I'm looking for a good tip to be able to see underneath you quilt while it is on your longarm frame. As a 69 yr old, my knees are not the best in the world, and crawling under the quilt to check the stitching is hard on an old lady. :) I did get a hand mirror to put under the quilt while standing up to check with a flashlight, but still sometimes I can't get a good look at the tension, stitches, etc. Just wondering how some of you do this???? Thanks, as always for your help.

Yes, this is a problem - I do the old-fashioned crawl underneath with a flashlight -not the best method but the only one that works for now. Ihope someone here has a better way.

My friend has a shelf under her's and a long mirror on the shelf with some lighting.

Sorry, can't offer any advice as I crawl under to look. In addition, I always start a new quilt with a scrap of fabric on the side and test my tension there. Because it is on the edge I can easily flip that bit over to look closely at the underside. After that I just take the occasional look underneath and I always carefully inspect the back with each advance of the take up roller.

I used to be on MY hands and knees, then I got a flashlight and a mirror. My newest Gammill has a built in camera underneath the backing so I can watch it. Thank goodness!

Wow, a built in camera? That is super fancy!

The camera was one of the reasons I bought that model. This is my 4th long arm. It's the Gammill Vision. Another reason was the diagnostics on board to tell me where something may be going wrong. When you get to be our age, the bells and whistles help. Wish I could have afforded the computer guided at the time, but alas, I still do the same hand guiding I've done for so long.

In addition, I always start a new quilt with a scrap of fabric on the side and test my tension there. Because it is on the edge I can easily flip that bit over to look closely at the underside. After that I just take the occasional look underneath and I always carefully inspect the back with each advance of the take up roller.[/quote]

Yes, I do the extra fabric on the side, also, to check it out when I start, but sometimes, that just doesn't seem to be enough space...if I'm having real tension problems.

I start with the scrap piece to the side of my quilts also to adjust the tension if it needs it. I then look underneath with a flashlight, but mainly just feel under as it's quilting as I can tell by feel if there are issues.

Someone on here bought a lighted makeup mirror to see the under side of her quilts :D:D:D

Ditto, for having a camera on my gammill, but once in a while I use a mirror on the ends.

i have 12x12 mirror tiles from home depot on the shelf on the front side of my frame and i just look in the mirror.

A full length mirror on the table underneath works very well

A good buddy of mine longarms. She placed 2 long mirrors end to end under the machine. Tells me it works just fine for her.

Gues it would be a problem if you could tell what was happening on the bottom side!

Julie

The lighted makeup mirror sounds like a good idea and especially if it was a magnified mirror. Maybe I wouldn't have so much trouble getting my bifocals just right under there!! :)

This is exactly what I do....LOL. When a kid takes off with my flashlight....Well the hollering begins..LOL

When I was at the SLC Quilt show, there was a gentleman selling (for nearly $500!) a camera mount and screen system to be able to see the stitches on the bottom. Let me know if you want me to post the information from that company.

My husband and I are looking at various cameras/monitors on the market to make one of our own, since we could most likely do it for around $100, or much less, ourselves.

I look it over good as I'm rolling it. I also use extra or add on a piece on the side if the back is not large enough so that I have room to test stitches with every bobbin change. I stitch then loosen the quilt enough to that I can turn the edge to see the back stitches. Usually if something is wrong I can feel or hear something different happening. Same with a panto, I'm looking at the panto not the quilt so I've gotten used to a change in the feel or sound to tell me something is not right.

I use a mirror and a flashlight. I am also bending impaired and came up with this idea to save my knees. Feeling is a good way to tell if your stitches are not right on the back. If you run your fingernail along a line of quilting and can hear it popping your stitches are loose on the back
peace :D

Rolling to the point where you can check your stitching works the best. My DH set me up with lights and a mirror, but it didn't work that well.

would a mirror on a pole like mechanics work? I'm not a LAer, but I would think that would work.

I have a little low to the floor mechanics stool on wheels. I can creep along without breaking my back and knees. I use a large hand mirror to check out the stitches. For lighting underneath I use a work light, the yellow and black kind that guys use in the garage. I turn that on and wow...you can see everything.

I lay a mirror on the frame and slide it along to see the underside. Works for me!

I have a shelf on mine, originally for placing pantograms. i bought a full lentgh cheap mirror at the Reuse store. It works perfectly.
MK

I love this idea! I still get on the floor and crawl underneath with a light. This would be so cool! :D

these are all great ideas to try....thanks....keep them coming

I use 2 floor length mirrors laying end to end on my table. Works great.

I"ve got a rearview mirror out of an auto and it works great, just hold it so it shows underneath.

I'm green with envy. I"m still trying to talk my DH into letting me get a long arm. He is worried we will not have enough $$ for retirement should one of us have a big medical problem.

use a mirror on the floor... the kind you hang on the back of the door.

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