Bernina quilt for all Sewing Machine Challenge 2025 - July

The only assignment this month, was to combine the blocks into a 20 x 40" piece in preparation for a 16" bag. It took me about half a day as most of the blocks and/or rows had to be enlarged with additional pieces to get them all the same size and in rows of 20".  I sketched out the bags dimensions to decide what should go where and even cut some blocks in half.  But I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Still have to quilt all the additional pieces but with me taking on extra draughting work, all the hobbies are on the back burner for the next few months.

Lovely Hearts Set 2 embroidery designs updated

The set I wrote about in this post was revamped and replaced with new designs in my store here.  It is on special for one week and include a free design to download and try before buying.  The designs are available in 3 sizes.

The set includes 8 hearts with a bow at the top of the heart and 4 without the bow.  For the applique, I used satin ribbon in two contrasting colors which I basket weaved.

Now I still have to transform these blocks into a quilt which will be for sale.

Bernina quilt for all Sewing Machine Challenge 2025 - June

This month we got 6 blocks to stitch which went rather quick as most was traditional blocks.

 The first block was a traditional 9 patch.

The second block was the disappearing 4 patch.

The third block, called for curves and I played with various variegated threads.

Block 4's instructions made use of the Bernina circular attachment tool which I obviously don't have with my 1981 Bernina Record, so I just stitched circles the traditional way.

Block 5 was done using the overlocker and again variegated thread.

Block 6 was also done with the overlocker, but instead of threading wool etc. through the stitching, I stitched a grid adding little embroidered flowers to the intersections.

Exclusive design uploaded to shop

It was time again for another exclusive design to be uploaded to Embroidery Girl's shop at Oregon Patchworks.  This time I designed a double sided coaster made in the hoop.

Bernina quilt for all Sewing Machine Challenge 2025 - May

For the month of May, another 8 blocks was required.  It took me astonishing long to stitch all the blocks as they all require some planning, gathering all kinds of bits and bobs, changing threads and machine feet all the time whilst discovering more and more functions on Lady Reh.

The first block was decorated with cord and ribbon.

The second block was a crazy patchwork block where I combined different shades of denim with the Tilda fat 8th fabrics I am using.  The quilting was done using a variegated red to white thread.

Block 3 was a cathedral window block.

Block 4 called for bobbin work where heavyweight thread is wind on the bobbin and the stitching is done on the wrong side of the fabric leaving a decorative finish on the front.  I used coordinating colors to fill in the areas between the bobbin work.

Block 5 used the cutwork technique and I again used variegated thread to do the satin stitching around the cut areas.

Block 6 incorporated fabric slashing.  Different pieces of fabric is sandwiched between two layers of fabric.  The top two layers are then cut open to reveal the pieces underneath.  I decided to cut out a wider section of the denim top layer to expose more of the middle layer.  It was then quilted using decorative stitches using variegated thread.

For block 7, I decided to weave tumbling blocks rather than just doing basket weaving.  Took a whole afternoon figuring it out with the help of  Youtube.  I used satin ribbon for this block.

The eight and final block for the month used the Trapunto quilting technique that creates raised 3 dimensional areas.  I used this fabric print and accentuated the round flowers by stitching one stitch at a time around each flower using an open toe quilting foot with the feed dogs lowered.

That concludes this month's blocks, so it's on to designing again as I have to supply an exclusive design in a months time.  So much to do with so little time...

Bohemian Quilt Block 6 added to the store

Bohemian Quilt Block 6 added to my store.  This block features applique and is mainly stitched in black and white.  It was however digitized in sections enabling the embroiderer to add more colors if he or she wish to do so.

Lovely Hearts Set 1 embroidery designs updated

The set I wrote about in this post was revamped and replaced with new designs.  It was much more work than I originally anticipated, embroidering all 12 designs as well as using them in a project to help boost sales.  It just felt forever the last 3 weeks or so, but it is finally done and uploaded on my shop's page here.  It is on special for one week and include a free design to download and try before buying.  The designs are available in 3 sizes, two of which I used in the quilt as you can see below.

Even taking decent photographs of the completed quilt was a no go. 😒

A close-up of the center.

The set includes 8 hearts with ribbon weaved through embroidered buttonholes with a bow at the top of the heart and 4 without the ribbon.  They embroidered beautifully and the ribbon added that bit of oomph and 3D dimension to an otherwise plain heart.

The first time using scuba for a quilt and I really do like the softness of the fabric although it gave me loads of trouble with the quilting since I used the stitch and flip method rather than adding a binding.  Wont make that mistake again.  

Bernina quilt for all Sewing Machine Challenge 2025 - April

April's challenge consisted of 8 blocks.  The first block was a half square triangle.

Block 2 was made with strips of fabric and decorated with decorative stitching.

The third block was a free motion couching block and it was the first time in my life that I did couching with a sewing machine and wool.

Lady Reh (my Brother Luminaire XP3) use these attachments with the muvit foot (aka walking foot) to achieve it seamlessly.

Block 4 was also a couching block using various yarns.  Not my favorite block though.  This one might be a do over.

Block 5's instructions called for a 3D block with echo quilting.  As my previous flowers were stitched flat in the confetti block of March, I did some of the same flowers with faux leather and glitter foam in coordinating colors.  The flowers was attached to the background with gold metallic thread.

Echo quilting done.

The faux leather and glitter foam sheets used.

Block 6 called for a machine embroidered block and as I collected a few of Beyond the Frame's Jumpville residents, I decided to embroider Curly Sue, but with her hair in a French braid.  It is quite mesmerizing watching the machine stitch the 5 layers of hair.  The stuff creative people come up with is just mind-blowing. 

The first layer of her hair done.

All 5 layers completed.

Curly Sue all done.

Block 7 was another traditional patchwork block, the log cabin.  I used different shades of denim fabrics and quilted the block with variegated thread.

Block 8 concluded April's blocks with a 3D pinwheel which I also quilted with the same variegated thread.

I also embroidered a Curly Sue for a member of our quilting group who also partake in the Bernina challenge.

Curly Sue's curls in the making.

And doesn't she looks absolutely gorgeous!

If you are interested in joining the Jumpville crew, sign up on Beyond the frame's webpage to receive notifications of new releases.  The designs itself however, are sold on a completely different website, Embroidershoppe which I find difficult to navigate and yes, very confusing.  

It is so interesting to see all the participants blocks on the Facebook page with no 2 people's blocks the same and to see how differently people interpret the instructions and make innovative blocks by thinking out of the box and not just strictly following the example shown.

We just received May's challenge and it is another 8 blocks with yet again different techniques.  Another month done already with a quarter of 2025 done and dusted.  Time is flying by at lightning speed it seems.