By Amanda Whitlatch, Educator for BERNINA of America, Inc.

This week I needed a quick bridal shower gift. After researching the traditions of the bridal handkerchief I fired up my BERNINA Embroidery Software 6 and got to work. The OESD Platinum Design Collection #61001, Love and Lace, was perfect! I brought in multiple designs from the collection and combined them with lettering from the software to create a one-of-a-kind heirloom keepsake.

The scallop border was created using Pattern Run for a perfect finish. Then I stitched out the handkerchief in the Jumbo Hoop on the BERNINA 830.

I printed the History of Bridal Handkerchiefs, adding embroidered embellishment to my document -- all in v6 Art Canvas -- to complete the gift.

A note from Elaine Emmons, blogger and BERNINA sewing machine owner:

Everything is a little better with a cherry on top! With my BERNINA Embroidery Software 6 I embroidered the cherry outlines, the chocolate chips, the modern flowers (even the stitching designs on some of the flowers!) for that extra touch on these Ice Cream Cone Purses! There is NO END to what you can create with V6!

 By Kay Hickman, BERNINA of America Educator

I was thinking the other day how fun my job really is! Yes, there are days that can be frustrating, but for the most part my job is a continuation of my hobbies -- sewing and embroidery.

And one of the best parts is being able to see ALL the beautiful designs that are created for the embroidery machine. A new collection that will be available in July at your local BERNINA dealer is "Rose of Sharon" by Sharon Pederson. This collection is a set of blanket stitch applique designs. The patterns for the shapes can be printed out from the files on the USB or CD version of the collection. Perfect every time! Part of the designs are approximately 5-1/2" squares, but the other is approximately 9-1/2" squares, so they are perfect for stitching in the BERNINA Jumbo Hoop! These designs make wonderful quilt blocks -- you just have to see them! Here are a few of the blocks included in the "Rose of Sharon" collection:

Here's a photo of a project that I created using one of the designs. I call it "The Anything Holder" because the elastic will hold virtually anything -- fabric markers, make-up brushes, pens & pencils -- just change the width between the stitching lines to accommodate larger or smaller items.

If you are interested in this project, check with your local BERNINA store to see if they are hosting an All About ME (Machine Embroidery) program. "The Anything Holder" is featured in the August All About ME program, which will show you how to create blanket stitch applique by embroidery machine. Attendees also receive instructions for creating this project, as well as many others.  

By Linda Wenturine, BERNINA of America Educator/Trainer:

"Rainy days and Mondays always get me down" - unless I am at home sewing. This week I have been embroidering a border for a dress I am currently making. My new BERNINA 830 has a great feature called Absolute Check that makes it even easier to be precise when aligning my embroidery designs - all I have to do is touch a point on the screen and the embroidery hoop moves so that the needle rests at just that point on my design. I am using the Endless Embroidery feature to create this linear border. Once I have embroidered the length, I will layout my pattern piece and cut out the border.

Many times during my embroidery sessions I find myself reaching for a hoop template. These thin plastic tools, while they are small and can easily be misplaced (ask me how I know), I find that they are an extremely helpful tool. Not only are the center markings visible, but there is also a grid to come to my aid whenever I find the need. Lining up and placement are simple when I use my hoop templates.

You may have to look in the box to find these little wonder helpers, but once you start using them you will agree that they are a must for embroidery. If you agree, please leave a comment below. Let me know how you've used your templates!

A note from Elaine Cibelli, BERNINA of America Trade Show Team:

What do you find most difficult about embroidering on a garment? Is it placement? How to multi-hoop? Choice of thread colors? Well, for me, it is deciding on a design. Where do I begin to look? The great selection of designs in the "Best of Fashion" Design Collection makes the decision easier. The best of the best - all in one place!

The collar and cuffs of the Ikina Jacket and caribbean blue linen from Project Sewing Workshop are the ideal canvas for embroidery.

The embroidery design (originally in a collection called "Quirky Swirls") was combined in BERNINA Embroidery Software 6, arranged to be multi-hooped, and stitched using the Endless Embroidery feature of the BERNINA 830. Endless Embroidery can line up embroidery motifs, and the BERNINA 830 indicates placement for re-hooping. Absolute Check makes multi-hooping so easy, the results are perfection. To use Absolute Check simply touch any point on the embroidery design on the BERNINA 830 screen and the needle will be positioned over that location in the hoop.

The Magna-Quilts & Borders Hoop helps to further simplify the process of multiple hoopings. Fabric can be stitched and then easily repositioned without removing the hoop from the machine.

With the "Best of Fashion" Design Collection, my biggest embroidery problem is solved. Now I need to get sewing on other items for my summer wardrobe. The winter snows have melted but the winter pounds have not!