First Stitch out on the Grace Qnique 21 Longarm

Today I’m playing on my new longarm, the Grace Qnique 21! This is the biggest longarm Grace Company offers and I admit, I found it a bit intimidating when I first opened the box. In this video, I share my VERY first stitches and adjust the tension on the top and bobbin to create perfectly balanced stitches:

Click Here to check out the Grace 21 longarm. One very, very important thing: you need to save the box and Styrofoam insert inside it just in case there are any issues with your new machine.  Make sure you have space for the box in your attic or basement where it will stay in good shape and not get damaged.

Grace Qnique 21 can only be mounted on the Continuum Frame. I originally had my Qnique 15R / 14+ on this frame and now I’ve expanded the front to make the space wider for this bigger longarm. I love how this frame can easily grow to a larger size and I could even make it longer if I had more room (definitely on my wish list!)

What to Stitch First on Your New Longarm

After setting up the machine, you’ll want to start quilting on a yard of practice fabric. Starting on a real quilt is a bad idea because the machine will most likely have a few tension issues and thread breaks out of the box. This is nothing to be afraid of and is just a normal process of getting to know the machine and adjusting it to work perfectly with your fabric and thread.

In order to see the tension issues clearly, thread your machine with one color in the top and a different color in the bobbin. Please use the SAME THREAD in the top and bobbin. This will result in a much easier tension adjustment so you’re not trying to balance a super thick thread on top with super thin bobbin thread.

Adjusting Tension on the Grace Qnique 21

As I secured the top edge of the yard of fabric, I could see a subtle tension issue as the top thread pulled the edges tight. I began by adjusting the tension down by a little bit, and then finally loosened the tension completely on the top.

This resulted in very long loops on the back side of the quilt, but that’s okay! It’s just a practice quilt!

I then tightened up the top tension only to #1. The thread stayed perfectly seated between the tension discs and the stitches looked great, but I could still see a small pull of the bobbin thread to the top of the quilt in sharp corners.

It was time to check the bobbin. I pulled out the case and gave it a test. The bobbin spun very quickly out of the case. I tightened up the bobbin case tension by 1/2 turn and that was too much. I loosened it back up again by 1/4 turn and it was just right.

Make sure to watch the video to see exactly what the bobbin case does when the tension is perfect!

With that change made, the top and bobbin thread were perfectly balanced. I still saw the tiniest dots in a few places, but this will completely disappear because I use the same color of thread in the top and bobbin of my machine.

So to, sum up this first stitch out:

• Use a practice sandwich
• Thread your machine slowly and carefully
• Make sure your needle is in the right position
• Adjust the foot height
• Check in on your top thread tension
• Pull out the bobbin case and check that tension too
• Take your time getting to know the feel and sounds of your new longarm machine

I absolutely love this machine! Expanding the Continuum frame has given me 17 1/2 inches to play in, which is HUGE! I can’t wait to quilt my first quilt on this new Grace Qnique 21 longarm!

Let’s go quilt,

Leah Day

More Frame Quilting Friday Videos

How to Set Up the Q-Zone Frame

Quilting My First Quilt on the Q-Zone Frame

Finishing a Quilt on the Q-Zone Frame

Quilting with Rulers on the Q-Zone Frame