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Kathy Quilts! Block Rockit 15R Manual Download Page 28

The Joy of Quilting with Your Long-Arm Machine

28

KathyQuilts.com

COMMON SIGNS OF BAD TENSION ARE: 

•   Loops – the stitch doesn’t lie flat against the fabric,  

but bubbles out.

•   Bobbin thread shows through the top of the quilt.
•   Top thread shows through on the bottom of the quilt.
•   Thread breaking.

   

KATHY 

SAYS: If you’re using two different  

colors of thread for the top and bobbin  
then you will most likely be able to see the  
contrasting color on the opposite side,  
unless you are using a thicker poly-batting.  
Try to keep the bobbin and top colors similar  
if not the same.

COMMON CAUSES OF BAD TENSION ARE: 

•  Different weight thread on top or bottom
    -   Whichever thread is heavier is going to pull harder on the other thread. If the 

top thread is heavier, you should loosen the top tension to make it even with the 
bottom. If the bobbin thread is heavier, you should tighten the top tension to 
make it stronger.

•  Batting
    -    If you use batting in some quilts but not others, or if you change batting type 

between quilts, you may need to adjust the tension. To test the tension before 
sewing on your quilt, first sew on a piece of scrap fabric with batting and see if 
the tension needs to be adjusted.

•  Fabric
    -   Changing fabric type may necessitate tension adjustments. To test the tension 

before sewing on your quilt, first sew on scrap fabric to see if there needs to be 
tension adjustments.

•  Thread not correctly in tension disks
    -   Always make sure your thread is secure and deep down between the tension 

discs and that the machine is threaded correctly. Oftentimes loops and poor 
stitches come from having the machine incorrectly threaded.

HELPFUL VIDEO:

 

Adjusting the Top Tension 

(full video)

Summary of Contents for Block Rockit 15R

Page 1: ...The Joy of Quilting with Your Long Arm Machine 1 KathyQuilts com 1 With Your Long Arm Quilting Machine ...

Page 2: ... area 12 Cleaning your frame s tracks and wheels 13 Lesson Two Basics of the Block Rockit 14 Installing Encoders 15 Setting your Block Rockit on the frame 16 Breaking the Machine in before quilting 17 Bobbins and Bobbin Tension 19 Threading Your Machine 20 Thread Type 21 Machine Thread Tension 22 Thread Breakage Skipped Stitches 23 Machine Needles 23 Oiling and Warming Up Your Machine 25 Machine C...

Page 3: ... stitches 5 Your First Quilting Free Motion quilting 5 Getting into a creative groove 5 Learning from Mistakes 5 Parking your sewing machine 5 Lesson Four Quilting Above and Beyond 4 Practicing with Perseverance 5 Setting Goals 5 Proper Techniques 5 Skill building Designs 5 Designs and Idea Brainstorm 5 Quilting with a Laser and Pantographs 5 Practicing Precision Quilting 5 Using Rulers Templates ...

Page 4: ...of engineering and testing the Block Rockit was ready We are truly grateful for the opportunity to present a quilting machine that is more accessible to everyone We absolutely love the Block Rockit and we know you will too Traditionally long arm quilting has required both a lot money and space in your home making it difficult to have as an everyday hobby The Grace Company developed its frames to m...

Page 5: ...ll give you very good details on the different parts and functions of your set up It is very important to read everything in your manuals BEFORE you set up THIS book is a supplement to the manuals adding a candid perspective from Kathy Quilts Referring to this book often will help give you new insight as you improve your quilting skills and learn how to better care for your quilting equipment the ...

Page 6: ...e quilting requires that you know the proper care of your machine and frame and how to develop the right mindset and work environment that will enhance your creativity Like any skill quilting requires practice problem solving patience and stretching yourself in order to see steady improvement Our goal is to help you understand the different aspects of quilting and help you find more enjoyment as y...

Page 7: ...one Hoop are entry level steel frames and the Contiuum is a professional grade steel frame that is available in 8 10 and 12 foot lengths Click the links for more information on these frames Each frame has unique characteristics to fit different quilting needs The Contiuum is the frame we recommend most but if you can t fit at least a five foot frame in your space you might consider the Q Zone Hoop...

Page 8: ...er adjusting the legs use the manual foot levelers that come with all the frames for micro adjustments to fine tune your frame s height 1 We recommend using a level to check all sides of your frame to see where adjustments might be needed If you do not have access to a level you can test to see if your machine carriage drifts in any direction when you let go of the handle Move the machine toward e...

Page 9: ...shoulder and upper back muscles and may result in muscle pain 2 Precision work while standing should be done about 2 inches above elbow height allowing your elbows to have support when needed Precision work is usually specified as writing or small assembly Thus precision quilting smaller more intricate quilting could fall under this category if you are planning on doing very detailed and intricate...

Page 10: ...your neck is not straining forward X You can see your workspace Consider wearing reading glasses if you can t X Your wrists fell comfortable while holding onto the quilting handles X Your elbows are at the right height X You don t lift shoulders repetitively which would cause pain around the shoulder blades and upper back Remember if quilting doesn t feel comfortable now it won t feel any better a...

Page 11: ...nd taped onto the rail for use the first time you install them Older Grace frames come with the Fabri Fast system for cloth leaders that allow you to slip a tube into one side of the leader which then clips into the groove of the rail After your leader is clipped into the groove of the rail you can pin a quilt on Pins Quilt Back Quilt Batting Quilt Top Take Up Cloth Leader TAKE UP RAIL QUILT BACK ...

Page 12: ...able to press the quilt before pinning it on the frame If you do not have a pressing table you can make one by using an old door or piece of wood and placing it on a table dresser or ironing board Cover it with 100 cotton batting and duck cloth for high heat resistance Remember that well pressed seams are easier to quilt over Wastebaskets Keeping a wastebasket at each end of your frame will keep y...

Page 13: ... accessible but out of the way of your working area to help keep your workplace organized Storing batting under the stairs or hanging it from the ceiling are some of the different options you have Get creative in storing your batting Get inspired Keep an inspirational work environment Create a space that will help your creativity start flowing A space where you love to be and where you feel happy ...

Page 14: ...ng frame I m so blessed to have a great husband Lynn that will build me cool things to help me with my job He took an old five panel door that we had in our old house added a newel post to each side and made me a beautiful on deck quilting station It s a door turned on it s side so that I have a spot to lay all the quilts carefully until they are ready for their turn Since I quilt professionally I...

Page 15: ...ers patterns pens pins etc Underneath the table I m able to store three rolls of batting and it is on wheels too so that it can be moved if I need the floor area for some reason I also have great things in my quilting room to look at while I m working to give me inspiration when I quilt My walls are painted a cool pastel blue green Very calming And I need windows to gaze out Of course I have a clo...

Page 16: ...cks of the Block Rockit carriage or frame will make quilting less smooth or even cause bumps or erratic stitches as you quilt To keep your frame clean dust it often and remove lint especially from the tracks and the cogs of the rails Wipe down the tracks and wheels weekly with a damp cloth or small alcohol cleaning wipe to keep your machine moving over the tracks smoothly Checking the hardware on ...

Page 17: ...ut in the quilting profession This lesson on the Block Rockit serves as a supplement to the instruction manual and give you advice on how to care for your machine so that it too will continue to perform well over the years Remember please read the entire instruction manual before you do anything with your machine This is very important It will save you time in the long run of working with your qui...

Page 18: ...describing how to install them Next we suggest watching our helpful video that demonstrates how to properly install them KATHY SAYS This section will provide some additional guidance to help you properly install the encoders If you still have questions after reviewing these resources please feel free to contact us Encoders are quite simple to install even if it may seem difficult at first MATERIAL...

Page 19: ...er It looks like a washer that is actually part of the wheel The other side of the wheel is flat You want the spacer closest to the carriage not the encoder Use the 4mm Allen wrench to put the wheel back onto the carriage with the encoder hanging from the wheel for now Encoder For A Single Wheeled Carriage Q Zone frames and older Grace Frames INSTALLATION Remove the back right wheel NOTE If there ...

Page 20: ...achine parallel to the throat of the machine with your left hand Insert the 2mm allen wrench into the set screw While holding the encoder with your left hand bring the set screw and 2mm wrench down with your right hand until it is pointed down at least 90 degrees from the encoder s wheel and then tighten the set screw so that it is hand tight DO NOT over tighten CARRIAGE ENCODER Set the carriage o...

Page 21: ...e installed the two encoders for the Stitch Regulator you are ready to set your Block RockiT and carriage up on the frame it weighs about 39 pounds so you may need assistance You will also need to attach the thread mast and display screen before you start quilting To set up the Block Rockit on the frame first unhook the Take up rail then set the machine on the frame Next put the rail through the t...

Page 22: ...r manual A COUPLE NOTES ON FILLING THE BOBBIN If the thread is not filling as the bobbin spins wrap the thread around the bobbin case a few more times so that the thread is tighter and will catch as the bobbin starts to spin Make sure the thread on the bobbin is wrapped very tightly The thread should not be loose If it is it will affect the tension as you quilt When the thread is wrapped tightly i...

Page 23: ...your machine to seize up Threading your machine correctly directly affects thread tension so watch this video X Check threading often X All thread guides caught X No obstructions to thread path X Tension discs free of lint X Thread snug securely between tension discs X hole in the shaft above the needle threaded Rethreading will fix many of your stitch problems Be sure to clean between the tension...

Page 24: ... our thread being caught on something on our sewing table It s very important to go through these troubleshooting steps with any sewing machine especially your Block Rockit and many times your problem will be solved quickly Thread Type Block Rockit machines can use any type of quilting thread there is not a specific type you must use with this machine Choose what works for you Don t go cheap or yo...

Page 25: ...ears now A 6000 yard cone of thread will last you through MANY quilts Get two cones of the colors you use the most so that you can use one as a dedicated bobbin winder thread Venture out and try a new thread We ve found that Superior Metallic is a great thread to quilt with Try their neon thread Variegated thread is usually a little thicker thread KATHY SAYS Always test quilt a sample sew off piec...

Page 26: ...es arise Bobbin Tension At times you may need to adjust the bobbin tension Start out by leaving the bobbin tension the way it is when you receive the machine with the expectation that you will be adjusting it to the correct tension The Block Rockit bobbin case has hardly any tension on the bobbin but with different thread types lint and general use may change the tension causing problems or thread...

Page 27: ... MAY NEED TO RE ADJUST THE BOBBIN TENSION Top Thread Tension To tighten the tension turn the tension knob clockwise To loosen the tension turn the tension knob counter clockwise When you are first learning how to adjust the tension practice sewing on a scrap fabric sew off piece At times you may need to make smaller adjustments to get the tension just right or you may need to adjust it a lot by tu...

Page 28: ... heavier you should loosen the top tension to make it even with the bottom If the bobbin thread is heavier you should tighten the top tension to make it stronger Batting If you use batting in some quilts but not others or if you change batting type between quilts you may need to adjust the tension To test the tension before sewing on your quilt first sew on a piece of scrap fabric with batting and...

Page 29: ...op tension disks apart with them thumb and forefinger and blow it out with my canned air I you know you have thread that is especially linty then I would blow out the tension disks every two to three rows When I start a new row I like to bring my bobbin thread up to the top of the quilt and hold both the top thread and bobbin thread at the 10 O Clock position before I start to stitch After I have ...

Page 30: ... find you have a problem then do all your stitching and adjusting on a sew off piece so you don t have to unpick your quilt Thread Breakage Skipped Stitches While thread breakage or skipped stitches can result from a number of reasons they are usually caused by only a few main factors The following list might help you identify the cause CHECK THE THREADING Is the machine threaded correctly Is the ...

Page 31: ... will work best on thicker quilts including denim as it is larger than a size 16 Needles wear out as you quilt replace them often if you are doing a lot of quilting If you hear a popping or clunking noise as you are quilting it is time to change your needle This means your needle has eitherdeveloped a burr on the end which can cause the stitch to be thrown off or it has been bent or dented It s im...

Page 32: ... oil from getting onto your quilt To warm up the machine let it run without any thread in the top or bobbin you can remove the bobbin case for about two minutes After letting it warm up put in the bobbin case and thread the needle Then use two pieces of scrap fabric about 10 X 10 with batting in between and start sewing them together like you would a quilt This will give your machine a chance to g...

Page 33: ...achine When you are just learning to quilt it is important to get a good feel for the movement of the machine and frame the regulated precise mode is the best mode for this It will also allow you to do most types of quilting from large stitches to fine tuned detailed designs Once you become more comfortable with your Block RockiT it is a good idea to experiment with the other modes Keep in mind th...

Page 34: ...quilt while using a pantograph pattern They enable you to work from the back of your machine so a pantograph can be laid on the tabletop of your frame which can then be followed with the laser The controls for the rear handles are exactly the same as your front handles The display screen can move from the front of your machine and be placed at the back near the rear handles while you are working w...

Page 35: ...e hanging end of the cable 180 degrees Thread the end of the cable through the hole of the hinged part of the display Plug the end of the cable straight down into the top of the display hub Plug the plastic hinged part of the display into the display hub We strongly suggest practicing from the front side of your machine first before moving to the rear handles especially if this is the first time y...

Page 36: ...justed correctly as it can interfere with the top thread picking the bobbin thread up and completing a nice stitch TIP FROM KATHY When quilting denim or a heavily appliqued quilt avoid running your machine over thicker seams The thickness can break or bend your needle which can sometimes throw the timing of your machine off Quilt designs around these seams and your machine will keep a nicer stitch...

Page 37: ...int brush to remove lint Once you have removed lint on the inside put the side case back on and tighten the screws so that the machine does not rattle as you sew Machine Timing Proper timing on your quilting machine is essential in keeping the machine s parts in sync to avoid skipped stitches If the timing is thrown off this can happen from running over thick seams or bending breaking a needle it ...

Page 38: ...re great to learn on as you can make mistakes and practice new techniques These are also great to donate to charities animal shelters or to keep in your quilt collection as a beginning keepsake Practice using the Block Rockit s different modes and settings as you quilt and try new designs until you are comfortable with the feel of the machine Quilting requires a lot of practice patience and trial ...

Page 39: ... problem especially for new quilters If your quilt has a flared border it will not lay flat thus causing puckers and tucks as you quilt it on your frame If you have a quilt with flared borders you can try to ease it flat as you quilt over it but it is easier to avoid the problem in the first place as you piece the quilt as described below INSTRUCTIONS FOR ATTACHING BORDERS TO A QUILT SIDE BORDERS ...

Page 40: ...rectly saving yourself a lot of frustration and time when you begin to quilt 4 Cut the right size of backing and batting for your quilt The quilt back needs to be at least three inches wider on each side of the quilt and four to six inches longer than the quilt This will be helpful for when your quilt top stretches differently than the back thus making sure you will have enough quilt back to cover...

Page 41: ...nning along the edges keeping the pins parallel to the edge When finished leave the pin that is marking the center you will use this center pin to line up the center of the batting and quilt top Roll the rail with the leader labeled quilt back the rail that you first pinned the quilt back to until the fabric has some tension on it 2 Pinning on the quilt top Pin the bottom edge of the quilt top to ...

Page 42: ...eed to pin all three layers to the take up rail leader along the top edge Both methods allow you to quilt up to a quarter inch away from the edge You may choose to float your quilt top if you have a scalloped edge of a quilt thus making it harder to pin to the leaders and maximize your quilting area Both methods are good ways to secure your quilt to the cloth leaders so it really is a personal pre...

Page 43: ...s can be done by raising the take up rail as demonstrated in your frame s instruction manual Be sure to keep the rail even as you raise it up Tools needed while quilting Through the years of machine quilting Kathy has found tools and supplies that have helped her in her daily work The following are a few tools that we feel can help make you a more efficient quilter We encourage you to utilize the ...

Page 44: ...t place to reach from Unpick every couple of stitches from the quilt back then unroll the quilt to pull the top thread away from the section you need to re quilt Kathy has unpicked entire quilts before if a customer was not satisfied or if she was not satisfied with the quilting so it is possible if you don t like how your quilting has turned out We suggest a seam ripper with a nice large handle a...

Page 45: ...pins to keep your quilt on the frame Magnetic pin grabbers will help keep all of your pins in one convenient place Canned Air or Compressor Lint can be very troublesome in machine quilting Cleaning your machine with canned air or an air compressor will help you avoid lint buildup Clean your machine often to keep it functioning well Follow the instructions on the canned air to avoid any safety haza...

Page 46: ...both the top and bobbin thread in one hand and move the machine back to the hole You will begin stitching at this hole Turn the machine on and take a couple of stitches Turn the machine off trim both threads you were holding and then continue quilting Your threads have been anchored Every time you stop quilting and cut your thread follow these steps to start quilting again so that your stitches wi...

Page 47: ... Getting into a creative groove Create an atmosphere that allows you to concentrate on your quilting and think of new ideas You will get into a rhythm with practicing the designs and techniques you ve wanted to try This will significantly help your quilting skills progress as it will increase the quality of the time you spend quilting Here are some suggestions that can help you create this kind of...

Page 48: ... Looking at pictures of award winning quilts Pressing a quilt and getting it ready to quilt As you touch the fabric let it give you quilting ideas Once it s nice and flat put it on the frame and start laying thread on it to get the best colors Oil up your machine do a little test quilting on the side bite the bullet and start I love to listen to an audio book on headphones while I quilt Others lik...

Page 49: ...rom quilting will be lacking KATHY SAYS Make the choice to be positive in the beginning stages of quilting as it will help you confidently work your way through any troubleshooting you may have to do with your machine and frame At KathyQuilts it s our goal to help you through these discouraging times so please know as you contact us we are always there and happy to help you as you quilt Parking yo...

Page 50: ... improve your technique Practicing with other quilters especially more experienced ones is an effective way to learn and improve Ask them questions to get ideas of how you can improve However avoid comparing your work to others While it is good to learn from others comparing your work can decrease your confidence and desire to quilt Some are born with a natural ability to sew craft or quilt Then t...

Page 51: ...order to finish a quilt for a friend by the end of the year you could set the following short term goals Piece the quilt together by the end of the month Practice the rose design on practice quilts at least 3 hours a week for the next four weeks Practice unpicking stitches for 20 minutes every week RECORD YOUR PROGRESS IN YOUR JOURNAL This will help you see your progress and areas where you can im...

Page 52: ...ll quilt the smaller designs and it can give you a smaller area to work on within the quilt As you quilt larger designs you will gain better consistent control over the Block Rockit which will help you when filling in the spaces Stippling pattern that looks like puzzle pieces over an entire quilt was a fad for quilters as machine quilting started to become more popular and has since become a more ...

Page 53: ...t covers the entire quilt create big swirls that can be connected by smaller loops or swirls These can also be quilted very small and are great for backgrounds of appliqued quilts WATER Quilt back and forth horizontally keeping the edges rounded when you change direction as if you were creating a river or flowing water You can incorporate swirls to make it look like more rolling water You get the ...

Page 54: ...g a bowl of cereal because nothing in your fridge jumped out at you there will be times when you may find yourself staring at your quilt not sure where to get started So think of this exercise as creating your personalized Quilting Cookbook To create your Cookbook draw a design on individual pieces of paper As you see new designs you like as discussed earlier you can add them to your Cookbook Try ...

Page 55: ...o show to your customers The more detailed your portfolio even of the projects you do not like the better it will serve you when you take that step from quilting as a hobby to quilting as a profession Note from Kathy Years ago one of the quilt shops taught a class Prior to the class they asked me to quilt the quilt that they were using to teach the class I don t know why I didn t think ahead but w...

Page 56: ...quilting One type of pattern a pantograph is a long design printed on paper that reaches across the width of your quilt Following a pantograph with a laser will be easier when you have previously practiced free motion quilting to the point of being very comfortable with the feel of the machine A stylus a pen shaped pointing device This info can help you in the future when you want to remember some...

Page 57: ...ckside you will quilt from right to left It is important to quilt this direction as you will have fewer problems with thread breakage and tension As you quilt stand slightly to the left of the machine and watch the laser follow the design Most importantly breathe relax your body and don t worry about following the pantograph perfectly as much as making smooth movements You want to avoid jerky abru...

Page 58: ...ore you roll the quilt to the next section This will require changing thread often but the quilt will have a nice continuous design Quilt all the borders first by quilting the top and bottom borders then unpin and rotate your quilt 90 degrees to quilt the side borders as the top and bottom borders There are many problems with this method and you will probably get puckers on the back of your quilt ...

Page 59: ...enter of your quilt After you ve quilted the center of your quilt and it s time to roll the quilt again then roll it 5 This time quilt the center part of your quilt because your thread is the same color 6 Change the thread color again and quilt another few swirls in the borders on each side Roll the quilt again when you re finished here and then quilt the borders first this time because your threa...

Page 60: ...flower on one side and the leaves on the other alternating back and forth along the vine These center vine designs are fast and a fun border idea SWAGS Always keep an odd number of swags so that you can sew to the next swag without stopping and cutting your threads saving time Mark your quilt at even intervals across and down the borders or use the blocks in your quilt as markers Say you have a 4 ...

Page 61: ...avorite quick border design SEASONAL QUILTING Quilt a flower then a loop to the next flower Alternate between a mitten then a snowflake until you reach the next border Quilt a baby bottle then a pacifier then another baby toy Quilt an autumn leaf then a loop then a leaf Keep changing the main quilting theme then quilt loops to get you to the next empty spot You can space these evenly or just quilt...

Page 62: ...s to keep trying new things and to call Kathy Quilts when you come upon a stumbling block and we WILL help you Be patient with yourself as you are a beginner and call us for help Practice practice practice the more you use your Block RockiT the more familiar you will become with it the smoother it runs and you will fall in love with your machine It s really scary learning something on your own but...

Page 63: ...the frame Frame Front The front of the quilting frame will be the one that allows you to be the closest to the sewing machine needle You can see your quilt best from this side of the frame Leaders Strips of fabric that attach to the frame rails poles The quilt gets pinned to these cloth leaders Long arm Machine Sewing machine head made to ride on a machine frame Larger than domestic sewing machine...

Page 64: ...e too slowly you will have very small stitches Stitch Regulators like the Grace SureStitch have a brain that determines the speed of your sewing machine by how fast you move the carriage If you speed up it will speed up you slow down the machine slows down This produces even stitches Take Up Rail One of at least three frame rails that the completed quilt rolls up on as you complete each row Throat...

Page 65: ...ng with Your Long Arm Machine 65 KathyQuilts com 3 See section in this lesson on the encoder 4 Refer to the section Setting Up Your Leaders From Kathy Quilts 5 See the section Oiling and Warming Up Your Machine Lesson 2 ...

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