Finishing My First Quilt on the Grace Q-Zone Hoop Frame
Last week I started my first quilt on the Q-Zone Hoop frame so this week I’m quilting the last few rows of this quilt with Stippling. I shot the entire quilting process for this quilt, so get ready for some fun timelapse Stippling fun!
Click Here to learn more about this awesome hoop frame from Grace company.
Don’t forget to check out the Q-Zone build video here. I put this frame together on video step-by-step so you can see how easy it is to put together and pop your home machine on top.
Click Here to find the Speed Controller I’m using in this video. Yes, this device is simply strapped to the handlebar and you can easily move it to the other handle if you are right handed.
I had a lot of fun filming this in timelapse of the quilting process. Hopefully it will help you understand the process of quilting, rolling, and advancing the quilt through the frame.
I’m so pleased with my first quilt made on the Q-Zone Frame!
How to Set Up a Machine for Quilting
The #1 question I received last week had to do with sewing machine settings. I set my stitch length to zero and did not drop my feed dogs. I don’t drop my feed dogs because it messes with the tension on most machines. Click Here for more information on why I don’t drop my feed dogs.
I don’t change any other settings on my sewing machine other than lowering the stitch length. I’m using Isacord Thread on a spool stand to feed the thread straight up and into the machine. If you experience a lot of thread breaks, using a spool stand can definitely help!
I’ve put the speed controller on the left handed handlebar. If you’re right-handed, you’d want to put it on the right hand side. I haven’t tried the SureStitch Regulator yet, but I plan to share a tutorial on that and comparison with the Speed Controller as soon as it comes in.
The Good and Bad of This Quilting Process
As you can see from the picture above, the greatest limitation of the Q-Zone Hoop Frame is going to be the size of your home machine. I started this patrotic baby quilt with around 5 inches of quiltable space
As always, I’m using Isacord polyester thread, which is my favorite thread for quilting.
I made sure to zoom in so you can see the stitches nice and close.
I’m using the smallest home machine I have to demonstrate just what the qzone can do. Next I’ll be quilting on the Grace Qnique so stay tuned!
Let’s go quilt,
Leah Day
Hello Leah, I so enjoyed this video. I may never get one, but I loved the info that you show in such a useful way. Then again I like all your videos. I look forward to more.
Thank you Betty! It’s been a fun challenge for me and I’ve enjoyed learning how to make this work, even when I have a bigger frame and machine just downstairs! I wish I’d had this 10 years ago!
Hi Leah, Thanks so much for showing this Grace Q-Zone Hoop frame. I have a Janome Horizon 7700 just like yours. I was wondering if that would work on this frame. This would be a very affordable and workable size for lots of people. Thanks for all you do.
Yes, it will! I tried out my Janome 15000 on the frame last weekend just for fun and it fit great and gave me a lot more room to play. Your 7700 will fit great and you can get a SureStitch Regulator for it too if you like.
Thank you so much. I’m really considering this frame. I think it would work good for me.
I’m so glad you found this helpful!
Love watching you quilt. I have the frame and the Q15 r. I can’t figure out how to cut the thread when you move from one place to another.
Great question Sue! Pull on the top thread on the side of the machine. The best spot is in the middle from it comes down from the uppermost guide to the corkscrew guide. Give that a tug, bring your needle up, then roll the machine over several inches. Then needle down and needle up and tug on the top thread once more to pull up a loop – that is the bobbin thread. Cut both the loop and top thread to leave nice long thread tails. Where you stopped quilting, tug on the top thread to bring the bobbin thread to the quilt surface and you can tie off and bury your thread tails so they are secure.
Hello Leah. I learned to free motion with your videos. I have made many quilts on my home machine, including many Cal King.
How much throat length does your machine have? I have a Singer 8500Q Modern Quilter. It has a larger throat than a lot of machines…I think 10” .
Also, are you able to do other things than strippling? I know you mentioned ruler quilting, which I also do.
Hi Cynthia – Great question! This is a fairly small home machine that I have on the Q-Zone in this video. You will definitely have more space with a bigger machine on the frame. With 10 inches in the harp, you will likely have around 5-6 inches of quiltable space within this frame. Yes, I’ve also done videos on ruler quilting and pantographs. You can find all the videos I’ve shared so far linked up here: https://leahday.com/frame
Hi Leah, I’m using my Q-Zone hoop frame for the first time. I have a Pfaff so I’ve had trouble with a stitch regulator so I’m just quilting without it. I have a question about changing the bobbin. I have a top loading bobbin so it’s difficult to get to without taking so much of the frame apart. Is that what I need to do?…take off the back pole…Thanks for your advice.
Great question Dana! You’ll need to start with smaller quilts so you an push the machine over to the left or right and access your bobbin case. I would work with 25 inch wide practice quilts first, then work your way bigger. When you have a bigger quilt, you’ll need to remove one of the front clamps to access the bobbin, so it’s best to check your thread level with every shift of the quilt through the frame. Then you can change bobbins when you’re moving the quilt, rather than waiting until you’ve clamped everything back in place and are ready to start quilting again.
Hi Leah , You make this look like this may be just what i can use, I’m wondering if I can’t get through the entire quilt top to bottom would it be possible to take it off the headers and put it back on basically bottom at the top and quilt from the center of the quilt to the opposite end . Like rolling off the top header and keeping the quilted area at the base? I would be using a Viking Ruby but do alot of queen.king sizes.
Hi Cheryl – I have heard of quilters starting in the middle of a quilt rather than the sides on the Q-Zone Hoop Frame. That way you can quilt from the middle outward, then rotate the quilt and quilt from the middle up again. I hope that helps!
Hi Leah! —– I just ordered a Q Zone hoop frame! I expect delivery sometime next week.
I am SO grateful for your video on assembly! I too am a “handy” gal, and your video made me feel that I can do this too! I have a Tin Lizzie 19 sit down now without a stitch regulator, I hope to get a newer machine with a stitch regulator in the future. Have you ever quilted with the Qnique 19 on this frame? Considering this as my next machine. THANK YOU for your ALWAYS cheery, upbeat, personality. I am praying for you and your family as you recover from the flood.
Laureen
Whoo Hoo! Congratulations Laureen! No, I haven’t quilted with a Qnique 19 yet, and I’m definitely considering it as they are on sale this month. We’ve had a flood so things are really up in the air right now and we have very limited space, but it is definitely tempting! https://leahday.com/products/grace-qnique-19-frame-combos
I have the q zone frame and my juki 2010q attached but I’m finding it difficult to use the foot pedal and stand which is how I wanted to use this frame? Is there another piece of the puzzle I’m missing to make this pedal free?