Janome Artistic Quilter 18
06-19-2011, 10:20 AM
#11
Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Tampa, Fl
Posts: 38
Hi and thanks for writing back. I have joined several longarm groups on Yahoo, different brands but the Tin Lizzie group says if you are trying to do the lizzie stitch and seem to be having problems it is either the tension, the encoders or the encoder wiring. Alot of the members have had to buy new wires but I am not sure how old their models are. Tin Lizzie had some problems with the old style encoders. I think the Lizzie stitch is our equivalent of the stitch regulator but not sure. Oh, and one more thing have you adjusted the needle in anyway? One of the groups said if the needle is slightly off that will affect the stitching also. Have you possibly taken a sample of the stitching to your dealer to show them what is going on? Just a thought.
I double checked my instructions on installing the encoders and missed a crucial sentence. I have the Majestic frame and the back track needed to be pulled back as far as it would go (which, of course I didn't do) so I will need to take everything off and move that track back which will affect the front track and the table as well. So I am not sure of all the sticky stuff I put on the table, how that will turn out. The instructions said if the back track wasn't all the way back the encoder will not ride on the track, which it doesn't. Good luck Judy
I double checked my instructions on installing the encoders and missed a crucial sentence. I have the Majestic frame and the back track needed to be pulled back as far as it would go (which, of course I didn't do) so I will need to take everything off and move that track back which will affect the front track and the table as well. So I am not sure of all the sticky stuff I put on the table, how that will turn out. The instructions said if the back track wasn't all the way back the encoder will not ride on the track, which it doesn't. Good luck Judy
06-19-2011, 10:59 AM
#12
Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 71
Judy, don't worry about the sticky stuff when you re-do the table..we had to do the same. and even though some came off there was enough left on so that it didn't cause a problem.
thanks for your tips, no i didn't touch the needle. heads up..if you need to wind a bobbin when not quilting, the directions don't tell you BUT you need to push the fast speed button! Took them 3 days to get to me on that gem.
Guess it will just be practice practice till i figure it out. and yes, i did take a sample of my sewing to the dealer...BUT there quilt on the frame is MUCH WORSE than mine!
of course, they didn't have one set up before i bought mine.
Good luck, and just put on practice material till you have it set right. Oh by the way, my machine hates the larger cones of thread!!! it prefers the smaller ones.
Happy stitching, Suzy
thanks for your tips, no i didn't touch the needle. heads up..if you need to wind a bobbin when not quilting, the directions don't tell you BUT you need to push the fast speed button! Took them 3 days to get to me on that gem.
Guess it will just be practice practice till i figure it out. and yes, i did take a sample of my sewing to the dealer...BUT there quilt on the frame is MUCH WORSE than mine!
of course, they didn't have one set up before i bought mine.
Good luck, and just put on practice material till you have it set right. Oh by the way, my machine hates the larger cones of thread!!! it prefers the smaller ones.
Happy stitching, Suzy
06-19-2011, 02:49 PM
#13
Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Tampa, Fl
Posts: 38
Hi again,
Dont' mean to bother you but wanted to let you know, if you already don't about the trunk show this coming week-end at the Sarasota/Bradenton airport in one of the hotels around there. DekKt's Out Quilting Supply will be putting it on with classes, supplies and a class on maintenance as well. I have emailed them and really hoping they will have the maintenance class again on Saturday, that's the only day I can go.
Their website is www.dekktoutquiltingsupply.com
email is [email protected]. Their shop is in Ohio and travel around doing shows and classes. They are a certified dealer in Tin Lizzie 18 and said it is very similar to our and not only are they willing to help solve any problems but are willing to make house calls too. Steve will even set up the frame/machines for you from what I read.
Well, I practiced this afternoon and for the most part it went really well. The bobbin miracously worked and the stitching looked really good. I did tighten the top tension knob a little and made sure that the tension lever was down (ouch!), I won't say how many times I forgot to lower that little jewel.
When I changed gears, went from speed to ruler and cruise she balked, quite a bit so I am not sure if it's because the back encoder hasn't been fixed yet. She did work really well in the stitch mode. I did use the bigger cones and noticed that the pull coming off the cones was really tight, thread shredded a couple of times. I will try your advice and put on some smaller ones and see if that drag stops. Oh and thanks for that tip on the bobbin winder, I didn't know that.
I do whole heartedly agree with you on the support issue. Spending this much money should at least give one a better manual, trouble shooting guide and dealer support. You wouldn't believe the reception I'm gotten from a couple of local's in the area about private lessons, guess they don't want the money and the Tin Lizzie dealer over in St.Pete said absolutely not, you didn't buy it from here. I just don't understand, don't they realize that if you help one customer they tend to buy more stuff there and spread the word? Judy
Dont' mean to bother you but wanted to let you know, if you already don't about the trunk show this coming week-end at the Sarasota/Bradenton airport in one of the hotels around there. DekKt's Out Quilting Supply will be putting it on with classes, supplies and a class on maintenance as well. I have emailed them and really hoping they will have the maintenance class again on Saturday, that's the only day I can go.
Their website is www.dekktoutquiltingsupply.com
email is [email protected]. Their shop is in Ohio and travel around doing shows and classes. They are a certified dealer in Tin Lizzie 18 and said it is very similar to our and not only are they willing to help solve any problems but are willing to make house calls too. Steve will even set up the frame/machines for you from what I read.
Well, I practiced this afternoon and for the most part it went really well. The bobbin miracously worked and the stitching looked really good. I did tighten the top tension knob a little and made sure that the tension lever was down (ouch!), I won't say how many times I forgot to lower that little jewel.
When I changed gears, went from speed to ruler and cruise she balked, quite a bit so I am not sure if it's because the back encoder hasn't been fixed yet. She did work really well in the stitch mode. I did use the bigger cones and noticed that the pull coming off the cones was really tight, thread shredded a couple of times. I will try your advice and put on some smaller ones and see if that drag stops. Oh and thanks for that tip on the bobbin winder, I didn't know that.
I do whole heartedly agree with you on the support issue. Spending this much money should at least give one a better manual, trouble shooting guide and dealer support. You wouldn't believe the reception I'm gotten from a couple of local's in the area about private lessons, guess they don't want the money and the Tin Lizzie dealer over in St.Pete said absolutely not, you didn't buy it from here. I just don't understand, don't they realize that if you help one customer they tend to buy more stuff there and spread the word? Judy
06-20-2011, 03:56 PM
#14
Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Tampa, Fl
Posts: 38
Hi,
I happened to think of something this morning and wanted to share it with you, maybe something for you to check. My regular sewing machine was stitching awful and I tried adjusting the tensions (both) until I was blue in the face. I lived near a really good dealer then and took my machine in to see him. He found it right away. Seems I had a small, tiny, thread stuck in the bobbin area where I couldn't see it and when he pulled it out I was shocked. It was lodged on the inside of the bobbin case between the thread slot and where it gets hooked around before exiting the case. I also took a maintenance class there as well and he said to take an index card and slide it in the tension disks to remove any build up or loose thread. Maybe this will give you a few more options to check. Good luck Judy
I happened to think of something this morning and wanted to share it with you, maybe something for you to check. My regular sewing machine was stitching awful and I tried adjusting the tensions (both) until I was blue in the face. I lived near a really good dealer then and took my machine in to see him. He found it right away. Seems I had a small, tiny, thread stuck in the bobbin area where I couldn't see it and when he pulled it out I was shocked. It was lodged on the inside of the bobbin case between the thread slot and where it gets hooked around before exiting the case. I also took a maintenance class there as well and he said to take an index card and slide it in the tension disks to remove any build up or loose thread. Maybe this will give you a few more options to check. Good luck Judy
06-20-2011, 04:04 PM
#15
Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 71
thanks Judy for all the info...i'm thinking of making the 50 mile treck to the dealer tomorrow. gosh i hate doing that.
i didn't know about the show you told me about. sounds great.
trying to figure if i want to load a quilt or something to play around with...just getting sick and tired of wasting good material, batting & thread.
can't wait to be singing oh happy day!!! keep telling myself it will happen (lol)
PS...did you take a leveler and make sure your table was level? my hubby said that was one of the things he found to help him.
happy sewuing, Sue
i didn't know about the show you told me about. sounds great.
trying to figure if i want to load a quilt or something to play around with...just getting sick and tired of wasting good material, batting & thread.
can't wait to be singing oh happy day!!! keep telling myself it will happen (lol)
PS...did you take a leveler and make sure your table was level? my hubby said that was one of the things he found to help him.
happy sewuing, Sue
06-20-2011, 04:16 PM
#16
Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Tampa, Fl
Posts: 38
Hi Suzy,
Yes, my sister helped me set everything up and she had a long level that we used. Everything looks good on that end. Am planning on tackling the table take-a-part tomorrow night. The people putting on the show this week-end emailed me and they are giving a beginner's class and probably a maintenance class on Saturday so I will try my best to get down there. Good luck, I know what you mean about that batting & material, thread. I went through 2 1/2 yards in no time yesterday so now have to figure out where to find $1 yd material that will work so I don't go broke just practicing.. lol Judy
Yes, my sister helped me set everything up and she had a long level that we used. Everything looks good on that end. Am planning on tackling the table take-a-part tomorrow night. The people putting on the show this week-end emailed me and they are giving a beginner's class and probably a maintenance class on Saturday so I will try my best to get down there. Good luck, I know what you mean about that batting & material, thread. I went through 2 1/2 yards in no time yesterday so now have to figure out where to find $1 yd material that will work so I don't go broke just practicing.. lol Judy
06-24-2011, 07:20 PM
#18
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 3
Hi girls:
I got my Artistic Quilter a month or so ago and I have torn my hair out ever since. I put it on a Bernina frame, as my dealer assured me it would fit on this frame I already owned. The trouble with the left to right encoder sounds a lot like what you guys are having. It kinda dangles there and it's hard to tell if it is actually "riding" on the rail. Thus the back and forth stitch regulation seems to work but the left right (back encoder) is all twitchy and sporadic. I have basically given up on the stitch regulation. Don't know what else to try. The eyelash on the back problem was solved by tightening the upper tension, a few more turns than you would think after making sure the bobbin tension is about right. Also the "speed" version works pretty well but it's zero to sixty in a heartbeat. You better be prepared for that. One of the reasons I got this was the ruler mode as my dealer sold this one and regulation tin lizzies. Sigh. It's a load of cash for no stitch regulation. Plus the machine was too low on the carriage so I had to put door stops under it to raise it. For 6,000 dollars it's kinda disappointing.
M
I got my Artistic Quilter a month or so ago and I have torn my hair out ever since. I put it on a Bernina frame, as my dealer assured me it would fit on this frame I already owned. The trouble with the left to right encoder sounds a lot like what you guys are having. It kinda dangles there and it's hard to tell if it is actually "riding" on the rail. Thus the back and forth stitch regulation seems to work but the left right (back encoder) is all twitchy and sporadic. I have basically given up on the stitch regulation. Don't know what else to try. The eyelash on the back problem was solved by tightening the upper tension, a few more turns than you would think after making sure the bobbin tension is about right. Also the "speed" version works pretty well but it's zero to sixty in a heartbeat. You better be prepared for that. One of the reasons I got this was the ruler mode as my dealer sold this one and regulation tin lizzies. Sigh. It's a load of cash for no stitch regulation. Plus the machine was too low on the carriage so I had to put door stops under it to raise it. For 6,000 dollars it's kinda disappointing.
M
06-25-2011, 06:37 AM
#19
Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 71
sorry to have you join the Artistic Blues Club!
my encoders seem to be fine. did you try putting a washer in between the screw and frame? also if you put white out on the encoder (just a little bit) you will be able to see it move much easier.
think we've all learned that sales people will say anything to make a sale!
try talking to the maker of the table...Grace Co. was wonderful in getting me an upgrade for the table i have.
Good luck...i have someone coming out on tuesday to help me with mine.
my encoders seem to be fine. did you try putting a washer in between the screw and frame? also if you put white out on the encoder (just a little bit) you will be able to see it move much easier.
think we've all learned that sales people will say anything to make a sale!
try talking to the maker of the table...Grace Co. was wonderful in getting me an upgrade for the table i have.
Good luck...i have someone coming out on tuesday to help me with mine.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
