For the last 2 days I have been using the Bernina Stitch Regulator. As a machine quilter and teacher this was an opportunity I couldn't refuse.
While I am qulting away using the Bernina Stitch Regulator I was thinking about my Dad. He was a wonderful wood worker and cabinet maker. I remember him saying to my one day, it's important to learn how to use the hand tools first and become proficient in them. Once you understand how these tools respond when using them, you then can appreciate the power tools and what they have to offer.
As I use this Bernina Stitch Regulator I realized humbly that he was right. I 've been machine quilting without a stitch regulator since 1990. It has taken alot of practice to learn the art (yes the art) of machine quilting. Making sure that you regulate your stitches so they are not what I called "Morse Code", you know the ones, dash, dash, dot, dash, dot!
I enjoyed using the Bernina Stitch Regulator, although it took some time to get use to. For those quilters who want to do free motion quilting, but do not want to practice, practice, practice, this is what you need! It gives you the opportunity to do free motion quilting without having to do all the work.
I have alot of freinds who are beautiful machine quilters, not a stitch regulator in sight! I know that they might disagree with me, but I'm not sure they have had the same opportunity granted me.
I now appreciate the stitch regulator and what it has to offer the home sewer/quilter. You will still need to take machine quilting classes to learn other machine quilting skills, but regulating you stitches will not be one of them!
I will always be learning new designs, but what a treat it was to use the stitch regulator. Thank you Pam and Judy at A Great Notion for this wonderful opportunity!
1 comment:
I have owned my Bernina 820 for a year and only just started to put the BSR to work.
I had not had any projects requiring FMQ, although I went to great lengths to learn the mechanical requirements of manual FMQ on my previous machine.
I have found that using the BSR almost requires a little "unlearning" of manual technique, and you have to slow down a little-- but the results, without all the practice are amazing.
Before judgement is rendered, the sewer has to determine if they are a Mode 1 BSR person, or a Mode 2 BSR person. Now that I know I am a Mode 2 person-- I am having a wonderful experience.
I also had to learn that setting up the different Modes can be a different process depending upon which Bernina you have.
At the end of the day- it came down to the fact that this is a $900 tool-- I have a new sofa that cost less, LOL, so why would I leave a $900 tool that came with a $7000 machine in a box on a shelf? I'm glad I determined myself and persevered- it increases and maintains my machine purchase satisfaction.
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