Give it the white glove test!

Your carriage is an important piece of equipment in your quilting experience.
Whether you have a stitch regulator or decoders you need to follow the same process.
Before you begin your quilting experience wipe down the tracks with soft cloth to pick up any residue or fluff. Depending on the material your tracks are made of examine them for cracks, separated seams, warp and burrs. Followed by taking close look at your wheels. Are they functioning and all touching the track? Is there any rust on them that require you clean them and do they need a shot of oil if they appear not to be moving smoothly. Most importantly do they have thread wrapped around them causing for poor contact. Now that your wheels are good to go, turn your attention to your machine.Is it time for a good oil and cleaning? Not sure? Here are few hints to suggest you need to oil your machine.. skipped stitches, noisy operation - more than usual, is your handwheel stiff? All of these are indicators that you need to roll up your sleeves and follow the oiling procedure as outlined in your manual or the earlier post on where to oil your Bailey.

Thread and beyond

http://www.superiorthreads.com/

Here is a reference guide for thread, useage, needle, and side notes:


http://www.superiorthreads.com/media/docs/reference-guide-longarm.pdf

Here is a series of videos that describe the many threads available, click on the type of thread you are interested in and view the details

http://www.superiorthreads.com/videos/thread-therapy-with-dr-bob-educational-videos

Ever wonder how your threads partner up to sew the perfect stitch?

http://www.superiorthreads.com/education/thread-tug-of-war/


Mary Ann Ray one of the Bailey members sends along this link to help us understand thread tension and some trouble shooting techniques

http://apqs.com/blog/2013/08/12/taming-thread-woes/


As we all know at time thread tension can be the death of us!


I have reviewed a number of videos on thread tension, each one gives a little different value on the subject. Hopefully you will find one that you enjoy or can use for reference

TNT (Threads, Needles & Tension)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZBNUKsCyxg

This is a video on long arm tension, they refer to several machines but not the Bailey, the basics are the same
I know that this is a long video however it encompasses a lot of info, from the properly wound bobbin, to bottom and top tension.If you don't want to watch the whole video fast forward but placing your cursor on the red line at the base of the video and drag to 11 minutes. If you have time watch the whole video as you are taking a coffee break


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTmT-Uj3yXg



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzD-oNHrVIY


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qonrgsdvV3o


Listing for some variety of threads, and suggested needle size

http://www.superiorthreads.com/media/uploads/2013/08/06/files/Ref_Guide_-_LONGARM_8-13.pdf

On-Line Thread Suppliers

http://www.superiorthreads.com/

http://www.bobbincentral.com/

"http://www.connectingthreads.com/


http:www.canadianlongarmsupplies.com/

 Oh and don't forget your bobbin size- 15 class A
 http://www.superiorthreads.com/media/docs/bobbin-style-infographic-wide.jpg


More about thread and needle flex!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOD5pLcYz3w&feature=related


Please note that I have no gain on showing any of the sites above it is for purely resource information and you are left up to your own devices. Happy quilting!

NO stoop and scoop thread retrieval

1) finish your quilting
2) Leave the threads attached and pull away from your quilting by several inches
3) hook your index finger of the opposing hand around the thread that runs from the quilting area to your needle
4) WITHOUT running over your fingers with the needle .. travel back to your quilting area and the same spot you left off at ,
5) Now take one stitch and pull the needle away from you

6) You will see the bottom thread come up from the quilted area
7) You now have three threads
a) the thread you initially looked around your finger
b) the thread ( top ) that you just took the stitch with
c) the loop of bottom stitch that is accompanying the last stitch

8) grab all 3 threads making sure you have the last bottom loop and pulling it to the top. Snip all three