How to get perfect tension on your longarm quilting machine. Good tension is found when the top and bobbin threads meet in the batting layer of your quilt. Adjusting top tension on a gammill longarm with the top. Superior threads recommend a tension of 170180 for their bottom line, which i use a lot. In manual mode, you may need to either increase the speed on the home screen or. If you do not already have a towa bobbin gauge or have questions on how to use this tool to set the bobbin tension correctly, please watch our video on the bobbin gauge. These hints apply to both types of machine quilting. All quilts are done on a gammill with a statler stitcher. The handle with the black tip to the far right has a bracket on it also and can be used when advancing the quilt to position it for a new quilting area. Congratulations on your purchase of a janome quilt maker pro 18. Admonishments of never touch the tension from a home ec teacher might still sting your ears, but its time to silence that inner voice and put on a brave i can do this attitude. I have found that tension number works in my machine for almost every thread i use.
Raising the quilt top roller permits you to smooth the batting out, remove discovered threads, etc. Long arm quilting machines require more adjustments to the thread tension than many basic sewing machines. Prostitcher premium new bottom quilt top longarm quilting, free motion. The higher the tension, the more the needle will deflect. Otherwise this list would be to long to keep up with or be useful to those looking only for thread made for quilting. It can look so easy in a class or video but may feel nearly impossible to perfect. I have been doing this for about 5 years but little at a time. Sewing quilts image of arithmetic quilt pdf pattern a modern plus quilt pattern. Even though im moving the machine across the fabric, the tension concerns are the same as a person using a standard sewing machine and pushing the fabric under the needle. If the greater tension is on the bobbin, then you will see the pokies on the back of the quilt. Should it become necessary for you to return the machine for warranty work please call us for.
You should have a small amount of sag in your fabric. Tension that worked for a polyester thread may cause cotton thread to snap. See more ideas about quilt patterns, quilts and quilting designs. The longarm quilting machine pulls the fabric taut and stretches it. Fat quarter shop has a large selection of free pdf patterns. When looking at the top it looks ok, although a bit loose. Paper longarm pantographs longarm quilting supplies. Best long arm for tension issues quiltingboard forums. I spend more time on trying to get my tension correct than i do quilting a queen size quilt. First, learn how to distinguish tension issues from other machine problems before making any tension adjustments.
Renae haddadin shares an exercise that will help you learn what changes cause what effect in your stitch. Signature machine quilting thread, designed for longarm quilting machines and enjoyed by many home sewers, is a high quality product that offers excellent sewability with high speed multidirectional designs, free motion, and general sewing techniques. Sometimes i wish that my sewing machine and longarm machine were like a brand new car. When you turn on your long arm quilting machine during start. Machine quilting tension problems generations quilt patterns. May 23, 2017 thread tension on your longarm quilting machine shouldnt cause a tension headache. We believe that we have designed and are manufacturing the best longarm quilting machine available. Quilting on a longarm may require adjusting the tension more often than you are used to. You can have all of the fancy tension gauges in the world, but if you do not understand what causes tension to change or understand what it takes to make the tension right, it will always be a problem.
Its often hard to know whether to adjust your top tension or your. Jamie wallen demonstrates his solutions to end the stress of longarm quilting machine tension issues. Tension you need correct tension on the top and bottom threads, but you must also have correct tension on the quilt held between the rails. If your tension changes as you quilt, this could be the problem. Handi quilter education coordinator, vicki hoth, leads longarm quilters through everything they need to know about tnt. Watch this video to see how leah day checks tension and troubleshoot issues when they crop up. Innova users seem to be the happiest longarm quilting. Step up to longarm quilting and into a new world of possibilities. Pokies on the quilt back little loops of top thread that are pulled. Balance your sewing machine tension to create beautiful stitches and have a seamripper free quilting experience. You need correct tension on the top and bottom threads, but you must also. King quilter elite long arm quilting machine sewing. Your source for online classes regarding everything quilting. Long arm quilting machines adjust on the bobbin and the top thread.
Feb 26, 2019 these are current patterns available, im always adding new ones so check back often. Using the towa bobbin gauge in your longarm quilting routine will save you time and help you start each quilt with proper bobbin tension. Home beginners guide to machine quilting how to set tension on a longarm quilting machine. Aug 15, 2018 quilting with confidence towa gauge format video author gammill posted on august 15, 2018 september 11, 2019 categories maintenance videos, tension adjustments, videos. The king quilter ii elite longarm quilting machine stronger, better, and faster fit for royalty. Even though im moving the machine across the fabric, the tension concerns are the same as a person using a. Solve your quilting problems with our troubleshooting guide. Tension issues are one of the most annoying things to deal with on any machine. Top tension adjustment on domestic sewing machines is accomplished by changing. Tighten to the right top thread tension adjustment. I use the handiquilter avante at techshop and this is my method for getting the tension perfect for each quilt no matter what thread, fabric. Learn how to make a quilt using the ultimate beginner quilt kit on our blog. Thread tension on your longarm quilting machine shouldnt cause a tension headache. Download a 3page pdf of these guidelines by clicking preparing for longarm quilting.
Glide is a great thread for sewing, longarm machine quilting and embroidery with advanced trilobal. With 20 of workspace and a lightingfast 2,500 stitches per minute, the baby lock regalia longarm quilting machine is ready to easily finish quilts of any size. Description recommended needle notes bottom line 60 wt. Quiltin4fun has the most fun with our quilt patterns and pantographs. When i first began searching longarm quilting machines i was rather disappointed by the lack of basic information. Tension imbalance is the usual cause for the following problems. Specialty threads for quilting come in many thicknesses and materials. How to get perfect tension on your longarm quilting. Removing the protective paper from your longarm university template circle template tutorial cindys circles templates tutorial quilting in circles cable wreaths tutorial small single cable template tutorial double cable template tutorial triple cable template tutorial how to quilt a feather cable border. Top tension adjustment on domestic sewing machines is accomplished by changing a dial or computer setting in small increments. Tackling tension apqs longarm quilting machines and. Enjoy big quilting art work in different frame sizes. Download your free template for the towa bobbin tension gauge.
Longarm machine thread reference guide thread line wt. For generations, quilters have relied on the versatility and dependability of cotton thread to craft heirloom pieces. Thread tension guide is used in the ultimate beginner quilt series. However, my longarm uses an industrial tensioner, so i turn the knob at least a halfturn when. Download a 1page bullet point pdf by clicking preparing for longarm quilting bullets. Tension again by dan novak tension again i cant push the issue enough, tension is not a hard problem to fix.
Fresh from the factory, everything works well and if theres a problem, i can take it back to the dealer and drive a loaner vehicle without worry. If the stitch looks bad on the bottom it is the upper tension. Really, its getting your tension right that is hard really, really hard. As you unpack your machine be sure to keep the box and packing materials designed to protect the machine during shipping. How to set tension on a longarm quilting machine quilted joy.
The intermittent tension is used to set the top thread tension and its thread guide directs the thread into. In theory, pretty much any thread can be used for longarm quilting. Glide threadtrilobal polyester 40wt thread with virtually no lint. Follow these tips for the perfect thread tension on your longarm. Setting tension on a longarm machine can be tricky. Available in three sizeslarge, classic and smallto accommodate both your individual quilting style as well as your unique floor space needs. I have to adjust the bobbin tension looser for thicker threads and tighter for aurfil or bottom line, and the gauge takes the guesswork out. Jun 16, 2010 setting tension on a longarm machine can be tricky. King quilter quilting machine user manual august 2018. Setting tension on a longarm machine can feel a lot like that.
The batting lays between the liner roller and quilt top roller. Were only listing those who market their products as specifically being made for quilting. Thread tension guide free pdf pattern fat quarter shop. I tried moving the tension but i cant seem to get it right. This chapter briefly describes the features of your gammill quilting machine.
The new king quilter ii elite is a state of the art long arm quilting machine that takes everything you loved about the old king quilter and brings it to another level with more reliability and excellent features. Change your needle regularly to avoid thread breakage, tension problems and needle breakage. After flipping to the bottom it is clear to see the white thread. I still remember when i heard the words longarm quilting machine and didnt know what it meant. Learn tips and tricks from experts and awardwinning quilters in your own time. Truly, this is a foundational, sanitysaving skill for free motion quilting, so take a few minutes with me to learn how to do it well.
Free flyers and posters for reference longarm maintenance checklist pdf longarm machine dust cover pattern pdf the quilting comfort zone pdf troubleshooting tension issues pdf common quilting issues pdf micro quilting tips pdf sureseam binding tutorial pdf threads, needles and tension 11. Quality from top to bottom, the q 24 and q 20 on frame have a professional look, quilt beyond. May 25, 2014 home blog service common service questions how can i properly adjust my tension. Give your quilting projects the royal treatment on the regaliababy locks largest longarm machine yet. How to have perfect sewing machine tension for free motion. Use the links at the left to browse through the gammill maintenance video library.