MadQuilter Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 Long story short...OK...not that short. My wife has been quilting using a Bernina quilt frame with a PFAFF QE 4.0 for a number of years. After a lot of research she decided to purchase a used (2003 I believe) APQS Millenium that appears to be in fantastic condition. Due to a number of unique circumstances she was not able to test the machine before she purchased it and the person that she purchased it from didn't know anything about quilting. We have the quilt frame home and set up in her studio and she can't figure out how to get it to work correctly. She doesn't have the manual for it and is trying to use it for the first time and is not having any luck at all. Could someone please walk us through ALL (no matter how simple or of course you do that) steps so that she can start using her new machine. She's wanted a long arm machine for a number of years and it is killing her that she now has one and is unable to get it to work correctly. She has a practice quilt loaded on the machine, she does the needle up/down to pull the bobbin thread up and then when she attempts to sew...well...it ends up being a mess and not stitching correctly. What are the exact steps/buttons/etc necessary to push for the machine to quilt as expected? It does have a SR but I'm not sure if she'd using it. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmeimann Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 Email/contact APQS and they will email a manual to you--they did it for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimerickson Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 Madquilter: You do need an owners manual. Too much stuff to know without one. The machine does have a stitch regulator. Since I don't have a Millie, I can't help with the switch usage, and I think there's some differences in the Millies depending on the year. Probably the best thing to do is to call APQS and talk with one of the techs. They should be able to walk you through routine operations. They'll also be able to tell you what year it is, and how it's different from other generation Millies. Hang in there. Your wife is going to love the machine once she learns how to use it. Good luck. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadQuilter Posted October 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 Thanks for the help everyone! I just received an email from APQS that had the Owner's manual attached...looks like A LOT of reading! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beachside Quilter Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 Welcome to the family! It is a lot to read, however, it covers troubleshooting, maintenance, as well as basic quilting instruction. Section Two: getting to know your machine is as the best place to start once your machine is set up. There are some practice hints to familiarize you with the controls that will help you get started. Best of luck and come here for any questions or concerns!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterfly Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 They also have a bunch of maintenance videos on youtube. I hope all goes well. Jess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirleyl Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 You didn't say where you were. If she is like me she wants to play now. If you post where you are maybe someone is close and they can give you a quick starter lesson. Mine is a 2002 and works wonderfully. You will be thrilled once you get the hang of it. Shirley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadQuilter Posted October 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 Madison, WI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neher-in-law5 Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 Hang in there, I think there are a couple of forum members that are not too far from you. I hope they drop in soon and will have some good ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s.waits Posted October 28, 2013 Report Share Posted October 28, 2013 MadQuilter, Tell your wife to be patient and give herself time to learn. If she's like me, this will be very hard to hear, and even harder to do, but it is so worth the frustration when everything comes together and works the way it should. When I want to do something, I want to do it RIGHT NOW. I'm not at all patient person. One thing that comes to mind that may be happening is the thread wadding up/nesting/breaking if she is not using the stitch regulator. If you don't use the regulator, you must move the machine as soon as you press the start button, otherwise the bobbin thread will break/nest/make a mess. You can't hesitate at all before you start moving the machine head. It may be easier to learn with the stitch regulator engaged, then graduate up to unregulated stitching once she is familiar with the controls. Come here often to ask questions. This is a very knowledgeable group of people, and always patient and helpful. There are no "dumb" questions here. We were all newbies when we got our machines, and went through the same learning process you guys are starting. Try your best to be patient, and it will all come together for you sooner than you might imagine. Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Posted October 29, 2013 Report Share Posted October 29, 2013 Madquilter what part of Madison are you located in? I work in DeForest, currently second shift, perhaps I can come down early one day. Also there is a member in Lodi, that maybe able to help out as well. You can message me if you'd like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peggy (SewAsylum) Posted October 29, 2013 Report Share Posted October 29, 2013 Madquilter hang in there? Sounds like everyone here who can help will. I don't have that machine so the only advice I can add is, does you wife use bobbin genies? They help with bird nests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anniquilter Posted October 29, 2013 Report Share Posted October 29, 2013 Madquilter and wife...welcome to the forum and to your new (to you) Milli. I can imagine the frustration she must be experiencing since she can't just get going on a quilt. While you/she will need to become familiar with the manual you should start with the basic maintenance checks which most of us do each day before quilting. Use the manual to guide you through this ...... Clean out and oil the bobbin basket as per the manual; check the bobbin itself for dust etc,; Is there a check spring in the bobbin? change the needle (if in doubt always change the needle!); Check the thread is threaded through all the correct guides from the spool to the needle, particularly check that it is properly seated in the check spring; Now you are ready to work on the tension in both the bobbin and for the top thread. Follow the manual and Dawn's great tips and guidelines under the 'Troubleshooting and Tips' section of the forum and check out the help videos too and you should soon be on your way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Hodson Posted October 31, 2013 Report Share Posted October 31, 2013 Wondering what happened with your quilting problem, hope all is solved. Please let us know how you are doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peggy (SewAsylum) Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Where is the check spring, please? I am not sure I have one. I have a baby lock Tiara. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimerickson Posted November 1, 2013 Report Share Posted November 1, 2013 Petmomful: I think Anne ment to say bobbin case backlash spring, not check spring. Your Tiara may or may not have one. If the Babylock doesn't have a rotary bobbin system, it probably doesn't have a backlash spring in the bobbin case. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anniquilter Posted November 5, 2013 Report Share Posted November 5, 2013 Thanks Jim...yes I did mean the back-lash spring in the bobbin case. Petmomful ... hope you are happily quilting by now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadQuilter Posted November 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO LIAM! He spent an hour at our place this afternoon going over the machine with my wife and she just completed her first quilt on her new machine. Thanks so much to everyone for their suggestions and help and especially Liam!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 Liam is SUPER!!!! Glad to read that you're on your way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggienoella Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 That's fabulous, now don't forget to post photos. Liam ROCKS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 Madquilter (Ken), It was nice meeting you and your wife (Becky) and I am glad I was able to help!!! Happy quilting and don't forget to post pictures!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnCavanaugh Posted November 8, 2013 Report Share Posted November 8, 2013 Liam, What a wonderful thing to do! I'm sure Ken and Becky are ecstatic. Thanks for being such a terrific help. Quilters are such great people! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.