The Joy of Quilting with Your Long-Arm Machine
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KathyQuilts.com
Quilt Back Rail -
Rail that the quilt back is rolled on when loading a quilt on the frame
Quilt Top Rail -
Rail that the quilt top is rolled on when loading a quilt on the frame
Speed Control -
Speed controls replace the foot pedal of your domestic sewing machine—a
box that has some sort of knob and or buttons to control the speed of the machine. These
speed controls only speed up or slow down your machine. They don’t control your stitch length
when quilting on a machine frame. The stitch length is regulated by how fast the machine is
running and the speed with which you move the frame carriage.
Stitch Regulator -
When machine quilting, controlling the speed of your machine is very
important. If your machine is running too fast, and you move the carriage 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 Length –
(arm length or harp, all related terms) The throat of a sewing machine is
measured from the needle to the right. If you are quilting on a shortarm frame, you will need at
least six inches of throat or arm length. Usually when you discuss how large your machine is, you
are referencing the measurement to the right of the machine needle.
Walking Foot -
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References:
[1] Refer to the frame’s Instruction Manual for details on how to adjust the legs or foot
levelers.
[2] (Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Sewing Station Design, https://
www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/sewing/sewingstationdesign.html, accessed January 10,
2015)