Revenge of the Quilted Jacket

I am going to Bernina University at the end of June. This year, it’s being held in Salt Lake City, so I asked the owner of our quilt store if I could pay my own way and tag along with the group of employees she is sending. (When I teach, I am working as an independent contractor, not an employee, so it isn’t fair to ask her to send me on her dime.) I view this as a way to increase my teaching knowledge base. I get to take classes on the newest machines, learn from nationally-known instructors, and come back with new class ideas. I think it’s going to be an amazing time.

Yesterday, when I arrived at the store to teach my class, one of the employees who is going to BU handed me a pattern and said, “We’re all making quilted jackets to wear at BU!”

😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😩

This is the pattern we’re using:

It’s the Beachcomber Jacket by Laundry Basket Quilts. This design uses a sweatshirt as the base—the batting, essentially. I don’t want to be the only one of the group not wearing a quilted jacket, so guess what has just gone onto my to-do list?

Each person has chosen a specific designer’s fabric for her jacket—Tula Pink, Kaffe Fassett, etc. I am going to do mine in Tim Holtz fabric.

It shouldn’t be too difficult. The irony is astounding, however. The universe is having a great laugh at my expense.

******

I taught my class yesterday, then had a mini-session from the store owner on learning machine embroidery. It is part of the Bernina Event this weekend, As the instructor, I should have a basic understanding of what I’m teaching. (This is part of why I want to go to Bernina University.)

Machine embroidery is interesting, but it’s not something that really grabs me. (Sorry, Deana.) I could see adding it to quilts and other projects occasionally. I am glad I have a machine with the capability, but I probably won’t use it very often.

******

It was 68F when I left the store yesterday afternoon. Plants are beginning to pop up in the greenhouse. The broccoli was up when I checked yesterday morning.

The flies this year have been awful. We always get some in the spring, but this year seems to be particularly bad. I swat at least half a dozen every day.