How to start quilting you quilt?
01-04-2026, 04:20 PM
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
Posts: 8,291
[QUOTE=GingerK;8712655]I have a couple of questions. Do you have any way of stabilizing the sides? I learned on an APQS Lenni (wonderful generous friend and teacher) and now have a Handi Quilter Amara. Both machines have two clips attached to the sides with heavy elastic rope.
I was taught to mark where the edges of my top are on the front bar--just a piece of tape but it helps to keep things straight. The clips and adjustable elastic also help to keep the sides where they are supposed to be.
I noticed a problem on a small donation baby quilt--the sides were pulling in no matter how much I adjusted. I realized two things were going on, I was using a very tight panto and I had pulled my backing too tight, so it all kind of squoze in, instead of lying flat. Could that be part of your problem?
And one other question/suggestion. When is the last time you checked if your machine table is level? A friend with ProStitcher was having many problems and they all went away after her table was re-leveled. I can always tell if mine needs a tweak because my machine will 'wander' on her own.[/QUOT
The long arm table also has to be square. I found that out the hard way.
I was taught to mark where the edges of my top are on the front bar--just a piece of tape but it helps to keep things straight. The clips and adjustable elastic also help to keep the sides where they are supposed to be.
I noticed a problem on a small donation baby quilt--the sides were pulling in no matter how much I adjusted. I realized two things were going on, I was using a very tight panto and I had pulled my backing too tight, so it all kind of squoze in, instead of lying flat. Could that be part of your problem?
And one other question/suggestion. When is the last time you checked if your machine table is level? A friend with ProStitcher was having many problems and they all went away after her table was re-leveled. I can always tell if mine needs a tweak because my machine will 'wander' on her own.[/QUOT
The long arm table also has to be square. I found that out the hard way.
01-05-2026, 10:01 PM
#12
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Carroll, Iowa
Posts: 3,980
Cathyvv, today I checked the level of my machine and table and both were level which amazed me somewhat. Possibly pulling the backing and/or the sides could be some of my problems. Today I decided to baste the entire quilt along the sides, every 21 or inches across as viewed on a video on Youtube. As I advanced the quilt though, I noticed fullness along the stitch line going across but hopefully when I remove those basting stitches, the fullness will disappear.
I have a 120" measuring tape going across the back bar with markers so I can keep tabs where my sides should stay as it gets quilted but even with just basting, it's pulled inward so don't understand that but hopefully it will come out okay.
I have a 120" measuring tape going across the back bar with markers so I can keep tabs where my sides should stay as it gets quilted but even with just basting, it's pulled inward so don't understand that but hopefully it will come out okay.
