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  • Are you a Short Arm quilter? If so let's talk!

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    Old 08-01-2012, 08:59 PM
      #61  
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    I have an EZ Quilter frame that is very similar to the Ken frame in your pic. I used it for about a year and quilted all sizes except for King on it. Then last October I bought a Juki 2010, with a larger throat space, and because I enjoy FMQ so much, I just quit using the frame. I didn't like to have to keep rolling and unrolling the quilt, and the space just wasn't big enough- my machine was always bumping against the rails in front and back. I'm probably the only person alive who doesn't dream of having a LA! I just really love FMQ- I've gotten pretty good at it.
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    Old 08-01-2012, 11:34 PM
      #62  
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    Angry Thread breaking

    Originally Posted by pamg
    OK I have this same machine and frame....maybe you can tell me what I am doing wrong...my thread keeps breaking....I make sure the quilt isn't laying on machine bed....the quilt is tight....I have good quiilting thread...I try not to go to fast....but it breaks some times after 2 rolls other times after a few stitches.....hope you ao some one can help with ideas.....
    How frustrating and I know because I've been there. Check:
    1 that your quilt isn't too tight - it shouldn't be so tight that you could bounce a coin on it.
    2 Other thing to check is your thread tension - could be that top and/or bottom tension is set too tight.
    3 What size of needle are you using? Try a 14 or 16 and see if that helps.
    4 I know you say that the takeup bar isn't sitting on the machine bed, but make sure you haven't it set too high. I have a very small clearance -- the recommendation is the height of your little finger, but mine is set a bit lower than that.

    I hope these tips might provide some help - do let us know how you get on. Good luck!
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    Old 08-02-2012, 02:16 AM
      #63  
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    Originally Posted by sharoney
    I'm probably the only person alive who doesn't dream of having a LA! I just really love FMQ- I've gotten pretty good at it.
    me too! me too! I'd love to take my short arm off the frame and onto a table! My table machine has 7.5 inches and my frame machine has 11.5 inches... sigh.
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    Old 08-02-2012, 03:35 AM
      #64  
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    Originally Posted by sharoney
    I have an EZ Quilter frame that is very similar to the Ken frame in your pic. I used it for about a year and quilted all sizes except for King on it. Then last October I bought a Juki 2010, with a larger throat space, and because I enjoy FMQ so much, I just quit using the frame. I didn't like to have to keep rolling and unrolling the quilt, and the space just wasn't big enough- my machine was always bumping against the rails in front and back. I'm probably the only person alive who doesn't dream of having a LA! I just really love FMQ- I've gotten pretty good at it.
    You aren't believe me. I looked at frames, and long arms, and in the end decided that my mid arm does a great job at FMQ and it sure doesn't seem to have the learning curve, the space requirements or the set up times that a long arm requires. I can puddle even the big quilts, and because my sewing table is a drop leaf, i bring it up to support the weight of the quilt as I FMQ. I did a Carpenter's Wheel recently (posted in Pictures) that was all done on the mid arm. I mark the designs with chalk as I go. Its fun!
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    Old 08-02-2012, 02:19 PM
      #65  
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    Originally Posted by harpyquilter
    Hi everyone, I have a Pfaff Hobby GrandQuilter and an older Inspira frame. Getting into the "zone" involves a treacherous trek through every mistake imaginable before I finally reach that sacred portal into the "zone"! My problem is that I have a bad back, and by the time I get there, back pain keeps me from fully concentrating on the actual quilting. If I stop for a period to rest, I have to make the journey all over again! Question: Does anyone know of a frame that is more "back friendly"--standing or sitting? When I try to sit while quilting a section, my knees hit the lower rails.
    I have the same set up Pfaff Grandquilter and 10 foot Inspira frame. Used to really hurt my back after abut 20 minutes of quilting. My DH picked up a set of those wooden blocks that you put under the legs of your bed to make it higher, and it raised everything up about 4 inches. I can now quilt for a couple of hours before the back pain kicks in.
    BTW I'm 5'6", and have degenerative disc disorder, plus a little scoliosis and arthritis in my lower back - just saying that it really worked for me!
    The only thing is the Inspira frame has 6 legs and I think the blocks come in sets of 4.
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    Old 08-02-2012, 03:44 PM
      #66  
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    I have the very same machine and I love it. It was set up on a pro-flex frame, but I took it out and set in on the table again. I find the throat space too short to do any kind of patterns. I'm a Charisma wanna-be, and I envision myself making fabulous feathers just like she does, lol, but am really limited with the throat size.

    Presently I am on the look out for a 12-14 inch machine. The Brother is a speedy machine, and I love it for piecing. I've done a few quilts with just meandering, but I dream of doing so much more!
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    Old 08-02-2012, 04:46 PM
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    Wonderful thread! I'm gleaning lots of useful information; keep 'em coming!
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    Old 08-02-2012, 05:54 PM
      #68  
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    I don't know if anyone has suggested this yet, but you might want to try "sewers aid". It is a lubricant. I had a problem with thread breaking. I tried lots of things that didn't work. I read about sewers aid somewhere and tried it. I used to be able to get it at Hancock Fabric, but couldn't the last time I checked. I had to buy it online. It comes in a container that looks like fray check. I hope you get your problem solved soon. I know how frustrating it can be.
    Originally Posted by pamg
    OK I have this same machine and frame....maybe you can tell me what I am doing wrong...my thread keeps breaking....I make sure the quilt isn't laying on machine bed....the quilt is tight....I have good quiilting thread...I try not to go to fast....but it breaks some times after 2 rolls other times after a few stitches.....hope you ao some one can help with ideas.....
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    Old 08-02-2012, 08:00 PM
      #69  
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    Checked into the handles..think I am gonna give them a try before I give up on mine. LOL I'm a Chrisma wanna be too.
    There is just something about those feathers. I'm the kind of person that can usually do what I set my mind to do so this is killing me.
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    Old 08-03-2012, 05:50 PM
      #70  
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    This is a great thread! Yesterday I tried out a HQ Sweet 16 sit down machine and boy did I enjoy myself and now I have a dilemma I want one but it is so expensive!!
    If I cant have that then I am looking at the Janome 1600P -DBX..i havent tried out the Janome..has anyone used both and can give me honest feedback?
    I already have a Bernina Artiste 180E so don't want a machine with fancy stitches.
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