When I began working for Bernina of America I was so excited! I was 20 and they wanted me to work with the gal who published all of Bernina’s sewing projects and inspirational materials. After I started, it became clear to me that what they really wanted was a “Bernina Guinea Pig”!
I remember after accepting the job, they shipped me my very own fax machine. This would be my main tool for communicating (pre-e-mail days) with the company and receiving my patterns to test. Since I was allowed to work from my home sewing studio, I was in heaven! I thoroughly enjoyed this luxury from day one.
Each day, I would check the fax machine to see what projects needed proofing. Some only needed a fresh set of eyes to make sure everything looked good before publication. Other projects needed a complete sew-though to make sure each step was in the correct order, and that the written measurements were correct. I would drive to the fabric store,purchase the required amount of fabric, trims, and threads, and then head home to sew. Get this – they paid me to do this! I would giggle to myself some days knowing that I did have the perfect job.
I quickly learned that the person sending the faxes often worked late into the night and sometimes well into the wee morning hours from her home office. When she was finished, she would send the fax and head for bed. The fax machine by my bedroom, and there is nothing like being awakened by that famous fax “beep” when it arrives. Being still the excited new employee, I HAD to get up and check out the new sewing project. If I did not get up, I would lie there wondering what exciting sewing project awaited my attention.
This went on for several months, and after totaling up my free-lance hours one day, I realized I often worked a full 40 hour work week. Shortly there after Bernina of America officially hired me full time, and my life of travel, sewing, pattern testing and training became my new whirlwind job. I was the classic road warrior with a home office in Santa Barbara, CA. Fast forward a couple more years and my Bernina travels crossed paths with a young man from Sioux Falls, SD. That’s the short version of how I met Steve and landed in Sioux Falls!
Just as testing patterns was a part of my early sewing career, there is now an opportunity for our students and quilters to try pattern testing. Recently, Ingrid Barlow asked Heirloom Creations if we would gather a few quilters together to help test her patterns prior to publication. I immediately started having flash backs to my own “testing days”. Nothing is worse than getting half way through a pattern before realizing that the directions were not written correctly or a sewing step was out of order. All pattern designers need fresh eyes to test a pattern, proof the directions and offer suggestions.
Ingrid is looking for testing groups for two of her latest quilts. Heirloom Creations is offering these classes FREE for those who purchase fabric for this quilt, are willing to test this new pattern, offer personal feedback, and help proof yardages and cutting instructions. You must already have accurate sewing, quilting and rotary cutting skills. You also will receive a FREE pattern once it is finalized.