As satisfying and fun as sewing is, keeping the supplies, notions, and leftovers organized so you can find them to use can be frustrating and annoying at times. I'm always looking for ways and trying new things to control my sewing space and put some order to it. I had an idea a few months ago and it has turned out to be one of those "bright ideas" that actually works! Find a 3-tier candy dish (you may have one in the back of your cupboard) and put it to use. It can be made of glass, plastic, metal, or wood, like my inexpensive one made of bamboo.

I designated my dish as a "bobbin station." It holds bobbins, bobbin threads, and related notions. I use the top tier to hold filled bobbins using round, rubber Bobbin Savers. If you have several machines like I do, you may have several different types of bobbins. I use different color Bobbin Savers for different types of bobbins: red for "regular" bobbins for BERNINA models that have a CB hook, purple for artista 730 rotary hook bobbins, and blue for Deco and bernette bobbins. (Keep reading if you want to know where I keep the jumbo bobbins for the BERNINA 820 and 830.)

The middle tier of the dish is for a variety of bobbin threads: The Bottom Line by Superior Threads, Lingerie and Bobbin Thread by YLI, and 60 weight cotton by Mettler.

The bottom tier of the dish is perfect for larger notions related to bobbins. I have my SideWinder for winding bobbins without the machine, a small basket that holds extra bobbin cases, the AC adapter for my SideWinder, and (here it is!) my jumbo bobbins for the BERNINA 8 Series machines. I also have a few packaged bobbins and cones of OESD bobbin thread that fit behind the basket.

Organizing this way lets your put more notions into a space, going up instead of out. And the best thing is that you always know where to go when your bobbin needs filling!

I received an assignment to create a little girl's sundress incorporating the new Blossoms & Bows OESD Signature Embroidery Collection. Now, this creative thing is not me, but I forged on with help from my "sew" creative peers!

Shirring the bodice with elastic thread was a hoot with the Jumbo Bobbin on the BERNINA 830 - it holds so much more elastic than a normal bobbin.

Speaking of "Jumbo" - embroidering the complete design in ONE hooping using the Jumbo Hoop was the best! Now, if you're so inclined, go ahead and make one for yourself!

Be sure to visit us at www.berninausa.com to get the latest 8-Series firmware update! It is version 30.16.20 and it has some wonderful enhancements you will not want to miss. One question I am frequently asked is how to disable to sewing tie-on stitches permanently -- and it is now available in this new update. Also, the ability to deactivate the tie-on stithces at the beginning of an embroidery design is now available!

The update links can be found HERE -- and complete instructions for updating your machine are also posted. The software you need and detailed release notes are both posted. Remember, to update the machine you need a blank USB stick with 4GB memory or LESS. And after updating, be sure to recalibrate your hoops; you'll find this in the Set-up area of the machine under Embroidery.

Enjoy the enhancements -- many were your requests.

I recently enjoyed seeing some darling nieces at a family gathering whose ages ranged from infant to pre-teen. Kay Hickman's Sewing Room blog using the Zenspirations embroidery collection proved to be the perfect idea for my next project. My BERNINA Embroidery Software 6 easily took me from "idea" to "stitch-ready" in about 30 minutes. Starting with a new page in the software, I inserted each letter in my quilt, enlarging the large 6" L by 20% using the Rescale tool. The remaining letters were the smaller 3" letters in the collection, and I reduced ROOM to 70% in the Object Properties box.

With just a couple of clicks of the Open Objects tool, I quickly digitized the apostrophe for Lilly's name. All I had to do was recolor it and move it into position.

I wanted to stitch the large design in the new BERNINA 830 Jumbo Hoop, and I used the Multi-Hooping feature of the software to split the design into two pieces and add registration points for a precise stitch-out of my embroidery.

I consider myself a beginner when it comes to machine quilting. The BERNINA Stitch Regulator kept my stitch length consistent for my free-motion quilting between the letters. The ever-practical Triple Straight and Triple Zigzag stitches frame the quilt with a simple but pronounced border.

With creative embroidery collections, and fantastic BERNINA software and embroidery machines, it's never been easier to create beautiful, personal gifts for family and friends.

"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!

Do you remember when the first embroidery machines were introduced? How excited we all were to have a machine that sewed professional-looking embroidery all by itself? And we could even embroider baseball caps with a special hoop!

Do you remember the computer you had when you saw your first embroidery machine? Windows 3.0? Windows 95? Floppy disks! Just think about how much more sophisticated computers are just 15 years later - netbooks, Windows 7, wireless Internet - who could have imagined!

Just as with computers, today's embroidery machines are sooooo much different from the first ones! Early improvements included a free-arm for stitching onesies and pant legs, a sensor that stops the machine if the thread breaks, thread color information right on the embroidery screen, and sliding hoops for increasing the area that could be stitched with just a 4" x 4" embroidery field. Embroidery software for customizing designs. And then digitizing software for creating them from scratch! The latest embroidery machines - embroidery computers, really - do everything except make coffee!

If you have one of the new BERNINA 830s you know how wonderful it is to sew on the latest and greatest embroidery system. One of my favorite features: the HUGE Jumbo embroidery hoop - I can stitch 40 x 26 cm (that's more than 10" x 15.5"!) and cover entire sections of jackets and other garments without rehooping or changing the hoop position.

Another thing I love about the BERNINA 830 is the ability to take regular sewing machine stitches into the embroidery computer. I love to cover fabric pieces with decorative stitches, but sewing all those rows is time-consuming and more than a little boring. Now all I have to do is select my stitches from the many 100s available, use my finger or stylus to drop and drag them around the screen until I like the arrangment (I don't even have to program directional stitches - they're automatic!)...

... send them to the "embroidery side" of the BERNINA 830...

... then use Endless Embroidery to multiply them and fill the entire Jumbo hoop. How cool is that?!

Nancy Bednar - designer, teacher, and author - did just that for the back panel of her "Trio" jacket (Project Sewing Workshop ).

What are some of your favorite embroidery features? Leave a comment and let us know what you love about your embroidery machine. (Click on the little blue "Comments" link at the end of this post, then fill in the Comment box.) In 10 days we'll select a winner at random from all the comments we receive, so be sure to leave your comment before midnight (Eastern time) Friday night, June 18, 2010. June 29, 2010. The winner will receive a box of goodies from BERNINA of America, OESD, Brewer, and Benartex. Sorry, we can only ship to addresses in the USA, but we hope our out-of-country friends will still share their favorite features with us.

Ed. Congratulations to Susanne Brisach, winner of our Favorite Embroidery Feature Contest! Susanne will receive a pack of goodies in the mail next week. Thank you to everyone that entered and left a comment!

We've been hard at work creating updating the 8 Series website, working under the hot lights and spending long hours on our computers.

Especially cool are the new video clips - the history of BERNINA and the 8 Series, the BERNINA 830 in motion, a walk-through of threading and using the 8 Series machines, interviews with national sewing celebrities, and more!

There are also many projects featuring the BERNINA 820 and 830, from journal covers and pillows to blouses and quilts.

Plus - after you've explored the new site, download the BERNINA 820 and/or 830 Simulators and see all the things you can do on the screens of these super machines!

Calling all 8 Series owners! Don't miss the chance to learn about yourBERNINA 820 or 830 with our Virtual 8 Series Mastery Classes, taught exclusively at participating BERNINA stores. We got off to a great start this week, and hope you can join us for the rest of the series! Check to see if a BERNINA store in your area is hosting this live series in their store. Presented by BERNINA Educators, the virtual classes will walk you through the basics as well as the new features of these great machines. Tuesdays at 1:00 pm, CDT - May 4, 11, 18, 25, June 1, 8 and 15.

8 Series Machine Mastery Live Topics:

• May 4 - Meet the Machines
• May 11 - Care & Feeding for Precision Preformance (presented by Hans Herzog)
• May 18 - In Stitches
• May 25 - Smooth Operations - BERNINA Stitch Regulator, BERNINA Dual Feed, and More
• June 1 - Not Directionally Challenged (BERNINA 830 Only)
• June 8 - Intro to Embroidery (BERNINA 830 Only)
• June 15 - Endless Love and More (BERNINA 830 Only)

Last month we - myself and Jennifer Gigas, Director of Education - were in Detroit to film some segments that will be part of the updated 8 Series website, scheduled to go live in May. Here's a sneak peek at what's in store!

Here are some tips that will ensure successful threading every time:

• Be sure to floss the thread into the machine at the first guide and wait. When the thread hits the sensor on the right side of the machine it signals other threading parts to get ready. If you wait until the automatic threader button illuminates, you'll know that all of the parts are in the right places to receive the thread.
• Follow the animations on the screen to complete the threading sequence. Be sure to cut the thread from back to front, and pull the thread down rather than towards you.
• When the button is pushed, the needle is threaded and a loop of thread remains behind the needle. Leave this loop where it is, because that is the length the thread should be so the thread tail will be buried in the fabric. This is especially helpful when embroidering as there will often be no thread tail to cut - you'll just be able to continue embroidering.

As you begin the threading process and the animations appear on-screen, there is an option to manually thread the machine. You will need to use the manual threading option any time you are using Double and Triple needles, Wing needles, size 60/8 needles, and also with some presser feet (Leather Roller Foot #55, Dual Sole Walking Foot #50, Ruffler #86, Bias Binder #85, and Cut 'n' Sew Attachment #90).

In the situations described above you must select the manual threading icon and then press the illuminated button to place the thread in the take-up lever. Because the manual threading icon was pressed, the machine does not let the automatic threader swing toward the needle.

Use the manual threader (included with the machine) to insert the thread into the eye of the needle, following the steps shown in the animations.

Use the Pattern Repeat function to set the number of patterns prior to moving to the embroidery screen. The entire stitch combination will act as one unit and becomes easier to manipulate. However, the original set cannot be taken apart again.

• In the sewing screen, select stitch #501. Set Pattern Repeat at 3.

• Touch the embroidery module icon. The pattern thumbnail shows the 3-repeat pattern.

• Select the pattern just created from the My Designs folder.

• When selected, select the Oval Hoop and set the hoop to fill with 2 patterns.

I used a stabilizer relatively new to OESD's lineup - AquaTear. This product is a biodegradable tear-away stabilizer, so it gives lots of support to the stitches during the embroidery process. But when you get through, drop it in the washer and all the little bits and pieces rinse away!

I used a product from Designs in Machine Embroidery called MagnaQuilts and Borders, and boy, was I amazed at how easy "endless" embroidery is with this hoop! I had used the hoop before, but I was using it to hold the quilt layers as I stitched the embroidery designs to quilt the three layers together.

I used the BERNINA 830 to create the Endless Embroidery design. The last color change stitches two "X" marks. All I had to do was lift up the top part of the hoop, slide the fabric up, and place the upper portion of the hoop in place. The first color change of the next set of designs sews the first two "X" marks. The machine prompts you to adjust the needle position as necessary to align this set of "X" marks with those previously stitched. With this hoop, you can adjust the fabric instead of moving the design itself. It is soooo easy!

Ed - This project - Nancy Bednar's Reeds & Grasses Tablerunner - first appeared in our blog on June 16, 2009. Kay's assignment was to create four copies that will travel with our T-n-T programs throughout 2010. We all loved Nancy's project so much that we decided to take it on the road! For complete instructions for making your own Reeds & Grasses Tablerunner visit www.berninausa.com.

Use the Endless Embroidery feature of the BERNINA 830 to easily stitch out four panels (size depends on your table). With this design, three repeats filled the hoop. After stitching, mirror image the combination to get the next set - the marks for Endless Embroidery are in the same place since the size of the design has not changed.

Tip - when aligning dark fabrics, draw on the stabilizer and the wrong side of the fabric, and match up these lines for accurate alignment with no chalk lines to remove.

Well, when I received my new BERNINA 830 sewing machine, I began to embroider like wildfire - enough to melt that snow in Michigan. The Jumbo Hoop is so liberating because of the size. I can now produce with ease large-scaled embroidery that used to require multiple hoopings. With the creative juices flowing and maybe even a hot chocolate to keep me warm, I was inspired to "refashion" the wall-hanging. Using the BERNINA 830 teamed up with BERNINA V6 Embroidery Software made this project a snap. So grab yourself a hot cocoa and start creating your own leading light!

(Instructions for this project are included in BERNINA of America's Through the Needle magazine, Issue #33, available in BERNINA stores in January 2010.)

Sewers, I love it when things come together and inspiration flows. This particular afternoon it did. I was going to test this Adjustable Seam Guide and find out if it would make my sewing life easier. AND IT DID! WITHOUT ANY MARKINGS! Here's what I did:

I took the large piece of fabric, prepared with a lightweight fusible interfacing, folded it in half along the bias and pressed a line with my iron. I opened the piece back up and then folded it again on the bias, but using the opposite side. When I opened it back up, I has a pressed "X" on the fabric. These were the starting lines for my first pintuck rows. Once I stitched that first row, I set the Adjustable Seam Guide so that the rows would be 1" apart. It was SO SIMPLE to line up the next sewing row using the previous stitched line as a guide for this tunnel to follow. In fact, I would sew three rows in one direction and then turn the fabric and stitch three more rows on the opposing side. And in no time - without having to waste time marking the fabric - my fabric was totally stitched with beautiful cross-hatched pintucks. No more cringing or complaining... just a wonderfully finished project.

If you do not have a BERNINA 8 Series machine you can purchase this attachment from your local BERNINA dealer. My latest, must-have sewing attachment!

Hi Jo - I have just completed a major project embroidering using my BERNINA 830. I used the free designs from the Maurer-Stroh site for an Advent Calendar. Each year she offers a monthly project. This year it was two numbers each month for the calendar. I started in October and completed it just in time to send it to our daughter. I added a 25th day.

For the project I used a lightweight canvas with a cut-away stabilizer for each block. I inserted a buttonhole and added the satin border in the software. I then backed each block with off-white wool felt to give them more body. I used a crinkle-cut rotary cutter to cut each block to size. For the banner I used a mottled red wool felt. I used a 5/8" grosgrain ribbon to outline each area for the days. To do this I hand basted the ribbon in place and stitched it with my Edgestitch Foot #10 on my BERNINA 1031.

I think I have the best of both worlds with my machines. My artista 180 just keeps trucking along making lace angels for a special project.

Bernice Bohusch

I was able to present or help in these sessions and enjoyed watching new sewers and people who had never before sewn or embroidered complete their tote-bag. We customized the 830 screen with a wallpaper of their choice from the many to select from, set the needle minder for the needle installed in the machine (so we wouldn't forget), and started creating our embroidery in the Jumbo Hoop! We took 2 designs from Diane Gaudynski's embroidery folder of feathered quilting designs and created our design and embroidered. Then, with the touch of one button, we went to the sewing screen and created a stitch combination using Drag & Drop and Connecting Stitches and sewed that under our embroidery. The final step was to use the BERNINA Dual Feed to sew up our bag.

Everyone had a new tote they could fill up with their shopping treasures from Houston.

The building blocks for this design - the arrangement of letters and numbers - was created using the Word Art capabilites of the 830.

Once the basic design was created, selecting the Endless Embroidery option duplicated the design, adding reference points so it was easy to make subsequent hoopings align exactly. The baby blanket was stitched using two and a half repeats of the basic alphabet design.

Click HERE for instructions.

With My Label, I could audition the fabric, decorative stitches, buttons and lace. More ease was added to the Boxy Jacket; it was then shortened in body and sleeve length. Decorative stitches and pintucks were drawn using the pencil tool and the lace was mimicked by using an embroidery design.

The buttons were the final addition. It was great to preview the look of the bedjacket before the fabric was cut. Everything that's needed was on the pattern making it easy to transfer markings, design placement and all notches.

The ribbon was embellished with decorative stitches using combi mode, connecting stitches and multi-directional placement on the 830. Using BERNINA Dual Feed, the ribbon and lace sewed down smoothly and the pintuck attachment and adjustable guide made sewing the corded pintucks effortless. Using the built-in monogram added a fashionable touch to the pocket. Since "hand" is a four-letter word in my book, even the buttons were attached using Button Sew-On Foot #18 on the machine.

Of course, I knew I wanted to add embroidery - that was a given - but what else? I set about to find fabric, as many times fabric will talk to me during a project (no, not real voices!). When I found the brown-striped home dec fabric I knew I had hit pay dirt. The striped pattern gave me a wonderful palette to work with. I had a great time using my trusty Bulky Overlock / Braiding Foot #12C to couch green and lavender chenille cording to create new fabric for one section.

I also wanted to try bobbinwork with my new 830, so I found some great OESD designs and set to playing with this wonderful technique. Because the 830 doesn't have a removable bobbin case, it was a snap to adjust the tension for bobbinwork. And, even better, it was a snap to put the tension back when I was done.

I also wanted to put that wonderful new BERNINA Dual Feed to work, so I added some flip-and-stitch quilting. All in all, the techniques I played with on this bag give it a great feeling, and I loved becoming friends with my new 830!

Note: The bag is made using Lazy Girl Designs' "Miranda Day Bag" pattern.

Jazmin began her fashion career in high school and today the 21-year-old brings passion and persistence to the world of couture fashion. She launched her line, Li Cari, in March 2006 during Los Angeles Fashion Week.

Whitley has been using a BERNINA sewing machine for the last three years and was very excited to start using the BERNINA 830 sewing and embroidery system to simplify the laborious process of creating work for the runway on a tight schedule.

"A lot of energy and hard work went into creating my new collection, and there were so many variables and changes," Whitley said. "It made a huge difference for me to be able to work on the BERNINA 830 because I knew that this top-of-the-line machine would always do exactly what I needed."

"House of Jazmin" will premiere on MTV on Tuesday, August 18, at 10:30 p.m. in all time zones. Watch the show's trailer HERE.

Jazmin's work on the BERNINA 830 is sure to spark ideas in many aspiring young designers, who can find the latest in top-quality machines, sewing classes, and chic project ideas at www.sewingrepublic.com.

The 830 comes with a great new pintuck attachment that attaches to the bed of the machine and feeds the cord perfectly, eliminating any chance of catching the cord in the stitching. And it's not just for the 8 Series machines - it's available for ALL Bernina sewing machines!

Dreaming of duplicating this with just the right embroidery design and a great new embroidery feature, I started with my sketchpad. A large tablecloth morphed into a much more manageable table runner. Easily stitched and attached linen bands became the canvas for the embroidery. How wonderful to import a single design, select "fit to hoop" for multiples, dial in additional motifs, adjust their spacing, and even add registration marks for joining row after row! In no time I had embroidered four beautiful bands that rivaled those that I had admired in Europe.

I can't even imagine how many guidelines, dots, and plastic templates I would have had to create if I didn't have Endless Embroidery available to me with this machine. Thank you, Bernina, for helping me make this design dream come true!

For detailed instructions click HERE.

Check with your local BERNINA store to see if there will be a Pieces of Eight program in your area.

"My sister, Mary Mashuta, and I attended a Bernina Artisan Retreat in February where we got to learn more about and use the 830. Mary first trained on the simulator and then sat at the machine. I started with the machine and then went to the computer simulator. We decided she felt more at ease on the machine because of first exploring with the simulator.

"I think the simulator is a great tool. I can see setting up my computer, with the simulator loaded, right next to the 830. Ordinarily I would have the manual open and available. That's the way I learn - with the instruction book open beside me. We all learn differently. I need to see the words and diagrams, etc. This is even better!"

Get your copy of the BERNINA 830 Emulator from your local BERNINA dealer!