machine quilting frame users

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Permalink Reply by Kathy on December 29, 2008 at 11:24pm

Hi Maregold, I had a grace frame also with a Bailey home quilter on it. I recently sold them both as I bought an HQ16 a few months ago. I found with setting mine up that I liked room on both sides to be able to move around. Room to work from the front or back and room to bend over if you drop something. lol Also lighting is important to me. As I have gotten older I seem to need more and more light to work in. I just read a post elsewhere that suggests you turn off the room lights and work by the machine light only. I am going to test that out tomorrow.
We are empty nesters also and I took over the kids play room. Now it's my room to play in. Have fun setting your room up. Please post any helful hints or suggestions you learn as you are setting up your system.
Kathy

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Permalink Reply by serbs on January 1, 2009 at 1:27pm

I've had a Grace frame for a while now. I made some leader strips to pin the top to, and it made it much easier. Back then, they didn't give much info on how to get started and I became frustrated with it. I use it regularlly now and have done quite a few tops. I use an old Singer machine with mine, someday hoping to get a machine with a longer throat. I remember, it was a real pain to put together, so be prepared unless they have improved it since then. Lots of small pieces. I'm sure that it's paid for itself already by doing my own quilting. Like Kathy said, it's great to have room on all sides to walk around. I also have a clip on desk lamp on the carriage part and that helps a lot. Have fun!
Shelley

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Permalink Reply by Maregold on January 1, 2009 at 6:31pm

Is there a pattern, or directions, available for making cloth leaders?

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Permalink Reply by Cathy/IN on January 5, 2009 at 7:51am

I used muslin and cut it as long as my frame (about 110"). The take up leader is 5" wide, the backing leader is 13" wide and the top fabric leader is 20 1/2" wide. I hemmed them on three sides and made a small hem on the side that attaches to the rail because I have slots on my frame that has tubing. I can put the tubing in the hem, then put in the slot. If you don't have that blue painter's tape is also good for attaching the leaders to the rails. I then marked the center of each leader (on the edge that does not attach to the rail), and marked every 1/2 inch and every inch on either side and numbered them starting from 1 in the center and out on each side. I also drew a line 1/2 inch in on that same edge all the way across the length so I could pin my fabric on evenly. I don't know if this makes much sense or not...let me know if you have questions.

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Permalink Reply by Maregold on January 5, 2009 at 5:00pm

I am sure it will make perfect sense when I set up the frame. Thank you for the instructions.

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Permalink Reply by Barb D in Maine on January 6, 2009 at 10:47am

I made mine from ticking - it's a little heavier than muslin. I only pin the backing so I made 2 sets - I measured 6" x the width of my rollers, added on3 side of a seperating zipper, then attached the other side of the seperating zipper to a 4" strip. I permanently attached these to my rollers with double sided carpet tape ( you could also use clear duct tape ) I have attempted to add a photo of my leaders - hope it works!!

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Permalink Reply by Barb D in Maine on January 6, 2009 at 12:24pm

It looks like the photo did not load - go to my blog at http://pleasantpondstudio.blogspot.com to view a photo of my leaders. Note: where I said "added on3" I meant "added one" - don't know how that happened!!

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Permalink Reply by Maregold on January 6, 2009 at 2:25pm

When you said you only pin the backing, are you then basting the batting and quilt top to the backing? Does that mean you are only using one of the rollers? Is there an advantage to only using one roller?

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Permalink Reply by Barb D in Maine on January 6, 2009 at 3:23pm

I use 2 rollers - the take up roller (top) and the belly bar (bottom) I pin my backing to each, roll back and forth until smooth, then I roll it all the way to the top, lay my batting on, then my top - I machine baste to the backing across the top and down each side as far as I can go - then I quilt, roll, baste down the sides again, quilt, etc.

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Permalink Reply by Maregold on January 8, 2009 at 4:39pm

So, do you ever use the third roller?

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Permalink Reply by Barb D in Maine on February 20, 2009 at 1:47pm

No, I do not! I'm sorry I didn't respond before now, but for some reason my setting was "stop following" instead of "follow - email me when people reply". I think I have fixed that!

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Permalink Reply by Helen Hartgrove on February 17, 2010 at 7:47am

I have a Tin Lizzie frame and a Tin Lizzie long arm. I have found out that using "Superior" thread workes for me. I get the "So Fine". By John Flinn. It is 100% polyester, the cones have 3280 Yds. of thread. Yes, at times it will break, but sure is not like any of the others I have used. I think you can get them for about $12.00 a cone. Some places charge a lot more. I order mine on line. Good luck. I have a sister who uses "Coats and Clark" all the time, and has good luck with that. She has a Grace frame, and am not sure what machine. I have tryed the Coats and Clark also, and the Essential Thread, but have the same breakage with all of it. Of all the quilting classes I have taken, was always told to use 100% cotton thread with 100% cotton fabric. But, I guess you have to do what you have to do. If it works, at this point, to me, that is what matters. Hope this will help you out. Helen

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