Problem:
Batting tears or separates during the tightening of the cogwheels.
Solution:
The batting was stretched and stressed. The batting should be longer than the quilt that you are
making and there should not be tension applied to it. Check the 4
th
pole to make sure that it is rolling smoothly
and easily.
Problem:
Poles are bowing in.
Solution:
The causes may be: 1. Seam down the center of the fabrics may be sewn too tight and is not giving
with the rest of the fabric. If the seam is the problem the quilt may
be attached sideways. 2. Fabric is not cut evenly. 3. Too much
tension has been applied. 4. Fabric has been stretched along the
poles instead of smoothly laid along the pole then attached.
Problem:
Fabric pulls/tears out at the thumbtacks when tension is
applied.
Solution:
Seat the tack all the way in. The head of the tack, not the post of the tack, should hold the fabric. Use
a tack hammer to seat the tacks if your hand is not strong enough.
Problem:
Poles squeak as they roll or they do not roll freely.
Solution:
The frame is not square!
Square it up with the floor using a carpenter’s square or an uncut piece of
poster board or a picture frame. If the quilting frame still squeaks after making sure that the frame is in good
square alignment, rub some paraffin or candle wax on the dowel ends of the poles.
Helps for Quilting, and Especially Tying:
Before installing the quilt onto the frame, mark both the quilt top and backing in similar increments
along the two side edges
. (The sides that are not tacked onto the poles). While rolling the quilt during the tying
process watch the marks. This will help you to keep an equal tension on the top and backing fabrics so you
won’t over tighten one or the other of your fabrics.
When rolling into a new area of tying, allow your last row of ties to remain in the new area of tying.
Also, tie your knots tight.
Do not roll past you last row of ties.
