Hi , 

I recently noticed a trend in comments on Youtube when I posted this video on assembling the 16X longarm. Many quilters said something like this:

Thanks for the video! I just got a 16X and have it set up on my frame. Have not used it yet. Would love to see more videos on using the 16X for beginners.

Wait... have not used it yet?

It might surprise you to know that this is not uncommon. It's very easy to hit the "Add to Cart" button with the best intentions, but when it comes time to hit the Start button on that big, shiny new machine, it can be too scary to start.

So I want to help you get over the fear factor! You've set up a beautiful machine and now it's time to learn how to use it. Here's a new video featuring nine easy, beginner longarm quilting designs which are a great choice for taking your first stitches on your longarm:

I quilted these designs on the cute panel included with the Qnique 16X longarm machine and on an under $20 practice quilt sandwich made from Walmart precut fabrics.

Here are some tips for quilting these designs and taking your first stitches with a new longarm machine:

1. Make slow, steady movements - It's tempting to jerk the longarm around because it's SO easy to move on wheels. The key to producing controlled quilting designs is to move slowly, steadily and make focused direction changes.
2. Loosen up on the handles - You don't need to death-grip the handles to move the machine. It'll roll smoothly with a light pressure from your fingertips.
3. Don't Scribble - Scribbling (or Cat Hairball Filler) is not a productive design to quilt when you're getting to know a new longarm machine. Spinning the longarm around in circles doesn't teach you anything about quilting and certainly doesn't help build new muscles for controlling the machine and making precise shapes.
4. Quilt Real Quilts - Once you quilt the practice panel that comes with your longarm machine, and check that your tension is solid with a practice sandwich, it's time to quilt real quilts or quilt panels that feel real. Why? Because you're more likely to take the project seriously and want to quilt your best if you're going to be snuggling under that quilt on the couch next week.

Focused intention is the key to mastery for any craft!

Longarm Quilting Style

Just in case you can't quilt any of the designs shown in the video, you should know there are lots of different longarm quilting styles beyond free hand, free motion quilting. As a beginner, it's important to familiarize yourself with the different types of longarm quilting designs. Here are a few popular ones:

1. Edge-to-Edge Quilting - This design involves quilting a continuous pattern across the entire quilt top. Edge-to-Edge designs are great for beginners as they are easy to execute and can be done with no marking. All of the designs listed above can be quilted with Edge-to-Edge style quilting to cover your quilt with one single texture.
   1. Pantographs - You can also achieve the same Edge-to-Edge look by following a printed paper guide from the back of your frame. This is called Pantograph Quilting, and it does require additional accessories to try: Rear Handlebars and a Qnique Laser Light.
   2. Quilting Stencils - Stitching through paper stencils and your quilt at the same time can also give you a nice line to follow. The advantage with stencils is not having to add additional accessories to your frame. The downside is you will have to remove the paper after quilting.

1. Ruler Quilting - If you find yourself craving control when longarm quilting, grab a quilting ruler! You'll need a 1/4-inch thick longarm ruler, ruler base, and ruler foot in order to play with this style of quilting safely.
2. Custom Quilting - Custom quilting involves quilting individual motifs and designs in different areas of the quilt. This technique allows you to highlight specific areas or blocks and add intricate details to your quilts. You can use free hand quilting, paper stencils, computerized quilting, and quilting rulers to create custom quilting designs for your quilts. Click Here to find a tutorial on Custom Quilting.

Get the BEST deal on QCT 6 in November

Quilter's Creative Touch is on sale for 30% off the regular price through November. Just in case you're waiting for Black Friday to Cyber Monday - this deal won't suddenly get better the day after Thanksgiving.

Get started with the basics - QCT 6 edge-to-edge quilting for just $2099.30 This simplest version of QCT can quilt edge-to-edge pantographs only. It's designed to help you cover your quilt with a single design very quickly stitched from left to right across your quilt.

Choose from over 100 built-in designs, set your safe area, then place the design on your quilt. New alignment guides in QCT 6 make it easier to quilt pantographs on a hoop frame - even when shifting the quilt side to side.

Click Here to learn more about Quilter's Creative Touch 6

Free Accessories with All Qnique Longarms

For the rest of the year, Grace Company is including a free accessory kit with all Qnique Longarms and Little Rebel Sewing Machine that includes over $1300 of quilting tools and accessories:

Accessories include:

• Luminess Light Bar (small for Hoop Frames, Large (10-foot) size for rolling rail frames)
• 2 packs of 2-inch Mini Quilt Clips
• Ultimate Cutting Collection - this kit includes a 45mm Comfort Cutter, 5-pack of 45mm Blades, 24 x 36” Cutting Mat, 24 x 36” Non-Slip Pad, 360 Circle Cutter, Equilateral Triangle Ruler, Right Angle Triangle Ruler, Kite Triangle Ruler, 3 x 18” Ruler, 6½ x 24½” Ruler, 6½ x 12½” Ruler, 6½” Square Ruler, 9½” Square Ruler, 12½” Square Ruler, TrueGrips x5
• 2 packs of Circle Cutter Blades
• TrueSharp 2 Power Blade Sharpener
• Linear Blade Sharpener
• 4 additional packs of TrueGrips

With this kit of quilting gear, you'll have the light to see AND be able to cut and piece fantastic new quilts in 2025. Click Here to shop for quilting machines.

Have you purchased a longarm quilting machine or Little Rebel and find it too scary to hit the "start" button? What is the biggest challenge holding you back? Reply to this email so we can help you find solutions and start quilting this week!

Let's go quilt,

Leah Day