I've been asked to make a tut for the frame I made. I've never done one before but I'm going to give it a try.
Ok here goes.
This does include a Flynn frame but I’m sure you could make that to without much trouble. I got it for my birthday and so it didn’t cost me anything.

This is the material list.

This is for a 4’ frame. You can easily make it an 8’ frame.

4 1x2”x8’ poplar boards (if you’re making an 8’ frame you will need 6)

1 ½”x½”x8’ square dowel

1 ¾”x¾”x6’ square dowel

1 1” dowel rod

1 2’ drawer slide (This is what I got, Euro-Style Self-Close Drawer Slide)

4 casters ( I got the stationary kind, They need to be the kind that mount on the bottom)

1 5/8”x12x24” shelf (you could also use plywood)

4 ½” 2 hole pipe strap ( find that in plumbing)

2 clamps

Screws

Nails

Glue

Sand paper

First for the carriage. Take 1 of the 1x2”x8’ boards and cut two 2’ sections Mount your drawer slide to the 2’ sections and your shelf. Make sure you follow the directions on the slides. Cut two 14” sections from the same board. Take the 2 boards that you have the slides on and nail and glue to the 14” boards. Make sure they are square and your shelf slides easily.

Cut the 1” dowel rod into 2 36” pieces. You can make them longer if you want. This should let you sew from both sides. Center and attach the dowel rods to each side of the shelf with the 4 pipe straps. You might have to squeeze them together a little (it’s easy) they need to hold the dowel rod firmly with the straps. Measure the distance between your dowel rods and cut 2 -¾” dowels to fit. Attach to the ends of the dowel rods with a nail and glue or screw.

Attach the 4 casters (wheels) to the bottom of the 14” pieces.

That should have your carriage.

Now the frame.

Cut 4 - 1x2” 4’ in length.
Cut 2 - 1x2” 2’ in length.
Cut 2 - ½”x½” 4’ in length.

Nail and glue 2 - 1x2” together to form an L.
Nail and glue 1- ½”x½” to form a track.
Repeat for the other side.
Make sure that you check your carriage wheels in the tracks. You don’t want them tight. You just want them as a guide.
Join together at the ends with 1x2”x2’.

I made the side pieces with the scraps. If you’re using the Flynn frame you need to put everything together and set your machine on the carriage. Put the frame in the machine then you can measure how long you need to cut your side pieces. I guess you could measure from the table up to the top of your machine and get the same measurements. But you need to know where to mount your side pieces. So put your frame in and make sure your carriage is as far back as it will go then slide your frame forward to the needle. Now mark on the side of your frame where you want to put your side pieces. Attach your side pieces with nails and glue or screws. Attach the frame to your table with the 2 clamps. There you have it!

Hope this explains ok.
:D
I took these pics after I made it but I hope it helps.

Thank you for doing the tutorial for us, great job!

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I hope I made it clear enough

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Thanks for the tute.

That looks fantastic! Great pictures.

Thank you so much! Please tell me what is the size of the throat of the sewing machine you are using on the frame, and how big of a quilt can you quilt on it?

Thanks

I'm sorta new to quilting,and I figured someone smarter than me could figure out how to quilt a large quilt on some kind of frame. All I have seen is the humungus quilting machines which totally turns me off. Thanks to you I am now encouraged! You have done it!
Now all I got to do is find someone handier than I to make this for me! Thanks a bunch!

Im bookmarking this, maybe I can get dh or son to do this for me!

My machine has a 6.5" throat. I'm still test driving it so I'm not sure how big a quilt it will do but when I find out I'll let you know.

Thanks for all the great comments! "Your welcome" goes out to everyone.

What do people use to transfer quilting stencil patterns to the quilt. Does anyone use chalk and if so how do you get rid of the chalk lines?

I don't use stencils that often. I think there was a topic on this subject. I would think the chalk would come out when you wash the quilt.

How do I print this out for hubby I have problems with my arms and cannot do large quilts anymore I have been after a bought one but I think your type can be made to suit. Wonderful $$$$ We live in aussie and terms are different but the photos made it easy. Thank you. :thumbup:

maybe I'm dense but are you moving the machine now and the Flynn frame is stationary? B/c with the F. frame you are still moving the quilt(i have a Flynn frame) i see how the machine can move side to side but how does it move to do the swirls and other FMQ?

nice !!

Thank you and God bless.

Another great tutorial, likewise would like to know how to print or copy them off for future reference. I am not very computer savvy.

Does the machine move around on this frame? I am not sure I understand how this works.

The machine moves and the frame is stationary. The drawer slide lets the machine move back and forth and the rollers move it side to side so you can do swirls and other FMQ.

Thanks cjk for clearing that up for me. I'm going to show this to my DH and maybe he can make one for me. Great idea, btw.

Hi, Before this thread gets too long, go under your file area, usually top left corner and click print preview, then look at preview to see if it includes the info you want. If so then hit print and you will get what you see. (This instruction is for a windows based computer) :D

Thank you. I'm anxious to see how big a quilt it will quilt.

usnchiefgloria brought it to my attenion that I forgot something. She noticed the pattern I had on the table and asked how I followed it. Well this is just a temp but I glued a piece of wood to the undside of the carrage (the part that moves) and then rubberbanded a piece of a chopstick to it. I'm going to try and find a lazer pin light to attach but right now I'm practing on my FMQ. Sorry about the omission.

Me too, it's bookmarked.

Thanks for the tutorial-now I just need a DH that will make it for me!!! Maybe when he gets tired of being on the computer.

Thanks for sharing a great tute.

Thank you. I bookmarked this. I hope both tutes came out.

Thank you so much!

Thank you for your tut. I will get my DH help me make one, when I get the money for the parts.

[quote=PJO]Thank you so much! Please tell me what is the size of the throat of the sewing machine you are using on the frame, and how big of a quilt can you quilt on it?

Thanks[/quote

I was going to ask same thing , please let us know , and great pictures..Thank you

cool

Nifty! I have to show this to DH when he comes back from the shoot out.

Nicely done. Thanks.

Do you have any idea of what everything cost you to make the frame? Even an estimate would be good! This seems like a wonderful idea to keep the weight off your hands and shoulders. You are only moving the machine that glides on something that you can move right or left and up and down. Is this correct? Thank you for doing this for us! You need to patent it for sure.
Quilter711
Nancy

this is a great tut, thank you i'm going to bookmark this one for my handy dandy Husband

Genius.. absolute genius. And all the money that can be saved, not to mention the time quilting as well. Thank you

Do you have a pattern for the flynn frame side pieces or how do we make them I dont understand ?
~Dave

Still using this frame?
 

This tutorial is from over a year ago- are you still using the frame? Any updates or modifications that have improved your design?! By any chance could you post a few more pics- namely of the end pieces? I don't have the pre-made frame you used, but would be interested in buying one to help me construct this! Thanks!