Long Arm Dilemma
 

After I load my backing, batting, and quilt top onto my HandiQuilter Avante, (and I really strive to get everything even along the top edge)......I keep the backing taut (not tight) by using the side clips; but after I get about 1/2 way through the quilting, I start noticing that one side of the backing is sagging. I've pulled it back up taut and pinned it in place to the backing bar roll and proceed. So far the end result has been acceptable with no puckers, but after two such episodes, I know it's something in my procedure....at least hopefully something that can easily be corrected . Any suggestions out there? Thanks for your input.

I'm assuming that the backing was square, since the sag didn't appear when you first loaded it. The first thing I would do is make sure your bars are evenly spaced and level. Also be sure that the centers you marked for the top and bottom of the backing line up. The problem might also be caused by seams in the backing that have more fabric on one side than on the other, or seams with the selvage left on.

In additional to all the suggestions above, if you baste along the sides as you work, it helps to keep everything even. At least that's what works for me.

Have you made sure your leaders are on evenly and securely? Also when I roll my quilt back on I make sure the leader is rolling on evenly BEFORE it starts rolling the backing, then check it with every complete turn for evenness.

You don't mention if your backing is a whole wide piece or if it is pieced? If pieced, it helps to have your seam horizontal so it lays flat a
Long the bar , when the seam is vertical it builds up bulk, with every turn in the center, causing floppy sides

I agree with this Looking forward to find out if the back was pieced

Sometimes quilts just roll up onto the pickup bar unevenly. Sometimes it's the quilt top which is pieced imperfectly. Get in the habit of checking that with each advancement. I stand at one end of the frame and eyeball down the quilt, looking to see if the seams are straight all across. If not, you can "roll" the quilt up tighter where needed along the takeup roller with your hands. You can actually do the opposite, too, by "loosening" the quilt in spots with your hands, working the rolled up quilt on the pickup roller. Hope my description makes sense.

My backing is one solid piece of fabric......no seams. I am careful in loading by walking the length after every couple of turns to make sure there are not wrinkles or bunching on the roll. If I do happen to seam the backing, I also make sure the seam lays on the roll evenly. I am thinking my problem is in the bars. Although the last quilt effort appeared to have extensive sagging, the final result was only off by about 1/2" because I started "working" it back into shape. So.......if the problem is in the bars, how do I correct it? I didn't put the table/bars/leaders together. Also, I have a friend who frequently 'helps' me load her quilts when I do her quilting and I have to remind her often to not lean against the backing bar; could this also be a factor? Thanks for all your input.

First, I would measure the distance between the backing bar and the take up roller all across the frame and make sure that it's the same. If the rollers are joined, make sure that the joint is tight.
The thing that I've noticed is that if I leave part of the quilt under the machine as I roll, that spot seems to get stretched bit. I have started to roll the machine off to the side before I advance the quilt. When the quilt is too large to do this, I carefully measure every time I advance and try and remember to move the machine each time, right, left center, etc.

So far I agree with everyone else - non straight leaders, lots of piecing on the top etc etc.

I have run into this problem a few times in the past - I could never figure it out. I can usually straighten it out by rerolling the take up roller - but when that does not work - I have unrolled the takeup and laid small pieces of scrap batting on the saggy side and rolled them up in the takeup. Interestingly enough - when the quilts were unrolled they were square and not wavy on the sides. This leads me to believe that it was truly in the wrap on the takeup side.

Good luck!!

I suspect we are having similar problems. The side that ends up sagging a bit is farthest from where you turn for advancing the quilt. Goes great for the first time, just a bit of slack the second time and progressively gets worse. When advancing the quilt, I roll it from the opposite end of the crank. The reason this is happening is because where ever you crank from will get the most torque and roll up much better. Sometimes I do go back and forth to crank especially if it is a large quilt, queen or king size. I will crank a couple times on one end, go to the other and do the same. This is not a problem with just the HQ, any system can have this problem. It is strictly a matter of physics.

Hmmmmm......Eparys, your suggestion about adding the smaller pieces of batting is interesting. I would have never thought of that. And Paper Princess, I am on a mission now to measure the distance between bars. I'm a little confused in your description of "moving the machne". Are you saying that the machine may be adding weight and thereby changing the distance between the bars? Since the machine doesn't actually sit on the bar, how does that help. I appreciate the input thus far and will report back with results. Thanks again to all !!!

I don't think the machine adds weight to the bar. It seems that if the machine head is over the quilt, the bed of the machine causes a slight drag on the back of the quilt so that end rolls tighter which results in an uneven roll. I get much better results if I move the machine way to the side off the quilt. I do mostly throws, so I have usually have enough room to do this. With wider quilts, I just roll and measure & adjust as needed.

I find that I have trouble like this if the batting does not extend all the way to the edges of the backing. This seems to make the backing roll a bit crooked onto the takeup roller. If I have this situation, I just make sure I check on each roll, and give the "loose" side a bit of a tug to ensure it has advanced the same distance as the rest of the (thicker) quilt body.