This ribbon chain is a sweet accent to any project. It can be applied to pillows, purses, garments, and I think it would look awesome on a headband. Mom (Zede) saw this technique on one of Deatra’s (former owner of the store) projects way back in the 90′s and asked her how it was done- she couldn’t remember! So, Mom decided she’d think through it. The moment of inspiration came while she was driving home and resulted in her speeding the rest of the way to the house, coming to a screeching halt in front of the garage, and racing up to her studio to find some ribbon to act out her ideas upon. Remember folks- this was before the days of video tutorials, when you had to figure it out all by yourself!

Click here to view the embedded video.

As I explain in this video, we have revisited this technique several times throughout the years, and every time we have re-teach ourselves. Well, this video should do the trick from now on!

Have you tried it yet? Isn’t it simple?

Ok, the first thing I have to tell you about being a BERNINA dealer is that we are required to follow the proscribed media guidelines that BERNINA sets forth. One of those guidelines is that the name BERNINA appear in all caps in any print advertising, web media or web correspondence. So, when I type BERNINA, I’m not yelling at you, I’m just doing my best to represent.

Being a sewing machine dealer is fun! At least I think so. We get to be on the cutting edge of the sewing industry and find out about all sorts of new sewing stuff before the rest of the public.

In order to be on the cutting edge, we have to attend these dealer meetings. So, mom and I trot off to Merrily We Sew Along in St. Louis to learn what new stuff BERNINA is planning!

Once we settled down and introduced ourselves, we learned that there was over 100 years of experience in the room between all of us!

Zede and Mallory with fellow BERNINA dealer Mary from Cross Patches in Collinsville, IL.  (If you’re in Illinois, check her store out!).

The first thing we were reminded of is that BERNINA has high standards, and that’s what makes your experience so great when you buy from a dealer!

We are required to give guide classes to all customers who buy a machine from us- it’s in our contract!  We also have to attend training events about new products.  If you get a machine from a BERNINA dealer, you should be fully supported!

There are also lots of programs that we can choose to participate in as well.  These programs range from virtual education programs to carrying BERNINA exclusive embroidery designs in our store.  Every BERNINA dealer can choose different programs to tailor their store offerings to their clientele.

I’ll tell you one thing, those sales associates at the big-box stores do not go to regional training.  They aren’t trained on each machine.  If you bring your machine back to one of those stores when you have trouble, you don’t get the support that you should get at a dealer.  I guess that was more than one thing…

See you all bright and early at our shop tomorrow morning!!!

Do you have a BERNINA?  What do you like about it?

When I introduce myself to someone new and explain what my life is about (it’s about sewing, if you didn’t guess), they’ll often respond with this “I can’t even sew a straight line!”

Well, no more excuses, watch the video!  I even give tips on sewing irregularly shaped seams!

Click here to view the embedded video.

There are lots of different seam allowance guidelines out there, but I think this video gives you techniques that are transferrable to a wide range of projects.  The video also features the edge-stitch foot- which I am obsessed with and believe that no stitcher should be without!

Do you have any other tips/tricks for getting a straight seam?

This is a very simple video about a very popular project, embroidering on a terry cloth towel. It’s probably the most common “first project” that new embroiderers think of when they get their machine.

Well, we have had lots of new people purchase embroidery machines in the past couple months, so I thought I’d share this! If you haven’t embroidered a towel in a while, watch for a refresher.

Click here to view the embedded video.

My mom (Zede) embroidered a towel for every one of my friends as their birthday present while I was growing up (I do my own now). It was always the coolest gift at the party, which makes sense, since I have the coolest mom in the world!

The other great thing about embroidering towels when you first start out on your embroidery machine is this: If it works, it’s a gift. If you mess it up, it’s a rag.

Have you embroidered a towel recently? Upload a picture to our Facebook page!

This has been one of our most popular videos that we’ve ever uploaded to YouTube. I think I know why- everyone wears jeans and everyone wears them out!

I wear out my jeans in the crotch area, which turns out to be a pretty embarrassing problem if left unchecked. I think I’ve darned just about every pair of jeans that I’ve owned for over 1 year…which means just about every pair.

Just because you have to darn your jeans doesn’t mean they are particularly bad quality. When I think about how often I wear my $25 pair of jeans from some store in the Mall, I know I’ve gotten my money’s worth- plus I’ve gotten even longer use since I know how to darn them.

Watch, learn, save your jeans!

Click here to view the embedded video.

What else do you do to make your wardrobe last longer?

These knit lettuce edged scarves are so cute, easy and versatile that I thought I’d highlight them again in a little blog post, even though we did a feature on them in the last Inside Zede’s Sewing Studio.

First off, I’d like to thank Baby Lock for putting this project idea on their website. Our staff and customers have really put this idea to good use- we’ve made a ton of them!

I’ve even worn these “scarves” as belts and headbands.

The instructions are simple enough, but if you want a visual on stretching the fabric through the serger, we show it in the second half of “Inside Zede’s Sewing Studio” from January 2012.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Check it out and make a few!  Bring them to club!

Have you ever tried a project from BabyLock.com?  How did you like it?

If you live in the Columbia, MO area and you come to classes at Zede’s Sewing Studio, you will have noticed that you often share the classroom with owners of the Baby Lock Sofia or Sofia2.  Actually, if you have been coming to Zede’s, it’s likely that you’ve bought a Sofia or Sofia2, because Sofia fever has been spreading like wildfire ever since the machine came out!

The Sofia2 (the most current version of the machine) is a 15lb. full service sewing and embroidery machine with a DC motor.  It’s also at a great price point (call for pricing, we can’t put it online 573.874.2500).  In this time of “recession” or “economic hardship”, we’ve seen a lot of people gravitate to this powerhouse of a sewing machine.  After they use it, they fall even more in love!  One of our customers calls her machine “Madame Sofia”.

You get a lot of “bang for your buck” with this machine.  Features like an automatic thread cutter, the ability to drop feed dogs for free-motion, 168 stitches, and 70 built in embroidery designs are usually things you expect to see on a high end machine- but they’re all present on this mid-line, super awesome machine.

We’ve seen all different types of sewers become Sofia owners.  People who like to quilt, people who like to make purses, people who like to make garments, people who just want to embroider, make bows, make….anything!

It’s lightweight, portable, dependable, affordable and versatile- what more could you ask for?  Plus, as a Baby Lock dealer who has sold a ton (about 100 since they came out 2 years ago), we’ve got a representative sample of the sewing population operating these machines- and we only see them in the shop for basic yearly maintenance.

Some of our customers have been so impressed with the Sofia that they buy one, even if they already have a sewing machine.  It’s easier to take to and from class- plus it’s got that DC motor which means it will stitch through 8 layers of denim without breaking a sweat…and without making you break a sweat.

At the Sofia price point, a lot of other brands offer a machine that only sews or only embroiders.  It’s a steal when you can get both- even if you don’t think you’ll use one or the other.  Don’t worry, our guide classes will get you comfortable with all parts of the machine.

Here’s a video on how to make a buttonhole on “Madame Sofia”

Click here to view the embedded video.

Do you have a Sofia?  Are you catching Sofia fever?  Ask us any questions you have, and we’ll get them answered!

Foot Focus is our continuing education class about presser feet!

The right presser foot can mean the difference between a project that is so-so and a project that screams wowza! As Linda Bratten says, “The right foot can make the beginning seamstress look like a professional.”

Did you know that there are at least 7 different uses for a Pin-Tuck foot (only one of which is a pintuck)? Do you know the proper way to fold your fabric for a blind-hem? Do you know how to get that walking foot on your sewing machine? These are the questions that we answer in Foot Focus

For the next two months (February and March 2012), we are going to Focus on the Baby Lock 7 Cord Foot and the Bernina Foot #6, #22 and #25. Jane just gave me her list of techniques and there are 14, count ‘em, 14 different techniques on the list!!!!  That’s why we’re splitting it into two months worth of classes.

Here’s the deal. You come to class with a sewing machine in good working order. You can either borrow the foot we’re focusing on or bring it if you already have it. You leave the class with samples of all the techniques that Jane and Linda have gathered together and now you know how to use the foot. So, if you already own it, now you’re more educated about your equipment. If you didn’t already have it, you can make an educated decision about purchasing the foot or not.

When you sign up, make sure to tell us what brand of machine you have, so we know what feet to make available.

Have you been to Foot Focus?  How did you like it?  What feet would you like to focus on?

If you haven’t attended Embroidery Insights at Zede’s Sewing Studio, you’re missing out!

Embroidery Insights is one of our many continuing education classes that we offer bi-monthly. Each class focuses on a different embroidery project, and we try to choose something “weird” or challenging for you to try with your embroidery machine.

This month, it’s a free-standing lace and applique bookmark- sounds fun, right?  It is! You’ll learn two very useful embroidery skills; how to stitch free standing lace and how to applique in the hoop.

Come join us on the 18th for class!

Have you heard of Facebook or Twitter? I’m assuming you’ve got some vague idea of what those two sites are, since you have the savvy to be reading this blog right now. They are “social networking” sites where you can share photos, status updates, links, and a whole lot more.

So, why would we need/want yet another social networking site? Well, I don’t, unless it’s as cool as Pinterest!

Pinterest is a site based entirely on pictures. It’s wonderful for inspiration in all areas, not just sewing. I’ve been using it a lot, especially since I’ve gotten the itch to redecorate my house.

You can create “boards” to organize your ideas- like “New House”, “Wedding”, “Dream Sewing Room”. And you can upload pictures or add other user’s pictures to your boards.

You need an “invite” to join. You can request one at pinterest.com or send your e-mail address to us, and I’ll invite you! Then you set up an account and you can “follow” people’s pins- like us!

You’ll see all the neat stuff that we’re sewing or lusting after on our pin boards.  We’ll pin videos, tutorials, pictures of what we’re doing in our next class!  Check us out on Pinterest- you won’t be sorry!