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Using the QZ tray for tracing


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Debbie and other newbies like me: just trace or make up a pattern like the one shown in the picture and then tape it to the QZ tray on the front of the machine. Move the laser light to the front of the machine and postition the tray where you want it to trace the paper design while stitching. Sorry Debbie I already tossed the pinecone design traced from the plastic template, the one shown is one I'm working on and trying to make up my mind if I want it on the next quilt Hopw this helps to clarify what I did for you:

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I just hate to mark on someone else's quilt and I'm not good enough to go total free hand so this just seemed to work, I"m sure a person could easily make a tray or flat piece to hold the design and not necessarily need a QZ tray. I tried this with the design on the quilt but there was just too much vibration when stitching and my eyes went' goofy! Just more PPP with the laser light and I was up and going. I'm sure it will me help with pantos later.

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Now this is interesting because I've been trying to come up with a way to do stencils(marking) without all the problems with chalk, pencils, etc. For me that just takes all the fun out of quilting. I mainly quilt for myself with a friend or relative thrown in. I would like to do stencils without marking and this could be a possibility with the laser light. If I can set up something to hold the pattern, I can follow with the laser. I don't have any of the other toys mentioned. Would it be best for the tray to move freely or be stable on the frame?

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Stable on the rollers and can moved easily, maybe an old tray or a thin light piece of plywood screwed to two expandable curtain rods parallel to eachother? You dont' need anything fancy, just a flat surface to tape the drawing on while you quilt it out. I wonder if you might find an old plastic tray at a second hand store?

I would not have thought of this without having the QZ tray, but can't see how making your own tray coudln't work. Good luck!!

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The QZ tray come with the purchase of a Quiltazoid. I don't know if they would sell you one without the Quiltazoid, but you can go to the Quiltazoid forum and ask Linda that question. If there is enough interest, maybe they would make them available separately.

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Originally posted by TerriVB

Neat idea Shar--how about taping the paper onto the actual locked QZ base--that might give some more stability to the paper and the design could be rotated if need be.

Just something to think about.

I have done this. works well...and because the base can be rotated...that is an added bonus.

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I don't have a QZ either, but what I did to create a tray was go to Home Depot and buy 2 curtain rods and a piece of plexiglas. I then taped the plexiglas in place on the curtain rods. (The rods prevent the tray from being rolled off when you roll the quilt.) I then went to WallMart and got a desk tray with the different compartments in it, and I keep that sitting on the tray to hold chalk, oil, marking pens, thread, bobbins, seam ripper, pins, etc. When I want to use the table for a pattern, I simply move the desk tray off the table, place the pattern on there, move my laser up front...and go. Easy peasy :)

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I use a Sew Steady Portable Plexiglas table by Dream World, which has 4 removable legs. It is just long (24 in.) enough to fit between my bars and the legs keep it on the machine. The width of it is 18 in. It has a cut-out for my domestic machine, but I just put a magazine or something over that to keep stuff from falling. I love this table for my longarm and find it would work quite well for the laser technique, but I don't do much of that yet, only free-motion. I do use it for the video camera, and it really works well. I also keep pins and other necessary objects on it. I say use whatever you have and reuse it.:D

www.feathersandloops.com

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I purchased a Pattern Port for just this purpose. Although I like it, I do have the problem with it being a bit jumpy, especially when you are too close to the machine. It does have a handy little piece of plastic that you stick the pattern under, so that it doesn't get vibrated off. When not used for that purpose, it makes a wonderful tray for stashing the various tools that you might be using that day. I use a headlamp (my son calls it my speelunker flashlight), for viewing underneath of the quilt, when I crawl under there, and it stays on the tray a lot. I like the idea of the QZ table itself.

http://www.patternman.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=542

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I have made myself a little table similar to "Debbie in Austin" only I attached the Plexiglass to the curtain rods with velcro. I bought the adhesive backed velcro and attached the hooks to the curtain rods and then attached the loops to the back of the plexiglass. It works so great both as a work table to hold the different rulers that I'm using, along with other items I may need. I also use it as a table to hold my stencils or patterns to use my laser. I have a piece of the clear vinyl cut just slightly smaller than my plexiglass to hold down sheets of paper or stencils, etc. It works great and I have maybe $10 invested in it! :D I got the idea from something Bonnie had posted a few months ago. Thanks Bonnie!! :D :D :D

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