No Sew Face Masks

I have friends and family who do not sew. This video is for you. The facemask is fast, fits well and anyone can make it with a variety of common supplies. I know there are many no-sew face mask tutorials but I have added a couple of things that improve on the end product.

First, since I wear glasses, I am particularly interested in placing a moldable piece in the bridge of the nose to fit the mask tight which keeps my glasses from fogging up. I should add, the tight fit is probably better for other reasons but fogging glasses is a deal-breaker for me.

Next, I had trouble with the elastic over my ears. I always have a pair of earrings in, the elastic was too tight and uncomfortable, and it constantly slipped off. So I added the soft t-shirt elastic tie around the back. Yeah! Very comfortable.

Last, I have grandchildren who may need a mask. The elastic on the ears might not be a great idea for kids but this tie on version is comfortable and so my work better if they need to wear one.

I have been sewing pleated face masks and will continue to make more but in the meantime or for those who don’t want to sew I think this is a great option. I hope you find it helpful.

Combine Multiple Designs and Optimize Color Changes in BERNINA V8 Software

I am stitching finger puppets for the 2-year-old twin’s Easter baskets. They, both the twins and the puppets, are adorable! In order to speed up the stitching process, I am combining 4 puppets in each hooping. BERNINA V8 software makes this so easy.

After combining the designs I show you how to use optimize the color changes. This changes the number of times you rethread the machine from 47 to 15. Yes Please!

I hope you learn something useful in your V8 software. Have a great day!

Hunters Star cutting and stitching

I LOVE the Hunters Star Quilt block. It is so dynamic but easy to piece. I use the Accuquilt Go die to cut mine and in this video, I take you through all of the steps to cut, piece and press.

The interesting thing is that all of the seams nest into each other until the very last join. This makes the block very easy to piece accurately and still look very complicated.

The Go die cuts all of the dog ears which really simplifies how this block goes together.

Later, I will show you in another post how to cut the block from a 10-inch square without using the Go die.

Garage Sewing Studio part 2

Sewing in Garage part 2. My Sewing studio, sewing room, sewing space in the garage of my house.

I have uncovered everything in my garage studio and am ready to stitch. Come take a look at my functional, instead of a beautiful, space. I am blessed to have the square footage of a garage off the main house that can be used for my stitching. I love seeing where others sew and decided to share my space with you. Be sure to subscribe! Shelly Fitzgerald

Color Photostitch in BERNINA V8.2 software

Hi guys! With all of us needing a distraction from the real world, I decided now would be the time to continue helping you learn to use your BERNINA V8.2 software. Here is a video using the Color Photostich tool in the auto digitize toolbox. Even if you might not use this tool for an actual stitch out, you will become more familiar with how to move around in the software just by watching and then trying it yourself. I hope you enjoy it!

Garage Sewing Studio

I sew in my garage and just love it. I feel very blessed that my husband does not mind at all. Granted his truck is too large for the garage anyway……but I will give credit where credit is due. We walk through this area to come and go and so I get to see everyone all of the time rather than being in a space that is not in the public eye.

Because this is the main come and go path for the house, I really try to keep organized. I have not done anything to the garage except unplugging the openers so the doors don’t accidentally go up. After making this video I realize I really need to call an electrician and get some of the power dealt with so that will be accomplished soon.

I have two videos. One is what my space looks like when I am out of town, which is often. I travel and present events for BERNINA all over the United States and love meeting so many stitchers. The other is what my space looks like when I first uncover everything and begin to stitch. I should do a third video showing what a mess it can become when in the middle of a creative hurricane. That being said, I really do try to stay somewhat organized because like I said at the first, everyone walks through this space daily.

I enjoy seeing where people sew and create and so I decided to share my space with you. My main point being, it does not have to be beautiful, just functional.

B