SueD

Look for the advanced search button, you can select "exact words, exact order" as a search option.

Did you look at the Pro-Stitcher website? "Full-featured, vector-based editing and digitizing software to create your own digital quilting files" Compatible with all major longarm quilting file formats FILE FORMATS: OPENS: HQF, HQV, HQA, HQW, QLI, CQP, SSD, TXT, IQP, QCC, PAT, BQM, ANS, common embroidery files IMPORTS: SVG, AI, EPS, EMF, WMF, DXF, PLT, FCM, TT (true type fonts), BMP, JPG, PNG, TIF, GIF SAVE AS AND EXPORTS: SVG, PNG, JPG, HQF, HQV, HQA, HQW, QLI, CQP, SSD, TXT, IQP, PAT, BQM, SLT EXPORTS: C2S, LDF, PLT, DXF, SVG, HQF, HQV, HQA, HQW, DQP, SSD, TXT, IQP, QLI, QCC, PAT, BQM, SLT Customize, edit, and merge existing designs

@LouiseSK = the machine is sold.

If you're buying used, is any of this included? You can check the APQS store for these types of supplies. There is only 1 type of needle that should be used in the machine but it is available in different sizes. If you're going to order some supplies from APQS, I'd suggest these: Bobbins - L or M aluminum depending upon your machine. Bobbin Case - it's nice to have a spare or two - the L ones are much cheaper than M Needles - Groz Beckert 134MR - I mostly use 3.5 and 4.0 sizes. Pigtail thread guides - these can get grooves worn in them from the thread - they're $1.50 each so it's good to have spares Threads - any quality thread should work in your machine - Glide and Superior are popular brands but it also depends on the look you want for your quilt. Glide is shiny and reflects light, Superior So Fine has a more matte finish. Other handy items to have (purchased elsewhere) - centering measuring tape, cheap expandable curtain rods (place under the clamp straps to lift the clamps when machine gets close to the edge), magnetic bowl for pins (try Harbor Freight store), LED flashlight (for looking at bottom of quilt or in the bobbin area, again Harbor Freight), screwdrivers for maintenance (most of the machine parts are phillips head, but also a small one for bobbin case adjustments). Good luck with your machine! Sue

You may get more interest if you post photos and include your location.

Jim - they didn’t give me any other details other than replacing the top shaft. I think Angie said she’s only seen this problem one other time since she’s been at APQS. Sue

Update - after multiple attempts at resolving at home, I made arrangements to take the head to a dealer about an hour away. They have rental machines and had several tables set up. We put my machine on their table and behaved the same. We messed around with it for about an hour and then did a video chat with APQS. They said they would look at that machine if I wanted to send it in, which I did. They told me it had an "abnormal vibration" (hallelujah - I was right ) and needed to replace the top shaft in the machine. She said it was a rare issue. She had multiple people test the machine but didn't tell them what was wrong and they immediately noticed a problem. It'll be on the UPS truck later today and hopefully at my house on Friday. Sue

Lynn at https://www.cottonartstudio.com is a certified quilt appraiser. She might be able to help you.

How old is your machine?

Have you contacted the manufacture (Grace Company)? That is probably your best option for support. There doesn't seem to be very many posts in this forum about Sure Stitch.

Do you have the quilt tight on the frame? You should be able to poke a finger underneath your quilt and grab it with your other hand down to about the first knuckle. Are you in stitch regulated or manual mode? Is this only happening at a particular speed or all of the time? At a particular spot in the table or all over? Do you have casters on the table? Flooring type - carpet, tile, wood, concrete? Have you retightened all the bolts connecting the table to the legs? I purchased a used Freddie and have been having the same issue. I've been working with APQS to diagnose and resolve the problem. After trying multiple things at home, I took the machine to a dealer. The machine did the same thing on their table so it seems my issue is not with the table. The machine is now back at APQS and they're supposed to look at it this week. Sue

Did you turn the speed as low as it will go? The machines don’t actually run at that speed - you have to increase the speed just a smidge. However, the needle up/down should still work. Have you checked all the cable connections? Did you unplug anything? It’s possible to swap the SR and handle cables - I’ve done it.

@KellyGold if you click on a user name, it will show some info about them. That includes the last time they visited the forum as well as some recent activity posts. I try to be helpful here and let buyers know if they may be responding to someone who hasn't been here for a while. Anyway, on the seller's activity, I saw a reply stating it was sold. They must have listed it in a couple of different places here.

@KellyGold it appears the machine is sold.

Cross wound spools should have the thread pull off the top. Straight wound spools should have thread pull off the side of the spool. Have you tried a thread net? Or possibly silicone thread conditioner like Sewers Aid? If you’re on a longarm machine, stick a small piece of batting in the first thread guide above your spool. It shouldn’t be tight - just to take up some space so the thread can’t jump around in that guide. Sue

You can also contact APQS directly through their contact form on the website. They are very helpful even if you are not the original owner of the machine (covered by lifetime warranty).

I would say it's personal preference and what you find most efficient. My only suggestions is to make sure the whole quilt is stabilized (either stitched or pinned) before rolling it back. You don't want to leave large areas unquilted which could cause your quilt layers to shift. If it's not stabilized the backing rolls up on the take up bar at a different "rate" than the top. It's like rolling up a magazine starting at the bound edge - when you get to the end, the pages aren't aligned like the bound edge. If you glued the pages together, it wouldn't look like that. You need enough "glue" in your quilt so it sticks together. I think there's a video from Dawn @ APQS showing that she pin bastes the outside edges if she plans on turning a quilt to do borders. Good Luck! Sue

You're unlikely to get a response from the seller. They haven't logged on here since Feb 2021. You could try this place: https://www.longarmquiltingsupplies.com/kenquilt-questions/ If you're having trouble with Intelliquilter, https://www.intelliquilter.com/support.php

I've been trading emails with them for the last 3 weeks trying to resolve this. Replacing the casters with the standard feet has helped somewhat but I still am seeing the bounce. It seems to be more prevalent when the machine is moving front/back rather than sideways. I'm not thrilled with the responses I've gotten on the emails. I ask several questions and they don't answer all of them.

Check out some of the YouTube videos by Angela Walters. She does most of her longarm quilting without using a stitch regulator - including ruler work (I think). She learned on a machine that didn't have SR so that's how she quilts on her longarm. You just have to find the right machine speed that goes with how you move the machine.

@dbams @ffq-lar Do you have any suggestions on comments on the wheel position for the sewing head wheels? I found this post from several years ago. If this is still applicable, then the sewing head wheels aren't in the correct position. However, I don't see a way to adjust them. It's just a regular carriage bolt that slides through the wheel then a small ring, a washer and the spacer below the axle. The bolt goes into a threaded hole on the axle. https://forum.apqs.com/topic/36719-need-helptrouble-controlling-machine/?do=findComment&comment=503998

It doesn’t appear there are. I’ve tried swapping the wheels and flipping them over. Still same bouncing.

I don't see a way to adjust the position of the wheels attached to the head that ride on the carriage. They're in a fixed position and there are no cam nut adjusters like there are for the wheels on a non-bliss table. I've also been emailing back and forth with APQS and they've not had any other solutions other than working with the table stability. There's a dealer about an hour from me. I've considered taking the machine to their store (they have rental machines) and see if they'll put it on their tables.

I'm hoping some of the experts here can help me. I bought a used 2018 Freddie. The machine was partially disassembled when I picked it up and I did not test it. The seller was contemplating keeping the machine until I told her I was seriously interested. The machine is "bouncing" a lot in stitch regulated mode. It is not a specific place on the table or carriage. It's not affecting the stitch quality but it's difficult to see what I'm stitching and it's just downright unpleasant. It's the same when I'm using the front or back handles. I don't think it's harmonic vibration as this is happening at multiple speeds. It does vibrate in manual mode at the standard speed, but if I lower the speed a couple of clicks, it's smooth. Also any manual speed below that has no vibration. I have an older 2008 Lenni (different table configuration) and it doesn't do this at all. It happens without a quilt loaded so it's not just quilt is rolled too tight on the frame. Here is video of the bouncing (watch the top of the machine and not the needle bar area) https://youtube.com/shorts/O47VL7fFQ1I?feature=share Deluxe table with bliss, fabric advance, and casters (all in locked position). Machine is set up in my basement on carpet over concrete floor (same location as the old machine). The table is level and square. Machine does not bounce when not mounted on machine, sitting on solid, basement floor. It doesn't seem to be an issue with the machine itself. Lowered the table height - no change. Put rubber floor protectors under each leg/wheel on the carpet - no change. Put 2x2' 3/4 plywood sheathing under each leg - no change. I completely disassembled the table and put it back together thinking maybe something got jarred loose when I moved it - no change. Cleaned the bliss rails and wheels - no change. I've ordered the standard leg feet. Other than that, I have no idea what else to try.

She does have them in stock and it seems they are clear now instead of the green. https://boldnotionquilting.com/product/green-resin-scoop-foot-apqs/