I tried the metal conduit that he suggested. The problem isn't the length of the pipe (they all come in 10 ft pieces). The END of the pipe was either too big or too small for the black ends of his machine. So when I tried to put the black end on, which I need to make the machine work, it wouldn't fit

but the black ends are held onto the rods with screws.

you buy the conduit that fits inside the black end piece and then you buy some longer screws that hold it in place if the screws you are currently using aren't long enough.

its that easy.

I've never used the Flynn frame but I have the Fabric Mover thing for my Viking (in the box, under the bed). As Klue said, you try it at the store and watch the demo disc and it's all being done on a small quilt sandwich. The lady in the demo disc is smiling and you think it looks pretty simple. NOT!! Anything larger than 24x24 is next to impossible to quilt-the area is simply too small. I guess I should add that this is just my experience and someone else may be able to give some better insight or had better luck with the Fabric Mover thing. As for me, it's just something I stub my toe on every night when I get into bed. (And expensive at that; I don't know the cost of a Flynn frame so can't compare)

i got the flynn frame with all the rods & PVC for $65.

Thanks, so, do you quilt with the Flynn? I loved the idea of the table extension with the foam boards.. will deft. have to try that.

The fabric mover gizmo is now about $99 and the Flynn wasnt too much more at one of the online stores.. Im going to a quilt show in Madison Wi this week so hope to look at some of these gadgets..

may I ask where you ordered it from?

I purchased the Flynn a few months ago from All Brands.

http://www.allbrands.com/productsear...lynn&x=25&y=13

I have tried it twice so far. Actually tried it yesterday. Had a heck of a time with it. First, because you turn your sewing machine straight towards you, the power cord and the foot pedal no longer reach the ground. You have to sit on two pillows, and put the foot pedal on a box of some kind and it tends to fall off constantly.

Next, because I use my standard small neck sewing machine (Singer commercial grade or a New Home (Janome)), I only had about 4 inches that I could maneuver through and was always hitting one side or the other which really makes your circles flat on the sides.

I had no trouble moving the frame, it was very smooth. But trying to follow a pattern or even make circles was very hard. I imagine a lot of practice would help this if I don't throw it out the window before then.

Also, "sewing" your quilt top, batting and backing to the leader material on the PVC pipes is a pain, and you haven't even started quilting yet.

So, I will put in a few more hours trying to get this thing to work before I hollar UNCLE. I hate SITD and I don't have the money to send them to a LAQ.

Okay, I'll try looking again... we couldn't find anything that would fit inside the piece. It always was the same size as the inner loop so it wouldn't fit <b>over</b> the inner loop, or the bigger sizes were too big... hmmm, I'll try again.

Thanks :)

if its a smaller quilt, like 4 feet or under, i just quilt with the foam extension like in the youtube video.

when its over 4 feet i quilt with the flynn frame.


my sewing machine has a very small throat (about 5 inches) so the first thing i do on the flynn is either some stitch in the ditch or basting stitches (if i don't want any stitch in the ditch on the quilt).

this way i'm able to pull out the middle rod and i can work on more complex quilting designs without having to start and stop the design.

with the middle rod in place you have to work across the length of the quilt, then move it forward and quilt that row - this makes it very difficult on a 5 inch throat to do an 8 inch feathered wreath motif. so i work quickly to remove that middle rod.

once the middle rod is out you can quilt how ever you like because you can move the quilt forward and back as desired.