Tension Headache

I’ve got a cure for your tension headache. Tension is the first thing you need to learn when starting out with longarm quilting. It’s not hard to learn. Many quilters have a bit of a mental block about it. We have been told repeatedly to not touch the tension on our domestic machine’s bobbin. Fear […]

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More Tools for Tension

More Tools for Tension

Last week we learned about the Towa gauge, the best tool for help setting your bobbin tension. There are a few other simple tools I use when adjusting and monitoring tension that I want to share with you. Once again, these things are not necessary to achieve good tension. They just help. Scrap Strip This […]

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Threads, Needles, and Tension

Threads, Needles, and Tension

There is a handy one-page document here.   Download it. Print it. Laminate it. Hang it up near your machine. It’s good information when you are experiencing issues with Threads, Needles, and Tension. It will help you understand what’s going on with thread as you stitch. Let’s take a look at what is on it: […]

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Using the TOWA Guage

Using the TOWA Guage

Have you book-marked the 6 Steps to Perfect Tension post? The #1 question we get here at Handi Quilter is about tension. It takes a little practice to get skillful at balancing your tension. But once you get it, you’ve got it forever. Just like riding a bike.  There are tools that can make the […]

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6 Steps to Perfect Tension

6 Steps to Perfect Tension

Perfect tension – it is the #1 skill you should learn when starting your longarm quilting journey. Tension can either make or break your quilting results. It can be scary to think you have to adjust your bobbin tension, especially since most modern sewing machines have automatic tension features. And we’ve been told to NEVER […]

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Tension Headache

I’ve got a cure for your tension headache. Tension is the first thing you need to learn when starting out with longarm quilting. It’s not hard to learn. Many quilters have a bit of a mental block about it. We have been told repeatedly to not touch the tension on our domestic machine’s bobbin. Fear […]

Read More