Is there an easy way??????
 

I just got my new longarm and am having trouble using a panthograph. My problem is changing the laser position when I complete a row and want to begin on the next row. Is there a secret to it? The girl who delivered my machine showed me once. But, I was so bombarded with all the info she threw at me that I didn't clearly understand. Can anybody give me some pointers?

I'm waiting to read this thread. I don't have a lazer on mine but am thinking about adding.

What kind of problem are you having? I usually roll the quilt forward, then drop the needle into a recognizable point (a corner, or a cross, or something). Align the laser so that it is shining on that spot on the partial pattern at the bottom of the pantograph. Mine is easy to adjust - just tap/twist it in the direction it needs to go. Make sure the needle is sitting loosely in the fabric - ie you don't have the quilt pulled to one side with the machine. When you raise the needle, the laser should still point at the intersection you were using, and the machine should still be sitting exactly over it. Now, you can move the machine to start the next row.

If I understand your question correctly I hope this helps. When I finish a row and move the machine to and roll up for the next row I don't move the laser right away. First I test where the last row is by moving the the machine and over the quilting on the quilt and see where my laser is pointing on the pantograph. Then I line the laser with the same point on the pantograph that I'm over with the quilt. I then test the new row with the laser, the highest points and lowest points and find my starting and stopping points. If I adjust the laser at all in the process I redouble check all the previous points. I use a friends machine or I would take pictures, it took me a couple quilts to understand how to line the rows up so the quilting was even throughout. Happy quilting!!

When I roll my quilts up, I lock the rail down, then do a "test run" with the laser, and the machine not running with teh presser foot up. I can watch the needle area and make sure the new row nests into the previous one without overlapping or leaving too much space. If I need to, I stop the machine at one of the upper "nesting" points and roll the quilt up or down to get the spacing right. The only problem I have is when I get to the end of the quilt and have to try to adjust the spacing to end the quilting on a full row.

Darren

I remember having problems when I started. Make sure your panto has a partial design on it for the next row. If it doesn't you can trace off the very top of the panto (about 2 inches) and then transfer that to the bottom of the pattern. Your table acts as a tracing table if you put a lamp under it. Once you have this done, advance your quilt to the area to start your second row. Baste the sides down first. Then find a spot on the bottom of the row where you just quilted and realign your laser to match that spot. I then just make sure that my laser is following the panto with my stitching. Once this is done move your laser to a spot on your panto where you partially traced the design for the second row. (This will move your machine to an area on the quilt which has not been quilted yet) I pick out a point or something that is easy to spot, lock your machine so it doesn't move and then move your laser to the same point on
on the pattern. Unlock your machine and just follow the pattern with the light checking to make sure you don't cross over the previous row you stitched and everything lines up. I found this to be one of those things that just gets easier the more you do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiLZA...eature=related Hope this goes through. 1-4 parts

I don't own a longarm, nor will I ever be able to, but I do have a question. With something as important as a longarm in the art/craft of quilting, and as expensive as that machine is, how can they come into your home or shop, set it up, bombard you with instructions and leave!!!??? Don't they provide an instruction book for the longarm and instruction books for any added on feature that you buy? My word it sounds like they kind of leave you high and dry! Boy, I'd be all over them like a blanket to provide me with decent instructions. Fabric and batting are too expensive to be fooling around trying figure out your longarm. You need that to practice your quilting designs. Just saying.

Thanks for all of the good info and the video. It has helped. I am more of a visual learner so it may take me longer than most. For one, my machine has a30 inch throat and I don't have to move it as often as most. Another problem is that when I go to move my laser, it is getting lost because of the way my handles are sitting. I may have to adjust them. Seems like I just can't get everything to work for me all at the same time. heheeh!

She gave me the instruction manual for the machine. I've had to reach for it a couple of times to figure something out. But, I'm not good with written directions. I'm more of a visual learner. Show me something and I can do it. Tell me about it and I'm lost. Give me written instructions and I after it has driven me crazy, I usually can figure it out. But, I am lazy. If someone can show me, why should I get all crazy with the written stuff? (Well, that is my line of thinking, anyway)

I don't move the laser to line up the next row of quilting. I move the machine. Once I have quilted the first pass across the quilt, (or two passes if the pattern has two passes on it) I cut the thread and move the machine so that the needle is placed at the highest point of the stitching that I just completed (standing at the back or pantograph side of the machine). I insert the needle at that highest place. Then I slowly roll the sandwich up onto the takeup roller (with the needle still inserted in the sandwich ) until the laser light reaches the same position on the pattern that the needle is set at. This position would be on the first pass of the pattern. I then remove the needle from the sandwich, walk the machine along the bottom most position of the pattern watching the needle but not sewing, to make sure that when I start stitching the stitching will not overlap my last stitched roll. Insert the needle at the beginning of my next roll and start stitching.

Okay. I think I understand your method. I've got another question. I'll start a new thread on it so it can be seen and followed. thank you for your input. All of the comments so far has helped me in one way or another.

I understand! I'm a visual person also, as I think most people are. Would be nice if they included drawings along with their instructions.

Irish5's instruction is the way I do it. It is really the most effective way to get your rows to look like a continuous design as opposed to what I call "railroad track" look. A lot of pantos already have partial designs on top and bottom of panto so that one can decide what point to use as a reference for the next row..........even if you are a visual learner you can follow the directions......read the directions while at the machine and as you read each step do it....and suddenly you have created a visual lesson.........

What machine do you have? Is there a way to move the laser to a different spot? I have a TL18LS, and I moved my laser to the side of the wooden carriage (it was mounted above the machine). I used a curtain bracket attached to the upper carriage, toward the back, and to the laser light (I have a Grace made laser & it attaches with a bolt and knob).

I have the Nolting 30. I can take the laser off. But, I'm not sure if there is another plac that I can mount it or not. I'm certainly going to look.

Here is another youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wUdDrb39SA. Go to the 9 minute mark and she explains about advancing the quilt to the next row. Her method is very similar to what I learned.

I don't move my laser light. I put my needle down on the line I have marking the very top of the panto. I then roll my quilt until my needle is then on the line marking the bottom of the design. Then needle up, go to the edge,lock a few small stitches and off you go.

that is how I do it too.I do not roll until I have the needle down and then line up the laser for the next row.

When I would try this, my laser light would disappear. I finally figured out that my spool holder was right in the line of fire. I moved it(after I found the wrenches that fit it) and it seems to have helped. So, I'm going to try again. I had company all day yesterday and didn't get to play with my new friend. Today is another day.. Friday I get the pleasure of meeting a couple of QB members who have graciously offered to come help me. Yea!!!!! What a great group we have here!