Jump to content

kbaumbusch

Member
  • Posts

    42
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    2

Everything posted by kbaumbusch

  1. I was told in my introduction classes to my Freddie that I was to spray the bobbin area with WD-40, run the machine without a bobbin in it, and then blow the bobbin area out with compressed or canned air. I understood that the WD-40 would pick up the lint and fuzz while the machine was running. After it runs a few seconds, I was to blow it out. He thinks that's wrong to blow the WD-40 toward the inside of the throat. Do I have this concept correct? Also, once in a while the bobbin thread will get caught in the hook race. Any idea why that would happen? Thanks, Kathy B.
  2. Hi, I'm having lots of trouble with the way the top thread stitches look on a customer's blue and white batik quilt. She wanted a darkish variegated thread and, the stitching looks bad against the white parts of the quilt. I'm using Groz-Beckert size 19 needle, have Quilters Dream 80/20 batting, Glide 40-weight Thread, and Magna-Glide Delights prewound bobbins. Also using Intelliquilter. I've cleaned my rails and wheels, made sure no thread is caught anyplace on the machine or the Freddy and IQ wheels, adjusted tension multiple times, tried a different bobbin case, etc etc. When I do the test sample it looks good. No problems with eyelashing or railroad tracks, stitches on the back look great, it's just the stitches on the front that are slightly 'wavy' or 'zigzaggy'. I've seen some post that say it's just that stitches just don't look that good when there's this level ofcolor contrast, but 'm not sure about that - ? I've tried using the Towa tension gauge to set my Magna-glide Delights but it's hard to get a good reading because the magnet on the bobbin keeps grabbing the metal insert and it kind of jumps around. Here are 2 pictures. Any insight would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance.
  3. I bought an electric blower on Amazon, not as noisy and doesn’t lose pressure. Blows really strong too.
  4. I use a zipper system and it works for me very well. I do pin backing to the zippers with safety pins which does take time, but if I need to take the quilt off before I'm done I can zip it off and zip the new one on; then when I put the old one back on I get it back on straight every time. You can get zippers from The Quilting Connection https://stores.longarmconnection.com/quick-zip-system/ I did use Leader Grips and they were fast, but when I started renting my quilter out I switched to zippers so people could get their backs ready ahead of time. I don't rent the machine out anymore but I still like the zippers If you don't want to do any pinning I'd go with Leader Grips. https://leadergrips.com/ Good luck!
  5. Hi, so if someone brings you backing fabric on which the print doesn't line up with the straight of grain, I've just been tearing it to get it straight for my leader zippers and let the print fall where it may. Usually the print isn't very far off that you'd notice, but sometimes it is. Does anyone here cut the leader edges to get a backing print straight, and just go ahead and put it on the longarm very carefully so as not to stretch it? I'd be afraid it would end up stretching in the act of advancing the quilt and put a wrinkle or pleat in the back as I quilt it. I tear the backing fabric as Angela Huffman advises in her longarm videos because that way I know the leader edges are straight and parallel. Most quilt shops don't tear but cut the fabric so I end up asking people to get extra beyond what I need for the longarm, just in case I need to get it straight, but I find that most people either can't or don't want to pay for any extra. If this doesn't make sense, let me know. Thanks!
  6. I did it once, I used a large chevron design with big stitches. I didn't charge as much as I usually do. They seemed to like it. You could also do straight lines or crosshatching but fairly large with big stitches so they can pull it out easily from underneath the hand quilting and not mess their threads up.
  7. 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.
  8. SOLD - Thanks for your interest Previously Loved 2014 APQS Freedom (Freddie) Longarm with 12-Foot Deluxe Table and Intelliquilter Computerized Quilting System for sale. Purchased from Angela Huffman of Quilted Joy, Louisville, Kentucky. I am selling this machine ONLY because I’m cutting back on my quilting business to do some traveling with my husband before we get too old (and to actually quilt some things for me!) This machine was lightly used for the first two years, and has been used in my business since 2016. It is in great shape. This 2014 Freedom Freddie has the following features: - Size L Bobbin · (Included: 2 bobbin cases (one for prewound Glide magnetic bobbins, and 1 for regular bobbins) · 40 bobbins of prewound Magna-Glide 60-weight thread (10 white, 10 cream, 10 light tan, and 10 light gray) · 1 10-pack of Groz-Beckert Size 118 Needles - Turbo Bobbin Winder, 5 APQS blank aluminum bobbins, and 5 thread nets - Stitch Regulator - 1 Laser Stylus with 2 Laser Ports, one each on front and back of machine - Spot On Laser Bracket for use with computerized quilting systems - LED Lighting with Built-in Black Light - Low-Bobbin Indicator - Multi-positional handles on both front and back of machine - Needle Positioner - Hopping Foot Set plus Scoop Foot - Simple Disc Thread Tensioner - Simple Touch Pad Controls - Single Stitch Button - Top Thread Break Sensor - Automatic Quilt Advance - Adjustment-Free Quilt Take-up Roller - Bliss Track System - Overhead light bars (not APQS) - Quilt Glide Stitch Mode - Leader Grip System installed on Leaders for No-Pin loading – saves your fingers! Several grips included. - Instruction/Assembly Manual from APQS. - Extra fuses - I am including an APQS Ruler Base for Ruler work and one Angela Huffman video – “Longarm Quilting with Angela Huffman (Includes Using Rulers and Templates, Using ABCs for Easy Border and Sashing Spaces, and Using Stencils – Simple Borders to Background Gridwork Fillers)”. Original straight-edge clear ruler included. - NOTE: The APQS Freedom machines come with one manual Vertical Channel Lock. The IQ system will provide you with electronic channel locks. Intelliquilter System Features – - ClassiQ System with Super Motors - Tablet with 12-Inch Screen - Pattern modification - rotate, scale, move, stretch, flip, copy, combine, split, etc. - Pantographs and Pantograph Editing - continuous offset and interlocking, flipping of even rows, clipping at block boundaries - Save Quilt Patterns - IQ flash drive and stylus - Tablet easel for working off the machine - Help on Every Screen - Switch from Automatic to Manual Mode with One Button - Free Patterns/Designer Pattern Samples - Geometric, Computer Art, Block, and Line Patterns - Pattern Modification - rotate, scale, move, stretch, flip, copy, combine, split, smooth, etc. - Record Your Own Patterns - No-Sew Zones - High level pattern editing support (contour, echo, path pattern, fan pattern, shape shift, magnet tool, distort) - Electronic Channel Locks – lock your machine to stitch horizontally or vertically with the touch of a button If you come personally to disassemble and take the system with you, I will give you a quick lesson on how to use the APQS, how to set up a pantograph on the IQ, and will give you a copy of the training book I developed for renters which gives you step-by-step directions for doing a basic pantograph on the IQ. Angela Huffman also has 2 video classes on IQ which are much more thorough, and you could contact her about purchasing it.
  9. Hi, wondering if anyone has tried Isacord variegated thread for quilting. I was using a small cone of variegated and it broke every 10 inches. I've used solid Isacord for quilting before without any trouble, and also I've not had any trouble with Fantastico variegated. I'm getting ready to throw this thread away and start picking out my quilting, but I assumed that Isacord, being a trilobal thread sold for embroidery machines, would hold up on a longarm. Just curious.
  10. Hi, for those who quilt for others - I am renting one of my machines to people who want to learn how to use my IntelliQuilter and quilt their tops themselves. I spent a wretched 10 hours with a customer whose quilt was totally unsquared and wavy. It's not all her fault, because it was one of her first quiltsand she said when I asked her that she wasn't taught to square up her quilts or how to measure borders. We got it quilted but it didn't look very good after several tucks in the border and extra batting stuffed in to take up the fullness. I'm embarrassed for anyone to know that she quilted it here. She is a very nice person but she told me she had several more at home she wanted to do (eeek!) I did tell her she needed to look at them and try to fix them before she brought any more in. My question is, what tactful way have you all told customers not to bring you those kind of quilts? Do you ever cut anyone off because the trouble isn't worth the money? Also, is there any other way besides looking for wavy borders that will alert you a quilt is unsuited for longarming? I've checked borders but sometimes that has fooled me - I had one that looked totally wavy but quilted out just fine. For a final rant, I wish people who taught quilting classes would not just tell people how to put a top together but would take a few moments to show them how to piece, square up, and measure borders!!!! Every quilter should take technique classes! Thanks for listening!
  11. Hi, I have had a couple of accidents the last few quilts - once my husband was trimming threads underneath a top and he accidentally put a slit in the top, of course in a solid piece that really shows after I used a little fabric glue to repair it. Another time a needle broke while my Intelliquilter was running, and before we could stop it the broken needle frayed the fabric; she can put a label over it on the back, but it does show on the front. My question is, how much discount should I give for this type of thing? Should I just not charge them for any of the quilting? I was wondering if 25% or 30% off is enough? I feel I need to do something to atone for this. Any advice/experience will be helpful. Thanks! Kathy Baumbusch The Quilting Frolic, LLC
  12. Hi, I’ve had some needle breaks on quilts lately while running with Intelliquilter and am not sure why. My husband and I checked everything out and it doesn’t fit the criteria for retiming. The quilts with the problems have had lots of pinwheels and stars with heavy seams but I don’t remember this many problems before, and I’ve had plenty of quilts of that type. I use a new needle on every quilt, Groz-Beckert 4.0 MR size 18. The worst part is that the IQ keeps going after it breaks and the broken shaft of the needle pounds down on the quilt before I can get it stopped, resulting in a few small holes or noticeable frays in customer quilts on both the top and bottom. I also had a needle break on an appliqué which seemed to be heavily starched with Wonder-Under as the temporary bonding agent. Would slowing it down help? I’ve got some titanium Groz-Beckerts - I know they’re supposed to be stronger but I’m afraid to use them since I’ve also heard if they break it causes more problems. Thanks in advance!
  13. We had a bad thread break and now when the needle goes down it hits into the bobbin assembly. Can't get hold of APQS and I had read that you shouldn't retime without their sayso, but I can't believe it's anything else. Advice? Thanks!
  14. Hi, when I test my Magna-Glide Delight magnetic bobbins (which are pretty all I use) on my Towa gauge, the needle will not hold steady but jumps around. I'm using it as per their instructions and I've checked numerous videos to make sure I'm doing it correctly. I've also made absolutely sure that my bobbin case doesn't have any lint or dirt under the bobbin case finger. I do sometimes wind my own, and the Towa gauge needle is steady when I test those. Is the jumping around normal for magnetic bobbins, and if so, how do I tell when I've got it where I want it? TIA.
  15. Hi, do any of you know the recommended Towa gauge tension range for an L Magna-Glide Delight bobbin? Superior Threads has a guide but they don't sell the magnetic bobbins. I know Also, Jamie Wallen says you should be able to flip the bobbin up but not lift it, but I don't see how that could apply to the magnetic bobbins since the magnet holds it. Also, does wool batting affect bobbin tension? Thanks for your help and advice in advance!
  16. Sharon, thank you - I was thinking big pins would be faster but didn't count on the huge creases. How far apart do you pin? Thanks again, Kathy B.
  17. Hi, I bought some honking big curved safety pins to pin my backing to my zippers. However, when I unrolled it this morning the backing had big pin creases in it. Questions: 1. How far apart do you pin them? 2. Also, what size safety pin is best? 3. I pinned the backing with the fabric on top of the zipper tape. Would it help if I pinned the backing with the zipper tape on top of the backing fabric? Hope this question makes sense. Thanks, everyone! Kathy Baumbusch
  18. Hi, I can't remember if there is a preferred way to put a partially-quilted quilt onto zippers after you took it off. I can find plenty of videos about how to sew the zippers to the leaders, etc., but not anything about this topic. Thanks!
  19. Thanks all, I guess I've been doing it right! Good to know. Thanks, sometimes these quilts are just too friendly!! Kathy B.
  20. Hi, all, has anyone ever added extra batting underneath parts of a quilt on the frame because, no matter what. it won't steam or lay flat? If so, do you use batting tape or just lay it in there? I get fooled sometimes when I lay a top out as to how it will behave at the borders. TIA, Kathy Baumbusch
  21. HI, I'm having the same problem intermittently, the picture above looks like what I'm getting. Also my bobbin thread seems to be shredding a times. So I pulled and pushed on the center post and it didn't move but I heard a metallic rattling noise and it seems to jiggle just a little but hardly any. How much movement are we talking about here? TIA, Kathy Baumbusch The Quilting Frolic, LLC
  22. Hi, all, I had an older Intelliquilter book before I got the wonderful new one from Linda Miller, and I have lost it. Does anyone know the author's name and the title, and if it's still available? I'd like to get another copy if possible. The book's cover was sort of sepia/beige tones. Thanks for any help! Kathy B. The Quilting Frolic, LLC
×
×
  • Create New...