Earlier this month, I was invited to participate in the first annual Brother Bloggers conference, sponsored by Brother. The goal was to collaborate and brainstorm in an effort to help us all create content that is inspiring and meaningful for those of you in the sewing community. The conference was held near the shore of Lake Michigan at Angela Wolf's brand spankin new sewing studio in St. Joseph.
Angela's Studio in St. Joseph MI
It was my first trip to that part of Michigan. What a picturesque place to meet with Brother staff and bond with fellow Brother bloggers from Stitching Sewcial, the official Brother blog.
Historical marker along the beautiful lakefront.
Here you see the whole group of bloggers, along with Brother staff who flew in from the Corporate headquarters in New Jersey.
Perhaps you recognize some of the smiling faces. I'm happy to say that prior to the event several of them were already friends of mine. I'm even happier to say that after the event, sewing bound us all together as friends.
Seeking to share some of the "sewing glow" we all took home with us, I'd like to give you all the opportunity to meet these special people too, so I asked each of my "Brother Sisters" to share a bit about their own personal passion for sewing, talk about their specialties, and last but not least and share a tip or two with you! In short, I asked them what they do, how they can help you, and where you can find them for more information. Read on, I promise you'll gain insights and be inspired by each and every one of my talented friends!
Anna Aldmon
Brother Ambassador
I help embroidery machine owners create beautiful and consistent applique designs, I do this by having easy to follow instructions so that they can personalize them by selecting their favorite fabric colors and corresponding embroidery thread. People who use my designs say how much they enjoy them, and they appreciate the different in-the-hoop techniques they learn.
While I love the user friendliness and quietness of the Brother embroidery machines (Dream and Luminaire), the one feature that I enjoy the most is the automatic threading of the needle. I can quickly run the thread through the machine and at the end just press a button to have it automatically take the end of the embroidery thread into the needle. It saves me so much time! I can change the embroidery thread within 15 seconds!
Follow me at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annasawesomeappliquedesigns
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annasawesomeappliquedesigns/
Website: https://annasawesomeappliquedesigns.com/
Email: [email protected]m
While I love the user friendliness and quietness of the Brother embroidery machines (Dream and Luminaire), the one feature that I enjoy the most is the automatic threading of the needle. I can quickly run the thread through the machine and at the end just press a button to have it automatically take the end of the embroidery thread into the needle. It saves me so much time! I can change the embroidery thread within 15 seconds!
Follow me at:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annasawesomeappliquedesigns
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annasawesomeappliquedesigns/
Website: https://annasawesomeappliquedesigns.com/
Email: [email protected]m
Rebecca Kemp Brent
Brother Ambassador
I seek to inspire students and help them find new ways to use their machines. That may be through showing them a traditional sewing technique simplified by our modern equipment, or by demonstrating a trick that I discovered hidden deep in the machine manual. I’m more generalist than specialist and have experience with lots of hand and machine embroidery, sewing, and quilting techniques, and I love showing my friends and followers how they can use their machines to express their creativity, sometimes in very unexpected ways!
My favorite sewing tip or trick is usually the one I discovered most recently, and that’s also true for favorite notions. Maybe today I’ll choose scissors; I have a collection! It’s not all for show, though: at minimum you need to have a pair of small, sharp-to-the-tip scissors for clipping threads, a medium-sized pair for cutting appliqués, and a sharp, well-balanced pair of dressmaker’s shears for cutting around pattern pieces (my favorite pair is from Schmetz). My latest scissor acquisition is a pair of mini duck-billed appliqué scissors from Famore that are everything I want...and purple, too.
Follow me at: rkbrent.com
My favorite sewing tip or trick is usually the one I discovered most recently, and that’s also true for favorite notions. Maybe today I’ll choose scissors; I have a collection! It’s not all for show, though: at minimum you need to have a pair of small, sharp-to-the-tip scissors for clipping threads, a medium-sized pair for cutting appliqués, and a sharp, well-balanced pair of dressmaker’s shears for cutting around pattern pieces (my favorite pair is from Schmetz). My latest scissor acquisition is a pair of mini duck-billed appliqué scissors from Famore that are everything I want...and purple, too.
Follow me at: rkbrent.com
Cindy Hogan
Brother Ambassador
I help embroiderers take the mystery out of their embroidery software, embroidery machines and ScanNCut machines. I do this by teaching in person at seminars across the country, writing instructional workbooks for the Brother software programs, answering questions via Facebook and email. My goal is for my students to experience success with their everyday embroidery and ScanNCut projects and become confident with their embroidery skills so they experience joy in their sewing studios.
My favorite tip is never be afraid to touch every button so you know what the button does. If you can’t figure it out, ASK! There are no dumb questions. Someone else needs the answer if you do, so if you ask, they will benefit as well.
Follow me @
www.cynthiasembroidery.com
Facebook @cynthiasembroidery1
Instagram @cynthiasembroidery
My favorite tip is never be afraid to touch every button so you know what the button does. If you can’t figure it out, ASK! There are no dumb questions. Someone else needs the answer if you do, so if you ask, they will benefit as well.
Follow me @
www.cynthiasembroidery.com
Facebook @cynthiasembroidery1
Instagram @cynthiasembroidery
Janice Ferguson
Brother Ambassador
When creating projects and writing my blog tutorials, my goal is to give readers some creative inspiration, help them become familiar with the multitude of features an accessories on all Brother machines, explore some of the great designs at iBroidery.com, and perhaps learn a new technique or two. My instructions are very detailed, probably too much so for experienced sewists, but I strive to reach out to beginners and new machine owners while offering something for the pros.
Currently, my new BFF Brother machine is my Dream 2 (Innovis XV 8550D). But I felt the same way about my Quattro 2 (Innovis 6700D0, and my Duetta (Innovis 4500D). I love each one for its flawless embroidery. Of all the awesome features on the Dream 2, the camera is my favorite. To be able to scan my hooped fabric and drag the designs with exact placement is just a miracle to me. On the sewing side, I love the heirloom stitches. Each of my Brother machines makes perfect entredeux (3-08) and sews an impeccable pinstitch (3-04). Adjusting the width and length down from the default setting gives me the exact heirloom look I want.
My blog, http://www.janicefergusonsews.com/blog/ is subtitled "Modern Projects for Old Fashioned Nanas." It's my effort to make classic children's garments while trying to meet some young mother's contemporary standards. Several free heirloom fil tire' designs are offered on my blog. Topics range from infant and children's wear, home dec, quilting, and even some introductory projects for children to sew. Stop by and see if something interests you.
Currently, my new BFF Brother machine is my Dream 2 (Innovis XV 8550D). But I felt the same way about my Quattro 2 (Innovis 6700D0, and my Duetta (Innovis 4500D). I love each one for its flawless embroidery. Of all the awesome features on the Dream 2, the camera is my favorite. To be able to scan my hooped fabric and drag the designs with exact placement is just a miracle to me. On the sewing side, I love the heirloom stitches. Each of my Brother machines makes perfect entredeux (3-08) and sews an impeccable pinstitch (3-04). Adjusting the width and length down from the default setting gives me the exact heirloom look I want.
My blog, http://www.janicefergusonsews.com/blog/ is subtitled "Modern Projects for Old Fashioned Nanas." It's my effort to make classic children's garments while trying to meet some young mother's contemporary standards. Several free heirloom fil tire' designs are offered on my blog. Topics range from infant and children's wear, home dec, quilting, and even some introductory projects for children to sew. Stop by and see if something interests you.
Laura Pifer
Brother Ambassador
I'm Laura the designer behind the sewing blog Trash to Couture. I create online sewing content that includes tutorials usually in fashion but can range from embroidery to quilting.
Some of my favorite tips . . . I use a jeans needle for everything, including embroidery. It's my type of UNIVERSAL needle.
Press! A pressed project is a professional looking project. I used to skip this step and now I can't imagine why! Your finished projects will turn out better and you will have nice flat seams.
I currently am using the SE1900 and love it. It's a great all around sewing machine for garment sewing, quilting, and also includes embroidery with a large 5" x 7" hoop area. I would say it's my go to machine right now!
Follow me at:
Blog: www.trashtocouture.com
https://www.instagram.com/trashtocouture/
https://www.facebook.com/trashtocouture/
Some of my favorite tips . . . I use a jeans needle for everything, including embroidery. It's my type of UNIVERSAL needle.
Press! A pressed project is a professional looking project. I used to skip this step and now I can't imagine why! Your finished projects will turn out better and you will have nice flat seams.
I currently am using the SE1900 and love it. It's a great all around sewing machine for garment sewing, quilting, and also includes embroidery with a large 5" x 7" hoop area. I would say it's my go to machine right now!
Follow me at:
Blog: www.trashtocouture.com
https://www.instagram.com/trashtocouture/
https://www.facebook.com/trashtocouture/
Emily Thompson
Brother Ambassador
I help sewing enthusiasts of all levels make sewing achievable and affordable. I love re-using fabric and enjoy giving out free patterns and tutorials to help others learn and grow. My audience is engaged through written tutorials, paid and free patterns, and Facebook live shows each week.
My favorite machine of all time is my Brother serger... I love it so much I even wrote a class helping others to gain confidence using theirs. You can find the class at https://lifesewsavory.com/courses/. I sew a lot with knit fabrics. My serger makes sewing this type of fabric so easy to sew. PLUS, the seams hold up when my kids are hard on their clothes!
Find out more about me at Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter using the handle @lifesewsavory AND my site http://lifesewsavory.com
My favorite machine of all time is my Brother serger... I love it so much I even wrote a class helping others to gain confidence using theirs. You can find the class at https://lifesewsavory.com/courses/. I sew a lot with knit fabrics. My serger makes sewing this type of fabric so easy to sew. PLUS, the seams hold up when my kids are hard on their clothes!
Find out more about me at Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter using the handle @lifesewsavory AND my site http://lifesewsavory.com
Angela Wolf
Brother Ambassador
I help sewers from beginner to experienced get inspired to sew garments and accessories, what I call Fashion Sewing. Whether starting a garment from scratch or refashioning something from the closet, I offer free tutorials on It’s Sew Easy TV, YouTube, Facebook Live, Instagram and blog posts for them to easily follow along. I also have many online classes and a fashion sewing club for those that want a closer, intimate virtual learning experience.
For a few years I have hosted a weekly Facebook Live show, Behind the Scenes, where sewers and crafters from all over the world connect and share something we all have in common … sewing. The Facebook Live show has created a community for my fans (aka the Wolfpack) to share and inspire each other along our creative journey’s.
One of my favorite features, that is available on many of the Brother machines, is the longer feed-dog base with coordinating J-foot that came out a few years ago. The longer J-foot combined with longer feed dogs offers a better stitch quality and consistency sewing on any fabric, especially thick fabrics like denim. The best part is that this feature is found on many Brother machines, in various price ranges!
You can find me here:
Angela Wolf
President | ABO APPAREL, LLC
FACEBOOK @AngelaWolfCouture https://www.facebook.com/AngelaWolfCouture
TWITTER @Angela_Wolf https://twitter.com/Angela_Wolf
INSTAGRAM @AngelaWolfFashion https://www.instagram.com/angelawolffashion/
PINTEREST @AngelaWolfPins https://www.pinterest.com/angelawolfpins/
YOUTUBE @aboapparel https://www.youtube.com/user/aboapparel
BLOG www.FashionSewingwithAngelaWolf.com
Angela Wolf Patterns https://www.angelawolfpatterns.com/
For a few years I have hosted a weekly Facebook Live show, Behind the Scenes, where sewers and crafters from all over the world connect and share something we all have in common … sewing. The Facebook Live show has created a community for my fans (aka the Wolfpack) to share and inspire each other along our creative journey’s.
One of my favorite features, that is available on many of the Brother machines, is the longer feed-dog base with coordinating J-foot that came out a few years ago. The longer J-foot combined with longer feed dogs offers a better stitch quality and consistency sewing on any fabric, especially thick fabrics like denim. The best part is that this feature is found on many Brother machines, in various price ranges!
You can find me here:
Angela Wolf
President | ABO APPAREL, LLC
FACEBOOK @AngelaWolfCouture https://www.facebook.com/AngelaWolfCouture
TWITTER @Angela_Wolf https://twitter.com/Angela_Wolf
INSTAGRAM @AngelaWolfFashion https://www.instagram.com/angelawolffashion/
PINTEREST @AngelaWolfPins https://www.pinterest.com/angelawolfpins/
YOUTUBE @aboapparel https://www.youtube.com/user/aboapparel
BLOG www.FashionSewingwithAngelaWolf.com
Angela Wolf Patterns https://www.angelawolfpatterns.com/
You may have noticed I placed these in alphabetical order :-) So now I have a question for you, when's the last time you had the chance to spend quality time with like- minded stitchers? Keeping in touch with my Let's Go Sew friends online makes me feel like I always have sewing friends close by but it sure is fun to get together live an in person to swap stitch glitch stories, share our love of sewing, and experience the tie that binds us together!
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