We got the machine the 21st and the frame the 26th but are just now getting to play around with it.
Putting the Grace together isn't hard, it's just time consuming - well, lets put it this way, it's not even time consuming, it's just that we kind of took our time.... and then we had to take time out for that little thing known as Gustav. We had company in the way of two cats and they were out in the Bailey room out in the shop (the only room set up nice).... plus I did NOT want the machine out there during a hurricane!
Mostly any problems so far have been piddly little stuff.... the clamps did NOT come with the frame - you have to send in your warranty and the clamps will be sent then - I have to do that in the next day or so.....
So I jerry-rigged some clamps so we could at least try it out - battery charger clamp things - 97 cents for two at wallyworld - and some small bungee cords 8)
We're just playing around with this flannel and getting the feel of the machine etc etc - and these will be lap throws for the nursing home when done....

How VERY exciting!!! Have fun.

LOVE the picture of your husband!!! Is this the first time he has actively participated in your quilt making??!! (besides paying for the fabric addiction and the set up he is "driving"?) I have a feeling that my DH will take my janome and grace frame for a "test drive" when I get mine set up!!
:lol:
Have TONS of fun!!

oh Janeen I'm soo excited! I think I'm going to get to take that plunge next month so I'm watching your every move! I can't believe you have to go thru another step to get the clamps but glad you got around it.
So now at the beginning without any rolled up yet, how far can you go front to back, like if you wanted to do a 12" block all at one time, could you?

Well, the limit appears to be somewhere between 11.5 to 12.5... and that's a limit that looks to ME like it's a combination of the FRAME and the machine... you wouldn't (I think) have that far with the 13" Bailey - if somebody has a 13" and knows for sure, they can jump in here and let us know...

the top two bars at full extention (shown in machine1 picture) are 15" apart -
I have 4 yards of flannel rolled on both front rollers (12 feet) so not a teeny amount :lol:

How exciting, And to see hubby get into it too. WAY COOL. My hubby would never do that.. Butt head lol

Fun Fun Fun, a long arm may be in my future someday. I mention to my DH that your DH is trying it out. Hope you have a great time with it!!!

Looks like a great setup!

Oh good for you guys and can't wait to see all those quilts quilted with it.

thanks Janeen, I can see your pix better than I can on the Bailey site!
Hubbt may want you to get busy piecing so he'll have something to quilt!
Make him take turns.

Speaking of jerry-rigging..... there's no instructions in the Grace book or the Bailey info ANYWHERE about using pantograms....
so...... there is a row of holes on the table about halfway across but no mention of what they are for - so being the enterprising folks we are... :lol:
we got 3 wallyworld yardsticks (50 cents each) - cut 9 inches off one of them, marked where the holes on the table are onto the yardsticks, drilled holes in the yardsticks, put clear vinyl down, put the yardsticks on, stuck bolts through the holes and fastened it down - now the yardsticks are holding the vinyl and we have a place for pantograms....
I'm sure there's a $$kit$$ available that does essentially the same thing :D

as for the batting - right now I'm using a roll of 48" batting that's easy to maneuver - and it's just sitting on the floor... I'm still deciding about whether I want to put anything across the front to hold batting...

make sure you leave room to walk around at least one end of the frame - you'll be moving back to front to back a lot...

oh yeah, I got some 'industrial' strength velcro and put on the foot pedal and fastened it at the back of the machine and you can run it by thumb (the Bailey handles are set up and can be moved front or back but for a quick something it's nice to have the 'pedal' where it can be reached - plus it has to "be somewhere". The frame has some elaborate stuff for using the footpedal on top of the frame .... we bypassed that, and there's a thing for the cone thread - we don't need that because the Bailey has a thread place for cones.

The light you see is just a clamp on light from wallyworld and we used a spiral 40 watt bulb so it doesn't get hot - lesson learned right here on this board about being careful around light bulbs! :!:

There are screw holes in the Bailey frame platform but no mention if that's to fasten it someplace or what. There's also a place for the "laser light" (from the dollar tree it looks like - but it works) - that was too short for the frame so we moved it back by buying a different bolt and wingnut...

I'm following this thread every day to see what progress you have made. Since there are so few instructions with the system, how did you learn to load the frame with the top and backing....was it hard to figure out?
You mentioned a foot pedal....you mean like on a regular machine? I thought the handles had switches to push to run the machine. How much vibration if any have you noticed with the frame?
You could do a you tube video for us...might not have to answer so many questions that way. :wink:

1. one set of handles comes with the Bailey - it just pulls off a piece of pvc pipe and can stick on the needle end or motor end... this handle has an on/off button, a button that works like a foot pedal (the harder you press the faster it goes), and a speed dial - which works in conjuntion with the on/off button.
And yes, there is a regular foot pedal - it is a regular machine that has been 'stretched' - Mr. Bailey has a machine shop that makes the parts he needs and then he 'builds the 13 or 15 inch machines from a basic machine.

2. I researched! :!: :shock:
I've seen longarm machine setups, I've seen the new joy frame setup with a 9" machine, and I watched videos at you tube...Penny somebody - her name escapes me right now - just type longarm quilting in the search place. Do not attempt to watch those videos on dial-up connection. I've gone to longarm sites and watched their videos. I printed out all kinds of information from here, there and everywhere.

3. You DO have to have a basic knowledge of sewing machines - I've managed to break the thread and get a 'nest' a few times already and had to take the bobbin race apart to get it undone :evil: ... not hard - just irritating LOL

4. I'M VERY happy with the stitch quality - no "ladders"....

This is just one of those things that you have to pay attention to what you are doing - at least I do right now at the beginning of the learning curve - I'm sure (hoping) it will get easier and quicker with time.

Nothing has been difficult or hard or impossible or irritating etc...

The best place for answers about the Grace frames and what you need for them is http://www.kathyquilts.com
I didn't buy the frame from them, but that doesn't seem to matter to them. I would have if I'd known about them -- better customer service than my local guy.

If you send an e-mail to [email protected] he will tell you anything you need to know or find out the answer for you. Any time I've had a question about accessories, instructions, add-ons, or simply information about something I want to do, he will e-mail or phone right back. I'm surprised at what you did NOT get with your frame -- mine came with stuff I'll never use, but Lynn also sent me some easy-to-follow instructions for loading the layers. I recommend you try him.

Thanks for the info Kacie

I am going to start working on setting up the grace frame I have still in the boxes and am glad to know there is a reliable place to go to if I have questions! Thanks again!

Have lots of fun and enjoy your new toy Janeen....you lucky woman!
You too Mamatobugboo.

It looks great! Have fun with your new toy!

thanks for that link kacie, that looks like a very good site.

Isn't that just the coolest thing?!!! DH seems to be enjoying himself. I'm excited for you. This is an addiction toooooooooo, ya know. LOL

Janeen, I think Bailey's need to put you on their payroll!!! You are one heck of a salesperson for them, I think you have me convinced that this is what I need!!! :lol:
Does the machine have a stitch regulator? Your stitches look awesome!!

I don't even know what a 'stitch regulator" is.... all I know is, you go faster as you move the machine faster - go slower if you move the machine slower! :P :P

I've been sewing for a gazillion years, and I've done some stippling/meandering with my regular machines... using the foot pedal - same difference 8)

That seems pretty odd that the clamps don't come with it. How do they expect you to test it?

I'm very happy (and jealous) for you! I can't blame you for protecting you new baby from the storm either!

Looking forward to seeing your quilts you quilt on it.

well, janeen, i sure hope your dh knows your zipcode, 'cause he'll never pry you out of that room now. if you could only teach him to cook and serve, like, quiltside.....then you'd really have it made in the shade!
have lots of good fun and show us all what you do. i especially love your enthusiasm. i can't wait to see the results

Janeen--How fun for you!!!! I, too, am very jealous!! I would LOVE to have a long arm machine!! I showed your pictures to my husband and he said "we are going to have to get you one of those"!! Thank you, Janeen!! It will be a while until I get one (just spent both arms and a leg on a new transmission for my car--I have to be able to get to the quilt shop, you know :-) ) Anyway--have a great time with your new toy. I cannot wait to see all your fabulous creations!!

Janeen, I also have the set up you do..the Bailey 13 and a GraceDlite frame. I LOVE IT!! My frame looks a little different from your pictures. I have a third pipe to hold the batting. If you happen to put a third pipe on it to hold the batting, take some sticky velcro and position it about 8-12 inches apart. It will hold the batting in place when you roll it on to the pipe if you are not using the big rolls of batting..

I got my machine in June. We have had a couple of problems (minor) with the machine, but I am beginning to think it is the thread and difference in fabrics (backing and top). Also, my machine locked up last week. Mr. Bailey is really nice about talking you through any problems you might have. It doesn't say anything in the booklets about oiling a couple of places. Mine locked up behind the bobbin. You have to take the bobbin and shuttle out and put a drop or two of oil behind the shuttle mechanism. There is a rod that goes into the bottom of the machine that moves the shuttle....just a couple of drops behind it works wonders. I had done about 20 quilts when this happened. So if it seems to have a little knock in the sound of the machine...think about putting some oil in there...

How is the little black tubing working on the take up lever? Good luck and happy quilting...Karen

janeen

a true stitch regulator keep the stitches the same size no matter how fast or slow you're moving. usually if you move fast the stitch gets bigger. if you move slowly the stitch gets smaller. most machines don't have them unless you spend a fortune. but you can learn to set your own pace and get along fine without them. the updated tin lizzie 18 which i have doen't have it. i've only seen them at shows on the over $10,000 machines. nice feature, but not necessary.

Enjoy! You will have so much fun with your new toy. (DH too)