Sew, what's new? Check out the Husqvarna Viking International Dealer Convention

A week ago, I traveled to San Antonio, Texas, to attend the 22nd Annual Husqvarna Viking International Dealer Convention, sponsored by SVP Worldwide, owner of Singer, Husqvarna Viking, and Pfaff sewing machines.  I must say that it's always exciting and inspiring to be around so many people who are so passionate about the art of sewing. This year's convention celebrated the worldwide launch of the newest Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond sewing and embroidery machine –- a truly amazing creation.  Another introduction was the QBOT –- Quilting Based on Technology -– another remarkable machine that allows the user to quilt "hands-free."

During the seminar, I was interviewed by the very talented Anna Maria Horner. Many of you may know that MSLO has partnered up with SVP and, during the interview, I was proud to introduce Classic Embroidery Patterns, our first in a series of embroidery designs that will be available at Husqvarna Viking authorized dealerships later this summer. It provides designs for monogramming and frame, border, and corner artwork. I have always felt that a beautiful monogram or embroidered detail is a simple way to give your work a distinctive finishing touch. I just wish I had more time to spend in my craft room.

Here I am with Husqvarna dealers from all over the country

I met many of the SVP dealers at the San Antonio convention.

From left to right: Caroline Weaver, Amanda Slayton, me, Melody Robson, and Holly Robson. The Project Doers!

Standing with my interviewer, Anna Maria Horner.

I introduced the audience to our newest product: a CD of monogram patterns for the new Viking machines.

I was surprised when I was presented with a new Designer Diamond machine. I am so excited!

A new Viking model.

Look at this amazing embroidery -- all machine-done on the newest SVP machine, the Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond.

More amazing embroidery.

Exciting patterns -- this one caught my eye.

Charming motifs.

Some various sizes of embroidery hoops for the new Viking.

Some of the myriad threads used in the new machines -- a Sulky display.

More thread.

Fab-U-Motion is a new invention that allows a free-style of quilting.

Many of the peripheral publications that enable serious sewers to learn new techniques and new technology and gain inspiration.

Some very sweet embroidery techniques.

Here's another new system for embroidering family genealogy.

This is a fabulous family tree with all images machine embroidered.

Another family tree.

I loved this room -- great machine quilting.

Here's the newest in automatic quilting.

A lovely, colorful coverlet was given to me with some unique embroidery. The embroidery was created on the QBOT machine (Quilting Based on Technology). Denise Applegate Schiber, myself, and Anna Maria Horner.

Fabulous stitchery.

Can you believe this can be done at home?

This is Becky Hanson, education manager for singer. She teaches sewing classes for SVP at MSLO once a month.

Here's a better picture of Becky and me.

One of my interviewers, Ellen March, editor of Creative Machine Embroidery, gave me an embroidered monogram.

Here I am with Julie Johnson, the editor of Sewing Savvy.

My hostess for the day was Rachel Cohen -- enthusiastic, charming, and very organized.

Here I am with Roxanne and Stuart Lasky, parents of Shara Lasky, one of our employees at MSLO. They own a sewing shop in Ridgefield, Connecticut.

The meet and greet went on for a long time.

Refreshing fruit coolers were served -- melon, watermelon, and orange.

Comments

[Kayln Sharp]

Hi Martha,
Two of my favorite subjects on this website Martha Stewart and Husqvarna what more could a girl ask for.
I have a Husqvarna Designer 1, its a few years old. I just purchased it and am so in love with it--I can't imagine what that new one is like. If my husband had been rich instead of good looking I could have had one. ha ha. We will be anxious to hear the things that you will do on your new machine. We all love you and look forward to your shows and magazines.Do you ever have segments on using the machine--I always love to learn new things. I am a beginner in the embroidery field, and love new sewing techniques.
Thank you again
Kayln Sharp

[Donna Ani]

I was searching for a used sewing machine when your web page popped up. I just had to check it out since I am a "Martha Stewart" fan.

Thanks for sharing photos of your experience and some of the possible creations from the latest Husqvarna Viking.

I will be looking for a used Husqvarna now. I especially loved the amazing embroidery (and the fruit coolers).

You look amazing! Have you lost weight? Love your wrap.

[Ann Isip]

Thank you for all you have been doing to keep the art of sewing alive, Martha. Are you a member of the American Sewing Guild? I just returned from this year's national conference in Chicago. It was fabulous to be among so many kindred spirits! We'd love to see you at the national convention in Albuquerque next year. Remember September is national sewing month!

[Merna]

Wow Martha, What a fabulous machine. There is no end to what you can do with the new machine. I have a Designer SE and thought that there wasn't anything else that could possibly be done to improve the machine and look what they have done! Sew on Girl ! I love to sew and hope you get to enjoy the machine alot.

[D. Kate Mahoney]

My grandmother Kate was a seam-stress. I'm sorry I did not know her. She went around to homes in the old days & sewed to help them get ready for weddings, and for the new "season" coming on and so forth. I wish she could even have seen my lowly Viking 400, much less yours. I've only had it about 3 mo. I am trying to start a business with it. It was the best I could afford at this time. I've kinda been the main breadwinner for most of our lives, & not much since an
auto accident some years ago.
A lot of body parts still don't
work so well, and I got the idea
when I pulled out my old machine
(The one I made my wedding gown on) to make a Lap Robe to use on my wheelchair. That (as a gear broke again,)"Hey, if I had a decent machine, maybe I could make
some of these, plus other things
and make a few bucks to help out with our SS checks". So here goes
I made the cutest "Baby Wrap" today with the help of a wonderful
teacher at Joann Fabrics. When the other ladies in the class sewd
a bought applique on the hood of theirs, I quickly embroidered one on mine. It looked so cute. I hope they sell like "hotcakes". Well, I'd better close & get busy.
When you "retire your Diamond", please pass it in this direction,
because I'll never be able to aff-ord one. Just kidding. Enjoy it.
You do look really great. I am enjoying MSL. Thank you. Kate

[Shelley Howard]

Congratulations on your new Diamond. I have one too. I love it. I can't wait to really start producing all my sewing ideas for Christmas presents. Thanks for taking the time out of your busy life to let my friends at meissners take pictures and give you,the wonderful creative person you are,a Viking, one of the most creative machines on the market.God Bless you and yours. Shelley

[Deborah Lane]

I just brought my "Diamond" home last night. Of course, I had to stay up late to play with it! I am retiring from my full time job in a few years and the "Diamond" is now in my arsenal of equipment for my quilting business. Along with my Gammill longarm, I'm sure I'll stay as busy as I want to be!!!

[Jo]

This is to Amy re: organizing patterns. I have hundreds and I'll pass on a method passed on to me by a professional seamstress years ago in Sacramento CA. First buy standard pattern boxes and label each with 1000, 2000, etc. Remove the pattern pieces and instructions from the pattern envelop and put in a 6x9 mailing envelope with the pattern number written large at the top of the envelope. Take the actual pattern envelope and put it in a 3 ring binder plastic sleeve (two back to back). File those in binders under each category (using divider tabs) blouses, baby nursery, pants, nightwear, etc. Voila!! Look thru the binder in the category you want to sew, find the pattern number and go right to the correct box (in which the patterns are arranged in numerical order) and there's the pattern. The boxes are tucked out of site and the binders are on my sewing library shelves (labeled of course). I have hundreds of patterns filed this way and it makes looking for just the right pattern soooo easy.
Thanks, Martha for a great blog. I love my Husqvarna embroidery machine and all it can do. I've passed on sets of tea and dish towels to everyone I know plus embroidered the back of jackets, linens, etc.
Happy sewing everyone!
Jo

[DILARA]

hi,

I think you have vast knowledge on machine embroidery. I would like to buy singer 7466 or 7468 for free motion embroidery. can you help me whether it is suitable for free motion embroidery. many thanks