Blog – Modern Domestic | Portland, OR - A sewing studio on NE Alberta Street

Discover the Double Cord Foot

Posted by meredith — February 22nd, 2012
Categories: BERNINA, Home Decor, Tools and Notions, Tutorials.

Home Dec sewists, interested in a foot that helps easily execute a covered double welt cord? Or a quick way to attach double welt cord to say… a pillow? Interested in couching two decorative cordings? It’s no problem to make single cord piping with this foot either. It’s just that versatile. Take a look at #60, the Double Cord Foot. There are not one, BUT TWO grooves on the bottom of the sole, to accommodate more than row of cording. There’s a technique for covering them that I’ll show you. — READ MORE —

Winter Classes

Posted by lupine — February 20th, 2012
Categories: Apparel Sewing, Bags and Accessories, Classes, Sewing for Kids.

We have so many new classes coming up at MD! These projects are all stylish and fashion forward, and full of great new sewing skills and techniques. We have Coats, Smocked Dresses, a whole Figgy’s Patterns workshop, Jeans, and so so much more! Here are some photos of class samples, click the current class list to grab a spot, don’t wait cause they have been filling up like crazy! — READ MORE —

One Wash Away From Perfection!

Posted by michelle — February 17th, 2012
Categories: 8 Series, Classes, Home Decor, New in Shop, Quilt Frame, Quilting.

Lupine, Meredith and I had the pleasure of sampling the new Beginning Quilting of the Frame class. Our new teachers, Cherri and Rachel, wanted to do a run-through and we were more than eager to volunteer. I was overjoyed to finally be able to learn the ins and outs of this grand apparatus that has been taunting us since we set it up in October!

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New to the Shop: A Variety of Books!

Posted by meredith — February 15th, 2012
Categories: Books, Uncategorized.

MD is excited to be able to bring in a wider book selection, as a resource for beginners and beyond. These titles have been chosen for a variety of reasons, but mostly as books you would go to again and again for inspiration, skill, and execution.

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Be awesome today

Posted by lupine — February 13th, 2012
Categories: Behind the Scenes, bernette, BERNINA, Classes, Home Decor, Machine Embroidery.

Over the weekend I decided it was time to create my first machine embroidery masterpiece. I have been making moves toward embracing all the magic that is machine embroidery since we became an Excellence Dealer last year. I have admired the little hooped machine embroidery images that Meredith created last year, and now have decided that my own home needs some hoop decor.

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MD Sewist Spotlight: Meredith Neal

Posted by erica — February 10th, 2012
Categories: Behind the Scenes, Sewing Machines, Sewist Spotlight.

This week, we’ll be profiling one of our beloved MD employees to find out more about her sewing life. Not only does Meredith work at Modern Domestic, she teaches all sorts of awesome classes here as well. If you’re interested in learning to how to sew, check out her Zippered Pouch or Sweet & Simple Apron classes. She’ll help you conquer your serger fears in her Beginning Serger Knit Cardigan and Leggings classes, and this spring she’s bringing back a great class on Colette Patterns’ excellent mens button-down shirt pattern, Negroni.

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Sweet Stitches Headband Tutorial

Posted by erica — February 8th, 2012
Categories: Bags and Accessories, BERNINA, Free Mini Classes, Tools and Notions, Tutorials.

If you missed our recent free mini class on how to make a super adorable headband on the new 530 or you’ve just been looking for an excuse to take the decorative stitches on your machine out for a spin, here is your chance!

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Envelope Pillows Go NW Modern

Posted by lupine — February 6th, 2012
Categories: Behind the Scenes, Home Decor.

Oh the envelope pillow. What a simple, rewarding, easy, and fun little project. With a recent move to SW Portland, I have added a new house, sofa, and style to my life. The easiest, most instant way to accessorize is by far the pillow. It needs just a wee bit of fabric, in this cases I used a set of napkins and pair of tea towels for the fronts because I loved the motif and colors and there was just the right amount for a 20″ pillow.

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Pre-Owned Machines and Trade-Ins

Posted by michelle — February 3rd, 2012
Categories: BERNINA, Sewing Machines, Trade-ins, Used Machines.

I began sewing in 1987 on my mom’s peachy-brown Singer that she bought for herself brand new in 1967. I think she paid about $70 at the time, which was no easy task being so young and newly wed. That machine taught me basic skills: straight stitch, zig-zag & seam allowances. After college I purchased myself an old Viking 6460. I loved that colorful old machine but eventually I grew out of it.

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Serging away in Kansas City

Posted by meredith — February 1st, 2012
Categories: Apparel Sewing, Classes, Knits, Serger, Uncategorized.

Last weekend I was honored to be invited to teach some of my serger classes in Kansas City! I met Jamie David at Bernina University last summer in San Antonio and we’ve kept in touch since, talking about machines (of which we now have matching 580′s), sewing blogs, new patterns, and exciting projects we’re working on. She works at the Bernina Sewing Centers of Kansas City in Overland Park, KS. I jumped at the opportunity to visit with my friend while I also got a chance to step out of my MD classroom comfort zone.

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