I have a platform that I can use with my long arm, Nolting calls it their "Ruler Mate." It replaces the small area below the needle with a circular area, about 12 inches across. With this under my quilt, I can use a thick plexiglass ruler with straight and curved edges. (I got it at JoAnn in their sewing machine area.) I tried it for the first time on my last quilt and it really works. I was stitching straight, on the diagonal, normally tough for me. I think it works without the platform, but a lot easier with it. Check with your dealer if they have such a thing