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Other questions:
-- Should I hem or over stitch the leader? Is over stitching enough to secure it? I don't have a serger but I can over stitch.

-- What size needles do people use for quilting?

I'm sure I'll have more questions as I go through this process.

I have the quilters cruise control and love it but once in a while you have to reset the tension, never used the grace cruise control that also came with my quilter..

You will want to use the size needle that is appropriate for your thread. I found that I got shredding if I didn't use a topstitch needle, which has a larger eyehole and longer scarf. But the size is dependent on your thread - for instance, King Tut is a heavier thread, Bottom Line is a finer thread, so you would adjust the size of your needle accordingly.

A few tips:

If you get skipped stitches, go up one size larger needle. 99% of the time this solves my problem.

Tension issues on the bottom of the quilt are related to the top thread.

Tension issues on the top of the quilt are related to the bobbin thread.

Never EVER be afraid of asking questions. Even if you think it sounds stupid, most of the people will respond that they've done the exact same thing and we have a club. :) Quilters are for the most part nice people and love to encourage newbies.

There are some great videos on how to work with the Grace frames on YouTube. If you search "Kathy Quilts," you can find some specifically for the Grace frames.

Awesome! Thank you!!

I have the quilter cruise control &with the Janome 1600. It leaves a lot to be desired. Had a wire that came loose & even tho hadn't used it that much had longer than warranty & they weren't very helpful. Finally got it fixed ourselves. Haven't used the Grace. They wren't making the Grace when we bought our setup. Have a Grace frame. Has been adequate for what we do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsquilter (Post 6768692)

This is a timely conversation for me. I've been looking at the Janome 1600p. I darn near bought it last weekend at the Quilt Canada show. The vendor is located in my city so I can easily go there to purchase. I was hesitant because that's just my "style". I rarely jump into purchases like this! Drives Hubs batty. Anyway, it sounds like it's a good machine & I can use it on my Grace frame.
If anyone can add anymore info, positive or negative, I'll be watching this thread. Thanks
Maureen

My previous set up was exactly what you mention- Janome 1600 P(QC) with the Grace frame (Little Gracie II). I purchased the Grace Company Sure Stitch Stitch Regulator afterwards - no regrets for either part of the purchase, but the small throat did become limiting. It was a great beginning set up and the 1600 is a workhorse - I took my off the frame to sew some canvas into a custom shape for an all season cover for a boat.
I did upgrade to a more computerized and larger throat machine so that's why I sold it.
The dealer you mention if it's the one on Ottawa Street has a great reputation. I go there for lots of stuff.
PS - Wasn't Quilt Canada awesome?

This has been a great thread to read. Thank you all.
GEMRM-yes, it is the one on Ottawa St. I bought my Janome 4120 QCD there & love this machine. I've always been a Kenmore gal. Anyway, I'm pretty sure I'll buy the 1600....I can't stop thinking about it!!!!
And yes, Quilt Canada was awesome. Such talent shown in the quilts on display. And I scored on some great fabric buys!
Maureen

I started playing with the 1600P QC last night. It's an awesome machine, I love it! Can't wait to get it up and running on the rack!

I have had the Quilter's Cruise Control for 9 years...packaged deal with my Grace Next Gen Quilt Frame and Pfaff Grand Quilter sewing machine. I have been instructed by my dealer, fought with it myself and for all of those years waited for it to finally kick the bucket so that I could throw it away once and for all. It did all of the negative things other quilters have complained about including, thread breakage, bobbin slippage (mess on the back) and limited design abilities. Finally it just wouldn't work with the controller. At last I could toss it in the trash. But wait, my husband asked for a chance to make it right. He took it apart and found a wire that was clearly not soldered to the board. He is a machinist by trade and works for a company that has an IT department. He took it in to his coworker and happily it was fixable. The coworker explained that the wire was probably the problem all along. While sewing the wire would jiggle due to the vibration of the machine and become minutely disconnected, breaking the power circuit and causing the breakage on the thread. I am blown away how well this thing works now. Wish I had gotten it looked at earlier. Silly me.