Bailey 17" and Majestic Frame have arrived!
 

Yes, they're here, and I even have the frame put together and the system set up, I think! That was a JOB! I would love your suggestions on how to begin the learning process. I got a book I ordered today. (the Ultimate Guide to LAQ...Linda Taylor) I am digging into it tonight. I am wondering if I should just start with some free motion patterns.... on a practice sandwich, of course! OR is there some other technique that I should try first? I do have the stitch regulator on the machine. I know that I will have to do LOTS of practice, and I would appreciate any tips for getting started. I appreciate those of you who have been so helpful so far. I did join the message board for Bailey LA'ers and I have also posted some questions there. Thanks!!!

Congrats on your new baby!!!

Congrats on your Bailey. You are way ahead of me. I don't have it sat up yet. My husband commented that "I am a very patient woman". The patience is running dry. Enjoy your Bailey!

Use a couple of yards of cheap fabric (Walmart $2 clearance) and a backing of another cheap fabric. You'll need to cut the batting the same size as the backing, but top should be at least 3" smaller on all sides. This will give you something to practice on. I suggest you start without using the stitch regulator and practice free-motion. The stitch regulator is really great when you're doing stitch-in-the-ditch, pantos or intricate work. You don't have to be worried about mistakes on this practice piece. You will probably need to work on your tension. Always check the bottom of your quilt frequently. READ YOUR MANUAL!! This will tell you how to thread the machine, load the quilt, correct tension and other problems. When I finished my practice quilts, I would bind them and use them as lap quilts or in the back seat of the car when I haul food or take the dog to the vet, etc.

Don't get discouraged if it seems hard at first, it gets easier. Just relax and have fun...you will fall in love with it!

Thanks so much for the info. Should the stitch regulator always be off for free motion, or just while I am practicing?

congrats on your new setup... green with envy here

I got bored quickly practicing on muslin sandwiches so I made some simple quilt tops to use for practice. I can then donate these to charity. For some reason, I do much better on a real top than on a practice piece.

You can do free motion with or without the SR being on, but most people think it is easier with it off. I tend to use my SR most of the time, but I wish I had practiced more without it. Try it both ways.

I bought qn and king size sheets and light weight blankets at estate sales. Cut the sheets in half, and use the the blankets for batting. Much, much cheaper, and they even turned out not looking too bad.

That just proves how clueless I am. I got the stitch reg. because I thought it would make free motion easier! When do you find that it helps out the most?

Remember the Bailey machine does not have any feed dogs, so do a quilt sandwich with batting in it. It is recommended that you practice a bit with the machine off the carriage before using the carriage. I had a shortarm which required loose tension probably because the machine did 1500 stitches per minute. Bailey is really the opposite since it does 700 stitches per minute. Go with the top and bottom tensions as done already on the machine when you first got it. You can experiment later, especially when you try different threads at different weights. I love the SR...there are instructions on setting a minimum stitching speed. That didn't work for me and I chose to get out of that option. You can set the dial as to the length you want. Since it does 700 stitches, it is probably better not to stitch so fast. Do go over the posts in the Bailey forum....lots of good information there! The thread may whip off the spool too fast and get wrapped around the lever, etc. I put three 3M cord organizers in such a way the thread has to travel a zigzag path and it works great! The O-rings may break off the take up lever...they did for me....DH cut a piece of plastic tubing and slid it over the lever all the way to the back of the lever, still leaving the hole open for the thread to come through. I just finished my third quilt on it, and I am happy with my Bailey. Do feel free to PM if you have any questions or concerns.

I have a Gammill LA, and I leave my stitch regulator on all the time...I find it makes my job easier. Set yours up and do a few practice pieces both ways to find out what you like the best...and good luck!

Wow, you all are SO much help. I appreciate all of you who have offered suggestions. Today I worked on getting the space around the frame in order so that I could move around it. I think I will jump in there tomorrow and get my feet wet! I will keep you all posted although I may not get a lot of time to play until the holiday is over.

I am ordering one as we speak
I joined the Bailey Forum and they have a lot of great info

http://bhqbaileyhomequilter.proboards.com/index.cgi

I was also able to test drive one that belonged to a lady on the forum and I was sold!!

lowjane,
Let me know how it goes. I am just now getting to spend time with mine. Needless to say, I am far from a pro so far!

Look up Longarm University online. They have online classes and send you a DVD of the class as well. I used them alot at first.