I've had my Bernina 740 (which I call "my desktop" or even "the behometh") for three years but only recently did I finally make a stitch book. I just really wanted to better know/appreciate my machine. I saw a good tutorial here on Bernina's We All Sew blog, and I did something very similar - just simpler.
It was the kind of busy work that I actually find quite satisfying and relaxing. Just stitch after stitch, methodically trying them all out and arranging them into a binder. I was the kid who would rewrite my notes after school, so, ya.
I used a lightweight stabilizer, and sheet protectors designed for playing cards - I like the vertical layout. I inserted between the back-to-back samples, to eliminate show-through. This way, I could put 18 samples in each sheet protector.
I cut the stabilizer and the cardstock 3.5x2.5 inches. I cut the fabric pieces narrower, so that some stabilizer was visible. I used 40 weight thread, and just whatever solids I had around.
I wrote the stitch numbers directly onto the stabilizer.
BERNINA LOVERS aside: My machine (740) is the base model of the 7 series - so I don't have as many stitches as the 770QE or 790, but, this is plenty machine for me, and I didn't pay for features I don't want (I have no interest in the embroidery module, and don't need the stitch regulator, having learned free motion quilting back in the 90's, the old days.) Do I like the 9mm? Sure. However, I will get birds' nests if I'm not careful to use a leader, or hold my threads, and this is something I never ever had to worry about with my 5 mm 153QE. I would just pick up and sew and didn't even know the concept of a "leader" or "holding threads." So I'm not crazy about piecing on the 9mm (even with the 97D foot, it bugs me that part of the feed dogs aren't engaged - and yet, on the other hand, isn't the dual feed wonderful?)... pros and cons. On balance this is such a gorgeous workhorse and I love it. It's a dream for machine quilting, for sure, with the large harp space. I am saving my $ to buy a second, small, portable machine, because this thing is a beast. Maybe a 330, or one of the new 4 series coming out soon. I have my grandma's 830 Record which is a thing of beauty... and I will piece on it sometimes, but I'd love a little 3 series for portability. OK, end of aside! I could talk Bernina all day long, ha ha.
Anyway, stitch book finished and I highly recommend this exercise!
And, I used some of these awesome decorative stitches to mend a pair of my brother's jeans. He's a carpenter and hard on his jeans.
Talk about fun and fast!
A stitch book on denim!
I used a pair of my own old jeans for the patches.
And how often does this happen??? Finished just under the wire - weirdly satisfying:
x
Cynthia
