I had a 12' long arm table for my Bernina 830 and kept it in the boxes for 2 1/2 years. I know it's not a long arm sewing machine, but it has a stitch regulator and a long throat and the table was built for my machine. I was afraid to try to put a quilt on the table, just like you, and was afraid of the whole process, so I sold the table to a really sweet gal here who set it up and last I heard was getting ready to use it. They had a YouTube video on how to set it up and how to put a quilt on it. So, I know they probably have a video on how to put a quilt on your machine and it might even be easier than how you are doing it, who knows? But I know now that I don't want a LA machine ever. They frighten me. Too much money and I feel too much work. I like sending my quilts out to my LAer.