Stylish Stitching for the Table Placemats & Napkins

Created by Jeanne Delpit

The BERNINA 830 & 820 offer a bounty of beautiful decorative stitches along with exclusive sewing features such as Tapering and BERNINA Dual Feed - providing you with the ultimate resources for creative stitch play. Add the Circular Embroidery Attachment to your 8 Series ac- cessory box and create a stylish set of placemats and napkins.

The BERNINA 8 Series Sewing Machines are made to create!

Supplies

Machine & Accessories  505 Temporary Adhesive Spray  BERNINA 820 or 830 Sewing machine  Best Press  BERNINA Serger (for napkins)  Jeans Needle – #80  Reverse Pattern Dual Feed Foot #1D  Edgestitch Dual Feed Foot #10D Threads  Open Embroidery Dual Feed Foot #20D  Isacord Threads for decorative stitching  Clear Foot #34C  Mettler 60 wt cotton thread for bobbin  Circular Embroidery Attachment #83  Mettler 50 wt cotton thread for construction

Fabric & Notions Additional Supplies  Kona Cotton - two complementary colors -  Thread Snips placemat center & back/mitered flange.  Cut for the Cure Ruler™ – 7” x 24”  Kona Cotton - napkins  Rotary Cutter and Mat  OESD Ultra Clean & Tear stabilizer  Water Soluble Marking Pen  OESD BadgeMaster stabilizer  Straight Pins  OESD Heavyweight CutAway stabilizer  Point Turner  HTC ArmoWeft Fusible Interfacing  Tracing Wheel

 Working on a pressing surface, place base fabric

Stylish Stitching - Placemat wrong side up. Open the folds just created.

 Working on one corner at a time, fold the outer  Prewash all fabrics chosen for the projects. Press. corner up, wrong sides together, forming a 45° an-  Preshrink the ArmoWeft fusible interfacing accord- gle to the original folds. Finger press the foldline. ing to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Preparing the Placemat Base

 Cut the base fabric 25” wide x 21” tall.

 Fuse the ArmoWeft interfacing to the wrong side of the base fabric following the manufacturer’s direc- tions. Trim away any interfacing extending past the edges of the fabric. Tip: Use the marked lines on the base fabric as

 Using the water guides for placement. The new fold should not lay past the corner point on the base fabric. soluble marker, drawn a line on each  Place base fabric right side up and unfold just the side 3 ½” in from border edge leaving the raw edge tucked under. outer edges. Bring the creased line at “B” right sides together,

 Fold wrong sides to the creased line at “A” being sure to keep the inward on marked fold at the edges exactly even. With the creased lines and finger lines aligned exactly on top of each other, insert a press in place. pin through the creases at a 90° angle to the folds on the edge. Now place a pin on the new stitching  With the folds still in line as denoted below with the dotted line. place on the top and bottom edges, but A the sides unfolded to lay flat, use the tracing wheel to create a dotted line 2” in from the outer fold edge. Fold fabric under on the mark cre- B ated by the tracing  Do not stitch the miters together yet. wheel and pin in place. Finger  With the pin on the new stitching line in place, fold press creases into the right side of the base fabric to the outside. Use fabric. This will a point turner to adjust the excess fabric into place create the 2” bor- in the corners. Once der around the the corner is flat and inner layer of the the inside fold of the placemat. border edges align

 Unpin top and bot- evenly, cover the cor- tom edges and ner with a pressing unfold to lay flat. Repeat the tracing wheel marking cloth and steam gently to set the miter crease. steps above for the sides of the placemat base.  Repeat these steps for all 4 corners.

Creating the Taper Stitches  Attach Clear Foot #39C; insert a #80 Jeans nee-  Place the pressed upper left hand corner of the dle. base fabric on a flat surface, right side up.  Thread the machine with the color of your choice.  Using the tracing wheel again to mark the fabric, Wind the bobbin to match the base fabric and create an 8” line thread the bobbin 1” in from the for embroidery outer edge of the tension. base fabric on the  Hand-walk the side and top. This needle into the line should be in fabric so that the the center of the first stitch will be border edge. taken close to the Make sure the miter fold. Stitch lines on the fabric using the lines on cross in the upper the foot to follow the dotted lines created by the left corner. Pin the tracing wheel. corner in place.  The next Taper  Open the fold will be to the right completely and of the first. place a pin where Change the Auto the marked lines Taper length to will meet. 115 and confirm.

Hand-walk the  Select Tapering Stitches from needle into the the Decorative Stitch Menu. fabric and use the Select Stitch #1411. markings on the foot to guide the stitching adjacent to the first row.  The first set of  Slowly stitch the second row guiding the fabric so Taper stitches will that the needle points align. be created on the left side of the  The next Taper base fabric bor- will be to the left der. Note that the of the first. angle where the Change the Auto stitches will meet Taper length to at the corner is 142 and confirm. 45°. Hand-walk the

needle into the  Select Taper option #2 for the 45° angle fabric and use the with the first stitch starting at the upper left markings on the hand side of the motif. foot to guide the stitching adjacent to the first row.

 Select Auto Taper Measuring.  Slowly stitch the third row guiding the fabric so that the needle points align.  The center Taper is created first for placement purposes.  The first Taper is now com-  Change the length of the plete. Taper to 129.

 Touch Check to confirm the new length.

 Next, create the second Taper facing the opposite Stitching the Miters at the Corners direction.  Next, stitch the miters A  The angle of the Taper will still be 45° together at each corner. but in the opposite direction.  Place base fabric right  Select Taper option 3 with the first stitch side up and unfold just starting at the upper left hand side of the motif. the border edge leaving the raw edge tucked un-  Select Auto Taper Measuring. der. Bring the creased  The center Taper is created line at “B”, right sides B first for placement purposes. together, to the creased

 Change the length of the line at “A” being sure to Taper to 129. keep the fold at the edges even. With the  Touch Check to confirm the new length. creased lines aligned  Hand-walk the needle into the fabric so that the exactly on top of each first stitch will be taken close to the miter fold. other, insert a pin Stitch until the machine stops using the lines on through the creases at a the foot to follow the dotted lines created by the 90° angle to the folds on tracing wheel. the edge. Now place a pin on the new stitching  The next Taper will be stitched to the right of the line as denoted below first. with the dotted line.

 Change the length of the Taper to 142 and con-  Attach Reverse Pattern firm. Dual Feed Foot #1D.

 Engage Dual Feed. Follow the same stitching steps as described for the opposite Taper creation.  Thread the machine and

 Once the second Taper stitch is complete, change bobbin with thread to match the base fabric. the length of the final Taper to 115 and confirm. This Taper will be sewn to the left of the first Ta-  Thread the bobbin for per. sewing tension.

 Remember to sew slowly and periodically raise the  Beginning at the fold, presser foot to make sure the needle penetration exactly where the “A” points align. and “B” creases align,

 Your Taper creations are complete. stitch to the opposite edge of the fabric to create the miter.

 Repeat for all 4 corners.

 For each corner, trim away the excess fabric along the seam line and at the corner. Press the seam allowance open.

 Turn all 4 corners right side out. Press flat and set aside.

Preparing the Inner Placemat

 Cut inner fabric 19” wide x 15” tall.  The further away the pin is from the needle, the  Fuse the ArmoWeft interfacing to the wrong side of larger the circular stitching will become. the inner fabric following the manufacturer’s direc- Note: When the stopper and pin are as far to the tions. Trim away any interfacing extending past the right as possible, that position will be referred to edges of the fabric. as “Home” for this project. The stopper and pin

 Using the water soluble marker, drawn a line on are currently in the 4th position from “Home” in the each side 1/2” in from picture shown left/bottom.

outer edges.  Cut a small circle of Heavyweight CutAway stabi-

 Select various colors lizer. Spray the top side with temporary spray ad- of thread for circular hesive. Remove the rubber stopper and place the decorative stitching. stabilizer on the pin, centering it with sticky side Wind a bobbin for each facing up.

thread chosen.  Place the mark

 Set up one of the two drawn on the inner Personal Program liner, where the trac- menus with decorative ing wheel indenta- stitches as you may tions intersect, di- want to use for the rectly on the pin of decorative stitching. the Circular Embroi- Storing them all in one dery Attachment and place will save time replace the rubber during the stitch selec- stopper.

tion process.  Attach Open Embroi-

 Secure a large piece of dery Dual Feed Foot Ultra Clean & Tear sta- #20D. Engage Dual bilizer behind the inner Feed.

fabric with a temporary  Wind a bobbin with spray adhesive. 60 wt fine cotton

 Using the tracing thread to match the wheel, mark a line 2 fabric.

1/2” in from the cut  Thread bobbin ten- edge on the right hand sion for embroidery. side and the bottom of the inner fabric.  Thread the machine with your color of  With the marker, place a dot in the bottom right choice. hand corner where the two lines intersect.  Select a decorative  Attach Circular Embroidery Attachment #83 to the stitch from your Per- bed of your machine using the screw and screw- sonal Program driver provided in the box. The stylus is pointing to Menu. the rubber stopper and pin onto which  Position the foot behind the marked line. the fabric is placed to sew in circles.  Stitch the first decorative stitch being sure to start The arrow is point- and stop outside the marked lines t least 1/2”. ing to the slide that adjusts and locks  Stop stitching periodically to make sure the fabric the position of the is laying flat. rubber stopper and Tip: Make sure there is no drag to your fabric that pin. could prevent even feeding of the fabric under the presser foot resulting in unbalanced stitching.

 When the first row of decorative stitching is com-  If necessary, cut another circle of Heavyweight plete, reposition the slide to a new position and CutAway, spray with temporary spray adhesive & select another decorative stitch. Changing needle place it on the pin. thread will add variety to the stitching. Do not re-  Place the fabric on move the fabric from the pin on the Circular Em- the new mark on the broidery Attachment until you have completed all pin and replace the decorative stitching for that circle. stopper.

 To reposition the slide for a new stitching position,  Once again, start the reach underneath the fabric with your left hand. decorative stitching Using your thumb, gently press down on the black outside the line on tab and move the lock mechanism until you hear it the fabric and stop click into the next place. Counting the clicks will past the line when identify the position from “Home.” the stitching is com-  When all decorative stitching is complete for the plete. first circular motif, remove the rubber stopper and  When the decorative stitches are complete, re- take the fabric off of the pin. Replace the rubber move the fabric from the pin. Remove the Circular stopper. Slide the black positioning tab of the Cir- Embroidery Attachment from the machine. cular Embroidery Attachment all the way back to the right or “home”,  Gently remove the Ultra Clean & Tear stabilizer from the underside of the inner fabric. It is not nec-  Measure 6” from the first rotation point and mark a essary to remove it all from behind the stitching. dot on the line.

Placemat Stitches

The sample placemat was done with the following Decorative Stitches, Circular Embroidery positions #7 and Stitch Alterations. #6 Circle One #5 (1) Stitch #416, 4 positions from “home”

(2) Stitch #656, 3 more positions to left #4 (3) Stitch #713, 2 more positions to left

(4) Stitch #750, 2 more positions to left #3

(5) Stitch #309, 3 more positions to left #2 (6) Stitch #711, 3 more positions to left

(7) Stitch #419 - SW 6.0, 3 more positions to left #1

Circle Two #4

(1) Stitch #1334, “Home” position #3 (2) Stitch #738, 3 positions to left

(3) Stitch #651, 3 more positions to left #2

(4) Stitch #414, 2 more positions to left #1

Putting It All Together  Attach Edgestitch Dual Feed Foot #10D. Engage  Press the inner fabric with a pressing cloth and Dual Feed. light steam.  Insert a new #80 Jeans needle.

 Trim the inner  Thread the nee- layer on the 1/2” dle with your marked line on all choice of thread. sides.  Wind the bobbin  Place the base with the same fabric on top of thread as in the the inner fabric. needle. Thread Note the excess bobbin for sewing fabric on the tension. edges of the inner fabric. This  Select Stitch must be cut #1329 - SW 3 away so the in- and SL 3. En- ner layer will fit gage Mirror Im- inside the base age Right/Left.

fabric. Trim the  Hand-walk the inner layer in needle into the small increments fabric so that the to make it slightly needle pene- smaller that the trates right next base fabric to the border  Lightly spray the edge on the inner wrong side of the layer. Lower the inner layer with presser foot so temporary spray the right side of adhesive. the blade rests against the left  Starting from the edge of the base center and work- fabric. ing toward the edges and corners, tuck the inner layer into the  Engage Needle border edge of the base fabric. Make sure the in- Stop Down. ner layer lays flat in the corners. Using a point Stitch all the way around the base fabric border, turner assists in perfect corners. pivoting at the corners. Repeat for all placemats.

Circular Embroidery Attachment #83 The Circular Embroidery Attachment #83 offers the possibility of sewing perfectly round circles in a range of sizes. The attachment works with most presser feet allowing for a wide range of circular ap- plications including decorative stitching, circle letter- ing, couching cords in a circle, circular patchwork and more. See BERNINA Feetures - Volume 2 for details!

 When the combination of stitches has been sewn, rinse the fabric thoroughly with hot water to re- Stylish move the wash-away stabilizer. Let dry until slightly damp and then press flat with a pressing cloth. Stitching  Place the decora- tively stitched fabric Napkins right side up. Using the marking pen, draw a line 1” in from each side.

 Prewash & Press napkin fabrics.  Thread your serger

 Cut fabric 18” x 18”. for a 3 thread rolled hem using 3 spools  Mark a line 2” from the of the same color edges on all sides to thread as was used use as a guideline for for the decorative decorative stitching. stitching.

 Place a layer of  Using the newly AquaMesh or other marked line as a wash-away stabilizer guide for the cutting under the napkin blade, roll hem all 4 square for support dur- sides. ing decorative stitching.  The result will be a beautiful finish on the  Select Combi Mode on edges of the napkin your machine. Select Tip: Use a small drop two open, airy stitches of a seam sealant at for your stitch combi- each corner to keep nation. The stitches in the thread ends from the sample are #706 coming undone. and #722.  Repeat the steps for  Attach Clear Foot additional napkins. #34C.  Set your table with  Attach the fabric guide style and elegance! and place the edge 2” from the needle.

 Thread the needle and bobbin with the same thread of your color

choice. Thread bobbin for sewing tension. Visit

 Starting at any corner, www.berninausa.com

hand-walk the needle Projects ● Webinars ● Promotions into the fabric where the intersection of the 2” lines were drawn. Keeping the fabric edge next to the fabric guide, stitch down the first side, stopping 2” from the respective bottom corner. Pivot and con- tinue stitching down the next side. Repeat until all four sides are decorated.