Hi sewing friends - I'm so honored and excited to be a part of Baby Lock's Love of Sewing Challenge, introducing the new, updated Destiny II sewing and embroidery machine. I never in a million years imagined that I would have one of these amazing machines. I'm so thankful to Baby Lock for providing one for me to sew and create with at home as part of this challenge. I can't say enough how much I have loved learning more and trying the new-to-me functions that are available. And I definitely love it for doing what I do most: piecing quilts! Later this week I'll be featuring the feet and settings on this machine (as well as tips for all piecers) to get that perfect ¼" seam allowance.
Previously I've been sewing on a Baby Lock Crescendo, which I've LOVED. It is a large, sturdy machine with a wide variety of options and stitches as well as a large throat space, automatic needle-threader, automatic thread-cutting, etc. The Crescendo is very similar to the Destiny II machine, except for one big feature - the Destiny includes embroidery functions. This is a whole new world to me and I'm blown away by all of the options and features that are available for making custom embroidery designs. I'm still at the bottom of the learning-curve, but beyond excited to learn more and put this capability to good use!
I love that one of Baby Lock's missions is to help instill a love of sewing for anyone who wants to learn and to provide the tools to help you succeed at whatever level you're at. The current Love of Sewing Challenge is made up of 16 different women in the sewing world, from a variety of backgrounds and expertise, each sharing a different project showcasing a skill as well as feature of this new machine.
This week I'm going to be talking about feet and features that help with accurate piecing. I'll be sharing specific feet to this Baby Lock machine, but I think there will be some good universal tips and tricks to help with your own piecing, regardless what machine you use.
We're also going to make a fun mini-quilt project - this is a fun little skill-builder for learning basic patchwork-piecing as well as playing with half-square triangles. I was trying to think of something perfect that sums up my feelings about sewing, and since we're the in middle of the most gray, overcast, blah time of the year, I decided on Sewing is my Sunshine - since sewing is definitely my favorite pick-me-up during these gray months.
I also chose a spring-y color palette to match my sunshine quote. We were challenged to use fabrics with gold and I chose these Riley Blake Designs gold sparkle prints, as well as coordinating pastels from collections When Skies are Grey, Wonderland II, and Bunnies and Cream.
Here are the fabric requirements if you want to play along and make your own mini quilt. (post edit: Typo above. We need 32 total 2 ½" x 2 ½" squares - 16 light and 16 dark. sorry.) This is a good pattern for using up leftovers and scraps. We're cutting the center piece for the embroidery slightly large and then we'll square it up to the right size after the embroidery is done.
The words were designed by my sister, Laura Miller. (You can see more of her prints and work at Laura Miller Studios.) I used the incredible IQ Designer technology built into the Destiny II to scan this design into the machine and created a unique machine embroidered print. It still blows my mind just a little. You can see more of how this works on Lindsay's post at the Cottage Mama here.
I'm sharing the Sewing is my Sunshine graphic as a free-printable for everyone! You can use it as a pattern for hand embroidery or just print it and frame it! The free download is available here.
I'll be sharing all of the details on assembling this little patchwork mini quilt as well as tips and tricks for getting a perfect ¼" seam allowance in Part 2 of this challenge. You can find Part 2 here!
In the meantime, here's my YouTube video debut sharing a little bit more of the machine.
I'm such a novice when it comes to video - fortunately I have a 12-year-old who's way more tech savvy than I am. 😉 Who knows, maybe we'll team up for more!
Linda
Loved the video! I'm jealous but still looking forward to reading what you have to share about your Destiny. 😉
Toni
Hi Amy- I have a Bernina that embroiders but I am afraid to use it! Maybe you can coax me along!
Audrey Schaefer
I'm not typically a jealous person, but I am very jealous of you having this machine. I have dreamed forever of owning a Babylock, but my budget will never allow that. The Destiny II is definitely my idea of perfection. I added a ton of machine embroidery to the last 3 projects that I made. I made quilts for both of my sons in honor of their military service. Used Because of the Brave fabric and their uniforms to construct the quilts. Added embroidery to personalize them, which was an emotional journey in itself. Today, I completed a weighted rag blanket with 80 out of the 120 squares embroidered. You will love the embroidery feature once you start using it. Have fun with it. Can't wait to see what you create. You are definitely a favorite designer in my world!
Rosemaryflower
HOLY MOLY that is a gorgeous machine.
I would love to just play with one for a day. Oh gosh.
I have three vintage Singers that carry me through my sewing adventures - no comparison though, Amy.
I am the slowest seamstress around. I am still working on my Thicket quilt. It is just kind of a project to work on while grieving for my beloved Pierro kittyboy and of course my sweet adorable mom. This is kind of a nice quilt to construct while having "the sads"
I also made two cute zippy bags for my grand daughter, one to carry her blocks in, and one for her magnetic alphabet.
Amy, I am so honored to know you.
The mini quilt is so cute
lucinda
i am keeping up with the sewing challenge, and I will be followering u, I have the ellisimo gold, if I get the upgrade 4 will my machine be close enough to do some of the things that the Desting II does, like the beam light line, but if not I will follower u still, and thank u sew much for the free down load thank u and be bless.
Carol Liederbach
I have this Destiny machine, recently purchased. Though extremely excited, I find myself somewhat intimidated by the numerous programs and functions available to use. It is a "where to start" sweet challenge! I am very pleased that I have For Love of Sewing tutorials/incentives to accompany Destiny II. So, I can hardly wait to begin cutting and preparing my fabrics to follow along step by step with your mini-quilt design....and then on to the other many profiles and projects that are offered and available for my use from Baby Lock. Now, Carol, calm your excitement down, get that cup of coffee and start cutting fabric for patchwork, pinwheels and stripes. My Destiny II has now become my ongoing destiny to surprise myself in all I can create for myself, family and friends. Thank you!!!
Amy Smart
I relate Carol! So many of the features are new to me too - I'm so excited to learn. Gosh - I still can't fathom all the possibilities on this machine. I'm planning to sign-up for a machine embroidery class at my local dealer - I learn so much better when it's hands-on. But the SewAtHome video classes have helped a lot too, if you have access to those? These are fun problems to have right? 😉
Lu
Thank you Amy for sharing your sweet graphic and the rest of this cute mini quilt. I love your creation and will be shopping for some fabrics to make it.
Amy Smart
Thank you!!
Vanessa
Hi Amy - that's a monster of a machine - fabulous! This has nothing to do with the machine BUT can you tell me where you got the pattern for the fabric pot you have in your photo please? Thanks, Vanessa
Amy Smart
Yes! Isn't it awesome - I use it for tossing all my thread and fabric scraps. A friend made it for me, but she used this tutorial: https://www.thesewingchick.com/2014/05/tutorial-quilt-as-you-go-thread-catcher.html/
Vanessa
Thank you! Vx
Elizabeth Kuntz
I love your website and this tutorial. I know I'm probably going to sound odd but in the embroidery, is that supposed to be an 'S' for Sunshine or an 'F' for Funshine? Sorry.
Elizabeth Kuntz
Okay, I came back and looked at it and I'm seeing a small letter 's'.
Amy Smart
It's an 'S'. 🙂 Just a kind of hand-written-script-y S.
Janet Price
I am expecting my Destiny 2 to arrive next week. Is there a place to go to watch videos of how to use it? I see only one video here. Maybe a Facebook page? You tube other than asking me to buy it? Thanks
Amy Smart
So excited for you! Baby Lock has their own online classes for all of their machines with lots of resources. You can find them here: https://sewathomeclasses.com/
You need a membership to access them. Baby Lock gave me access when they loaned the machine, but I'm not sure how it works when you buy the machine. Definitely check with your Baby Lock dealer and ask them - I'm guessing that some access is granted when you purchase the machine? Also, ask if about in person classes. They make a big difference!
Wenda A DeMarzo
I am new to quilting and was wondering if it is to much machine for a beginner. Got a really good deal on the machine with a travel machine. Just not sure if to much machine
Amy
I would start with something simpler if you are new to quilting. I recommend talking to a sewing machine dealer. They can help you find the perfect machine for your sewing level + price point.
Alicia Fate
Hello Amy,
great to see you new density 2 babylock sewing machine. this machine is great one. and have some great features that makes the whole work a lot more easier. thanks for sharing this and really appreciate it.