dunster

I took several longarm classes in January at Road to California. One was taught by Marybeth Krapil, an educator for HandiQuilter. She provided a lot of useful information about longarming in general. She talked about how to use the TOWA gauge. I have a TOWA gauge, but I seldom use it, because some sources say that you need to keep records of what number to use for various thread, fabric, and batting combinations. That seems like way too much record keeping, when my tension is generally good without the gauge. Superior Threads has a chart that gives a TOWA range for each of their threads. However Marybeth said that you need to find the number on the gauge that works for your machine. That number is the one you will always use, even if you change thread or batting. This is a new concept for me, and if it works then I might use my gauge more often. (Marybeth did say that different gauges will give different numbers for the same bobbin, so it's a matter of finding the number for your TOWA gauge and your longarm.)

I'm wondering how others use their TOWA gauges, and how often.