Thanks so much for commenting Cindy. I try to just be me and show what works for me, hoping it will work for others - or at least spark ideas for you to do it better than I do! -Michael
I am new to quilting on a frame. I just loaded a quilt and rolled the backing to get the side tension on the backing even. Works great. Thank you for the video.
@@michael.quilts Followup. I now use my top leader for my backing. I struggled at first but came back to the video and noticed how you draped the top leader over the back bar. Genius! My quilt backs were slipping badly and loading a quilt was a chore. Thanks again.
@@nataliarodriguez6766 I am so glad that you found what works for you - and that is what works for me too. It takes me a while to adjust myself when I teach somewhere else and they load the traditional way, but I guess it's all about what you get used to. Happy Quilting!
I have never thought to load the quilt back from behind my frame! Wish id found you a lot sooner. I like pinning too but if I'm feeling extra lazy I use a stapler with it set to bend out instead of in then nip my backing fabric and rip the edge to get rid of all the staples easily when I'm done. Thanks for the video!
Michael, can you put on your list a video on squaring tops (or at least how to produce said tops) AND squaring backing, including how to position a backing that is pieced and needs to be centred with the top?
Thanks for this video Michael. I will definitely do the tip about rolling the quilt back and forth to get the side tenson like I want it. I will also find your video about your side tension system.
Hi Dana. Truly, I was only sometimes able to get the tension on my backing even and sometimes not. But when I learned this rolling technique, I found the time spent doing this to be very well worth it! Hope it works for you too!
Hi Lucy! I wish I could say that I made the hammock, but I never have made it. What I do is grab the bottom and drape it back up on the belly bar sometimes. I have yet to make the hammock. But it is on my list!
I'm a little late to the party, but I just found your videos and LOVE them! Do you have a video that you've made (or that someone else has done that you like) that shows how your square up your quilt prior to loading? I've seen a few but none are very clear to me. Thanks!
Same here! I have just learned that where the quilt can really go out of square is when borders are applied. But I have also messed up by forgetting to square my backing.
so glad to find that someone else loads backing on the quilt top bar! I like to use magnet bars on the "front backing bar" to stabilize the floated quilt top! I like to use magnet bars to stabilize the front of the quilt top an the magnets stick better with less bulk wrapped around it. still fairly new to quilting and my "tension" learning curve is less flat than it was when I started. haha. I'm thinking of getting another bobbin case for the different threads? what do you think? I mostly use Glide but would like to try lighter weight on bobbin. anyway, love your videos, thanks for all your suggestions. One last question. Is the reason you don't use "red snappers" because they are so tight between the dead bar and the machine? I have a hard tie snapper hitting the base when rolling. I have resorted to pinning. which isn't that bad really!
Hi Debra! Thanks for your comment. I am still doing it this way. And I do have multiple bobbin cases for different weights/types of threads, so I love the idea. Pinning is second nature to me. Red snappers are not as acurate for me , even though faster. I stopped using them many years ago. Just me and my pins and I am fine with that. Love magnets! Sounds like you are a lot like me in regards to loading quilts on the frame! Keep me posted! Happy Quilting! Michael
That was good information. In one of your Baptist fans videos you mentioned that you baste your whole quilt before you quilt it. I would like to see your process for doing that.
Hi Marie. Thanks for the comment and request. I filmed the overall baste process I do on a client quilt recently. It's a fairly easy and fast process once you've done it a few times. It's not always necessary, but I like to do it if I feel I need to or just to create a bit of extra assurance for me. I do the overall baste with Baptist Fans quilts all the time, because as you have figured out, I like to quilt those starting from the bottom. I will get the video edited and uploaded soon. Thanks so much for asking. -Michael
I also have an Innova. I load almost the exact same way except I use the red snappers. I have cut them all in 5-7” pieces and I feel like I can load quicker and straighter with them in pieces. I also float my tops and never thought about using the other bar for backing. Did the height on your foot change at all? Do you have any tips for keeping the backing straight with thicker fabrics like plush or fleece? It pushes in so bad towards the middle and I really try to keep it straight on the ends, but I find that then when I am quilting it gets floppy on the ends after advancing down the quilt. I hope that makes sense.
Hi Renee. I never thought about using all small pieces of red snapper. I know people use small ones to hold in place while they put the longer lengths down, but I never thought of using 5-7" pieces. I actually may try that since I have them in my closet and can cut them up. Thanks for that! As far as your questions - the foot height did not change at all when I moved to the front bar. And one thing I would say about fleece and plush is keeping the tension fairly tight on the sides. Other than that, I know it can be a problem. Wish I had more ideas on that, but I probably don't use it as much as you do, so haven't really come up with anything better. Thanks again for your comment. -Michael
Michael Quilts Yeah I really love the cut up snappers. And they are MUCH easier to store. 😆 I think I am going to make the side tension canvases that you had a video about. I also have the red snapper side things and the ones from leader grips but with the thicker fabrics, they are a beast to get on and nearly impossible.
@@reneemorgan9320 great tip on cutting up the Snappers as my hands are a bit arthritic and it is beastly getting the big ones on, let alone keeping them in position! I am off to cut mine up now!
Michael, can you comment on floating the top vs. pinning/securing to its rail? I use the long plastic quilt clips/clamps as I have been floating the tops. Not sure which way to go!
Hi Janet! This is another huge debate in the longarm quilting world (like pressing seams and prewashing...LOL). Even though the longarm frame manufactures design the frames to attach the top to the rail - I learned and watched vides from quilters who float, so that is how I started and how I most often operate. I emailed a fairly famous quilter and asked her some questions when I was first starting out. One question was the "to float or not to float" question. She told me she always floats - mostly to be sure she never gets a crease in batting. When I look at her work, I am always amazed and figured if that is what she does, that is what I am going to do. I did try securing to front bar on 2 quilts and I actually had problems. I cannot remember why - it was very early on in my quilting career, so lots of things were not great at the time...hehe. But long story short - I reversed the direction of my backing bar and have bypassed the top bar, which acts as an additional deadbar and actually helps get good tension. So even if I wanted to secure the top to the rail that it was meant to be attached to, I would have to go back to changing the direction of that rail cog since I currently use it for my backing instead of my top. I know this sounds confusing. Short story is that I started floating and never looked back. HOWEVER - if you have been watching my videos (and I know you have been), then you know I almost always baste my entire quilt before quilting it and therefore don't really need to worry about securing the top because I take care of all tension issues in the basting process before any possible distortion from quilting takes place. Hope that makes sense. NOTE: If you ever migrate to a computerized machine. And maybe you already have one? There are some reasons to attach your top to the rail. This helps with lining up quilting passes for designs that require more accuracy with that. let's chat about that sometime if you are computerized. Looking back - If I had gotten good at not floating my tops and had started being diligent with attaching my top to the take-up bar from the very beginning, I might be on that side of the debate. Like many things in the quilting world - whatever works best for you and gives you the best consistent results is what you are looking for. Happy Quilting as always, Michael
@@michael.quilts Thanks for that thoughtful reply, Michael! I love your practice of the loose basting across the face of the quilt, that strikes me as "key" no matter whether you float or not, along with the way you stitch down the quilt edges...section by section, bottom to top, easing as you go. And yes, I have been watching ALL your videos : ) May there be many more! You mention at one point you evened out your leaders...can you expand on that idea?
Thank you, Denise! Next time I will film loading a ful-sizel quilt, but I was hoping there would be some useful info there for someone with this small one. Glad you got something out of it!
Your honesty in showing us how you load and pin and show some intricate details are appreciated
Thanks so much for commenting Cindy. I try to just be me and show what works for me, hoping it will work for others - or at least spark ideas for you to do it better than I do! -Michael
I am new to quilting on a frame. I just loaded a quilt and rolled the backing to get the side tension on the backing even. Works great. Thank you for the video.
Hi Natalia! So glad you are getting started! Let me know how it all goes! I know you'll love it.
Happy Quilting!
Michael
@@michael.quilts Followup. I now use my top leader for my backing. I struggled at first but came back to the video and noticed how you draped the top leader over the back bar. Genius! My quilt backs were slipping badly and loading a quilt was a chore. Thanks again.
@@nataliarodriguez6766 I am so glad that you found what works for you - and that is what works for me too. It takes me a while to adjust myself when I teach somewhere else and they load the traditional way, but I guess it's all about what you get used to. Happy Quilting!
I have never thought to load the quilt back from behind my frame! Wish id found you a lot sooner. I like pinning too but if I'm feeling extra lazy I use a stapler with it set to bend out instead of in then nip my backing fabric and rip the edge to get rid of all the staples easily when I'm done. Thanks for the video!
Michael, can you put on your list a video on squaring tops (or at least how to produce said tops) AND squaring backing, including how to position a backing that is pieced and needs to be centred with the top?
Thanks for this video Michael. I will definitely do the tip about rolling the quilt back and forth to get the side tenson like I want it. I will also find your video about your side tension system.
Hi Dana. Truly, I was only sometimes able to get the tension on my backing even and sometimes not. But when I learned this rolling technique, I found the time spent doing this to be very well worth it! Hope it works for you too!
Could you please do a video on how you made your quilt hammock to hold your top and batting from dragging on the floor?
Hi Lucy! I wish I could say that I made the hammock, but I never have made it. What I do is grab the bottom and drape it back up on the belly bar sometimes. I have yet to make the hammock. But it is on my list!
This was so very helpful, thank you!
Glad this was helpful to you. I change some of the ways I do things over the years, but this is still how I do it.
Happy Quilting!
Michael
I'm a little late to the party, but I just found your videos and LOVE them! Do you have a video that you've made (or that someone else has done that you like) that shows how your square up your quilt prior to loading? I've seen a few but none are very clear to me. Thanks!
Same here! I have just learned that where the quilt can really go out of square is when borders are applied. But I have also messed up by forgetting to square my backing.
so glad to find that someone else loads backing on the quilt top bar! I like to use magnet bars on the "front backing bar" to stabilize the floated quilt top! I like to use magnet bars to stabilize the front of the quilt top an the magnets stick better with less bulk wrapped around it. still fairly new to quilting and my "tension" learning curve is less flat than it was when I started. haha. I'm thinking of getting another bobbin case for the different threads? what do you think? I mostly use Glide but would like to try lighter weight on bobbin. anyway, love your videos, thanks for all your suggestions.
One last question. Is the reason you don't use "red snappers" because they are so tight between the dead bar and the machine? I have a hard tie snapper hitting the base when rolling. I have resorted to pinning. which isn't that bad really!
Hi Debra! Thanks for your comment. I am still doing it this way. And I do have multiple bobbin cases for different weights/types of threads, so I love the idea. Pinning is second nature to me. Red snappers are not as acurate for me , even though faster. I stopped using them many years ago. Just me and my pins and I am fine with that. Love magnets! Sounds like you are a lot like me in regards to loading quilts on the frame! Keep me posted!
Happy Quilting!
Michael
God bless you! You help me sooo much!!!
Hi Pam! I am so glad that this helped!
That was good information. In one of your Baptist fans videos you mentioned that you baste your whole quilt before you quilt it. I would like to see your process for doing that.
Hi Marie. Thanks for the comment and request. I filmed the overall baste process I do on a client quilt recently. It's a fairly easy and fast process once you've done it a few times. It's not always necessary, but I like to do it if I feel I need to or just to create a bit of extra assurance for me. I do the overall baste with Baptist Fans quilts all the time, because as you have figured out, I like to quilt those starting from the bottom. I will get the video edited and uploaded soon. Thanks so much for asking.
-Michael
I also have an Innova. I load almost the exact same way except I use the red snappers. I have cut them all in 5-7” pieces and I feel like I can load quicker and straighter with them in pieces. I also float my tops and never thought about using the other bar for backing. Did the height on your foot change at all? Do you have any tips for keeping the backing straight with thicker fabrics like plush or fleece? It pushes in so bad towards the middle and I really try to keep it straight on the ends, but I find that then when I am quilting it gets floppy on the ends after advancing down the quilt. I hope that makes sense.
Hi Renee. I never thought about using all small pieces of red snapper. I know people use small ones to hold in place while they put the longer lengths down, but I never thought of using 5-7" pieces. I actually may try that since I have them in my closet and can cut them up. Thanks for that!
As far as your questions - the foot height did not change at all when I moved to the front bar. And one thing I would say about fleece and plush is keeping the tension fairly tight on the sides. Other than that, I know it can be a problem. Wish I had more ideas on that, but I probably don't use it as much as you do, so haven't really come up with anything better. Thanks again for your comment.
-Michael
Michael Quilts Yeah I really love the cut up snappers. And they are MUCH easier to store. 😆 I think I am going to make the side tension canvases that you had a video about. I also have the red snapper side things and the ones from leader grips but with the thicker fabrics, they are a beast to get on and nearly impossible.
@@reneemorgan9320 great tip on cutting up the Snappers as my hands are a bit arthritic and it is beastly getting the big ones on, let alone keeping them in position! I am off to cut mine up now!
Michael, can you comment on floating the top vs. pinning/securing to its rail? I use the long plastic quilt clips/clamps as I have been floating the tops. Not sure which way to go!
Hi Janet! This is another huge debate in the longarm quilting world (like pressing seams and prewashing...LOL). Even though the longarm frame manufactures design the frames to attach the top to the rail - I learned and watched vides from quilters who float, so that is how I started and how I most often operate. I emailed a fairly famous quilter and asked her some questions when I was first starting out. One question was the "to float or not to float" question. She told me she always floats - mostly to be sure she never gets a crease in batting. When I look at her work, I am always amazed and figured if that is what she does, that is what I am going to do. I did try securing to front bar on 2 quilts and I actually had problems. I cannot remember why - it was very early on in my quilting career, so lots of things were not great at the time...hehe. But long story short - I reversed the direction of my backing bar and have bypassed the top bar, which acts as an additional deadbar and actually helps get good tension. So even if I wanted to secure the top to the rail that it was meant to be attached to, I would have to go back to changing the direction of that rail cog since I currently use it for my backing instead of my top. I know this sounds confusing. Short story is that I started floating and never looked back. HOWEVER - if you have been watching my videos (and I know you have been), then you know I almost always baste my entire quilt before quilting it and therefore don't really need to worry about securing the top because I take care of all tension issues in the basting process before any possible distortion from quilting takes place. Hope that makes sense.
NOTE: If you ever migrate to a computerized machine. And maybe you already have one? There are some reasons to attach your top to the rail. This helps with lining up quilting passes for designs that require more accuracy with that. let's chat about that sometime if you are computerized.
Looking back - If I had gotten good at not floating my tops and had started being diligent with attaching my top to the take-up bar from the very beginning, I might be on that side of the debate. Like many things in the quilting world - whatever works best for you and gives you the best consistent results is what you are looking for.
Happy Quilting as always,
Michael
@@michael.quilts Thanks for that thoughtful reply, Michael! I love your practice of the loose basting across the face of the quilt, that strikes me as "key" no matter whether you float or not, along with the way you stitch down the quilt edges...section by section, bottom to top, easing as you go. And yes, I have been watching ALL your videos : ) May there be many more! You mention at one point you evened out your leaders...can you expand on that idea?
This is so helpful!!
Thank you, Denise! Next time I will film loading a ful-sizel quilt, but I was hoping there would be some useful info there for someone with this small one. Glad you got something out of it!
Helpful info, an aah ha moment.
My leader are older and stretched..this might be why my spinning is wonky