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begin and end stitching
administrator
Joined: Aug. 26, 2008
Posted: July 8, 2008, 7:40 AM
I've had my HQ16 for 3 years and just now realized I may not be starting and ending my stitching correctly. My friend has a Gammill and works at my other friends quilt shop. When she begins her stitching she puts the needle down, pulls the machine over and does something else and then the needle back in the beginning spot. Does this make sense? I have been longarming so long I am embarrassed to ask anyone I know. When I had my training at the shop I bought it from all she did was show me how to thread the machine and went to teach a class - I had no chance to ask questions etc and never learned how to begin or end. Can you see my red face? Also, both of our VHS players no longer play tapes and my HQ instructural tape is VHS. HELP! And thanks in advance!
begin and end stitching
administrator
Joined: Aug. 26, 2008
Posted: July 8, 2008, 8:44 AM
Beginning stitching- Hold onto the needle thread. Needle down/needle up-pull on your needle thread to pull the bobbin thread to the top, grasp the bobbin thread and pull up some threads. Hold the needle and bobbin thread in your hand and take a few (3 or 4) stitches very small to secure. Stitch a short distance, stop, and clip your beginning threads.

Ending stitching- Take a few (3 or 4) very tiny stitches at the end of your stitching. Move the machine head away from your last stitch. Hold onto the needle thread, move the machine head back to the hole of your last stitch (or very near it) needle down/needle up and pull up, move the machine head away, and pull up a bobbin thread loop and clip threads close to quilt top.

I hope this makes sense. If not, I'll try to better explain.
begin and end stitching
administrator
Joined: Aug. 26, 2008
Posted: July 8, 2008, 11:51 AM
Thanks crashnquilt. I had the beginning stitch right but not the ending stitch. Thanks for the detailed explanation. I will try it next time I'm on the machine.