Sew Many Stitches

A quarterly publication of Bernina Sewing CenterSusan Pardon, owner Jul-S

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For this issue of Sew Many Stitches, we focus on the uniqueness of the rayon batik fabrics of the Batik Butik (pronounced boutique). We offer a variety of this company’s rayon batik fabrics as well as patterns from its Bali Collection.

Rayon Batik Fabrics of the Batik Butik

Barb also designs patterns for the Bali Collection. Sized from XS-XXL, there are a variety of comfortable garments, like her Kintamani Top and Tunic, shown below.

Bali Collection Trunk Show

We were very excited to host the Bali Collection Trunk Show here in June.

The Trunk Show highlighted beautiful samples made with Barb’s patterns and rayon batik fabrics. Check out our Photo Gallery for photos of the Trunk Show.

Another family-centered company, the Batik Butik is owned by Barb Alexander and brings beautiful, high-quality rayon batik fabrics directly from Bali to the U.S. and Canada.

On a February 1999 trip to Bali, Barb met Benny and his family who run a small batik factory specializing in quality rayon fabrics.

She soon began importing the rayon batik fabric, each bolt of which is hand-dyed and/or hand-stamped with custom designs. Benny ensures that all the fabrics and dyes he uses are of the best quality.

To create the fabric’s patterns, Barb and other business partners take their own artwork to Bali to create exclusive fabric designs.

After tweaking the design on the

computer, the images go through a very lengthy and difficult process to be made into a steel and copper stamp by the “tjap maker.”

The fabrics are dyed, hung to dry and sealed with warm wax to preserve the color. They will also be “scrunched” and “pleated” to achieve a variety of colors and patterns across the fabric, and more

colors of dye may be added.

The workers then remove the wax in hot water and stitch each piece of fabric together to feed it through their drum dryer, the only automated machine in the factory. The batik fabrics are then bolted and prepared for shipping.

The factory in Bali is able to produce about 8,500

yards of rayon batik fabric during one month with only seven workers.

Each year, Barb travels to Bali to work on new future designs for custom rayon batik fabrics.

The fabrics available through the Batik Butik are all easy to care for, easy to work with and washable.

For details about caring for these fabrics, visit www.batikbutik.com and click FAQs.

Several of the Batik Butik’s beautiful rayon batik fabrics like these are sold at Bernina Sewing Center.

Content from www.batikbutik.com

Join us to make this Kintamani Top on August 20. See page 4 for more info.

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Customers ask: What do you think about buying a sewing machine on e-bay?

We say: Please realize that even if a seller says the item is new and still in the box that you will not have any warranty for that machine. You will also not be able to purchase one from a sewing machine dealer. Machines listed as “new” or “hardly used” may not actually be so. You will need to decide whether getting a deal for a machine listed as new will be worth as much to you without the manufacturer’s warranty. Also, buyers must be aware that stolen merchandise is sometimes sold through sites like e-bay. We will service and repair the machine if possible, but the cost to do so may be more than the machine is worth.

Customers ask: Should I pay to have my machine fixed or purchase a new one?

We say: We see a couple common scenarios of customers with this concern. This question may be difficult to answer if the machine has sentimental value. The price for the repair may be more than the machine’s retail worth, but it may be priceless to you. The other situation is that you purchased a machine from a “box store” and the cost of repair is equal to or more than a new machine would be at that store. These machines are commonly throw-away machines, manufactured to be discarded when they break.

There is a difference between cost and price. Price is the amount of money you spend on an item. The cost is the value of the life of a product.

For example, you purchase a sewing machine for $100. It lasts for one year, six months of which the machine fails to sew well. You set the machine aside in your closet for six months and decide to buy another. The cost of the machine is $100/year unless the price of the same machine goes up during that year.

For another example, you purchase a Bernina sewing machine for $2000. You receive unlimited ownership classes, two years of free service, one-year free Bernina Club membership, full manufacturer’s warranty, on-site service by a certified Bernina technician, knowledgeable sewing consultants and local support. You can easily use your Bernina machine for 20 years or more. For the same cost of $100/year, you are able to use your sewing machine all year long for 20 or more years, and you receive lots of support from your dealer.

Our goal at Bernina Sewing Center is to keep your sewing machine in fine working order so you can enjoy using it 51 weeks a year. The other week is for servicing your machine. This is our 51-to-1 rule.

We work hard to meet the needs and expectations of all sewing crafters and to offer you the best products, service, education and support. Bernina Sewing Center wants to have a lifetime relationship with you. We want to celebrate weddings, births and other life milestones one quilt, sleeper, blouse or throw at a time.

John and Susan Pardon

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We often get questions from customers seeking information, and we thought we would share on the concerns we hear most often.

“Like” Us on Facebook!Receive great updates, news and photos, and find out about events and fun classes!

www.facebook.com/berninasewingcenter

Customer Project GalleryJul-S

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Beverly’s project features floral designs embroidered onto each beautiful quilt block.

Check out other projects by clicking Customer Project Gallery in the left menu on our website.

You’re invited to share your own projects – we would love to include them in our gallery!

Featured Artist:Beverly Townsend

Summer Sizzle Shop Hop

Don’t forget your passport for this fun event for sewing crafters of all kinds! They are available for $5 each.

Get your traveling buddies together to plan your route. You have only eight days to hit all nine sewing and quilt shops.

There are sew many door prizes! The grand prize is $450 in gift certificates, and there are nine other prizes worth $75 each!

Our shop hop project, the two-tone tote bag

3www.berninasewingcenterstmarys.com

Friday, July 2 – Saturday, July 10

Tips! Improving Your Software SkillsSharp needles should be used on woven fabrics. The sharp point of the needle will pierce the 1. fibers of the fabric and give you a nice, clean edge on your embroidery.

When embroidering on towels or anything with a nap, a topping should be used – generally a 2. water-soluble product. This will keep the “pokies” from coming through the embroidery as well as keep the stitches on top of the fabric.

Large letters work better if the density is a little thicker whereas small letters work better with less 3. density.

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Sew New and Sew Much FunSew Easy to Use!

Automatic needle threader• Automatic buttonhole• Wind a bobbin while you sew• One touch system•

Select a stitch and go• Easy-on/easy-off presser feet•

Sew Much Freedom!Personalization•

Total stitch control over stitch length and width • and needle positionRemembers your settings•

Handles all fabrics with ease• Start/stop and speed control• Room to grow!•

Full range of available accessories• Free Hand System•

Sew Much Better!Swiss quality and a trusted brand• Built to last – sew for years to come!•

Instant success• Consistent thread tension• Strong needle piercing power through all fabric • types

Innovative design! Best in the industry•

4www.berninasewingcenterstmarys.com

Stay tuned to our website for more info coming soon!

Block of the Month Program: Stitcher’s GardenComing Soon

Create this beautiful quilt with us, one block at a time. This program is based on patterns of The Stitch Connection’s Lynda Howell. Each block of the month will feature different stitches and different presser feet. Monthly classes are for everyone, whether you own a Bernina machine or another brand.

Customers will pay a small fee for each class and be able to work little by little on a beautiful blocks that are traditional appliquéd. The first monthly class will be Wednesday, September 8 and will be offered at two different times. Find out how simple and unique embroidery can be as you craft your own Stitcher’s Garden quilt!

Stay tuned to our website for more info coming soon!

Something for Everyone: Upcoming ClassesJul-S

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Please preregister to reserve your spot by calling (419) 394-1111 or e-mailing berninasewing@bright.net. Visit our website at www.berninasewingcenterstmarys.com and click

the Classes page or the Event Calendar for more details on these learning opportunities.

Saturdays in JulyOpen Sew, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Tues, July 6Bag Lady Evening: Heavenly Textured Bag, 6-8:30 p.m.

Tues, July 13It’s All About ME: The Choice is Yours, 6-8:30 p.m.

Tues, July 20Bag Lady Evening: Heavenly Textured Bag, 6-8:30 p.m.

Wed, July 21Project Sewing Workshop Class: Trio T-shirt, 6-9 p.m.

Mon, July 26Project Sewing Workshop Class: Trio T-shirt, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Saturdays in AugustOpen Sew, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Tues, Aug 3Bag Lady Evening: Margo Handbag, 6-8:30 p.m.

Tues, Aug 10It’s All About ME: Quilting Possibilities, 6-8:30 p.m.

Wed, Aug 11Bernina Club: Bernina Bag, 6-9 p.m.

Mon, Aug 16Sew Kool Projects: T-shirt Backsack, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Tues, Aug 17Bag Lady Evening: Margo Handbag, 6-8:30 p.m.

Fri, Aug 20Project Sewing Workshop Class: Kintamani Top, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Mon, Aug 23Sew Kool Projects: Snap Happy Bag, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Mon, Aug 30Sew Kool Projects: Mesh Bag, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Saturdays in SeptemberOpen Sew, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Tues, Sept 7Bag Lady Evening: Grommet Bag, 6-8:30 p.m.

Wed, Sept 8BOM (Block of the Month): Stitcher’s Garden, 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. (see page 4 for more info)

Tues, Sept 14It’s All About ME: Appliqué and Other Tricks, 6-8:30 p.m.

Wed, Sept 15Project Sewing Workshop: Kasamba Pants, 6-8:30 p.m.

Tues, Sept 21Bag Lady Evening: Grommet Bag, 6-8:30 p.m.

Bernina Sewing Center offers classes for beginners to advanced sewing crafters of all kinds. For more details, class descriptions and updates, stay tuned to our online Event Calendar or the Classes page on our website:www.berninasewingcenterstmarys.com.

Our t-shirt backsack

pictured here is one of

the projects featured in

our Sew Kool Projects.

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er Bernina Sewing Center488 Fortman Dr.St. Marys, OH 45885(419) 394-1111berninasewing@bright.net

Return Service Requested

Visit your full-service sewing center on the Web!www.berninasewingcenterstmarys.com

WeAllSew.com

Inside this Issue:

Rayon Batik Fabrics • of the Batik Butik

Bernina 3-Series • Coming Soon

Upcoming Classes•

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