By Bunny Gates, Educator for BERNINA of America, Inc.

Ny 10-year-old granddaughter wanted a bank to save her money in, so I made her this little bank from a plastic peanut butter jar. The finished rectangle is the same height as the can, and overlaps about 1" when wrapped around the can. Hook-and-loop tape is used to fasten the ends together.

Kayleigh loves bunny rabbits and the color yellow. The cut baby bunny design is from OESD Signature Collection #12241, Springtime 5. I added her name in OESD's Explorations Embroidery Software, then embellished it with decorative stitches from my BERNINA 830.

Kayleigh loves her new bank! And she loved putting in the coins Grandma gave her, and then shaking her bank to hear them rattle around inside!

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 Linda Lee, Project Sewing Workshop --

Check out the latest Threads magazine cover (August/September 2010)! I wrote this article, called "Gender Bender," about borrowing design cues from high-end men's shirts. So many great ideas, such as using small areas of machine embroidery and little bits of contrasting print fabrics, are showing up as hidden details inside yokes, inner cuffs, and under button plackets. It seems like the more expensive the shirt, the more exotic it is. Designers such as Etro and Robert Graham started this trend, and now other designers are following suit, making them more and more outrageous. I'm not sure why we aren't seeing this in women's wear, but it is sure to come.

The shirt on page 43 of the magazine features machine embroidery from two of OESD's embroidery collections: Paisleys (#12093) and Fashion Petals (#12258).

A kit is available that includes the pattern and all of the fabrics to duplicate this shirt. Plus, it also includes special instructions for making the double cuff and the inverted pleat insets. Visit your local BERNINA store to order the kit, pattern, fabric, embroidery designs, and Threads magazine.

By Kaysie Oldani, BERNINA Educator

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!

Susan Beck, Executive Editor, BERNINA of America

The newest premier design collection from OESD is a contemporary alphabet that has an Asian flair to it. Called Zenspirations, this collection has two letter and number sizes (approximately 3" and 6") plus round and square frame styles. These very graphic images look great as wall art, on pillows, and as monograms. Simple to stitch, these unique letters can really hep you make a statement with your embroidery. CLICK HERE for directions to make this 2-color piece of contemporary wall art.