YES, you raise the takeup bar as you roll the quilt. That is normal. As you roll the quilt, you will just have less and less room for quilting...as the rolled part of the quilt will take up some of that space. I start out with about 14" of quilt space front to back...as I roll a 100" long quilt with medium batting...I end up with about 11-12" of space. Because I know this...I won't do a design greater than 11" tall...that way I don't have issues when I'm on the last row or two of a quilt.
Some have installed "Dead Bars" that help eliminate this necessity...but, I'm frugal and didn't invest it one, I may someday, but it's not a huge need right now.
I think Kaye on our TLL group has the dead bar for sale...ask her on group. Someone else did also. This may be of help to you. The dead bar rests just on the quilt top, holding it in the proper placement on the bed of the machine. The pole is up above the dead bar and keeps the rolled top portion from resting on the bed of the machine...hard to describe, since I've only seen pics.
Also, make sure your belly bar (front bar the backing attaches to) is set so the backing rests just barely on the bed of the machine. If it's too high or low...you will have issues also.
Marge
Originally Posted by
glassnquilts
Thanks so much for all of the suggestions. When I get home I will try them all. I have changed the needle. I use an 18. I have a magnetic positioned that helps me get it straight. I have adjusted the hopping foot to a dime space. Another thing suggested to me was to put a couple of drops of sewers aid on the thread. That helped with thread breaking.
I will loosen the quilt and see if that helps. I will let you know how that works.
Also I lowered the back bar. It seems very close to the machine. Is it normal to have to raise it as I roll the quilt on? There doesn't look like the would be room to roll on much.