much more streamlined.

Grey knit leggings

After selecting the light knit fabric from the menu and setting stretch stitch #3 (Miranda also recommends #10, which is very durable), I sewed directly on the edge, without a seam allowance. I was blown away by the quality of the stitch, the dual feed eliminated the lettuce edge that often occurs when sewing knits on a sewing machine. The seam is flat and regular, completely clean.

At the crotch and waistband I used stitch #10, which is similar to a serger overlock stitch for more strength, and a simple zigzag at the bottom to hem the legs turned under 1/2" once as per Miranda's instructions. She also made sure that we didn't stretch the leg around the arm but rather sewed it from the inside as it came (slowly). This also eliminate the potential for a lettuce edge.

Grey knit leggings

Miranda gave us the option to skip the elastic in favor of a yoga fold top. Because I have large scars on my abdomen I went for it and think I might retrofit quite a few wool tights with that non binding option. It is really comfortable and easier than the elastic to sew on surprisingly!

Now it's time to try reproducing these results with the Bernina 580, I wonder if using a walking foot would be a practical option with knit?

Posted at 03:18 PM in Bernina 780, Fashion, sewing summit, We All Sew | Permalink | Comments (3)

September 04, 2013

Sewing Summit 2013

Well, much like a secret birthday surprise party the Bernina team at We All Sew has invited me to join them during the 2013 Sewing Summit, held here in Salt Lake city. I will help them monitor the +60 Bernina machines they are bringing to the event classrooms (they are a sponsor of the summit) and get to take two classes daily!

This is completely wonderful because I have been in a kind of sewing blues and need my pedal stepped on in a major way. To this end I have selected mostly sewing classes with the exception of a fabric hand printing class. The classes were already quite full so I had just a few left to pick from, but never mind that. Sometimes it's good to be forced to pick things you would usually overlook, it builds character!

The first class I will be attending is taught by Caroline Hulse of Sew Caroline. She is going to walk us though a simple skirt design. We should be able to get it done during the class.

The second class will be Handprinting fabric with Miriam Tribe. I am especially excited about that one, as I am hoping to handprint something onto the skirt I should have made that morning with Caroline, always have a plan!

Miriam blogs at Mad Min and looks like a thoroughly cool cat!

Mad-mim_Bustle-Tee_Printed-Leggings_LA-Fabric_03

photo copy-pasted with love from her blog

On Saturday it's on to a metal frame clutch making class with Elena Roscoe of Hot Pink Stitches. She is a very accomplished quilter amongst all things and an alumna of the Sewing Summit.

Elena-Roscoe1-300x225

The last class I am hoping to attend is taught by Miranda Anderson who blogs at One Little Minute She will be teaching us how to draw a custom pattern to make our own leggings! I am all over that, since the only ones I like are from Nordstrom and what they lack in variety they do not make up in price...

Draft-and-Sew-Leggings-One-Little-Minute-Blog-Great-Simple-Tutorial-09
image also copy/pasted with love from her blog

I am so excited it goes without saying, Alice of Bernina will be there, one of the nicest people I have ever worked with and Melissa Esplin as well, my calligraphy teacher. We are already making plans to meet! Time cannot pass soon enough to the 19th of September!

Posted at 08:17 PM in SEWING, sewing summit, We All Sew | Permalink | Comments (2)

June 16, 2013

Coiled rope baskets and bowls, a tutorial

Coiled bowls for Bernina

My new pattern/tutorial has been published for a few days at We All Sew. I have loved making those vessels for a the last few years first covered in quilting fabric and now in the rough. Their unique shapes and sometimes irregular sides can challenge many an exact quilter but I have found that they can also bring you zen...

Posted at 10:10 PM in SEWING, We All Sew | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 12, 2013

New Pillows {red nails-red hands-red toes}

I finished my woven pillows last night in a frenzy. The determination to bring something finished to the Guild meeting has everything to do with it after about a year of nothing to show and tell. Taking the pictures to illustrate this awesome turn of events, in the way envisioned showed me something else about my health though, something I haven't been looking square in the face for some time. My hands and feet are cold and red. Sometimes my toes burn and itch terribly... not the cutest trait really. Well it's not what I thought and have been treating them for over a year (blaming it all on my running shoes and the pool's showers). The actual dermatologist I visited a last yesterday (this was not my first consultation on this subject) told me at once: You have perneo/chilblains. Not because of the cold so much as because your blood circulation is terrible... I hate taking pills, and was wishy washy about the treatment he prescribed until I saw these pictures of my hands. There is a problem, really. In the spirit of how things really are I will not even attempt to retouch the terrible blotchiness (is that even a word?)

The Pillows are not uniform in size, I didn't expect/remember-about the fabric take up (shrinking) off the loom. It was considerably more accentuated with the twill treadling (far right below). But never mind, I still managed to stuff in the feather inserts from Ikea. My favorite remains the large stripe in plain weave. It makes me think of a scandinavian summer just as I hoped, a first when it comes to weaving.

The cases are closed with simple 14" metal zippers. It has been so long since I put a zipper in, I almost had a moment of panic but the night glow of the Bernina soothed me, with cooing sounds of things not tangling underneath. Just kidding! But no laugh, it was very easy, again like riding a bicycle. I like to backstitch a bit before lifting my foot to slide or open the zipper pull out of the way, that too came back to mind right away.

Finn believes lately that pretending to sleep is the funniest trick in the book, as long as you make loud snoring noises bordering on drowning.

Posted at 05:42 PM in We All Sew, weaving | Permalink | Comments (4)

CHICKPEA SEWING STUDIO

August 05, 2014

Oh la la!

May 13, 2014

A Room of My Own

April 09, 2014

Urban Thread nod = great day

February 14, 2014

Beret and Wrist Warmers Cashmere Disaster! a tutorial

October 15, 2013

The Green Pepper Polar Socks pattern review

October 13, 2013

Prairie NY skirt but wait... Handmade!

September 24, 2013

Grey Leggings

September 04, 2013

Sewing Summit 2013

June 16, 2013

Coiled rope baskets and bowls, a tutorial

March 12, 2013

New Pillows {red nails-red hands-red toes}

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