My birthday was last summer, but one of the gifts I was given was to attend a two-day workshop at Quiltique, which is quite near my home. The workshop was called Bernina Academy and was to give tips and hints on how to deal with different types of fabrics. I’m a quilter, so most of my fabric is cotton, but the workshop was such fun, even for someone like me with a limited “palette” of types of fabrics.
We were assigned to either Bernina 790 or 880 models, sharing with one other person, and my “machine-mate”, Loretta, was really nice. It’s too bad she doesn’t live here, but that’s life. Anyway, we had a 790 to play with, and — much as I love my 780 — those extra features are so nice that I’d have upgraded in a heartbeat if I could have. LOL!
This picture shows all of the supplies we had; we didn’t need to bring anything at all with us. There was a large carton (partially visible at the back of the photo) filled with different fabrics and stabilizers; a ribbon-bound book to put our samples into, along with any notes we might want to make; a tape measure ; some binding clips; a ruler; thread; a piece of Minkee; sewing machine needles; a composition book for more notes; pen and pencil; etc.
The instructor, Shelly Fitzgerald, was outstanding: organized, knowledgeable, unflappable; who knew that I was already subscribed to her YouTube channel? I don’t think we wasted a single minute during those two days! In addition, Quiltique provided delicious lunches each day, fueling us for the afternoon sessions. I think the section on sewing cork was the one I found most interesting, since I didn’t realize how easy that would be. I might have to experiment with some cork at some point. 😉
This photo has a couple of the same things as were in the first one, but I thought I’d show them anyway, as I think they’re the two I like the best. 🙂 The sample book here shows one of the two-page spreads we had for each project. This one gave ideas to vary a simple buttonhole stitch for machine appliqué on wool.  That little Bernina sewing machine in front of the book, though, has to be the cutest little USB drive I’ve ever seen! I smile every time I look at it.
