BFF's Secret Jungle Quilt Top

A few weeks ago my BFF and I spent a Saturday afternoon at The Quilter's Workshop in Carrollton, TX, where we received excellent customer service, I really do mean above and beyond!

BFF bought several different selections of Laurel Burch fabric including the last of their Secret Jungle panels. BFF decided she would use those panels to make a quilt by just adding borders.

She decided that my first weekend with my Bernina 830 would be the best time to create this quilt as I learned how to use the machine, and I figured it was probably one of the easiest ways to ease into the new machine. We started cutting the borders last night and deciding just want we were going to do to dress up the panels but not over power their elegance. We finished the top today.

The pictures do not come close to doing justice to this beautiful fabric, but you can get an idea of how it looks.

Quilt Top

Close up of Quilt Panel

Close up of border.

The Machine has Arrived!

First embroidery on Bernina 830 during class - 7/21/09

I picked up my Bernina 830 last night, July 21, 2009 and had my beginner's class. My instructor's name was Val and she was absolutely wonderful.

The set up is so that you learn on your own machine and she shows you on the shop machine. I have seen other shops teach this machine and they have the owner sit to the side and watch, I feel very blessed that I was able to find Texas Quiltworks thanks to Laurie. They have been wonderful to work with during this purchase, and the quilting class I took there last month.

Val started me out unpacking the boxes so I could have the thrill of opening my purchase myself. (It was exciting.) As I took out each item she would explain what it was and where it belonged. Once the machine was set up and all the parts were around it, she taught me how to clean and maintain the machine. It was wonderful to dig in right away, and helped me not be afraid of the machine just like Val said it would.

We even embroidered last night.

We started at 6:30 and ended after 10:30. I had lots of fun and Val was very patient and knowledgeable. Unfortunately, by the time I got home, and the boys carried the machine in, I was too tired to sew.

My Next Stop

My friend Laurie sent me the link to Stitchin Memories in Rockwall, TX. I cannot wait to go there. I took the internet tour and there were so many fabrics I wanted to see in person.

Road trip anyone?

Plano Quilt Show

I have not been to a quilt show before, but I am planning on going to the Plano Quilt Show.

The Plano Quilt Show is a two day show beginning on August 14, 2009 at 9:00 A.M.

I can't wait!

Placemats

I started these placemats last week and then got wrapped up in researching and buying my new sewing machine and they were left sitting on the table. This afternoon I started preparing the area where I want to place my new machine and decided that I wanted to complete this project so that I would have more space.

Of course, now I realize how cheap and temperamental my old machine is after sewing on the 830.

These are going to be in my fall placemat collection. Blue Ribbon Quilt Shoppe had the "Crayon Forest" collection on their 50% off shelf so I decided to make use of the sale. Now that I have completed the project I have decided that I have lost my taste for muted colors.

Placemat Front

Placemat Back

I am now the Proud Owner of ...

a Bernina 830. Or at least I will be when it arrives at the store, hopefully by next Saturday.

Be prepared for lots of posts about this amazing machine.

Bernina 830

Tomorrow I am going for a demo on the Bernina 830. "L" is going with me so that she can make sure I get all my questions answered. We have both been educating ourselves this week.