ansew

This is actually the way I'm leaning right now---save my money, try what I have, and if I do like frame quilting, keep an eye out for a longer throat machine.

If this Homesteader machine I am looking at had a commercial type frame with it, I'd probably pursue it more, but the handmade frame is putting me off --the poles look like they would bend very easily----which would mean I'd have to upgrade to a frame that would take a 19" throat and I don't think that would be wise money spent right now.

Fivets

I bought a used Homesteader a few months ago. It was timed then but recently I had to send it out because the tension was off and I couldn't get it right. Birds nests beneath, top stitches not always caught or too loose, etc. it was timed again but when I got it home and put it on the frame had the same problems. Took it back and worked with the repairman to be sure I was doing everything correctly. It sewed fine in the shop but same problems when I got home. I've worked on it for two days and it's just worse. Won't pick up the bobbin thread, birds nests when it does, can't get the tension discs to tighten. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

soccertxi

This is an old thread. I suggest you contact The quilting solution on Facebook. It looks like they still sell this brand of machine. Just FYI. I had a different make of machine and had all sorts of problems. Turns out it was a bad bobbin winder. Old one died (YAY!), got a used one from a friend..poof..99% of tension problems gone.