2 questions for longarmers, quilt tops and sew zone space.
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Southern, Utah
Posts: 1,233
2 questions for longarmers, quilt tops and sew zone space.
1. I've learned to secure the bottom of the quilt top, however, I've read about many who don't and float the quilt top. They state they have just as good if not better results. What have you found to be the best way to load your quilt top?
2. I have 17 inches for the sew zone. Do I need to adjust the pattern to handle the rolling of a king size quilt? How much room will I have in the sew zone towards the bottom of the quilt?
I'm using an Edge to Edge method with robotics.
Looking forward to your comments, I'm learning but still have very much to learn. Thank you.
2. I have 17 inches for the sew zone. Do I need to adjust the pattern to handle the rolling of a king size quilt? How much room will I have in the sew zone towards the bottom of the quilt?
I'm using an Edge to Edge method with robotics.
Looking forward to your comments, I'm learning but still have very much to learn. Thank you.
Last edited by Rhonda Lee; 12-03-2020 at 08:56 AM.
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central Iowa
Posts: 2,348
not much help. I do float the top, when I get to the almost the end I do pin the top. If you are doing edge to edge with 17" sew zone use patterns less than 11" that is what I go by. You could ask your dealer what size of pattern will work well with your 17" sew zone. Good luck
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NM
Posts: 993
I used to have a small quilting machine and as you got down to the bottom the pattern got smaller, or you adjusted the pattern to start with and make everything small to begin with. I did free motion with that machine.
#4
1. I suggest you try both ways and find what works for you. I have always floated my quilts, have never pinned the bottom to a leader. I feel that I have more control.
2. I can’t help much on this, I don’t do many pantos. With 17” of space, you may want to space it so the center of the panto falls near the middle section of the available area to quilt, if possible. This would allow plenty of space for the quilt to roll without the bulk encroaching on the panto area.
I don’t know what LA you have, but you may want to check to see if there is a FB page you can join for your machine brand. There are pages for most machines that have hundreds - or thousands - of wonderful people who have worked with your machine and have considerable knowledge - often with dealers who chime in, too. You will probably get responses more machine-specific there.
2. I can’t help much on this, I don’t do many pantos. With 17” of space, you may want to space it so the center of the panto falls near the middle section of the available area to quilt, if possible. This would allow plenty of space for the quilt to roll without the bulk encroaching on the panto area.
I don’t know what LA you have, but you may want to check to see if there is a FB page you can join for your machine brand. There are pages for most machines that have hundreds - or thousands - of wonderful people who have worked with your machine and have considerable knowledge - often with dealers who chime in, too. You will probably get responses more machine-specific there.
Last edited by cindi; 12-03-2020 at 12:36 PM.
#5
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,585
I don’t know what LA you have, but you may want to check to see if there is a FB page you can join for your machine brand. There are pages for most machines that have hundreds - or thousands - of wonderful people who have worked with your machine and have considerable knowledge - often with dealers who chime in, too. You will probably get responses more machine-specific there.
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: northern minnesota
Posts: 2,480
1. I've learned to secure the bottom of the quilt top, however, I've read about many who don't and float the quilt top. They state they have just as good if not better results. What have you found to be the best way to load your quilt top?
2. I have 17 inches for the sew zone. Do I need to adjust the pattern to handle the rolling of a king size quilt? How much room will I have in the sew zone towards the bottom of the quilt?
I'm using an Edge to Edge method with robotics.
Looking forward to your comments, I'm learning but still have very much to learn. Thank you.
2. I have 17 inches for the sew zone. Do I need to adjust the pattern to handle the rolling of a king size quilt? How much room will I have in the sew zone towards the bottom of the quilt?
I'm using an Edge to Edge method with robotics.
Looking forward to your comments, I'm learning but still have very much to learn. Thank you.
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: North Idaho
Posts: 1,704
I float my tops, not because I think it's better, but because I'm lazy, i guess. I use the quilt clips (I think that's what they are called) to hold it down and provide some tension on the top, if needed.
can you use the quilt block size as a guide for your pattern height? then you know that things will line up equally from top to bottom as you approach the end of the quilt. or, if you intentionally start your designs off the quilt edge, then you can continue to do so across the whole quilt and it will all look even that way.
can you use the quilt block size as a guide for your pattern height? then you know that things will line up equally from top to bottom as you approach the end of the quilt. or, if you intentionally start your designs off the quilt edge, then you can continue to do so across the whole quilt and it will all look even that way.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: kansas
Posts: 6,407
Can't help with #2 as I have a hand guided Gammill and seldom do pantos. I always float quilts (didn't use to) and use long, strong bar magnets that I put handles on to hold the quilt steady on the belly bar.
I think that by floating the top I'm better able to adjust for out of square quilts.
I think that by floating the top I'm better able to adjust for out of square quilts.
#10
Super Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: S.E. Queensland, Australia
Posts: 1,503
I like to stitch on a 'taut/firm' quilt, so roll the bottom up with the leader - then when the end is close I do pin the edge.
For pantos or edge to edge, it sometimes depends on the size of the quilt, and particularly batting used. Poly takes up a lot of room in the throat. I have an 18" Tin Lizzie and won't use any designs more than 12" wide. My DDs 60x70" quilt is on the frame now with a cotton/wool batting, and I am lucky to get a 12" pattern into the last row.
For pantos or edge to edge, it sometimes depends on the size of the quilt, and particularly batting used. Poly takes up a lot of room in the throat. I have an 18" Tin Lizzie and won't use any designs more than 12" wide. My DDs 60x70" quilt is on the frame now with a cotton/wool batting, and I am lucky to get a 12" pattern into the last row.