HQ Amara User Manual
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The Amara uses the 134 needle system. Note that the needle has a
round shank rather than a shank with a flat side like home sewing
machines use.
If you use the recommended needle, you will experience:
• Fewer skipped stitches
• Less needle breakage
• Less thread breakage, especially at high speeds
• Less thread splicing or shredding
• Optimum fabric protection
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IMPORTANT: Change the needle regularly. We recommend you use a new needle for each new quilt
and any time the needle becomes bent, dull, or burred.
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CAUTION: A damaged needle may result in poor stitching quality or may even damage the machine
or your quilt.
To change the needle
ONLINE: For more information about replacing the needle, watch the video Replacing the Needle
at: http://www.HandiQuilter.com/Amara/needle.
1. Move the needle bar to the up position by pressing the needle up/down control on the handlebar.
2. Turn off all power to the machine.
3. Loosen the needle bar clamp screw with the
2.5mm hex wrench.
4. Remove the old needle by pulling it down. Discard the old needle in a safe way.
5. With the scarf of the needle (indentation at
the back of the needle just above the needle
eye) facing the rear of the machine and the
long groove down the front of the needle
facing the front of the machine, push the
needle all the way up into the needle bar
until it stops. Check the sight hole in the
needle clamp to verify that the top of the
needle can go no farther up.
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CAUTION: Check the needle to confirm it is fully inserted. The needle bar has a sight opening
above the needle bar clamp screw. Make sure the needle is touching the top of the sight opening.
If it isn’t, the machine timing will be off and it may be possible for the needle to collide with
internal parts causing damage not covered by warranty.
6. Carefully tighten the needle bar clamp screw.
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CAUTION: Although you can use your fingers to tighten the needle bar clamp screw, we recommend
that after finger-tightening the screw you use the 2.5mm hex wrench to tighten it just a bit more.
The Amara runs at very high speeds and this ensures the needle will not loosen while quilting.
However, do not over tighten the needle clamp screw as this may strip the threads of the screw.
Stripped threads are not covered under the warranty. It may also become difficult to insert the
needle properly into the needle bar. Once the screw no longer turns freely by hand, gently turn
the screwdriver until the screw is tightened snuggly.
Needle Size
Thread Size
12 and 14
monofilament, 100 wt. silk, 60 wt. polyester, mylar
16
monofilament, mylar, 100 wt., 80 wt., 60 wt., 50 wt., 40 wt. silk, polyester and cotton thread
18
40 wt. cotton and polyester, 30 wt. cotton and polyester
19 and 21
Any thread 30 wt. and heavier such as 12 wt., 19 wt., 30 wt.
QUILTING TIP: Needle requirements for general quilting, a size 16/100 needle will accommodate
most threads and fabrics. Heavier threads, such as top stitch and some decorative threads, require
a larger needle such as 18/110 or 21/130. Lofty batts and heavier fabrics such as denim, canvas, or
densely woven fabric may also require a larger needle.
Hopping Feet
Your machine comes with two hopping feet: a ruler foot (comes installed) and an open-toe foot. Use the
ruler foot for everyday quilting and ruler work, and use the open-toe foot when you need greater stitch
visibility (such as when you are micro quilting).
ONLINE: For more information about changing the hopping feet, watch the video Changing
Handi Feet at: http://www.HandiQuilter.com/Amara/handifeet.
Scarf at back of needle just above eye
Long groove at front of needle - shoulder to eye
