Tiara is sick already!
 

My 2-day-old babylock Tiara is sick already which is making me totally sick as well! Tried changing the presser foot to an open-toe one (not easy) and the screw inside is doing something funky and now I can't tighten or loosen foot. Losing sleep over this since you spend so much money and then bad stuff happens! Thank God I bought it from a dealer only 30 miles away! Can't stress enough----DEALER LOCATION AND SUPPORT should take priority over price if you're thinking about buying. Will email my dealer and load my sick baby up.

I'm guessing it will be a quick fix if you've got a competent dealer. The presser foot change out is not simple on those machines. I still have the closed toe on my SS as I haven't had the need (or the courage) to switch yet.

Cheers, K

That is great news on having the dealership nearby. We ALL dislike it when our baby gets ill !! So frustrating in not know what causes these problems until they are diagnosed. Good Luck. Hope it is an easy in and out fix.

Good luck. I think it's probably something minor.

I really feel bad for you. I hope you get the problem solved soon. You are so right when you buy the very high priced machines they need to come from a dealer close by.

I have a brand-new Tiara (bought from a wonderful dealer about 20 miles away) and was told that changing the foot on that machine is very tricky and should be done by the dealer--no charge, except for the price of the new foot. There is an adapter you can get that lets you change from the closed toe foot to the open toe foot on your own, but the dealer needs to install the adapter. I'm sure your baby will be up and quilting in no time. I just got mine and haven't had the courage to try it out yet--I'm a chicken. I do have it all set up and threaded--tonight I'll give it a go on a test quilt sandwich. Wish me luck.

Oh no! I hope it's just something minor. Don't force anything!

Why would they make a foot change so tricky a dealer has to do it? I don't know much about longarm machines but that seems crazy to me....are they all like that?

The Tiara and the HQ Sweet 16 (same machine) need a special tool to change the foot. Most consumers do not have that tool, that's why a dealer needs to do it. Also the foot needs to be set just right with the correct torque and the proper amount of bed clearance (both of which are set at the factory). I don't know about other long arm machines and how to change the feet, so I can't address that issue. I did buy the quick-change converter--about $70 on sale, but it includes the open toe foot and a replacement closed toe foot--and I will have my dealer install it if I decide I need it.

Same here! Mine has always worked like a charm! Haven't found a need for open foot!

I'd sure hate of thinking I'd have to go to a dealer to change my presser foot. Sometimes I change on the spur of the moment.

With a machine like the HQSS / Tiara - there is much less need for spontaneous presser foot changes. There were only 2 feet available when I bought mine, they have since come out with the couching foot - and apparently an adapter which makes it possible to make the change more easily.

The closed toe foot is better for ruler work as you have a continuous round to butt up against the ruler. The open toe gives more visibility - similar to what you get on your domestic machine.

On a domestic sewing machine it would definitely be a huge issue to have to run to the dealer for every presser foot change as I may use two or three in a given evening.

Cheers, K

oh no, hope you get your tiara up and running, i was thinking about the open toe foot

When I bought my new Pfaff a couple of years ago, I couldn't get it to FMQ properly - bobbin kept breaking (with dealer too). It was away for TWO months and when I got it back, it was still faulty (I wouldn't take it out of the dealer until they tested it themselves) and they replaced it with a new machine.

It really took the shine off my excitement and it took me months to fall in love with it, unlike my old Janome which was love at first stitch. Hope you get it resolved quickly!

TinLizzie18 (after 2006) have a foot that is easily changed. One screw on the side of the shank..loosens and you remove/replace the foot. Adjusting the hopping foot on these post 2006 machines is fairly simple also.

i'm so sorry that you're having troubles with your new machine but i'm sure that in a short time all the newbie things will be ironed out and that you'll just love it.
i cheated and had my dh install my converter foot on my sweet 16 and he didn't need anything that he considered special tools. the converter works like a charm and i can change feet very quickly. definitely worth the extra money to make that hassle free.

I bought the quick change set up for my S16 about 6 months ago, and I didn't find it at all hard to install myself. The instructions are good, and all needed tools are supplied. The tools weren't anything I didn't already have in one place or another, but it is a complete set.

pam