Loading a Longarm for Beginners - Urban Elementz 

BRAVO! Your joy and your time and your money! Everyone and their uncle suddenly has ten quilts they would love for you to “quickly” long arm!!!

Dear Reader -I know what you're thinking. "1 hour to load a quilt top??! I'll watch this other 15 min video" Wrong answer. This video has EVERYTHING. Yes you should watch this one, because it will answer all of your questions at the same time. The helpful chapter markings let you go back to where you need. Excellent resource. Thank you for making it.

TY! After over a year, I finally finished setting up my long arm last night. Saw this and it definitely gave me quite a few tips and tricks and helpful hints! Definitely do what you want!

Thank you so much! I agree with your philosophies, too!😊

Thank you for making this video. I am just moving from a sit down machine to a frame and appreciate you sharing your quilting knowledge! I have 14 quilts to be quilted…..

I’ve always sent my tops and backing to my friend with a long arm machine… I’ve never had any qualms about what she charges! I understand completely costs of equipment and her time!!!! After watching your video, I’m even more convinced she earns every penny she charges!!!!♥️

Loved this video. Very informative and helpful. Also, you have really good boundaries set - I aspire to that!

Excellent video

This is an excellent explanation for long arming. I am a new quilter and this has helped me understand why I need extra fabric and batting.

Thank you for making this video. I'm new to Longarm quilting and have eight tops and growing to quilt. I have completed two. Your tips will help me prepare the rest for successful quilting. Thank you ❤❤

I loved your video. I bought a longarm for the same reason. This is a hobby for me and I took a lot of good hints from you. I have 12 quilt tops that are in various stages that I will be quilting. Thank you.

I love watching videos about loading the longarm. I always learn something.

Thanks for the point you made about not letting others steal your joy in what you are doing. I had the same experience about including music in my videos. I don't do it to fill space, but just because I love to use it as an accent, but I may have had it a little too loud at first, and had some complaints about it. Now I try to keep the music low and use the voice over feature, and no more complaints so far. Its a fine line line to keep viewers watching and do your thing in the way that you love to do it. And yes, I have to turn off my AC when I make a video! 😅

I wash all my fabrics even before piecing. I want all of it to shrink before I make my quilts or garments. I only have three quilts that need quilting on the longarm. I have been quilting on my regular sewing machine mostly straight lines up until now. I made a quilt that I want to outline butterflies on the squares and I just couldn't see how to do that easily. Then I made two quilts that are so large, that the thought of doing them on my sewing machine just was too much. So I bought a longarm and am in the learning stages of doodling on that plain piece of fabric you talked about. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and expertise. It is so helpful for me in this process. And I am sorry you had to work in that heat without your air conditioning.

Fantastic lesson Thank you! I have at least 6 that are ready to be quilted

This is the first time I've seen your videos and the first time I have ever responded to a video and trust me I've watched alot of them. I had to tell you, that I love your straight forward, no nonsense approach. I thoroughly enjoyed the informative video and bless your heart, I appreciate your sacrifice for comfort to make the video its best in regards to sound. I kept thinking, this poor guy needs air conditioning and here you have it . I did not think you were grumpy and I certainly do not think you're selfish after all, you took the time and suffered the heat to make this video for us. BTW, I just started quilting because I had so much fabric from sewing over the years that I wanted to use up my scraps so I'm learning to quilt on my practice quilts that I made from scraps. Never spent a dime on fabric. I'll be watching your videos going forward and will subscribe...another thing I've never done is subscribe to videos. Thank you

I have 3 total needs long armed. Newbie here, just bought a HQ Avante. Your video was great. Thank you

I so appreciate that you talked through the reasons why you prefer the steps you take. We can avoid the bad experiences you’ve encountered just by listening to your sage advice. And no, you’re not at all grumpy! You’re brilliant and you know your craft! Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge with us … and I’m blown away that you recorded this THREE 😲 times! Bravo sir!

This is the most comprehensive and easiest beginner instruction i have seen as a youtube video!! I have a janome proquilter 18 so a bit different to your Bernina. I will definitely be following all your tips for pinning and basting. Thankyou so much for your videos.

Thank you for this video. I haven’t found one specific to this machine and this set up that explains it so well. This is my setup minus the digital component and you have cleared up many questions for me!! So many videos neglect the set up and go right into the quilting. I really needed this step by step demonstration. THANK YOU 🥰

I love your soapbox!

As a relatively new quilter I have insisted to do all my quilting on the domestic machine so I would learn the basics of FMQ. Now that I am making more quilt tops I have found that there are not enough hours in the day to do it all myself. I have resorted to sending some of my qilts to "long armers." I was impressed by the cost and wondered why it cost as much as it does. Watching this video and others has made me appreciate all the work that goes into having a quilt done by a "long armer." Thank you for taking the pains of making these videos. Greetings from Rapid City, South Dakota.

I have been quilting since 2019 and I have 2 quilt tops finished and one quilt sandwich ready to be quilted.

As a new quilter, your video was the most informative I have seen yet. Thank you for the great information

Thank You !!!!!!!!! Thank YOu!!!!!!!!!!!! Your Soap Box was beautifully said. When I give my list of prices l use to fill it like I just spoke some hoarded words.

I’ve been wanting a long arm for several years. Every time I went into my retailer, I would look at them and dream “one day”. That day has finally come and I can’t wait to get started. Your video is very informative with your tips and tricks. I greatly appreciate the work you did to create this video. Sorry, I didn’t think you were grumpy…just telling it like it is. 😊

Over the last couple of years, I have assembled over 20 quilt tops and several wall hangings. I purchased a Bernina Q24 a year ago and was struggling to get meaningful and easy info on how to operate it. Then I came across your instructional videos and the info you presented was exactly what I was looking for. I now have more confidence and have taken my sample ‘scribble’ piece off and loaded one of my many quilt tops to do manually. I do have the QMatic on my set up but I’m not ready to use it yet. Thank you for all of your tips and tricks and keep the videos coming!

This is a great video!!

Thank you, I love your videos, I like the way you talk.

Ahhhh this is a breath of fresh air to me!! I appreciate your “grumpiness”. It’s direct & from the heart. I thank you for the detailed instructions. I’ve been watching others who just throw the quilt & backing on saying no need to find center & I’ve done them, but felt it wasn’t an intentional procedure in order to produce the best outcome. I like your way & will follow it in the future. I only have 2 unquilted tops. One is a memory quilt for my niece & the other is a vintage top purchased from another quilter who frequents antique stores & thrift stores for mature flimsies. I’m now looking forward to both thanks to you & your approach.

I have been quilting on my domestic machine for several years and have just purchased a longarm. Thank you so much for your instructions - I feel much more confident now ❤

Thank you for your even presentation. You're not talking too fast or too slow. My long arm was just delivered today so this video is very helpful in laying out things to think about and be aware of. I've usually done the whole process--cutting to quilting before moving onto another quilt. Right now I have 3 finished tops. I'm putting together scrap donation quilts for practice but I will definitely use some plain fabric as you suggest to get started. Thx.

I absolutely love this quilt and your teaching!! I have 9 tops finished and ready to begin my long arm journey!!

Love “your third try” video. This is my first time viewer. I will be watching more of your videos. I’m a new long arm machine owner. You’re great. Thank you , Michele

I don't think you're Grumpy. You tell it how it is, and I respect that. Thank you for your very informative tutorial. I, too, have 10 quilts on my longarm. Time just gets away.

I believe i have7 quilts ready for the frame! And I appreciate your videos, they are well structured.

I am so pleased you did this video. I might not have the same longarm but you covered my questions I had and now I can look out for the issues I had. Thanks again.

Thank you so much. I am just beginning to quilt. I have been making quilt tops for about 8 years and always tied them. Your tutorial has bee great.

I have 3 large quilt tops to do and I have 3 wall quilts to do. Thank you so much for this video. You gave some great tips! I loved it. I also love shopping at urban elements.

Piecing tops is my absolute favorite so far. I’ve been quilting for about 12 years, making around 65 quilts in that time. I’ve had about 15 quilted for me. Just got my first longarm a couple months ago to start quilting my own. Just 50 to go and counting. 😊

That looks like fun, I was poking around on the site this evening and checked out the design wall but didn’t try it, now that I’ve watched this video I will try it for sure!

6 ready to quilt, 5 to be finished with short time allowances.

Very helpful with so many great tips. Thank you for putting this out.

Just sitting up my new long arm this week You asked how many tops, well I have at least 500+, and 47 that need to be bound. Better late than never!!

I started quilting 3 years ago and now have 9 quilts in line to be quilted. I brought a new to me longarm recently but I'm still in the process of practicing. I love the idea of the leader clamps. I have never heard of them but may have to purchase them. I have problems with my leaders getting twisted unevenly,, which I know is operator error. Seems like those leader clamps would help that.

This was a great video. Thank you for sharing your time to make it!!

This video has been very timely and informative. I am about to upgrade my Q20 to the studio frame.

I also have about 10 quilt tops to quilt - and keep making more. Once in awhile I stop piecing to load a quilt. I've had my longarm for just over a year and getting confidence but really looking forward to watching the wholecloth quilting and how you get it ready. Thanks for your time!

Great video! You weren't very noticeably grumpy... I'm an absolute beginner with a brand new Amara and P-S, with 5 quilt tops that need to be finished--I have practiced on two whole-piece sandwiches, and now I'm trying to get my nerve up to load my first top! I appreciate your candor.

Scrim side down ❤

I currently have only one that I’m working on. I have stitched in the ditch about 7 quilts on a regular machine I have just purchased a long arm and I’m going to start my new adventure. I am excited to learn🙂

👍👍☝ Just the instructions I needed. Thank you.

Thanks for your video! I am just beginning and have about three finished quilts ready for the longarm. I can’t wait to get good enough to finish them. Your videos are very helpful. Thanks!

I am a beginner at long arming...a dream of many years. Your video was great, with lots of tips and tricks. Thank you. I am so grateful for so much info and appreciate all the work it is for creating this helpful video.

I loved this video and I'm sorry you had such a hard time getting it correct. but it was great. I have about 15 quilts to be quilted and i just finished putting the leaders on to ,my new new q20 and classic frame. I look forward to doing each one.

I really enjoyed your video, keep doing what you are doing. I have 8 lap quilts to quilt to donate, because I can.

I have lots to quilt.

I have one finished top waiting for quilting. I loved the process of putting it together. But I struggle to let myself start another one before the first one is completely finished.

So many good tips, thank you! May I ask about the cat and dog wall hangings? I would love to know where to find those patterns!

I'm interested in those clamps you said you purchased from Quilters Apothocary. Are they the ones with handles and you removed the handles. I did not see any without handles.

Great video, I will pass on the info I received this morning, the small leader clamps you use are no longer available from quilters apothecary, I was disappointed because I thought that would be a great tool!!

I have over 35 tops. I got my long arm this summer so I’ve only long-armed a couple of quilts so far. Thanks for this video! I’m curious about the amount of tension on the back. Is there a right amount of tension or is it mostly personal preference? I ask because I had problems with my first quilt. Maybe I had it too tight. The second one I I left a little looser and didn’t have those issues.

So what do you do if the sides don’t measure the same? As in your example where one side measures 60 and the other side measures 63?

I have 3 unfinished quilt tops

Hi there...I am having trouble whne using qmatic...after I set the safe zone and have my design all set up, when i advance my quilt and try to start the next row, my safe area is shifting slightly and I'm having to cut the vertical right side of my quilt on the screen in order to proceed...not sure why?

This is beautiful! Where are you located??

I have 5 queen size ready to quilt.

Did you record follow up videos on basting the quilt. You mentioned you were doing a series of three but I can't find the others on your channel. Would you mind sending me a link to them please?

I have 11.

Where can i buy the leader grips you used

Do you wash the top?

I was taught to pin on the canvas. Does it really matter 🤔

I have 4 quilts ready to quit .

I have well over 100 quilt tops ready to be quilted. It's really quite embarrasing. I am almost 70 and worried I will never get them all finished before I die.

That is too much for a machine like that. I could buy a car for that

Thank you so much for this video. I have a different machine, but you have shared so many great tips that I think will really improve my results. Also catching up with my past. I've finally gotten my king size Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt finished. I wish I had seen your video before I quilted it. I floated it because that had worked for me for smaller quilts... not so much this time. I'm not sure if it was the pieced border or the floating, but I ended up with quite a bit of fullness in my bottom border. So disappointing.