Thank you April for this video on your Q Zone. I just aquired one in Sept. 2023 and am looking forward to learning how to use it. I believe I'll be watching it many times while learning.
Thanks April. I saw someone wrestling, and losing! their quilt on one of these frames and thought not for me. But your step by step demo showed me I could do it so thanks a lot
I loved your video. I have gotten a q-zone hoop frame and am still trying to get used to it. In a way it is very labor intensive with bigger quilts but at least I can do them which I could not before. I need lots of practice, thanks April
I love it ... I am so glad it helped ... I am actually working on new stuff for the frame coming soon ... so be sure to watch for it ... Thank you for watching! April
This is an amazing video! Thank you so much for sharing how you adjusted the quilt on the Qzone Hoop!!! Yes, this is probably the way I should go since I am a beginner and I will have the Janome M7 which has a great throat space. Wow, wow, wow!!!
I am glad I found your video because I just ordered my Q zone hoop frame. I am so excited to get it. I have a Tiara and find it so hard pushing the quilt around on the table top. I think this will be a much better option for me. Thank you.
@@petmomful2260 oh no. That has to be frustrating. I hope they are able to get it to you soon. That gives you more time to make quilt tops to quilt. ;-) April
I have the Cutie frame. It doesn’t have the “lock” on the back for locking the machine in place. My “handlebars” are on the bottom of the frame, I wonder if I could put them like yours on top of the frame….hmmmm. Thank you for this video!
Nice job. You do a good job highlighting important tips. Please consider doing a video on moving larger sized quilts doing pantos . Queen or full. Thank you!
Thank you for your demonstrations. I am having a bit of a love hate cycle with my q-zone right now. When it works, it works great. But sometimes I am plagued by thread breakage and those pesky eyelashes. Going to get some better thread and try again. Just keep practicing, right?
Hi and you're welcome. I think you are on to something - the thread and the needle. Try to use the same thread in the top and in the bobbin. If there are different weights figuring out the tension is harder. And make sure you start with a fresh needle. If you find thread that your Qzone likes - stick with it. All machines work best with a particular thread - you just have to figure out which one. :-). Keep practicing and don't be afraid to adjust that tension knob. I always have extra batting/backing to the sides of my loaded project and I put a piece of scrap fabric on top. I took a class and the instructor said to get those eyelashes and issues first and then adjust to get rid of them. If you don't see the issue you don't know how to set the machine. I actually practice on the scrap and if the tension is good - I just go with it. :-). I hope this helps. Keep on practicing. April
Yes - that box sits there to prevent me from pushing my machine too far back. When it goes too far back the needle housing hits the back bar and it doesn't sound good. Hope this helps.
April, do you baste your quilt before putting it on the frame? I've seen some people who baste with pins, and some who don't baste at all. Do you get issues with puckers on the back?
Is your frame set up for crib size? I just got mine and I don't have much room right now so I set it up for the crib size instructions. Did you buy the back clamps and elastics separate? I haven't put a quilt top, Backing and batting on to quilt yet. Your video helped so much.
I didn't know it could be set up for different sizes. LOL. I bought mine second hand and it came with the back clamps and elastics. I put any size quilt I wanted to quilt - I just move it as I need to move across the quilt. I love that frame as it doesn't limit you to a certain size. I don't make king size quilts so it doesn't limit me at all. LOL. I am glad my video was helpful. The best way to figure the frame out is to use it. Thank you for watching. April
Thank you! I just got my Q zone hoop frame so trying to learn and figure out bugs. I need lots of practice. My throat on my domestics are way too small, I would be constantly moving the quilt. So I awaiting my qnique 15R. I am having trouble adjusting the elastic straps on the back clamps. The elastic is not just pulling through, I have to do some finagling to get the elastic snug. Any suggestions? And I haven’t figured out what those plastic tabs are for.
I will do a video on the straps. There is a way that the elastic loops around the plastic tabs. And make sure you keep the elastic out of the way of the machine because you can sew it in the quilt. Ask me how I know. :-). Thank you for watching and commenting. April
That all depends on the throat space of your sewing machine. I measured and there are about 14 inches between the front and back bar. And you can put a machine with up to a 19" throat space on that frame. That being said you do lose a couple inches as you roll the quilt up on the back bar. I'm thinking 11" to 12" with a machine with 19" throat space. My machine has an 11" throat space so I probably get about 9" at the end and 10" at the beginning. I like to start on one end and about half way through I flip it and start on the other end. I hope this answers your question. :-) April
@@aprilscraftroom thank you for your reply. I was interested in the width of space .I know the frame is 54 wide. Can you actually quilt 54 inches at one time without rehooping? I do thank you for answering. It will help me make a decision. I have been watching your videos and have learned a lot.
@@PatsyB you can quilt about 4 feet. And that again depends on how much your sewing machine sticks out on either side. Especially towards the back of the quilting space. :-) April
I just got the qzone queen from Grace and I am a total newbie! The instruction manual says to use 'leader cloth'. Of course this is an extra purchase for $190. :( I see you use the backing/batting layers as your leader. Do you ever use leader cloths? If so, did you make your own or buy them from Grace?
I also have the leader cloths from Grace, but I am lazy and don't attach them. Instead I choose to waste backing to use as a leader. I need to start using the leaders for efficiency. :-). Expect more videos using the hoop frame. :-) April
April, when you bought your Q Zone Hoop Frame, did it come with the flat carriage for your domestic machine to sit on, or did you have to buy the top flat carriage separately? I have been trying to get one, and I have had the store tell me I have to buy the top carriage separately, and the Grace Company tell me that it comes with it. So they are talking with each other and working that out. It is an extra $250. I thought I would ask you because you have one. Thanks a lot.
I bought mine second hand so I am not sure. It probably depends on the company selling it. However if Grace says it comes with it then it should come with it. :-). I hope you get it soon. April
@@aprilscraftroom Thank you. The dealer I purchase it from charged me 220.00 for it. I called Grace Frame about it because I found out by accident that I needed one. Nowhere on the website does it share this info. But the lady told me that since the frame is on sale, the carriage top should come with it. So she called the dealer and informed them. I have really had a difficult time finding out if my machine will fit on this frame, and other things. Every dealer I called, and the Grace Company, has told me something different. Now I hope it is straightened out and they send me the correct things. I had to buy the extender handles, too. Thanks for responding, April.
Thanks for posting, this is is a Great video, I am trying to decide and you make it seem easy to use. I have shoulder problems so moving quilts around is painful on my domestic machine. This seems pretty easy to move . What is the stitch regulator you are using for you Janome and is it compatible for the M7?
I really enjoy my hoop frame. I am using the grace company stitch regulator. I don’t know if it is compatible with the Continental M7. The customer service at the Grace Company has been great. You can call them and they will tell you which machines are compatible. I know it is not compatriots Babylock machines. Thank you for watching.
@@aprilscraftroom Oh, I thought you were using the Memory Craft. I didn't see the screen on top... are you able to move the screen from the top the side??? I am so confused now. I am going to pick up my M7 Saturday!! So happy right now to have found you. It's great to see someone working with the exact same machine that I have so I can see how everything works.
@@terigibsonTrainer you will love this machine. The screen is permanently in place in the middle for better visibility. Let me know if you have more questions about your new M7.
@@terigibsonTrainer you know what I just realized you asked about the machine on my Qzone Hoop Frame. It is a Janome 9400. The M7 is compatible with the Qzone Hoop Frame but not the Grace Stitch Regulator or I would have the M7 on my Qzone Hoop Frame. Sorry for the confusion. I am trying out my different machines on the frame to see which one works best for me.
For another tutorial on the Qzone Hoop Frame check out this video: th-cam.com/video/n1oZXZG-lZg/w-d-xo.html
Thank you April for this video on your Q Zone. I just aquired one in Sept. 2023 and am looking forward to learning how to use it. I believe I'll be watching it many times while learning.
Awesome-- thank you for watching
Just set up my new Qzone hoop frame and sewing my sample run next, probably tomorrow afternoon! Thanks so much for the intro!!!
Thanks April. I saw someone wrestling, and losing! their quilt on one of these frames and thought not for me. But your step by step demo showed me I could do it so thanks a lot
Thank you! 🤗
April
I loved your video. I have gotten a q-zone hoop frame and am still trying to get used to it. In a way it is very labor intensive with bigger quilts but at least I can do them which I could not before. I need lots of practice, thanks April
Glad it was helpful!
Thankyou so much , l learned a lot from that . I am waiting for my frame to arrive.👍😎
I love it ... I am so glad it helped ... I am actually working on new stuff for the frame coming soon ... so be sure to watch for it ...
Thank you for watching!
April
Thanks April. I now feel ready to load my hoop frame for the first time and start sewing.
That is excellent news. :-). Thank you for watching.
I’ve been looking for a video on the Borders this really explains very well what I needed to know.
Glad it was helpful! :-)
April
I am so glad I found your channel, you have helped me understand more about my frame. Thanks
I am so glad. If you have anything specific you want to see let me know. Thank you for watching.
Thanks for sharing. Inspiring me to move ahead to finish quilting
You are welcome. I just make myself do it and once I get going I enjoy it. I am a procrastinator by nature though. :-)
April
Ok… now I really need to go play Diner Dash😂😂❤❤
Lol
Yes you do!!!!
This is an amazing video! Thank you so much for sharing how you adjusted the quilt on the Qzone Hoop!!!
Yes, this is probably the way I should go since I am a beginner and I will have the Janome M7 which has a great throat space.
Wow, wow, wow!!!
I am so glad it was helpful. Thank you for watching.
I am glad I found your video because I just ordered my Q zone hoop frame. I am so excited to get it. I have a Tiara and find it so hard pushing the quilt around on the table top. I think this will be a much better option for me. Thank you.
I hope you will share how the Tiara works on the frame. I think you will be pleased. :-).
April
@@aprilscraftroom I still don't have my Q Zone frame. I am trying to be patient, but it is taking forever.
@@petmomful2260 oh no. That has to be frustrating. I hope they are able to get it to you soon. That gives you more time to make quilt tops to quilt. ;-)
April
@@aprilscraftroom Yes, I have a couple sitting here ready to go.
I have the Cutie frame. It doesn’t have the “lock” on the back for locking the machine in place. My “handlebars” are on the bottom of the frame, I wonder if I could put them like yours on top of the frame….hmmmm. Thank you for this video!
I am not sure ... But for your sake .. I hope so ... you might want to reach out to GRACE and ask them.. they are very helpful
Nice job. You do a good job highlighting important tips. Please consider doing a video on moving larger sized quilts doing pantos . Queen or full. Thank you!
Will do. Now I need to make a big quilt. LOL. Thank you for watching.
Thank you for your demonstrations. I am having a bit of a love hate cycle with my q-zone right now. When it works, it works great. But sometimes I am plagued by thread breakage and those pesky eyelashes. Going to get some better thread and try again. Just keep practicing, right?
Hi and you're welcome. I think you are on to something - the thread and the needle. Try to use the same thread in the top and in the bobbin. If there are different weights figuring out the tension is harder. And make sure you start with a fresh needle. If you find thread that your Qzone likes - stick with it. All machines work best with a particular thread - you just have to figure out which one. :-). Keep practicing and don't be afraid to adjust that tension knob. I always have extra batting/backing to the sides of my loaded project and I put a piece of scrap fabric on top. I took a class and the instructor said to get those eyelashes and issues first and then adjust to get rid of them. If you don't see the issue you don't know how to set the machine. I actually practice on the scrap and if the tension is good - I just go with it. :-). I hope this helps. Keep on practicing.
April
Is that blue box on the table behind your machine is it holding something in place?
Yes - that box sits there to prevent me from pushing my machine too far back. When it goes too far back the needle housing hits the back bar and it doesn't sound good. Hope this helps.
Thankyou ❤️❤️❤️
You’re welcome 😊. Thanks for watching
So you didn’t use leader cloths? I’m an absolute newbie just building my frame today can you explain for me when to use the cloths?
will do ...
April, do you baste your quilt before putting it on the frame? I've seen some people who baste with pins, and some who don't baste at all. Do you get issues with puckers on the back?
I use 505 spray -- it’s wonderful
Is your frame set up for crib size? I just got mine and I don't have much room right now so I set it up for the crib size instructions. Did you buy the back clamps and elastics separate? I haven't put a quilt top, Backing and batting on to quilt yet. Your video helped so much.
I didn't know it could be set up for different sizes. LOL. I bought mine second hand and it came with the back clamps and elastics. I put any size quilt I wanted to quilt - I just move it as I need to move across the quilt. I love that frame as it doesn't limit you to a certain size. I don't make king size quilts so it doesn't limit me at all. LOL. I am glad my video was helpful. The best way to figure the frame out is to use it. Thank you for watching.
April
Thank you! I just got my Q zone hoop frame so trying to learn and figure out bugs. I need lots of practice. My throat on my domestics are way too small, I would be constantly moving the quilt. So I awaiting my qnique 15R. I am having trouble adjusting the elastic straps on the back clamps. The elastic is not just pulling through, I have to do some finagling to get the elastic snug. Any suggestions? And I haven’t figured out what those plastic tabs are for.
I will do a video on the straps. There is a way that the elastic loops around the plastic tabs. And make sure you keep the elastic out of the way of the machine because you can sew it in the quilt. Ask me how I know. :-). Thank you for watching and commenting.
April
Would you use your M7 on this hoop frame?
An excellent question
I haven’t tried it yet
But it would be a great throat space for sure!
Maybe worth a try?
April
@@aprilscraftroom I was thinking of getting one. So if you do try it, can you please let me know how it does? Thanks!
Loving the video. Been trying to decide whether to buy this frame. How many inches of a quilt can you quilt at a time before having to rehoop. Thanks
That all depends on the throat space of your sewing machine. I measured and there are about 14 inches between the front and back bar. And you can put a machine with up to a 19" throat space on that frame. That being said you do lose a couple inches as you roll the quilt up on the back bar. I'm thinking 11" to 12" with a machine with 19" throat space. My machine has an 11" throat space so I probably get about 9" at the end and 10" at the beginning. I like to start on one end and about half way through I flip it and start on the other end. I hope this answers your question. :-)
April
@@aprilscraftroom thank you for your reply. I was interested in the width of space .I know the frame is 54 wide. Can you actually quilt 54 inches at one time without rehooping? I do thank you for answering. It will help me make a decision. I have been watching your videos and have learned a lot.
@@PatsyB you can quilt about 4 feet. And that again depends on how much your sewing machine sticks out on either side. Especially towards the back of the quilting space. :-)
April
@@aprilscraftroom Thank you very much.
I just got the qzone queen from Grace and I am a total newbie! The instruction manual says to use 'leader cloth'. Of course this is an extra purchase for $190. :( I see you use the backing/batting layers as your leader. Do you ever use leader cloths? If so, did you make your own or buy them from Grace?
I also have the leader cloths from Grace, but I am lazy and don't attach them. Instead I choose to waste backing to use as a leader. I need to start using the leaders for efficiency. :-). Expect more videos using the hoop frame. :-)
April
April, when you bought your Q Zone Hoop Frame, did it come with the flat carriage for your domestic machine to sit on, or did you have to buy the top flat carriage separately? I have been trying to get one, and I have had the store tell me I have to buy the top carriage separately, and the Grace Company tell me that it comes with it. So they are talking with each other and working that out. It is an extra $250. I thought I would ask you because you have one. Thanks a lot.
I bought mine second hand so I am not sure. It probably depends on the company selling it. However if Grace says it comes with it then it should come with it. :-). I hope you get it soon.
April
@@aprilscraftroom Thank you. The dealer I purchase it from charged me 220.00 for it. I called Grace Frame about it because I found out by accident that I needed one. Nowhere on the website does it share this info. But the lady told me that since the frame is on sale, the carriage top should come with it. So she called the dealer and informed them. I have really had a difficult time finding out if my machine will fit on this frame, and other things. Every dealer I called, and the Grace Company, has told me something different. Now I hope it is straightened out and they send me the correct things. I had to buy the extender handles, too. Thanks for responding, April.
Thanks for posting, this is is a Great video, I am trying to decide and you make it seem easy to use. I have shoulder problems so moving quilts around is painful on my domestic machine. This seems pretty easy to move . What is the stitch regulator you are using for you Janome and is it compatible for the M7?
I really enjoy my hoop frame. I am using the grace company stitch regulator. I don’t know if it is compatible with the Continental M7. The customer service at the Grace Company has been great. You can call them and they will tell you which machines are compatible. I know it is not compatriots Babylock machines. Thank you for watching.
I called the Grace Company and their stitch regulator is not compatible with the Continental M7.
What is the model of your machine, it seems to have a nice big throat? Thanks for the tutorial
Hi Carol - I have a Janome Continental M7 with a throat space of 13". Thank you for watching. :-)
@@aprilscraftroom Oh, I thought you were using the Memory Craft. I didn't see the screen on top... are you able to move the screen from the top the side??? I am so confused now. I am going to pick up my M7 Saturday!! So happy right now to have found you. It's great to see someone working with the exact same machine that I have so I can see how everything works.
@@terigibsonTrainer you will love this machine. The screen is permanently in place in the middle for better visibility. Let me know if you have more questions about your new M7.
@@terigibsonTrainer you know what I just realized you asked about the machine on my Qzone Hoop Frame. It is a Janome 9400. The M7 is compatible with the Qzone Hoop Frame but not the Grace Stitch Regulator or I would have the M7 on my Qzone Hoop Frame. Sorry for the confusion. I am trying out my different machines on the frame to see which one works best for me.
Last question, do you keep the sewing machine on the frame or do you take it off when you are piecing and working on other projects?