Help! I'm almost done with my king-sized quilt and the laser is off the pattern.

Answer 1

This can be a common problem when using a large pantograph pattern.  I remember when it first happened to me.  I was quilting along, feeling smug and proud of myself when with the next roll of the quilt, the laser light, instead of following the pattern line, went up on to the rolled-up quilt.  If it's happened to you, you'll know what I mean.

Learn the size your machine can handle on a big quilt.  Remember the larger quilts make a bigger roll and that's what actually gets in the way and blocks the light.  My machine is 24" and I can use a 15" pattern IF I'm careful.

Here's what I mean by "careful:"

Roll your quilt as far as possible while still enabling you to stitch the next row.  This brings the quilt closer to you so when you're quilting the far edge of the pattern the machine and light  will also be as close to you as possible.

Place your pattern on the table as close to the front edge as possible. Of course the laser will have to be able to track it so don't move out of the light's range.  At times, I've had to take a pattern out of the plastic cover and tape it closer to the front edge.

All this trouble doesn't mean I'm going to be confined to using smaller patterns,  I refuse to give in. Don't you?

Good Luck, Judy

Answer 2

One of myt first experiences with a pantograph gave me some grief and taught me a lesson I will never forget.  With my machine, It is necessary to tighten the nut holding the laser light so that the vibration of the machine doesn't cause it to move and screw up the alignment of the pattern on my quilt.

Hope this helps,

Gayle