Hello!  Gill here, from Gloucestershire and this is my very first post for Bernina.  I’m a creative girl at heart, enjoying nothing better than playing in my studio with my machines and I’m delighted to have been invited to share some of my discoveries here from time to time.

Although my first sewing machine was a Bernina 1030, my creative adventure began with the arrival of my 1630 some years later.  I loved the stitch designer on my machine and enjoyed letting my PC and my 1630 work together to create magic.  For several years, I was a member of an online group of 1630 fans who shared ideas and monthly challenges; what a great way to learn so many tips and tricks!

Now, the 1030 and the 1630 both sit under my sewing table, because there, on the top is my B880.  Though she has been here for several months, I am still finding my way around and have a great deal to learn.  But when I switch on, I’m greeted with “Hello Sweetie!” and it always makes me smile!

Thanks to Father Christmas, the Easter Bunny and several sweet people in my family, I also have a little collection of feet and other Bernina 880 gadgets in my sewing drawer.  I like to explore those bits and pieces, to see what little tricks I can accomplish with them, just as I did with my 1630.  In addition, I have a Silhouette Cameo digital cutter sitting here by my side and can only imagine the clever things which might result from using such powerful machines together.

The only weak link here is yours truly!

So, I make use of all the Bernina resources available: the app on my phone (or here, if you have an iPhone)

The Bernina YouTube videos which I can also watch on my phone

and of course, ideas and information from the Bernina website.

I might try one or two ideas of my own as well 😉

In the last few months, I’ve been exploring my marvellous “sewing computer” and recording my fun on my blog here, where most recently, I shared my delight when the Bernina Fairy picked my number from her hat and presented me with a set of Bernina carrying cases!   Now, it’s time to look more closely at some of the interesting and rather exciting Bernina goodies I have here and to share what fun I can create with them, because I want to get to know my B880 just as well as I did my 1630.

I’m going to start by opening this little box which has been in my sewing drawer since I paid a visit to Bernina in Steckborn, Switzerland, where I bought it as my souvenir. I’ll be back soon to share what I discover and anything I create.

I know I am going to have some fun!