Bernina needs a ruler foot

[Brenda R.]

I have the Bernina circle attachment. I used it on my quilt 'Circle-licious'. Hopefully I have attached a photo of it.

Since high school I have been penpals with a gal who lives half an hour outside of Paris and her name is Chantal, also!

[Rita C.]

What a lovely quilt Brenda! I really like the straight line quilting and how it contrasts with the circles. So presumably the circles were all done using different decorative stitches on your machine? It's a great effect. Did you add the circles before or after quilting? Were you afraid that you would mess up the quilt if you got it wrong? Some of those decorative stitches are difficult to unpick!

[Brenda R.]

Thank you! Yes, I used different decorative stitches. I used stabilizer on the back of the quilt top and I created the circles before quilting. Oh, I did have to remove some stitches! Not fun!! It would have been much easier to put the circles on smaller blocks rather than on the whole quilt top. The weight of the quilt top and moving the quilt top through the space between the needle and the body of the machine while creating the circles were problems.

[Lois B.]

Brenda, Good to know to use the circle technique on smaller pieces, or smaller sections before an entire quilt top is put together.

[Chantalida C.]

Hi Brenda, I love the way you used your circular attachment, I have one too, I never thaught using it for quilting, it is an excellent idea. I am also addict to presser feet, I have many Bernina feet as I have 2 older Bernina Machines with the 5.5 mm plate and a 450QE and the 780 embroidery machine with the 9 mm wide stitches. I have known Bernina sewing machines since a very long time now.
Many girls were named Chantal in the fifties, but, belive me I am still feeling very young

[Nancy R.]

Beautiful quilt, Brenda! I got the cheaper circle attachment that Sewing with Nancy makes, but I haven't tried it yet. I'm doing the Inspired by Libby challenge, too, but I won't tell you if it will have circles....

[Chantalida C.]

Hi Rita, Unfortunately, there is no patchwork exhibition in Paris, it use to have some in the past, but nothing for this year. France has no quilting tradition, there is very few patchwork fabric shops in Paris, the fabrics are very expensive as well as patchwork notions, I order most of my notions and fabrics from USA.
Regarding patchwork exhibitions in France, there is a very important Fair in SAINTE MARIE AUX MINES in Alsace (East of France) Carrefour Europeen du Patchwork : http://www.patchwork-europe.com/sainte-marie-aux-mines4.php. I have never been there but many women I know are going there every year and they love it.
It is a huge exhibition with many well known artists from all over the world, sale of antiques quilts, sewing machines, embroidery machines, fabrics, notions etc. This village (Sainte Marie aux Mines) is the village where are coming from Amish ancestors. If you wish more informations about it, just ask me. I wish you a nice sunday.

[Lois B.]

Chantal, I am interested in the history of the town, Sainte Marie aux Mines. I live in central Pennsylvania in the USA. Lots of Amish have settled in the area and many still live here. Has there been a long history of quilting and patchwork in this town? Thank you!

[Chantalida C.]

Hello Lois, I shall get as many informations as I can about the history and the living of the Amish in Sainte Marie aux Mines and I shall let you know about, but I need a little time to make my investigations and to translate it in the best english I am able to write. I shall do it with pleasure.
Chantal

[Rita C.]

Karen, thanks so much for the suggestion about the pool noodle. I do have some of those and I will try it as I am keeping the Janome.

Bonsoir Chantal et merci pour les informations sur Sainte Marie aux Mines. I would like to go to that exhibition some day. Sorry my French is not nearly as good as your English. :cheer:

[Lois B.]

Thanks, Chantal. I didn't mean to make a lot of work for you. I was just interested in the history as it pertains to quilting. Only do it if it interests you, as well, and only if you would find it fun to do. Otherwise, I think you should use precious spare time for quilting.

[Chantalida C.]

Lois, it will be a true pleasure for me to make these investigations as I am curious of everything. I know quite a lot about Amish history but I have to check, it will be very interesting for me, for you and maybe others.
Chantal

[Chantalida C.]

Being a bit of a history 'buff' - interested in history - I will also be interested to read of your findings Chantel. I used to have some French, but through lack of use over the last 20 yrs it is extremely rusty. It has been interesting, in a good way, stretching and digging through the old brain cells to keep up.

[Catherine S.]

I am interested too, Chantel. My family came from the department of Doubs. We visited there some years ago and it was beautiful. I too fell in love with Paris. I hope to get back someday. We have Amish near us and I am interested in them also.

[E.M. T.]

Chantel...no fretting over your English... it will be far better than the no French that I have ! :huh: Will
love the history....didn't know there was a French /Amish connection.??