The news about the BERNINA 830 is beginning to hit the newstands - the October/November issue of Sew News has a great article on our BERNINA baby.

Also, the virtual overviews of the machine have begun with the next one scheduled on October 27. This is a wonderful way to learn more about the 8 Series from a BERNINA of America educator in the form of a Power Point presentation. All you have to do is register for the newsletter on www.bernina8series.com and you will automatically be sent information with a link on how to participate and learn more about this great machine virtually. You can hear and see it all on your computer - it doesn't cost a thing except a little bit of time (about an hour). I'll also remind you in the weeks to come!

You've been sending me questions asking about the vital statistics of the 8 Series machines - wanting to know measurements and standard accessories...and how many of the exclusive, gorgeous one-piece presser feet come with the 830? Some of you are beginning to map out where you will put this machine in your sewing room. Please see the dimensions of the machine and a list of accessories and BERNINA presser feet (including the magical BERNINA Stitch Regulator) that come standard with the 830. That should keep you dreaming for another week!

Next week - join me as we "Create with 8"! Until then...keep anticipating!

Isn't this the sweetest little cropped sweater? "Where," you might ask, "did she find it?" The answer: Rght in her closet, hiding in back with others Jennifer doesn't wear. It's just a regular cardigan sweater, plus embroidery, with the lower band cut off and serged back on a few inches higher. She used the differential feed to keep the knits from stretching, so you can't even tell the sweater's been altered. Jennifer stabilized the sweater behind the embroidery with a bit of Armoweft interfacing to keep the stitching from pulling and puckering. I don't know about where you are, but here in the mountains it's getting awfully chilly, so I'm getting out my serger and embroidery module and heading for that box of old sweaters in the garage...

I love making custom receiving blankets for friends expecting a baby, and they have always really loved getting them. Now that I'm expecting, I'm looking forward to making some for my own little one. Not only are these easy-as-pie gifts to stitch up, but small prints and plain colors are perfect blank canvases for embroidery.

All you need is some soft, cozy cotton flannel in your choice of print or color (1 yard will do, but buying 1 1/4 yards makes the blanket into a perfect square). Step one, finish all four sides with a 1/2" hem; turn under and press 1" of fabric to the wrong side, then turn under and pin.

Step two, stitch along the edge to hem up the blanket using a straight stitch or a fancy, decorative stitch. If you're using a super-cool print or you want a plain blanket, then you're done! This is a blanket I made with a tea set design print, and I used the lettering stitch feature on my Bernina to add a little message to the hem.

These blankets are also great for embroidery! Here's a blanket I'm putting together for a Bernina project (which I'll let you in on a little later), using Oklahoma Embroidery Supply and Design's pack #12195 Baby 12.

And you don't have to stick to baby designs. This blanket is embroidered with a Hope Yoder design, Nashville Lace. I changed the thread colors to different shades of pink, and the corner will be perfect for a monogram (when we finally decide on a name!).

When embroidering on flannel, use a polymesh cut-away stabilizer next to the fabric - it will help to keep the stitching from distorting through many washes, and it will stay nice and soft for cuddling. It's also a good idea to use Isacord polyester thread on these blankets since it is made to be tough and colorfast. And most of all, have fun creating your one-of-a-kind gift that will surely be treasured and cuddled for a long time to come.

Remember the cute journal cover Erika did a few months ago using Linda Lee's Sew Easy? When I got samples of the Benartex holiday collection, Secret Santa, I had to make one, too! And then, when OESD came out with a Secret Santa embroidery card, I changed my mind about doing a monogram and put together this little "When Giant Dachshunds Ruled the World" patch using BERNINA v5 Embroidery Software. (My first dog was a dachshund - big personality, short little legs.) There are three colorways - I used a blueberry-raspberry-lime sort of mix, but there's also a more traditional red-green-white selection. You can see them all at www.benartex.com or clicking HERE, and check out the embroidery collection at www.embroideryonline.com or by clicking HERE.

Several folks have asked about Absolute Check, so I asked Susan Fears for a description and why it's such a great feature to have:

Absolute check is an embroidery feature that 'checks' the position of the design as you touch the image of the design on the screen.  For example, if you are placing a design on a project and you want to know exactly where each part of the design will sew out on the project, you touch the screen with your finger or touch pen and the needle moves to that position.  There is no more check box.  Absolute Check is amazing, it is accurate and it is fast.

So, for example, if I were embroidering a clown on a child's shirt and wanted to make sure that the big red nose exactly covered the dime-size grape juice stain, I'd use Absolute Check to move the needle around the outline of the nose and see if the entire stain were covered. Or, if I were stitching a delicate heirloom design on purchased eyelet, I could easily check to make sure all the stitching landed on fabric rather than over eyelet holes. I can see why everyone loves this feature so much!

btw - Here's a screen capture from the 830 Emulator CD. It's just like playing on the real machine, except all the stitching is virtual. A great way to learn about the machine without actually having one in front of you! Visit your local BERNINA shop for details.