If you are new to paper piecing or Sue Garman's patterns and techniques. The videos from the 2009 BOM Stars for a New Day are available in the classroom. Click on Learn, then classroom and scroll down BOM 2009 Sue Garman.




In the Block 1 instructions. A "Paper Piecing Guide" created by Sue Garman is included on pages 23-26.

I watched Carolyn Hock's show today and now I want the kit! Have to figure out how I'm going to get it. I swore I wasn't going to make anything new this year, but I HAVE to make this quilt!

Seattle Barbara

I usually use a Scan n Cut for my cutting. It has worked Excellent for me.

I haven't chosen the fabric yet for the new BOM. I am getting ready to print the pattern. I usually paper-piece on Dollar Store paper, comes in a tablet. Similar to newsprint. I cut it to 8 1/2 x 11 and sew with a small stitch. It tears off very easily. I baste important seams first then use the small stitch. Especially when I did the 2009 BOM by Sue Garman.

Do you find using the Specialty Papers that stay in the quilt that much better? I have used them for applique but not for paper piecing.

Tearing off the newsprint type paper has never been a problem. I know some quilters, maybe Jacqueline de Jonge tear off the paper before she sews important seams together.

I've sewn feather stars before with just Dollar Store paper that worked fine. Just wondered if the Specialty Papers are better. Maybe I'll try Specialty Paper for the main star and Dollar Store paper for all the half square triangles.

Thank you so very much, Wendy and Betty Jo.
You have given me hope!

Judith

Judith -

So sorry your 830 acts up. My 820 had similar problems - especially the bobbin changing problem. After struggles with service at my home shop - I took Betty Jo's (and Renata's) tip. Lew at G Street fabrics serviced it wonderfully and resolved some problems. The remaining problems were resolved with a little help from the shop manager (Mei Ling). For the bobbin problem (gears symbol), you might try holding the bobbin up (preventing it from retracting) while gently turning the hand wheel. (This sounds really odd but it does work!)

Also - I had been treading the machine as directed by my home dealer but the thread path was causing upper tension problems. G Street fabrics staff showed me a better thread path and solved the tension problem. (Basically, ignore the silver adapter for stacked thread. It simply adds tension.)

Wendy

Judith, I have an 830 and it works wonderfully. i see you live in Lynchburg. If you could maybe make it to Rockville, Maryland, G Street Fabrics has the most wonderful tech guy there. Lew is simply a magician. I know of several 830s that were having problems that he set right. I think the very earliest ones had serious problems that they corrected by the time I bought my 830 LE. It has to do with the bobbin case area I think. I'd give G Street Bernina department a call and ask to talk with Lew to see what could be done for you. I know that's a hike, but may be worth it.

Judith.

I understand. I have two friends that traded their 830s for 770s. One was nice to loan me to try out in my great machine search.

Bernina was nice but the new ones are not the same as my 165e. I ended up with a Pfaff Performance 5 as my main sewing machine. It was the best option for me.

I am excited about 2017. I have only started quilting again after many years I am going to try this BOM. I really like the design. Never used a predesigned pattern in my quilting

I always used old Amish hand patterns. My favorite was always Grandmother Flowers Garden pattern for pieced quilts. But my favorite was whole cloth using traditional Candlewicking.

Using a sewing machine for everything is new to me. So exciting.

I am currently working on a lace quilt with over 1500 individual blocks. And I am going to start this BOM to try machine quilting from beginning to end

Want to wish everyone and yourself the best in 2017. Happy quilting

Jean Robert, Welcome to TQS and the Forum!

I have taken my 830 in a few times for these issues. It sews for a short time and then goes back to the same problems. Once it was shipped off to Chicago. I will take it in again.

I hope everyone has a safe and Happy New Year!

Happy quilting,
Judith

I have a friend with an 830. She had many of the issues you discribed. She had to take the machine in for service. Think there is a software update that repairs many issues.

Best of luck. Happy sewing in 2017

Interesting discussion about machines today. My 830 has some problems. The straight stitch is not straight. It looks like a very narrow zigzag. It refuses to sew with metallic thread or invisible thread. I dread changing the bobbin. I can be sewing along and get low on bobbin thread, and change the bobbin and immediately get the dreaded gears warning. Then It seems like the top thread and bottom thread often don't connect when it starts sewing from scratch. I can spend an hour trying to get the machine to start sewing again.

Judith,
(from the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia)

I am going to try this BOM. This is my first never attempted a BOM. I have always been drawn to Whole Cloth Quilts.

I have not bought fabric yet. Have been traveling for the holidays and have not had time for fabric shopping.

Indonesia has stunning dyed colorful fabrics. And New Zeeland has wonderful patterns. Have a great vacation

Oops! Sorry.

Yes she is! We are talking about my buying fabric for the 2017 BOM on my dream vacation to Bali and New Zealand in 17 days!!!!! I'm sooo excited!!!