Hi.. I am new to the forum and read some of the post under the topic which long arm quilter is the best so I know several of you own Tin Lizzie and was hoping to get some help.. I own a Ansley 26 with Shirley Stitcher. For me it has been a nightmare. When the machine sews it misses stitches and lots of them. I have tried what it says in the manual new needle and proper threading but it still skips. Any idea?

con tact tin lizzie and ask for help

I have contacted them but I can never get a live person.. and never get a return phone call. I was just hoping someone else might have run into the same problem and have some words of wisdom for me.. :)

I can't help you but wanted to say hello and welcome.

Where did you get the machine? Was it a dealer or a private sale?

Did you re-check your needle to make sure it is in the correct direction? What about trying another new needle? or a different size needle? Did you try completely re-threading the machine?

it sounds to me like you have a timing issue. please go to www.tinlizzie18.com and go to the tin lizzie blog down on the bottom of the page and it will lead you to the next page and click on dicusion topics and then click on lizie help and follow directions and you will get personal help. They came up with this method of communications to help serve us owners better.

I don't know what kind of foot you are using on your tin Lizzie but i have a huskvarna machine and my in law gave me a universal walking foot to use at first my machine sewed wonderful with it but it started to do all things you mentioned and i try every thing then one day i changed the walking for a different one and now my machine works wonderful again ,it didn't like that foot. maybe try a different foot hope this helps

Try running a line of stitches with the stitch regulator turned off. Then do the same with the stitch regulator turned on.

If both lines of stitching are skipping stitches, the problem is either timing, needle, the quilt is positioned too high off the bed of the machine or the quilt is too taut between the rollers.

If only the stitch regulated line is skipping stitches, clean your rails and make certain the encoder wheels are clean and adjusted to rest on the tracks properly.

Thank you all for the warm welcome! And all of the great advise. I tried the presser foot and that seemed to work.. I can go back to quilting! :P

If you ever have any more problems please use this link to help you.http://www.tinlizzie18.com/blog/

Sabrina will get the comment (she has to approve any comment) and handle your question.

You can also go to the website

http://www.tinlizzie18.com

Scroll to the bottom and click on the sitemap link..there is a way to send a comment there...or you can call the 800 number.

There is no way to send a comment to their blog from outside their website.

Well, if you have Facebook..they are on facebook

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/TinLizzie18

Everything posted to the blog goes to facebook (maybe viceaversa also).

Below is a facebook group Mike started:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=lf#!/group.php?gid=2406062683

Note that it's not the official facebook for TinLizzie18..the first is.

I am having an issue with my Shirley Stitcher too...Trying to figure it out and came up with an error...States..."The system has reached an error and cannot continue.Restarting..." But it won't sew at all with the Shirley Stitcher. Any ideas? Have sent e-mails to Tin Lizzie but no response yet.
The manual doesn't cover alot. I am lost...
I have an Ansley also. Have you contacted anyone or gotten a reply?

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I know I am a little late to respond, your encoders are not working properly. If you look at the coaster that the machine sits on on the frame you will see one encoder on the side and one on the back these are simply put rollers that come in contact with the bars on the frame. Make sure they are making contact with the bars

I'm also late to the party. I had skipped top stitches for a bit. It cleared up after I lowered the foot a smidge. I guess there's a sweet spot for that foot lol