A note from Kim Deneault, author, teacher, host of KidzSew on QNNtv.com, and BERNINA National Artisan -

Kim Deneault returned to North Dakota for a week and worked with the Century High School Fashion Design class is Bismarck, ND.

The students designed their own pillows, some using a pattern and others using original drawings. Students then sewed using Kim's easy Raggedy Reverse Applique technique and measuring with gummy worms.

"I was so happy when I walked into the classroom and saw all BERNINA sewing machines! The students have such a wonderful work space to design and sew in."

This was the wood-working shop when Deneault was in high school back in the '70s. "It's great that there's still so much creativity going on in the public school."

Deneault, a North Carolina resident, was home for her induction into the Century High School Hall of Fame.

Did you know that March is National Craft Month? The perfect time to share your crafting skills! Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Plan a time for crafting when you can put together a stockpile of gifts. You'll be ready for the next birthday, shower, or holiday. Won't it be nice, not having to rush at the last minute?
• Volunteer to teach a craft to kids at a local school, shelter, or club. Pillowcases are easy to stitch, and the 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge is a super way for kids to help other kids.
• Treat a friend (or yourself!) to a special Craft Month treat. Put together a basket of fabrics and trims, and top it all off with a specialty presser foot. Maybe a foot for covering cord or attaching strands of sequins?
• Invite a friend (or two or ten) over for a crafting night. Select a simple project, like those at SewingRepublic.com, pull out your BERNINA sewing machine and have fun showing your friends to sew!
• Better yet, organize a weekend retreat at a local B&B or conference center. Choose one that provides meals so you don't have to interrupt your crafting to cook.
• Does your local school host a craft fair fundraiser? Get together with some friends and create some fun things to sell. Set up an assembly line to make the most of your time. These Tidy Trays are simple to make, and great stash busters!  

These trees make cute name tags for your presents, ornaments, or place settings for your table as you celebrate Christmastime.

Step 1 - Cut fabric into 2 1/2" squares. You will need three squares for each tree.

Step 2 - Fold each square diagonally to form a triangle. Press.

Step 3 - Select a decorative thread such as YLI Monet or YLI Woolly Nylon. Set serger up for a 2-thread or 3-thread rolled hem following the instructions in your serger manual. (Alternatively, set serger for a narrow 3-thread balanced overlock with decorative thread in the loopers.)

• If using a 2-thread rolled hem, use a decorative thread in the lower looper and regular serger thread in the needle. Stitch finger in the rolled hem position.
• If using a 3-thread rolled hem, use decorative thread in the upper and lower loopers and regular serger thread in the needle. Stitch finger in the rolled hem position.
• If you want, you can use a 3-thread balanced overlock stitch with decorative thread in both loopers and regular serger thread in the right needle, with the stitch finder in the regular position.

Stitch along one side of each triangle, making a "chain" of serged triangles.

Step 4 - Fill each triangle with fiberfill or cotton balls. Serge the open sides shut, beginning stitching at the folded end. Dab seam sealant on each corner; after it dries, trim any excess thread.

Step 5 - Cut a piece of felt for the tree trunk.

Step 6 - Hand sew all three triangles together with the points pointing up. Then handstitch the tree trunk in place at the bottom of the tree and stitch a ribbon loop at the top of the tree. Alternatively, join all the pieces using a glue gun.

Step 7 - Stitch a ribbon loop to the top of the tree to use it as an ornament, or attach a paper or cardboard tube to the back to make it into a napkin ring.

Step 8 - Use a Sharpie marker to write the date and/or name on the tree trunk.

2-thread rolled hem using YLI Monet thread.

Balanced narrow 3-thread overlock with YLI Monet.

YLI Woolly Nylon

I had so much fun with my BERNINA serger recreating this neck purse from the new serger book called Ready, Set, Serge: Quick and Easy Projects You Can Make in Minutes by Georgie Melot.

I could really relate to the story of having your hair made into ringlets as a little girl! That's why my neck purse has tighter ringlets that the book shows! A great technique!

Last April I made the Lazy Girl "Miranda" bag (click HERE, HERE, and HERE), and a friend liked it so much that I made one for her birthday this week.

For the new bag I used some scrumptious Benartex Batiks that I bought at Bernina University in June - "Rainforest Triple-Dyed Balis" - so new that I can't find them on the Benartex website yet. I should have photographed them for you - they were all rolled up together in a cute package - but here are the fabrics that were included:

I made the bag following the included instructions - except: Instead of quilting the main fabrics I used free-motion bobbin work to hold the layers together.

First I hand-wound several bobbins with YLI Multis in a tan/olive colorway, and threaded the needle with regular cotton thread.

I used the Black Latch Bobbincase with my artista 630 - this is a special bobbin case on which I can easily loosen the tension without messing with my regular bobbin case.

I got out my Machingers for the free-motion work - these are rubber-covered fabric gloves that create a great "grip" on the fabric while still letting your hands "breathe."

I used Teardrop Embroidery Foot #26 for my stitching, but could also have used the BERNINA Stitch Regulator.

Here's what the fabric looked like when I was finished stitching. It's subtle, but pretty.

Another change I made was to use purchased handles, which I attached with Lazy Girl's Handy Tabs - little lengths of ribbon that are the perfect size for attaching handles. They'd also make great little labels.

I also used Lazy Girl's Bag-E-Bottom size D to stabilizer the bottom of the bag - it keeps everything nice and sturdy.

Here's the basic process for attaching the handles. Slip the Handy Tab through the loop at the end of the handle, then stitch it in place - upside down - where you want the handle to be. There's no need to finish the raw ends. Careful - keeping the handle out of the way can be a little tricky.

Turn the handle up, then topstitch the Handy Tab in place. Again, it can be a bit tricky keeping the handle out of the way - you might want to enlist the help of an assistant for these steps.

Just like on my previous Miranda bag, I couched some cord (more YLI Multis) around the flap/tab instead of topstitching it.

And here's the finished bag! It should get to the birthday girl sometime this week - can't wait to hear how she likes it!

Next: I just got some fabric to make the new Lazy Girl "Claire" pattern - but haven't decided yet what sort of embellishments I'm going to use. When I figure it out, watch for another Lazy Girl blog!