Here's another way to make the circles that I used to embellish my "Bubbles" jacket in Through the Needle Issue #33: Use DesignerPlus BERNINA Embroidery Software!

Use the Circle tool to draw a circle.

Choose a decorative stitch from the wide variety found in the software - including many that are not on the sewing machine.

One advantage of using the BERNINA Embroidery Software is that each circle is outlined with complete stitch patterns (no partial patterns or overlaps) and the layout for each piece of the jacket can be designed prior to stitching. (For instructions on planning embroidery for each section, see Judy Hahner's version of the jacket, also in Through the Needle #33.)

Hoop a layer of wash-away stabilizer such as OESD BadgeMaster in your largest hoop and use a spray adhesive such as 101 Quilt Basting Spray to hold the linen and stabilizer layers together during the embroidery process.

I recently was working on a project that involved embroidering on leather. I used designs from OESD's Flourishing Appliques Embroidery Collection #12205. It was necessary to alter the stitch properties of the design, as leather might perforate with dense designs or too small stitches, You must be careful when you sew on leather as stitches can't be ripped out as the needle penetrations will show. This was a fun project because it was a quick project to stitch out!

Be sure and save all your leather scraps since you can always use the small scraps to make small purses or accessory totes. I think that I might make a patchwork tote and use some of my decorative stitches to piece the patches together. Do you have other ideas for projects with leather scraps?

Ed: For even more tips on sewing leather, see Debbi's article - "Embroidered Leather Vest" in issue #33 of BERNINA of America's Through the Needle magazine.

Create an exotic table runner with the Exotic Rainforest Embroidery Collection and an animal print.

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.

Here's something I received from one of our talented readers - it's lovely!

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

One of my favorite new features of BERNINA Embroidery Software v6 is that it gives me a preview of what my lettering will look when I'm selecting an alphabet. When I open the pull-down menu to select my lettering style, the letters I've typed in the box appear next to the name of the alphabet - written in the style of that alphabet. This makes it so much easier to select alphabets for projects!