I do the test strip, feel the stitches, and go underneath with the flashlight; I don't bend near as easily as I used to; thanks for all the good tips!

My longarmer told me she bought a camera to see under her quilts. She just bought this machine and thought it would be a good selling feature if she decided to sell in the near future.

There is a camera you can purchase for any of your longarm machines..>I can't remember the name of the company but they were in Providence at the MQX show....if I find the boucher I will post it...blessings

I make a 12" quilt sandwich using whatever batting my customers are using. I run this sandwich through to check the tension when I begin sewing and with every bobbin change. Other than that I do what others do by crawling underneath with a flashlight and listening for sound changes in the machine...lol

Well, it's good to know that I am in good company with the flashlight and the crawling. :) Because of one comment on the board, I did try putting my 12 X 15 mirror on the shelf (where the pantos go) and I can see there, too. It was a DUH moment....why didn't I think of that? So, if I get one of those shop lights that someone else mentioned, I think I'm in business. :) Thanks everyone, you're always sooo helpful!! So glad I found this forum!! I sure do use a lot of "need to be quilting time" on here, though.

I don't have a long-arm, but got to thinking maybe one of those security mirrors that they use to look under cars with and did a search and look what I found - very reasonably priced, too. http://www.security-mirrors.com/inspection-mirrors

I also start with a scrap piece of fabric off to the side, have a mirror, and then if that still isn't showing what I want to see then I do crawl under......

That is a fantastic idea! I think I'll get one.
I check tension on a scrap and check the sides also as well as checking when I roll the quilt.

My mom made a slanted mirror for this purpose she is selling them on ebay for 24.95 will find the address and post it. ebay item number is 27071794905 take a look, works well

I crawl under with a magnifing glass and a light that straps to my head, like a coal miner lol