Back to School

I recently returned from Bernina University! It's a conference for Bernina dealers. My sweet shop owner Shirley of Sew Original invited me since I teach at her shop. It was just amazing!! I love all things Bernina and getting to see (and try!) all the new things was just too much!

It was at the beautiful (and very large) Opryland hotel!

Since the conference was in Nashville, there were singers and dancers at the opening ceremony!

And I caught my first glimpse of the new Bernina longarm. It's AWESOME! Here's what I know: It's coming this Fall. It'll be priced competitively with similar products on the market. The first model is the 24" on the frame, then 20" on the frame, and then a sit down 20" coming next Spring. The frame is 10 feet, but offers 106" of quiltable area. There's a stitch regulator. All the controls are on one side, so you can do everything from the front. The handles adjust easily. And...it sews beautifully; I got to play!

We also got to see the Tula Pink & Ricky Tims machines. They won the contest to design the new Special Edition 350! That's the machine I have and I love it!! Their designs are GORGEOUS!

Here's Tula with the machines where you can see them much better! I'm having trouble convincing myself that I don't need a new one!!

This is the Swiss Edition 530! I both want and need it. It's red, my signature color and adorable.

This was hands down my favorite class. Luke Haynes is a Bernina ambassador. If you don't follow his work, you should. I've followed him on Instagram for a while now (he's @entropies). His approach is so interesting because he doesn't have any rules. The best line was when someone asked what his preferred appliqué technique was and he said glue stick. His work is AMAZING. Go immediately to his website because my shotty pictures in fluorescent lighting do not do it justice.

I took one hands on class! We were making this, but I didn't get quite that far. For me, it was more about spending time with Nina McVeigh. She knows so much!!

I got to meet Mr. Ueltschi! This is whole Sew Original crew with him...me, Hanspeter, Shirley, Joyce & Muriel! A true #berninaselfie

I also got to meet Jimmy Moorhead, the National Sales manager for Brewer. He visited my LQS, Sew Original, saw my patterns and recommended me to their buyer! I'm eternally grateful!! It was nice to say Thank You in person.

I found so many cool new products!! I should've been better about taking pictures. Kraftex now comes in black and white. Exciting!! Sew Original ordered tons of new things, so check out the table in the shop.

And then it was all over. Four days of fun and education. I left brimming with ideas and inspiration!

xo LC