Hint of the Month - Archived Information
Bernina World of Sewing
This Web page includes Archived Hints of the Month. The Web project started in March, 2016.
To contact us about anything related to this Hint of the Month project - or, to pass on something that YOU believe would be a good candidate for Hint of the Month, please:
send mail to: HintOfTheMonth at Bernina World of Sewing dotcom.
October 2017
Remember When? A few matters came to mind recently that brought to mind: Sometimes, we have forgotten..... For discussion:
- "Traditional Quilts" I love the direction that "modern" quilt-makers have taken -- but, is it possible that in going down the current path we should/could be, also, considering some: "Back to the Future" matters? (I put the term "traditional quilts" in quotes, to give the topic a wide view; ala Reproduction quilts/block-types/fabric/etc).
Yes, we have had some excellent classes/events this past year that can remind us of what we may be missing in this "modern"/"art" age.
However, I see that most "mass eMails" coming my way (often unsolicited, but that is another topic!), popular books, BLOG discussions and so on - seem to be less-and-less tradition-oriented. I have no problem with this -- yet: I also enjoy/appreciate having access to traditional-style pieces.
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I am lucky, just now, to see on a "Design Wall" a very traditional piece coming forth: Uncomplicated, very comforting to look at -- and, it will look great on some bed soon: Kind of a "Perfect for Grandma's Visit" quilt, I am sure.
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The fabric: Garden Delights - In The Beginning
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The start of a Design Wall project:
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What do you think about "back to the future" matters?
Any comments or otherwise, please:
send mail to: Hintofthemonth at Bernina World of Sewing dot com
send mail to: HintoftheMonth at Bernina World of Sewing dot com
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- Designing / Creating for a Specific Size.
When was the last time you considered making a wall-hanging piece rather than "King/Queen/Full/Twin"-sized? Yes, of course, depending upon your wall at "your place", you may not have any concern about hanging your piece for a few months. However, why not take the time to know the showing-size of areas in your place that your piece could be for awhile? Often, a piece that you have created would be a fun/worthwhile discussion as friends/house guests join you for an evening.
Consider, sometimes: The size of "your wall" display area as you create your piece.
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If you have any comments or otherwise, please:
send mail to: Hintofthemonth at Bernina World of Sewing dot com
send mail to: HintoftheMonth at Bernina World of Sewing dot com
Summer 2017
Mid-Year Planning / Implementation-of Plans and Ideas. I recently had discussions with someone about the following topics. Perhaps, one or two of the items trigger a Plan / Idea / that fit you. For discussion:
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- Cleaning Home-Sewing Drawer/Box/Area.
Now may be a good time to "clean" (I am not very good at that part...) one's work area. Finding some treasures can be fun and worthwhile (forgotten "haves", projects started awhile ago, sewing machine feet that one forgot about, etc.).
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If you have any comments or otherwise, please:
send mail to: Hintofthemonth at Bernina World of Sewing dot com
send mail to: HintoftheMonth at Bernina World of Sewing dot com
February-April 2017
Think Outside the Box. As I scanned a LOT of incoming fabrics and was lucky enough to see a LOT of store samples being created recently - it brought to mind that we sometimes limit ourselves to existing "types" of projects and ideas. Maybe we should "take a chance" with something we have not worked with recently. For discussion:
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If you have any comments or otherwise, please:
send mail to: Hintofthemonth at Bernina World of Sewing dot com
send mail to: HintoftheMonth at Bernina World of Sewing dot com
December-January 2016-2017
Smart Shopping. Perhaps it would be easier to say "Be a Smart Shopper". However, getting me to admit that I am not a "Smart Shopper" would be difficult to do: I try and "believe" that I am a smart shopper... yet, it was an interesting exercise to remind myself of a few matters that I would consider to be part of Smart Shopping. For discussion:
- Purchase quality that meets one's primary objective - at the time of purchase. Recently, I purchased a SmartPhone. I need it, basically, as a mini-computer (testing Web matters and accessing eMail). For $300 I have been able to do quite well for my objectives and I, so far, have not seen a reason for me to pay more. Will my objectives change and I "need" the features of a more expensive SmartPhone? I will see -- when I discover features that my $300 SmartPhone does not provide to me. Will I regret spending the $300 at the time of purchase and, then "need" to invest more later? Well... we will see, eventually, if I did some Smart Shopping...
- Purchase for a reason. Another way of saying: No impulse buying! Ok, sometimes we do buy on an impulse -- but, we try to not do so. For example: Perhaps, there are cases when purchasing a "don't mind if it breaks in a year or so" item makes sense. If not, purchase what can be expected to last; sometimes, warranty-period duration can be an indicator.
- Don't underestimate customer service. We talked about this somewhat in previous month's Hints -- but, certainly, it is a matter worth, always, keeping in mind for a significant purchase. Whatever one purchases: Service - and, Customer Service - will no doubt be necessary.
- Consider - and, be careful-with taking advantage of - financing "deals". Yes, in today's financial world interest rates are low and there are wonderful opportunities to enjoy something at a very-nice monthly rate of payment. Just keep in mind that multiple years can be a long time. Perhaps, waiting a time will be better than buying now? Perhaps. Just: Be a Smart Shopper.
What would be a Smart Shopping Hint from your point of view?
If you have any comments or otherwise, please:
send mail to: Hintofthemonth at Bernina World of Sewing dot com
send mail to: HintoftheMonth at Bernina World of Sewing dot com
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October-November 2016
Support Your Local Store. Well, certainly, as I state this: I work at/with a local store! However, sometimes, I feel that the statement has to be re-stated. I appreciate the Web, I appreciate purchasing at "the right price" -- and, sometimes I forget that price and purchasing "off the Web" or in a "big box" store is not always the best solution for my project. There is value in developing a relationship with a local store and that store's staff. I am a golfer and I have heard the story of one time a player asked Ben Hogan if Ben would help the player with his golf swing; Ben is reportedly said to say "What golf clubs do you play"? The answer was "Wilson" and it is said that Ben answered: "Go ask Mr. Wilson" (Ben, in addition to being a terrific player, sold Ben Hogan golf clubs). We are fortunate in the Raleigh area to have a number of fine sewing-machine, quilt fabric, etc. stores. Our store strives to be at the forefront of your thoughts in this regard -- but, in any case, we emphasize: Support Your Local Store"!
If you have any comments or otherwise, please:
send mail to: Hintofthemonth at Bernina World of Sewing dot com
send mail to: HintoftheMonth at Bernina World of Sewing dot com
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August-September 2016
Take a Class seems to be such an obvious statement. However, we sometimes forget that taking a class can be a special experience. Not only for the education -- but, for overall benefits such as:
- Learning something new. Techniques, approaches to attacking a design/finished challenge and so on.
- Meeting other people who have similar interests/challenges.
- Form a relationship with a teacher.
- Address something that has been "nagging" you for awhile ("How would a "pro" do this"?)
Yes. we sometimes take an online class or spend time/effort with a BLOG interaction or a PODcast. However, for some of us and for some situations: Taking a class can be time and $$$ well-spent.
Some classes are no-charge (for example, when you purchase any sewing machine at Bernina World of Sewing, you are offered at least one free session covering your becoming-familiar-with your machine). Traditional hands-on class prices range from $25 (some single-session classes) to $100 (multiple-session classes). Ask, when you purchase a machine somewhere, what classes they offer and decide if purchasing a machine at Bernina World of Sewing is, perhaps, a better alternative.
Stay tuned to our Web pages and, of course, to our Newsletter and to our in-store samples/class schedule. See you, at your next class!
If you have any comments or otherwise, please:
send mail to: Hintofthemonth at Bernina World of Sewing dot com
send mail to: HintoftheMonth at Bernina World of Sewing dot com
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July 2016
Try and Use and Head-Into Embroidery is something that some of us think about - and end up ignoring. Why? Perhaps, "embroidery" is intimidating. Machine cost comes immediately to mind and, then: Embroidery formats (EXP, ART, and so on) and terminology (digitizing... how-to-do, when needed and so on)... Can sometimes discourage one from seeing if embroidery is in one's future. Well -
- bernette and BERNINA offer embroidery options on machines that range in price from around $1000 up to the top of the line BERNINA machines.
- bernette and BERNINA machines that support embroidery all have easy-to-use connections for the machine to accept already-digitized embroidery designs; often, this is sufficient for a home embroidery user.
- Embroidery can be fun in addition to being a beautiful addition to our sewing repertoire!
Stop by our store if you are at all inclined to give embroidery on a bernette or a BERNINA a try.
If you have any comments or otherwise, please:
send mail to: Hintofthemonth at Bernina World of Sewing dot com
send mail to: HintoftheMonth at Bernina World of Sewing dot com
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May-June 2016
Buy to your Budget – While Keeping in Mind:
“Buy to Your Budget” seems so obvious. As we do so, some matters of discussion/investigation are worth considering:
- Any BERNINA can, from a pure sewing point of view, often meet all one’s needs and in many cases “be more sewing machine” than one ever dreamed of. What, then, makes a particular BERNINA “more of a machine” than other BERNINAs?
Some features, worthy of a discussion as one “Buys to One’s Budget”. (If you don’t know what the following are: Ask to be shown and “try before you buy”! These are just SOME suggestions):
- Needle up and down
- Start-Stop Sewing switch
- Machine sewing “Throat” space
- Walking foot supported?
- Ability to “Control” stitch width
- Thread cutter
- Securing one’s stitches
Of course, Embroidery adds, immediately, to the “Buy to your Budget” discussion. We can discuss that in another Hint of the Month.
If you have any comments or otherwise, please:
send mail to: Hintofthemonth at Bernina World of Sewing dot com
send mail to: HintoftheMonth at Bernina World of Sewing dot com
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April 2016
Sometimes, we want a "quick piece" to be created, and pre-cut fabric strips/pieces may help in getting the job done on time! Pre-cut fabric may cost slightly more than if one cuts/strips the fabric on his/her own; however, taking advantage of the fabric designer's putting into a collection colors/fabrics that are coordinated can help lead us to a very worthwhile day or afternoon of sewing. The Web has many examples of using pre-cut fabric -- and upcoming in our Summer class schedule is a class aimed at this topic. For information on that class, click on:
One of our upcoming classes: "Four to Nine"
If you have any questions / classes-advice or otherwise, please:
send mail to: Classes at Bernina World of Sewing dot com
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March 2016
Are you thinking of purchasing a BERNINA and you would like to try one for "real"? How about signing up for one of our classes and request a classroom machine? Currently: A BERNINA 350.
Yes, you have to invest time/money in taking a class. However, the benefits are certainly there -- and: you will LOVE the BERNINA 350.
To check our upcoming classes, click on:
Our Classes Main Web Page
If you have any questions / classes-advice or otherwise, please:
send mail to: Classes at Bernina World of Sewing dot com
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To contact us about anything related to this Hint of the Month project - or, to pass on something that YOU believe would be a good candidate for Hint of the Month, please:
send mail to: HintOfTheMonth at Bernina World of Sewing dotcom.
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Bernina World of Sewing
