Basting Down the Top and Sides 

I hope you haven't ran over your fingers but I do love using that Versa Tool

@@adamsewfun. I have extremely long nails for that purpose, you only run over the nail one time to remember move it or lose it!

I try to make it easy, fun, and fast.

What kind of machine do you have? Handi Quilter sells channel locks that are $10 I believe. They are little clamps that go on the wheels of the machine to make it run either horizontal or vertical. I would definitely look into these if only for creating the plumb line. My joke is the edge next to the plumb line is the only edge of my quilt that is straight.

I do tend to have my quilts a bit tighter than most. I'm not a fan when they are too loose. Try to tighten it like you normally do, then relax it 3-4 clicks on the side ratchet. That might help you. Side note, was the sound better on this video? I'm really trying to find where the issue is. Thanks again.

@@adamsewfun. Sound was much better, thank you.

@@jase1003 Thank you, I will have to see how I can get things fixed and everyone can hear me. In real life, I'm usually too loud. LOL

I’m new to long arm, and self taught. Trial and error, mostly error. So glad I found your tutorials. Easy to follow. Thank you !

Not sure but you can check to make sure your hook and loop is straight at the bar. I know sometimes I pull my leader and it shifts.

Betty, anytime you do anything with a ruler, you have to have the ruler base on! It's super dangerous trying to work a ruler without the base because there just isn't enough room for that ruler to sit comfortable. I always leave my base on but you do lose about an inch of stitching space when it's on. If your pantograph fits with the ruler base on, it's ok to always leave it on. Try it out and see if you like it and thanks for watching. Stay tuned for more content in the future.

First, do you pin or float? I find more people who have a top shift on them are part of the “floating” family. Also, if it not square to start with, you can’t make magic without the possibility of a tuck in the quilt somewhere. I keep my tops tight and baste everything. If you know you have a super square quilt, you can baste some horizontal lines as you go. That will help keep things in place.

I only do this with a super custom or wholecloth quilt. Even then, I am basting the whole quilt, sides and middle. Never just the sides. I have a video basting a wholecloth quilt and the way I do it.

Absolutely, just keep in mind you will lose a little bit of quilting space because the base will run into your front bars. I keep mine one until I need that extra inch. You are going to be great with your new machine, I know it!

@@jadm222 -Thank you so much! We do a practice quilt 1st to test out our design selections, but are just starting the quilting on our 2nd quilt. Also I recently saw your video on stitching in the ditch. We did not do that on the first one but are going to on this one, it is fairly good sized.

On the quilt we are starting now, our second one, I'm having an issue with a 5 1/2-inch border. The design I am using is Sunflower Love Border Two and Corner Two from the Susan Manry folder in PS. When I put them in on my practice quilt at the same size everything worked fine. On the actual quilt, I'm setting up everything the same way and when I start quilting it quilts like it is in slow motion, although the stitching on top of itself. I have seen this happen before when trying to shrink a design into an area that is apparently too small for the design, which in those cases the stitching moves very slowly and the stitching appears to stitch on top of itself. Any advice? -Thank you!

This is just a personal preference thing. I used to quilt for the public, so I wouldn't always get tops there were totally square. If you channel lock and someone has created a top that has a pieced border, sometimes all the blocks don't make it all the way to the top. If I have a channel lock on, I might miss stitching down all the edges. Also, the ruler helps me hold things down and the top doesn't get pushed to the side while I'm stitching across the top. Again, just the way I like to do it, but whatever way works best for you is also good.

@@adamsewfun. Thank you so much Adam. Super helpful to know that it is optional. I tried yesterday. :)

I don't use them when basting the very top of the quilt because they would pull the backing and cause the backing and the top to be different. When basting down the sides, I sometimes have them on and sometime don't. You really should baste then put the clamps on so the tension is the same throughout but I haven't noticed a huge difference is the top and the backing bars are clicked tight. Everyone has their own ideas, I just find either way works for me.

The Quilting Connection in Elkhorn, WI. Give them a call, Angie can answer all of your questions. They are fantastic.

I don't, it's just not for me. There is nothing wrong with it and I know many great quilters who do, I feel like I personally get better results when I pin the tops on. When I have something small, I might float it, but I mean just larger than my throat. I even pin when I am doing a Dream Big Panel which is just larger than 40 inches.