dbams

I use a retractable lanyard with a clip to hold embroidery scissors on my shirt.   That way I always have them handy no matter where I am around the longarm.  As to pins, I have 2 of the round magnetic ashtrays and put one each sideways on the bars that hold my lights.  You do have to be careful because if you knock them off the pins go all over, but they hold really tight.  The convenience for me is worth the rare occasional scramble to pick up pins.
 

Wondering what the opinion is on placing a magnet on the APQS machine exterior to hold scissors, a needle to bury threads, etc.
Are there computerized parts near the front of the machine that could be harmed by magnets? 
Does anyone know if this would create a problem with the inner work

UPDATE: After testing the metal machine housing, I realized that magnets just won't stick to it anyway, so I added a small piece of industrial strength adhesive backed Velcro to the top front of the machine, away from all the wicks, then added the corresponding piece to the back of my retractable unit. SO handy in this position for me, and completely out of the thread path, too. 

reported Fludersomand

Jen, have you considered using another fabric to "enlarge the shirt to get it to the width you need?  You could use the sleeve design in this same block, or elsewhere in the quilt.
I made this T-shirt quilt for my niece, and used a collar shirt in the lower corner.  I used another part of the shirt to fill in the neck opening, and had to trim and restitch the collar at the top to make it lie properly.  This slippery material did not lend itself to being fused any other way.

Hey Winnie. You might want to call Pfaff.  They're more equipped to serve you better then APQS. Good luck. 

I don't think that the compuquilter system will work with the newer laptops. It was meant to be used with the XP system. Buth was getting close to getting the system a upgrade when the shit hit the fan and made a mess.  From what I remember Dee Dee sold the CQ part of the control a trusted employee. That's all I know.  I was going to make an offer at the time buy I was too late.  Oh well.  
 

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

Also make sure you pull the bobbin tail after you insert the bobbin to make sure it pulls smoothly..  I’ve had the thread get caught under the backlash spring and it will snap the top thread immediately if this happens.
 
Nigel

Have you checked that the machine is threaded correctly and you have the correct needle size for the thread that you are using?  Also check the thread path for burrs.  Have you tried a different type of thread?  Have you been able to figure out where the break occurs?
APQS can troubleshoot over the phone if you aren't able to solve the problem.
Good luck and I hope that you are soon back to quilting.
 

Unthread and start from the beginning, you may have an extra loop somewhere.  Look very closely anywhere the thread touches (guides and check spring).  Over time your thread will wear a groove into those areas and cause tension issues or thread shredding.  Use a magnifying glass or grab the tread above and below the guide and drag it around the inside of the guide.  If there is a groove you will feel a slight catch.  If you find a groove on one of the pig tail guides loosen the screw and turn it upside down until you get a replacement.  I’ve also had a spool of thread that wasn’t wound properly that would catch and release causing all kinds of ugly tension every couple of feet.
Hopefully this gives you somewhere to start 
Nigel

Hi Beth,
Yes, a welding shop can cut down the aluminum table rails to whatever size and then they will also need to cut down the fabric rollers.  There is a hub welded into the ends of the steel pipe that can be taken out of one end, cut the pipe to match the table rails and then reweld the hub back into the end of the pipe.  Much cheaper than buying new pieces from APQS. 

The outlet is the same for Canada & USA. There is a difference in the electrical certification between Canada & USA. ULC doesn’t meet Canadian standards. I purchased a machine in the USA & had to ship it to Iowa so they could add an extra breaker in order to certify it in Canada. The electrical cord is the same tho. 

I would pull it out and give it a good clean.  Looks to me like the table is an upgrade with auto advance system.  Take measurement of table, it is either 12' or 14' table.  With it being in Canada, the electrical is made a bit different than the USA, however it can easily be adjusted to fit USA outlets.   The machine will have a serial number on it, you can send that number into APQS and they will tell you the year of it.  Once cleaned up, this machine could go for 3-4 thousand.  Depends on how badly you want to get rid of it as to the price you ask for.  I would then contact local quilt shops and quilt guilds letting them know you have this machine for sale.  I should sell rather quickly.  Hopes this helps

Hi Sharon,
I do not have QP myself, but I do know that there is an active QP group on Facebook.  It is a closed group, so you have to ask to join, but from what I've heard, it is very welcoming and helpful.  I believe Barbara Mayfield is one of the administrators, and she is also an APQS dealer.
Your charity group sounds lovely, and I wish you the best of luck in getting the information you need and with your "new" machine.
Betsy

Looks great!  I would also like to see what the others did with their blocks!
If you click on the "Activity" tab at the top left, you can look for posts you started, and possibly find your original post, which should show the date you are looking for.
Good luck!

Several years ago, I initiated a Block Exchange using Civil War prints.  The following ladies participated:
Tonilyn Spring, Alaska
Terrance Coburn, Ohio
Heidi Patterson, Idaho
Marci Meyer, Iowa
Lily Huebsch, Alaska
Pam Hish
Vicki Oliver, Florida
Julie Psarras, Australia
Bonnie Hutcherson, California
Leslie Lund, Canada
Ann Haller, Washington
Libby Goulionis, Pennsylvania
I am finally getting mine together and would like to know the date we did this.  If anyone who participated remembers, please let me know the year.
I would also love to see the finished projects from these blocks.

I have a 2008 Millie with IntelliQuilter. I love it. The 2 work very nicely together. Originally I had a CompuQuilter and love those together but when the company started having problems I switched to a QuiltPath (pretty soon after it came out) and I hated that system. I couldn't get rid of it fast enough. I went with IntelliQuilter and have had it now for about 7 or so years. It can handle anything I throw at it from simple edge-to-edge, pantos, to custom. IQ has a great program that is being upgraded all the time and customer service is the best. Check it out.

Probably like this.  https://www.apqs.com/fuse-replacement-video/

Double batting will give you more depth to lock the stitches. 
When the quilt is off the machine it will relax.

Check your fuse.  Here is the video. https://www.apqs.com/fuse-replacement-video/

Thanks for letting us know what the problem is.  Please let us know what APQS factory did to repair it when the repairs are complete.  Jim 

I was ready to baste the sides of a quilt after warming up my Lenni in manual mode at just a little above the rabbit speed. Since I was preparing to do ruler work, I would normally change to regulated mode at this time and up the speed, but didn't think to do that. I was surprised to find that I can use this method for a large basting stitch by moving the machine slowly! YAY! 

So glad you finally got this resolved!

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.