Hi,
Really sorry to hear someone else is having problems. Originally I couldn't get either the ruler mode or cruise mode to work and discovered the back encoder wasn't even touching the rail. After I adjusted the tracks and made sure the encoder was riding on the track it magically started working. The speed control should adjust the speed/stitch length while you are stitching in speed mode?? I would try backing that off and see if it slows down for you. Went to the show today in Sarasota and learned so much I am sooo glad I went. Good luck Judy

Judy,
so awsome you made it to the show. needless to say i didn't. BUT...the dealer is sending someone out to the house on Monday to check things out.

and on my own i set up an appt. with a teacher that will come to the house on Tuesday....Hope this is the beginging of happier days :-)

Now that your encoders are touching how is your stitching? wondering if the back of yours looks better than mine.

take care

Hi Suzy,
Sorry I didn't respond sooner, I had to take a quick out of town trip. Ever since I adjusted the top tension and changed threads my stitching on both top and bottom have been fine. I am practicing the differences between the modes and speed/length ratio.
Here are a couple of things I learned yesterday at the show talking to Steve. He said his preference for bobbin thread is Bottom Line and didn't recommend using anything smaller than a 40wt in the top. I was using 50/2 cotton quitling thread and was having problems with it breaking, (even though it was a very expensive brand). The top tension controls the bottom stitching and after I saw all those eyelashes I was having and adjusted the top it has sewn out fine. He also recommended using the Majic Genie washers in the bobbin too. (Posted on the quilting groups are all kinds of threads and bobbin threads that seem to work fine for others but for me, just starting off, I am going to take his advice until I get more comfortable and then want to experiment more). Also, I found out how absolutely wrong I was loading the quilt and that that also affected my stitching, so I have to reload and will try it again. I really hope between both of your visits that you will be able to get your problems solved and start enjoying her. Good luck Judy

LOL,
Is your dealer willing to make a road trip to your house and verify the frame is a good fit? Like Suzy said, maybe an upgrade would be available. I think I would be calling my dealer to come take a look see for sure. Sorry to hear you are having problems, good luck Judy

Judy,
thanks for the new tidbits about the thread, i took notes on that.

Well Girls...my salesgirl came out this evening after work. She changed the tension to #3 and it is sewing so much better!!! She's a sweetheart for driving the distance to help me out.

my stitching is still not the perfect uniform stitching that they promise for using the encoders. But hopefully with much practice it will get to where I'm happy with it.

Keep me posted as to how things are working out for the both of you.

Hi Suzy,
Been wondering how things went for you today and it sounds like she helped out alot. I think the stitches should look really good, did the sales lady like the way they looked? At least this may get you headed on the right path, yea!! Please keep me posted, I hope it gets better for you. Judy

Hi all! I'm practicing on our new Artistic on a Majestic frame. Everything has been going fine - on my 2nd practice round, working on fixing the tension and trying not to over ride the stitch regulator and get giant stitches, when the machine started humming loudly. I was moving the quilt up for a new section, so I turned it off. When I turned it back, it started slowly stitching, even though it wasn't set to stitch. Has anyone else experienced this? It kind of felt like when something is accidentally pushing on the foot pedal for a standard machine.

Hi Christine, welcome! I have not had that problem but I haven't turned mine on in a while, just practicing dry runs.
Is the touch pad pushed in? Judy

Hi Christine,

yes i've had this problem along with what i call stripping a grear shift or clutch. It sounds much louder than normal stitching when it is doing it ..and it seems to skip a stitch at the same time. ( i can actually feel a difference in the hand control when it's doing this) Odd thing is it only does this when using the encoder mode.

i have a repairman on the way this week. have yet to have the bottom of my quilt stitch right no matter what i change. the top still looks pretty good.

Can't wait to get it fixed and get on with quilting!

Good Luck

Thanks! I've tried turning it off and on, taking the bobbin thread out and dusting out the lint, checked the oil, and still haven't figured it out. I decided to quit for the day and try again another day. I don't think I tried putting it in speed mode. If I can't figure it out, I'll have to call the LQS. So far, they have been wonderful with the other machines I and my Sis-in-law have bought there. Good luck with yours too!