Artistic 18 LAQM
 

I'm new to machine quilting and even newer to longarm quilting. I just purchased an Artistic 18 and after getting everything set up it keeps skipping stitches. I don't know if it's because I have cheap thread on the machine for practice purposes or if one of the tensions are off. I hate to keep messing with the tensions if that isn't the cause. Anyone out there that has had the same problem.

there are a number of reasons you can get skipped stitches- the needle may be in wrong- the machine may not be threaded quite right- it might be the thread(machines tend to be picky and simply will not use some threads) there could be a little bit of lint in the bobbin area--
i would start with trying a different thread (after making sure it is threaded correctly-
and dull needles-or not the correct needle for the thread choice can also cause the problem....make sure you are using the correct needle size for the weight/type of thread,
make sure the bobbin area is clean,
also you have to match your speed with the machine speed- if you are moving it around as if you are on the freeway- and the machine is stitching in a residential area---you will get skipped (or really long) stitches.
if all of these things are not the issue- it is time to call the 800 number and get some tech support from the dealer- they can often trouble shoot over the phone and get you going---unless you are getting thread nests, or puckering-it doesn't sound like a tension issue

you may also have the quilt rolled to tight or not close enough to the throat plate