Fabric Freedom is a fabric line that Brewer Quilting & Sewing Supplies carries and one that I have been wanting to try. Their selection of marble/batiks looks perfect for an embroidery background, so I picked up several fat quarter bundles to try some stitching.

Fabric Freedom Fat Quarter Bundles

I have had the Latte Quilt on my mind the last couple of months, partly because I am getting ready to teach that quilt next year. So it seems that everywhere I looked, I was drawn to neutral colors. But I found these medallions that looked so neat and see the colors I picked out – ivory, taupe and brown! :)

tassel medallions

This little beaded purse and colorful butterfly buttons are a just because. I didn’t really have a reason for purchasing either one…it was just because they caught my eye. Don’t you ever have a “just because” purchase?

beaded purse and butterfly buttons

Benartex has some beautiful new collections coming in the next couple of months and I picked up several bundles. These fabrics are not even listed online yet, but there’s a cute collection from Mary Lou Weidman called “happiness is…” with some fun little children themed prints. Plus Marianne Elizabeth has a breathtaking collection entitled “Laurel Cottage” of florals in a pink and blue colorway! Just too gorgeous to pass up!

Benartex bundles

These little take out boxes caught my eye and I just couldn’t resist. Snuggled inside are several yards of cording in various colors to be couched on or various other uses. I have to admit the packaging is what sold me on these. Oh and notice the ivory/taupe colors again! :)

cording take out boxes

I was making my way to the door, finished for the day and then I spotted the RJR booth with this soft, elegant collection. Oh my, I’m just itching to be making something with it! It’s called Sumptuous Living by Robyn Pandolph. I can just see a MarJen for Error quilt created from these fabrics. I really don’t need a third MJE quilt, but oh is it hard to not think of stitching another one with these fabrics!

Sumptuous Living by Robyn Pandolph

International Quilt Market
George Brown Convention Center
Houston, Texas

Joanna and I spent part of our time Friday setting up Bernina machines for classes to be held through Market and Festival. We did manage to sit in on a couple of classes and I was able to attend Sample Spree that evening. It is always such a crazy place Friday evening…lots of people trying to crowd into every booth to see what’s available! But still a fun adventure!

We spent quite a bit of time with some Bernina staff members and looking around at the Bernina booth. And especially the new BERNINA 830! Ok, I admit, I fell in love with that machine from the very first time I heard about the jumbo hoop and large embroidery area back in April/May. And then when I actually saw the machine on the Bernina webcast in July, I was totally hooked!

Can you just imagine what I felt like when I actually saw that wonderful machine in person?!?! You know it’s a large machine and you can read the dimentions, but you don’t fully realize just how big it is and just how large of an embroidery area you have to stitch until you actually SEE it. Not only is it great for embroidery, but also so helpful in getting a large quilt in the machine!

Bernina Booth – the Bernina 830 with Jumbo hoop

Just look at that huge hoop!!! Can you just picture the designs that could be stitched within that area! My mind is swirling with so many possibilities!

One fact that I found especially neat is the ability the 830 has to backstitch with decorative stitches. In the past when stitching decorative stitches, the secure function must be used to tie off the threads at the beginning and end of each row because simply hitting the backstitch button would continue the pattern of stitches with stitches piling on top of each other, creating a rather undesired look.

But with the 830, when you hit the backstitch button, the machine tracks back and follows the exact same stitch pattern, eliminating the need for the securing button. Yes, it backstitches the decorative stitch in the same place so you still have a wonderful row of stitches! Now, isn’t that just too wonderful?!?!

Bernina Booth – the Bernina 830

Oh, and see that little green outfit behind the machine? Gayle Hillert from Bernina designed it and I never have met someone as creative as she is. She is an amazing lady! It’s amazing the number of decorative stitches and techniques she used to create such an adoreable children’s outfit. Gayle shares some of the techniques on the Bernina Blog.

Bernina Booth – the Limited Editions Machines

Bernina also has a set of limited editions machines which I seen photos of, but also got to see the machines in person. The activa White Pearl is my favorite! The elegant printing on it just enhances the look of the machine. And the fact that it is a limited edition makes it all the more enticing!

Bernina Booth – activa White Pearl

Jeanne Delpit from Bernina is such a joy to be around! She is such a burst of joy and excitement that there is no way you can be down and discouraged around her! Joanna and I met Jeanne at the Bernina Teacher’s Retreat in Chicago last year and she is so sweet!

me, Jeanne, Joanna

Joanna and I had a wonderful time walking the market floor, seeing some familiar faces and meeting some new ones as well as gaining way too many ideas for new projects!

Joanna and I