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TestimonialsIf you have been anywhere around the world of quilting, then these names are familiar to you. Bernina is proud to be endorsed by ...
Several times a day, Alex Anderson popped into homes on the Home and Garden Television network ("Simply Quilts") to share her enthusiasm for fine fabrics, human nature, creative excitement, and the relaxing pleasure of quilting. While studying for her art degree at San Francisco State University, Alex was introduced to quilting as an art form. With each stitch she took as she completed her first quilt, Grandmother's Flower Garden, Alex knew she was sewing together more than fabric. She was taking the first steps in what has become her life long passion. Over the years, Alex has focused on creating an understanding of fabric relationships and an intense appreciation of traditional quilts and beautiful quilting surface design. As an author, quilter, teacher, and TV personality, Alex Anderson is always working toward her personal mission to share her love of quilting with anyone who will listen. Recently Alex and other quilters had a wonderful opportunity to visit the Bernina
factory in Switzerland.
"It's a distracting world, so sometimes we need to set the mood for quilt-making. Turn off the phone and turn on the music. Close your door and open your mind. You can surround yourself with your favorite pieces of art, objects, or colors. Cut yourself some beautiful flowers. Pour yourself some relaxing tea. Make it a special place and time to focus on your project. Even my Bernina machine eliminates distractions. Their Free Hand System lets me lift the presser foot with my knee, so it's one less hassle when I'm in the quilting groove. And it allows me to sew 20% faster! I also adore their Patchwork Foot #37 for ¼-inch seams; with the slot up the front, I can see every stitch that's put into place. There's no guesswork. With Bernina, my quilting mood is always ... inspired!" What part does Bernina play in your quilting?
Debbie Mumm, celebrated author and designer, is inspired by the color and texture of everyday life. What began in 1986 with a handful of quilt patterns has become a successful design studio recognized worldwide. The author of more than forty quilting and home decorating books, Debbie shares her distinctive style with consumers by providing easy-to-follow instructions on quilting, craft, and home decorating projects. She loves sharing her vision of the world through her richly detailed watercolor designs that touch people's hearts and put smiles on their faces. Many of Debbie's artwork images recall romanticized country scenes and themes designed in a refined, sophisticated style that is timeless in appeal. Debbie Mumm® designs can be seen on a myriad of products ranging from dinnerware to bedding, table linens to greeting cards, unique quilt fabrics to exciting embroidery design collections. People from all over the world have come to treasure Debbie Mumm's designs and books, but Debbie's goals in life remain simple. Have fun. Be kind and respectful to everyone. Laugh a lot every day. Continue to develop your heart and soul. Enjoy beauty and nature. Continue to grow in the garden in which you're planted. What words of wisdom would you
like to pass
along to others? What part does Bernina play in
your quilting
and embroidery?
Many people in the world of quilting are specialists, but I have to call myself a generalist. I like patchwork, and I like appliqué. I like traditional quilts, and I like contemporary ones. I like writing, teaching, lecturing, editing FOR THE LOVE OF QUILTING magazine, styling fabrics for Benartex, running Fons & Porter Quilt Supply, and co-hosting "Quilting with Fons & Porter" on Public Television. In the personal arena, I love people, but I also love being alone. I like eating out, but also cooking. I love to travel, but I also love to stay at home. I fell in love with quilting in the mid 1970s, when I was a young mother taking care of children and finishing my education. I was so busy with tasks that had to be done over and over, quilting provided me with something I could do that STAYED done! When I put my weary head on my pillow at night I had a smile on my face if I had made a quilt block. There were virtually no books or patterns back then, so I had to learn how to do everything. Maybe that's why I like everything. What part has Bernina played
in your career? I think Bernina was the first sewing machine company to make machines available for students to use at quilt conferences. I know this is a good way to market the product, but I have greatly admired Bernina for doing this because it involves an attitude of generosity and also the practical opportunity for the everyday quilter to spend real time at a Bernina to see how she likes it. When you test drive a new car, all you get to do, basically, is drive it around the block. Wouldn't it be great to take it on a little road trip? That's what students get to do when they sew on a Bernina in an all-day class--take a little road trip on the best sewing vehicle there is! Note - Bernina of America, Inc. is proud to sponsor Quilting With Fons And Porter on PBS with Marianne Fons and Liz Porter. Chicago - April 13, 2007 - Today, Bernina of America, one of the world's largest
and oldest
sewing machine companies, celebrated the accomplishments
of Marianne
Fons and Liz Porter by presenting to them the sixth annual
Bernina Quilt Leadership Award.
John Flynn stumbled into quilt-making quite accidentally. Nearly 30 years ago, when his wife Brook had taken up quilting as a hobby, John, a civil engineer at the time, began his attempts at building her the perfect quilt frame. It was while field testing his inventions that he discovered how relaxing and artistic quilt-making really was. In 1989, John Flynn closed the doors of his bridge-building company and opened his quilt-frame company. Today, John Flynn is one of the foremost quilters of our time. And although he gave up his career in civil engineering many years ago, you'll find in each and every one of his quilts the same accuracy and exacting attention to detail he put into building bridges. Which Bernina machine do you sew on and why? What's your favorite Bernina
feature?
Creative, spontaneous, playful. These are the words that come to mind when you meet Libby Lehman, quilter, international teacher, and author of "Threadplay." Lehman began sewing traditional quilts nearly 30 years ago, but it was years before she began to truly explore her own creativity, to follow her inspirations. Today, Lehman's quilts are far from traditional. Her "studio art quilts" capture her unique style of free-motion quilting and her vivid imagination. Always innovative, Libby Lehman proves that quiltmaking is an art form. It's no wonder that a Libby Lehman quilt was selected as one of the hundred best quilts of the 20th Century. Her words, her stories, and her quilts are an inspiration to quilters everywhere. What was your first experience with a Bernina machine? Which Bernina do you sew on and
why? Friday, June 8, 2007 - See pictures of Libby at BCS for a special meet & greet and wine & cheese reception!
The tradition of sewing has been passed down through the many generations of women in Liz Porter's family. Her mother, grandmother, and great grandmother all took up sewing, mostly out of the need to provide for their families but also as a way to gather with other women and express themselves creatively. And as these women initiated their own daughters into this art and craft, they stitched a common thread, uniting generations over the decades and maybe over the centuries. Today, Liz Porter, renowned quilter and TV personality, passes down this creative tradition to her own daughters. Why do so many Bernina machines stay in the same family? Why do you recommend Bernina
machines? Visit the Bernina USA website to
read other
testimonials by renowned
artists, including... Berninas aren't just for quilting. Quality sewing machines, embroidery machines, and sergers await you at BCS. Remember
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© 2007 Beth's
Creative Stitchery. |
Debbie Mumm
Marianne Fons
