Baby Lock Crown Jewel
 

Hi,

I just bought a Crown Jewel Long Arm, does anyone have any advice on where I should start. I would like to eventually start up a long arm business. Should I start with pantograms or free hand? I am feeling pretty over whelmed. I have never quilted on a long arm.

Thanks,

Denise

Hi Denise,

I totally get where you're coming from. I bought the Janome Artistic in July and for 2 months it sat there, just intimidating me. I had a lot of tension problems at first and took it back to the dealer. He fixed my tension and gave me a 4 hour class. He used wide muslin, drew some blocks and I worked on freehand stuff. When I got home, with my tension still intact, I bought a laser and a couple of simple pantographs. LOVE PANTOGRAPHS!!! It's hard to keep an eye on the quilt when working from the back of the machine, but I still think pantographs are going to be the easiest for me. Maybe once I start feeling good about these I'll try some ruler work.

Good luck. The Crown Jewel looks like a really nice machine!

Julie

Where would I start ... with lessons from the dealer ... and let him/her guide me thru the first steps.

S/He should know the best way to introduce you to the machine and help you build a comfort level before being turned loose!

Lots of tips on Youtube. Everything from how to load, do pantos, freehand, you name it. Get yourself some cheap material and batting and load it. Make loops and swirls, write your name. What you are doing is muscle memory. Get a dry erase board and doodle your tail off. Get a cheater panel and outline it. PRACTICE is the key. There is a long learning curve. Do Not get discouraged. It takes a long time get where some are. If I picked up some wood and nails and went about making myself a cabinet I wouldn't expect it to look like a professional,so don't get downhearted while you are on your journey. Hands light on the handles, shoulders down,take stretching breaks. Have fun. There will be times you feel like you want to pull your hair out.(I still do LOL) Just plug on. You can do it.

There also is a good book by Linda Taylor that has info on setting up a LA business:
The Ultimate Guide to Longarm Machine Quilting: How to Use Any Longarm Machine : Techniques, Patterns & Pantographs : Starting a Business : Hiring a Longarm Machine Quilter

http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Guide...g+arm+business

I am discouraged! my crown jewel is fine with the quilt motion, but if i want to do any free hand work , it lurches or has the least amount of resistance which messes up my design, i can do stippling and other fill but i need to do hearts and arches and feathers, as much as i practice i still stink. i have almost resign to downloading a design and let the quilt motion program do it. But thats not what I really want for this quilt.

how long have you been doing L/A? Remember, there is quite a learning curve for most of us - some, I must say, just dive in and swim like a fish!!! Perhaps you are going too fast or too slow?????? If I were you I would contact the dealer you purchased from and see if he/she can help you.....to money invested to be so sour about it.....

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...d-t204899.html

I just read this post about someone who got the same machine. She may be able to advise you.

I have had my Crown Jewel for about 1 1/2 years. I started out on my juki 98Q and hq table frame so I had about 2 years experience before getting the CJ. I learned to do pantographs which was great and then just started doing different freehand designs. I have since taken several online classes from craftsy and longarm university and also watching the utube videos.. I also have some DVD which are great. I think that practice, practice, practice and the ability to give yourself permission to make mistakes and not be perfect is the key to quilting. Just need to bite the bullet and start quilting.

I have had a Crown Jewel for 1 1/2 years also. I see you live in Colorado. That is a ways away from St. Louis, but Baby Lock had a 4 day class there that I went to. It costs especially if you have to drive or fly a distance and then you have to stay in a motel or hotel. Baby Lock helped me find a roommate which cut down on the cost some.
But...it was well worth the cost. 4 days from 8AM to 8PM using the same machine that I bought. I learned absolutely everything you could possibly know about the machine and frame and had alot of practice. Each person in the class had a machine and frame for their own use the whole time. Those that bought the Quilt Motion had that on their setup too. Those that did not could work with it with another student just to see how it works.
If you think you might want to do that, look up their Getaway on their website.