By Susan Beck, Executive Editor, BERNINA of America, Inc.

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!

My name is Marsha McClintock and I am a BERNINA Artisan. I am the owner of SAF-T-POCKETS Patterns and Sew Many Options Tours. I am always making samples for my pattern company and my BERNINA artista 630 makes the process so much easier. My favorite foot is Edgestitch Foot #10 as it helps me to stitch precisely. I absolutely love the Presser Foot Lifter (Free Hand System) on my BERNINA sewing machine. I sew with the needle down so when I need to pivot at a corner it's so easy to lift the presser foot with my leg. It's hard to remember what I did before I had that feature!

Since both of my businesses revolve around travel, I often make travel accessories. I was honored to have my Stitch Sampler Jewelry Roll project featured in the July Through the Needle magazine (Issue #31). I hope some of you made this little project!

A note from Susan Stewart, quilter, author, heirloom stitcher, designer:

In the last few years I've become more and more interested in incorporating machine embroidery in my quilting. I try to make my embroidery an integral part of the design. And because my artista 730E does such exquisite embroidery, I work the poor machine half to death! I also love it for free-motion quilting - nothing else gives me the stitch quality of the Bernina.

Did you know that cats are also very interested in machine embroidery? I'm sure those of you who live with felines know how much they like to "help"! Here is a picture of little Fluff supervising the process...

...while Stella checks out the fit in the case for the embroidery module. Even the kitties appreciate a great machine!

The BERNINA Corporate Show Team has just returned from Summer Quilt Festival in Long Beach, CA - July 24-26. It was a HOT ONE! Not only weather wise but our machines were pretty HOT, too! We had the wonderful 8 Series pair - the 830 and 820 - right up front so our guests could experience the excitement and power of these incredible machines. We also displayed our artista, aurora, and activa lines of machines along with our sergers and embroidery software to complete any sewer's wish list. The new v6 BERNINA Embroidery Software is getting a lot of buzz!!

There is never a dull moment in the BERNINA booth and our customers know that! They shop for specials and when they purchase a machine to suit their needs, their new baby gets shipped to their dealer of choice. What could be easier? We extend our congratulations to our new BERNINA family members who now have the best machine for their sewing room!

Next stop for the BERNINA Corporate Show Team is Houston, TX in October for Fall Quilt Festival. We hope to see you there so be sure to stop by our booth and say HI!

Have you seen the new limited edition 730E Crystal Edition? Not only is it embellished with a Swarovski crystal flower, but it comes with a gift package including 33 design collections, an EZ Glitz Pro, three rolls of stabilizer, 12 spools of Isacord embroidery thread, a CRYSTALLIZED Swarovski Elements rhinestone pack, and a stylish polka-dot rolling machine tote.

There's also a new limited edition 630 Platinum Quilter's Edition, adorned with a feathered quilting design. Included is the BERNINA Stitch Regulator and a spring quilt kit.

Both of these machines are available only while supplies last! Visit your local BERNINA store and check them out!