handi quilter HQ Sweet Sixteen, User Manual

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Page 12
HQ Sweet Sixteen User Manual
3. Thread continues through thread guide C , and then
down to the tension assembly (see Figure 10).
NOTE:
It is important that the thread is “flossed” up
between the two tension discs. If the thread is not firmly
in place between the two tension discs, the thread rests
on the outside of the tension discs (without tension) and
looping on fabric or thread nests may occur.
4. Once the thread is in place, be sure that the thread
catches on the take-up spring and then pull it down under
the stirrup (thread guide
D ).
5. Bring the thread back up through the take-up lever
from back to front, and then down through thread guide
E. Pull the thread at the take-up lever to ensure that
it is properly flossed between the tension disks. If it is
properly flossed in the tension disks you should feel some
resistance as you pull the thread. If it is not, then the
thread will pull freely.
6. Pull the thread down to the needle thread guide and
thread through the hole (thread guide
F ).
7. Make sure the thread is following the groove down the
front of the needle and threads from front to back. Be
careful that the thread does not twist around the needle.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The HQ Sweet Sixteen quilting
machine does not have a presser foot lever or top tension
release like a home sewing machine. On a home sewing
machine the top tension is released when the presser foot
is raised, allowing the thread to come freely out of the
machine. When a home machine is threaded, the presser
foot is raised and the tension discs are released and open
for the thread to easily fall between the tension discs.
This is not the case with the HQ Sweet Sixteen quilt-
ing machine where the top tension is always tight and
the tension discs are never open. Therefore, the thread
must be pulled up or “flossed” between the tension discs
or it will stay outside the discs and float without tension,
causing serious stitch problems and/or thread nests. It is
also possible to bend the needle while it is threaded if care
is not taken while moving the machine around the quilt
because the top tension is never released.
Figure 10
E
C
D
DETAIL 2
F