jo ford

My sewing buddy and I have been gifted an HQ quilting frame. It's all set up and reay to go but we are challenged when it comes to loading the quilt. Small ones are ok but the queen size is not going well. Are there any how-to books out there that you LAQ users can recommend for new users?

crashnquilt

Linda Taylor has published a book for longarm quilting. You should be able to find her by putting linda taylor longarm quilting in a search engine.

feline fanatic

I found You Tube videos to be the most help. The LA books I have are mostly for design inspriation. You really don't need to purchase a book because once you learn how to load, you will never reference it again. Search You Tube for Loading a quilt on a Longarm frame. There was a great video out there that I viewed while waiting for my LA to arrive and it helped a lot.

dunster

Linda Taylor's book is very good, but it is somewhat outdated now that there are so many new loading systems, and it is somewhat specific to one machine brand. There are many different loading strategies. I started out with pins, changed to velcro leaders, and am now using Red Snappers (and am unlikely to switch unless something really miraculous gets invented). There are some general loading strategies, but even these differ from user to user. I've found Renae Haddadin's videos on using Red Snappers to be very helpful, partly because she uses the same machine that I do. The important thing to remember is that you need the back and top to be square on the frame.

amandasgramma

I, too, bought lots of books, but find that the youtube videos more than helpful......I'm a visual person -- i need to SEE it being done. Good luck and remember to HAVE FUN!

haylillan

go to the handi quilter web site they have great video for loading quilts

caspharm

I have bought several LA books and they are great for ideas, but I found classes and practice the best way to learn. As suggested by others, if you belong to a guild, volunteer to quilt charity quilts for free. Loading takes practice, but also try to ask your dealer for tips (if you have one).

Good luck and enjoy. Welcome to LA.

aborning

Make sure your top and bottom edges of both the actual quilt top and the backing --are cut very straight so that when you pin it to the leaders, you will have it on the frame straight--or you will ahve a nightmare. I also watched some You-Tubes to learn different ways to load the quilt onto the frame. By the way--did you also get the HQ machine with the frame? If so, you are two very lucky people! Good luck. Hopefully someone with an HQ will chime in her and give you some tips. I have a APQS and I used to have a Tin Lizzie, and I was shown different ways to load them both.