A note from Kimberly Einmo, author, designer, and teacher:

Now that the weather is cold and the days are short you're probably spending more time inside. Considering how busy our schedules tend to be, how would you like a little extra time to enjoy sewing on your BERNINA and less time cooking in the kitchen? If so, I've got a fast, fun, (inexpensive) luxurious pillow project just perfect for gift-giving and a delicious slow cooker recipe you've got to try! (Recipe at the end of this blog.)

You can whip up this luxurious, yet quick-to-stitch pillow in just a few hours on your BERNINA and it will look like something from an expensive designer showroom. Perfect to give to someone special for a birthday, shower, or house-warming gift. Many furniture stores will give you their upholstery samples and remnants when they have been discontinued. Just ask the next time you're out shopping for furniture, or give the manager of your favorite store a call.

1) I combined all the soup ingredients and put them in the slow cooker.

2) I sorted through upholstery fabric samples and came up with an eye-catching palette.

3) I cut them into 5" squares...

4) ... and stitched them together in a simple patchwork pattern using a 1/2" seam allowance.

5) After pressing, I used a lightweight, fusible interfacing to keep the seams open and to keep the fraying edges from raveling too much.

6) I topstitched the seams using a variety of decorative stitches on my BERNINA 730E with rayon thread. I added fringe for a special touch. Perfect - fast and fun!

7) Now, I'm off to enjoy a bowl of delicious Yummy Cheeseburger Soup!

Prep Time: 20 minutes; cook 8-10 hours (low) or 4-5 hours (high); makes 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 to 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 tbsps minced garlic
• 1 small bag frozen cut carrots
• 1 large potato, cubed (optional)
• Two 10.75 cans condensed cheddar cheese soup
• Two 14 ounce cans beef broth
• 3/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup yellow mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 dill pickle, diced (optional)

Brown the ground beef, onion and garlic in a skillet and drain off excess fat.

In your slow cooker, add beef mixture and all remaining ingredients except shredded cheddar cheese and pickle.

Cover and cook on low or high heat as directed above.

Now go sew until the soup is ready!

Top each serving with shredded cheese and pickle. Serve and enjoy!

Here's a project from Denise Fischer, manager of the Bernina Sewing Center in Tucson, AZ:

I made these quick and easy cushions Saturday for classes at work. I used five different 1/4 yard pieces of fabric to cut two 1 1/2" strips, two 2 1/2" strips, two 3" strips, and one 7" strip for each cushion (each strip is 22" long). I also bought a 22" piece of solid green home dec fabric for the back of the cushions and cut it into 22" squares.

I auditioned the fabrics, laying them out in different ways until I liked the order. Then I pinned them and stitched them together on my 830, which is marvelous and easy to use. I used Patchwork Foot with Guide #57D with the integrated dual feed feature - which is awesome to work with! I let my 830 know which foot I was using and used the straight stitch plate as well - it won't let me use anything but a straight stitch in center position when it knows I'm using a straight stitch foot - no broken needles! My 830 knows so much and the accessories make it a whole lot easier to use.

Then I took off the straight stitch plate and changed to Zipper Foot #4D - once again, I let my very smart machine know which foot I was using. I moved the needle position, lined up my zipper, and stitched it to the top of the patchwork front and home dec fabric back.

All that was left then was to stitch the sides and across the bottom. You could easily sew this on a serger if you wanted to.

I bought 18" square flat cushions that were 2" deep, wrapped them in batting, and slid them into the zippered casing seat covers.

I think I accomplished this project - two cushions - in under two hours. I was looking for something quick and easy, as I wanted to make several so my sewing ladies could be comfortable while taking classes. They're very comfortable and they look great!

Except for joining the bias strips together, I made these pillows using just one presser foot: Bulky Overlock Foot #12. Designed for stitching sweater knits, it's also great for making and inserting covered cording.

First - Cut bias strips (about 1 1/2" for the narrow cord I used here), then wrap one end around the filler cord. Place under the presser foot so that the cord is under the "tunnel" part of the foot. Move the needle all the way to the right, and set the stitch length at 3 to 4mm. Stitch.

Second - Attach covered cord to the front of the pillow with the needle in the far right position, clipping the seam allowances at the corners. I don't pin it in place, just place it as I sew along the sides. Just before I get to a corner I stop and clip the seam allowances a few times to help the cord around the sharp curve. On these pillows I didn't do anything fancy where the ends met; just cross them over each other and stitched through them. With larger cord I'd unwrap and clip the filler cord to keep the join from being too bulky.

Third - Place the front to the back, right sides together, with the front on top. You'll be able to see the stitching lines from step 2. Move the needle all the way to the right, then back one step to the left; this will place your stitching just barely inside the previous seam, hiding those stitches. Stitch around the sides, leaving an opening in the middle of one side for inserting the pillow form. I always stitch at least an inch or two from the corners toward the opening; otherwise it's hard to get the corners to turn properly later.

Fourth - Turn the pillow cover right side out. Because you've inserted piping into the edges the corners "pop" right side out - no fiddling with point turners to get the corner turned right side out. Insert the pillow form, then stitch the opening closed. I do this by hand, as it's hard to stitch next to the bulky pillow. But, if you're careful, it's possible to use Zipper Foot #4 or Leather Roller Foot #55 to stitch the layers of fabric together just below the piping.

I've been poring over Amy Butler's In Stitches for quite a while and have finally decided to do two of the projects at the same time - the Big Dot Pillow from the cover (for my new guest room) and the Decorative Hanging Towels (for the guest bath). Right now the guest room is my "ironing room" and storage area, but soon all the boxes will be empty and there will be room for a bed and some pretty pillows. Instead of using solid fabrics on my towels like Amy did, I'm making extra patchwork and using it for both the pillow and the towels.

I've decided on a color scheme - remember all those lucsious fat quarters I got in February? The Woodstock collection from Benartex has the perfect shades of blue and green for the bathroom, plus the red/pink/orange I've already started in the bedroom. No, really, it's not garish, just cheerful and sunny. I picked up a few things at IKEA and the Crate & Barrel outlet (Naperville, IL) and the Springs/Wamsutta outlet that used to be here in Asheville. The cool colors tone down the hot ones, and the warm ones perk up the cool ones.  

I just finished rotary cutting my strips and I'm ready to go! Time to get out my trusty machine and Patchwork Foot #37... More on my patchwork adventures and changes I'm making to the applique instructions in future posts. Gotta check my stash of Steam-a-Seam 2 and make sure I have enough for all those circles!