One hint the previous owner gave me was to have a small practice "quilt" next to your quilt. To the backing front and back leaders, I pin a 3 layer sandwich on the far end (for me the left end is easiest). I do a practice run to check my tension and adjust accordingly. It's easy to check by unpinning and look at the underside. Sometimes I get a little heavy handed with my oil, and this helps absorb some excess before I sew on the quilt.

I used fabric from the sale table. When I had finished playing with it I cut it up for various carryalls.

Love the idea of felt. Wish I had know of that.

Never thought of using felt. Just love this board and all the knowledge out there.

I marked practice muslin in permanent marker, used water soluble thread in the bobbin and 50 wt in the top.

When quilted soak the sandwich and the top thread pulls out. Ready to go again!

institches33 could you use a washable marker and do a new design every time? Great idea!!!

You guys are awesome! I have recently bought a longarm also and just came to the end of my muslin sandwich and hate to waste another whole one- what a great idea to just add the top layer of muslin!!! It was miles long so wasting the batting again wasn't appealing. I learn something every day here!

Congratulations indycat...how exciting! Looks like you’ve gotten a lot of wonderful suggestions here (as always). : )

Let us know how it goes with the new machine. I am sort of looking myself. After a few years or practicing and quilting a panel for a baby quilt and some odd fabric for throw pillows for the porch swing, etc. I am realizing that my Juki has such a limited width for quilting on my frame but then my frame isn't made for more than a 13-15 inch machine. Decisions, decisions. Ha Still trying to decide what direction to go. Q'Nique has some tension issues for some users and BabyLock Jazz has a 12 inch throat but doesn't have needle down feature. Oh Me. Hard to decide and no good places for me to try out machines. Will continue to follow along here.

I was told that inexpensive panels from JoAnn’s are great for practice. They make cute baby gifts.

An old mattress pad works great for practice. The sandwich is already made for you!