Bernina quilt for all Sewing Machine Challenge 2025

After discovering this challenge in 2024, I decided to partake in this year's challenge which will be a denim bag, something similar to this: 

Join on the Facebook page here if you want to join in the fun.  The challenge already started in March and will conclude August 2025.

The first block was done using the seminole patchwork technique.  I had a packet of fat eight's from Tilda's prints and decided to combine it with the denim.  The quilting was done with a variegated thread.

The second block is a decorative strip technique using decorative stitches from our sewing machines as well as denim strips  placed on a denim background.  

After submitting my blocks in time for the March voting, I added some bling to the block.

The third block was done using confetti on a denim background with motifs on top covered with netting which was all held in place with dense free motion quilting.  I had some confetti left of a UFO I started way back in 2012 and used some of that.  

The flowers I added on top was made out of different mediums like felt, faux leather, organza and metallic thread.

Most of the detail of the flowers was however lost after the quilting was done.  Luckily I kept a few pieces and added them afterwards on top of the block.

The fourth and last block for March was an applique block.  As I haven't decided on a specific theme, I just went with a pretty bow to which I added a rhinestone and some lace.  Some variegated thread completed the applique.

These four blocks didn't however receive enough votes to reach one of the first three places.  Well, on to April's challenge which is 8 blocks.

Disappearing pinwheel finished (well, one of them)

After the calamity of my Brother Innovis 4000 breaking down last year and the 5 months it took to get parts and having it fixed, it took somewhat longer to finish at least one of these runners in time to be entered into Bloemshow 2025.

All the quilting was done with Lady Reh, my Brother Luminaire XP1/2/3 oh, and what a joy it was using the scanning and projector functions in placing and aligning the designs as well as using a 20 x 20cm (8 x 8") magnetic frame for the first time which I bought off Temu at a fraction of the price of an original Brother frame.

The aligning went at lightning speed and I finish all the quilting in one afternoon.

I again used some of Stitchdelight's designs from the Patchwork set.

The outside row was done with these two designs,

followed by this design in the four inside corners

with this one in the center.

Now to finish the second one also.

Jelly Roll Rug completed

Although I had to undo the blue part twice, it was such a fulfilling project that I ordered more batting from Temu to stitch another one.  The undo part was rough will millions of little pieces of thread to remove, but the stitching itself is utterly relaxing, just you, your thoughts and your machine chucking away.  And the best part, it is finished when the rope ends!  No quilting, nothing.  It is done.

So, using the nifty Clover Tube Maker, the strips with batting are turned into a long tube 4 layers thick

and rolled into a ball by starting with the colors you want on the outside of the rug on the inside of the ball.

There are a few ways of starting out in the center for an oval mat and I chose the more traditional way which use this template.  To calculate the beginning of the start strip, just deduct the width from the length of the rug.  I think I started with about a 12" strip and ended up with a rug of  34 x 44".

I did not experience any trouble with the inside bends, just keep scrunching around the bends, keeping the outside of the tubing flat and iron regularly.

With the blue parts though, I somehow didn't feel the need to keep on feeding extra fabric around the bends, big mistake.  But, after fixing it, it came out great.  The photo was taken just before the final press. so I can guarantee you it lays flat.

At end of the rug, I just added a handmade label to both sides and added the quilt's label to the back and off to Bloemshow it went.

Three of the Rotary Cutter members finished their items as well.

Rika stitched a beautiful turquoise rug,

Marietjie did a rug in shades of blue

and Hesmari made a gorgeous beach bag.

This group offers so much help.  Do join them and just follow the posts for a few weeks before starting your own.  Uniquely Mateo is another goldmine of information.  Another big help is this Jelly Roll Calculator which tells you how many strips you need for a specific size.  So, what are you waiting for? Take the plunge and enjoy!

Needing more space

With the arrival of Lady Reh (the Brother Luminaire) I had outgrown my current crafting space.  As my husband doesn't want me to sell Boetie yet (the Brother Innovis 4000) we had to make some serious decisions as how to incorporate everything.  

With me not working from home anymore, we could use the office space and moved the two Brothers to that space with all the paraphernalia needed for more specifically machine embroidery.

My laptop is situated between the two machines with a cutting station at the back wall.  The cupboard underneath contains all the accessories of Lady Reh.  There is a also small flatscreen TV to keep me company.  As this is a rather small space, I have to keep it super neat and organized otherwise I get totally frustrated.

The desk with computers were moved into the current needlework room where all the fabrics and cupboards stayed behind.  The cupboard with my 1981 Bernina as well as the overlocker also stayed put, so I am now operating between the two rooms which is somewhat strange with me still figuring out at times what is where.

The router and cameras are also based in this space.

As you can see, even with more floor space in this, the original sewing room, every nook and cranny are packed to the brim.  But, as I became more accustomed to this setup, I am sure I will enjoy it immensely.

It was a rather busy week with me having to seriously look at my wardrobe as I was working from home the last 5 years and suddenly realize that I was in dire need of office clothes.  All my clothes were worn and I even discovered shoes and sandals I had completely forgotten about as I operated barefoot at home.  With the help of friend Magda I was able to get that done as well before eloping to the seaside for a week before I had to start work today.  So yeah, a whole new chapter starting just when I had begun to grow accustom to the idea of being unemployed. 😃

4D Flower

After completing this design for my store, I turned it into a small runner with some of the brilliant functions available on Lady Rehtaeh* (Lady Reh for short), my Brother Luminaire XP3.  Using the magnetic frame I bought on Temu made this a breeze.  That is, once I knew how to apply the functions.

All prepped and ready to go.  For this stage, I only wanted to quilt the dark brown background.

In order to achieve this, I scanned the quilt into the machine's design centre 

and remove the inside area so that quilting will only be done around the flower up until where the dark brown fabric starts.

For the border I used the built-in border quilt function where it breaks up the whole border to be quilted into sections.  All input needed was the X and Y measurements of the quilt as well as the width of the border.  The machine then shows you where to place the quilt in the frame to start stitching the border and when it is necessary to turn the quilt.  By again using the scan function with the projection function combined, you can move, mirror, rotate etc. the design until it fits completely where it should.  Making Childsplay of steps I previously found very tedious.

I then adjusted the foot's height to be able to add the other layers of the flower by using the button stitch function

and add the label to the back.

Watch Rehteah Parson's tragic story here.

Miscellaneous embroidery items done

Whilst finding my feet with the new Luminaire by taking it one step at a time, I caught up with some orders on my Brother Innovis 4000 (lovingly called Boetie - the Afrikaans for Brother).

My friend from Clover and Stitch, Ansulet, asked me to compile all the parts necessary for a biscornu pincushion for a friend of hers.  So, I embroidered the two parts and added stuffing, ribbon and a tassel with which she can now complete the biscornu on her own time.

Pattern Biscornu 2 available from Artistic Designs

My husband wanted two bookmarks, and as the frame can do 3 at a time, I stitched 3 and gave the third one to the young girl to whom I donated my mother's Elna 2004 .

I also digitized and stitched a logo for a fellow bowler of my husbands bowling club.

I completed this cute frog a few weeks ago which I received a few years back halfway done by a woman who had since died.

I also made a baby statistic bear for a friend of mine's first grandson.

Design from Ofnah Embroidery Designs

A spit cloth was also stitched on Saturday with a crochet border added yesterday by friend Magda and delivered today.

Yes, again this adorable little elephant from Appliquetion Station

Amazing what one can achieve in just one day just staying seated behind the machines. Feels like it's been a long time since I had the luxury of stitching away, but that's just because life happened.  With the new Luminaire I had to split my sewing room into two rooms to accommodate both Brothers.  I also had to do an over hall of my closet as I am starting working fulltime on the 1st of April and was in serious need of office clothes.  Luckily friend Magda stepped in and helped by doing some alterations as well as stitching some jackets to wear over the sleeveless dresses.  I now also have to spend some time acquainting myself with Autocad 3D so that I can at least use the program efficiently.

On top of that I have to finish the quilts destined to be exhibited at the Bloemshow as well as finishing 4 blocks of the Bernina challenge I am partaking in before the end of the month.  And my shop needs some new designs as well.  So much to do and so little time...