I am doing a customer quilt tonight. It is a t-shirt quilt with just a meander. But she made a little folded "flap" inside the border. What a pain to quilt. I tried taping it down and then tearing the tape away after stitching and it works most of the time until it gets stuck on the tape. I did about a third of the quilt and need a break. This is not worth it! I should have just did a free hand meander but now I have already started with the panto so I need to continue.
Jeanine, sorry you are having so much trouble. I hope it will all come together for you.
Life is like a quilt...bits & pieces, joy & sorrow, stitched with love
Those big stitches are not to do with thread, batting or fabric...it's either your encoders, or timing. Also, check that the needle is not in backwards, or at an angle.
Other things that can effect stitches (but probably not the total cause of your problem...I'm still thinking the encoders aren't reading correctly):
Quilt too tight on the frame...you should be able to push up from the underside of the quilt with your fingertips, and just be able to grab them with your other hand.
Take up bar too high.... you should be able to just fit the tips of your fingers between the take up bar and the surface of the machine...you have to raise the bar as you roll the quilt...can't tell you how many times I've forgotten to lower it when I start the next quilt.
Hopping foot too high... Check your manual for the proper height & how to adjust. For my TinLizzie18LS, I first put the hopping foot down, needle down, loosen the screw on the side of the machine, slide a dime under the hopping foot till it touches the needle, tighten the screw...remove the dime...raise the needle..and then the foot lever. The TL machines have to have the foot & needle in the lowered position to adjust the foot...not sure about other machines. Also, there is a way to increase the "hop" of the foot.
Margie Campbellmargecam52@valornet.comTinLizzie18 LSLittlefield, TX
Just want to say thank you for all your hints and tips. I'm just silently reading everything. We had Lizzie going pretty good yesterday morning then decided that she needed to be more level and now she is spitting at me again. Or should say skipping stitches. Thanks for the tip about moving, we will be back at it again today.
Again, all Thank you!
xoxoxo,
Eileen,
Haven't seen a post from you today so wondering if all is well in quiltville. I do hope you have your machine up and running. Just thinking of you and your problem.
Hugs,
Ms MoomMis, sorry you are having so much trouble. I hope you figure it out soon, it can sure be frustrating.
Hi jeanine,
I feel your pain, I hate T-Shirt quilts! My client put her t-Shirts with a backing of stretch denim! LOL
Judylee
Take breaks Often!
OMG! Marge,
that makes my head hurt! I think every longarmer has gone through all the set up woes. I promise soon all will be running smoothe and you will come back and brag about your bestest ever quilting day! Hang in there!
Well, I got it done and I think it looks ok but what a pain.
Jeanine
Looks good to me. Sorry it gave you so many problems.
Vinton, Virginia
Very nice, Jeanine,
You survived! Do you still have all your hair? I think you did wonderfully!
That looks great! Nice job!!
I promised my daughter to have my grandsons quilt in the mail for monday. I haven't finished quilting or binding it. I must have been sleeping when I made that promise. Jamaica next week at this time. Countdown!!!
I think it turned out great Jeanine!
Jeanine,
The quilt looks great! You did a wonderful job even though it gave you a headache. I know you're glad it's finished. You'll probably run the other way if someone were to bring you another one with that little added border. :-)