How many of us are there?

[Mary K.]

I just placed my order for a TOWA, and some test threads and pre-wound bobbins. I am going to get ready for some thread testing next weekend! Woo Hoo!!!

[Eileen K.]

I've never used the Towa guage. It didn't exist when I got my machine; I've always used the drop test with my bobbins.

[lsipes]

You can add me to the Gammill list! I actually have two.

[Susan V.]

I just bought a used Statler in June 2011. I am loving it. I have done all kinds of things I would never have tried before the purchase.

[Eileen K.]

You can add me to the Gammill list! I actually have two.

Lisa, I love your work! Congrats on the ribbon at Road 2 CA!!

[lsipes]

You can add me to the Gammill list! I actually have two.

Lisa, I love your work! Congrats on the ribbon at Road 2 CA!!

Thank you so much! That was a big one for me!!

[lsipes]

I have had my Gammill since July 2010. However, in August 2010 the next month, I was diagnosed with Stage IV breat cancer. I didn't use my machine for 6 months. I am just trying to learn. No one has asked me to quilt for them except one friend. I think people are just being considerate of my health. I got a chair in order to sit and quilt. I love my machine but it's not used enough!

[karen f.]

Hi Patricia! I'm glad you're back to your machine and hope you are feeling better and stronger. Have fun!

[karen f.]

Hi Eileen,
Thanks for starting this group. You can add me to the Gammill family...
I just bought my Vision 30/12 with a 14' table in August 2012. What a difference it makes from machine quilting!
I absolutely love this long arm!
I have the TOWA thread gauge and its been very helpful.
The one thing I've had difficulty with is that I can be in motion in the middle of a perfect curve and hit a slight resistance. When you're in motion any little resistance can sure mess up your game! I'm not sure what causes it, tension, thread, the table?
To determine if it's something on the table, wheels, or guides, I would practice my motion while the machine is not running.
It glides perfectly with no resistance. So I've eliminated the possibility of something interfering with the table, wheels, or guides.
So I focused on tension. I bought the TOWA and use it every time I load and clean the area for a new bobbin. I found that this has helped but I still run into the resistance just not as bad. It's still a bit of a challenge but I've come to the conclusion mixing and matching the right thread, needle and tension plays a big role in a smooth effortless motion. The pros can correct me if I'm wrong suggestions are welcome.
I'm also curious what stitch length you folks use and are there times when you use a stitch per inch of 8 vs. 12 and why?
Also the speed you run at. I haven't found that balance yet as to when to increase or decrease the speed.
Happy quilting everyone!
Barbara

[karen f.]

I bought the TOWA bottom gauge for tension check and it has really helped me. I check each time I change a bobbin. My stitches are more consistent and far less ripping of stitches. One question: can I use the TOWA gauge to check on bobbin tension in a domestic machine? A friend has problems getting a good stitch on her older DSM. She thinks the problem is her bobbin tension. What would the "good" tension range for the DSM be? Tighter or more loose than on the long arm?

[Margo C.]

Terrina, it depends on the bobbin that her machine uses. The Towa comes specifically for "M style" bobbins or "L style" bobbins which are the sizes usually used in long arm machines, and it won't work for drop-in style bobbins. https://www.superiorthreads.com/shop/category/?q=towa
However, if she is using a machine that has a bobbin case like the Bernina's, she can test her tension by using the drop test:
http://www.handiquilter.com/videos/?id=93
On this brief video you can see how to do this. This video is talking about long-arms, but the drop test for bobbins will also work on a domestic machine if the bobbin case looks like this: http://www.bernina.com/en-US/Meta/Se...xt=bobbin+case

[Lisa J.]

Hi! I have been a professional long-arm machine quilter since 1993, first on a Nolting, then on a Gammill. We used to live in San Diego, and now reside on the NW Coast of Oregon. My bio and other info is on my website: https://sites.google.com/site/glenquilts Feel free to contact me if any of you newer members have questions.

(BTW, I have a pretty spectacular deal for anyone wishing to get a Gammill or to upgrade - I am selling my 2010 Gammill Vision with MANY extras, & an IQ computer system. They are both in excellent condition (the IQ is brand-new), but I am in the process of making some changes which necessitate the sale. It would be a great deal for someone looking to get a Gammill. See my ad in this forum or on my site, or contact me at: mailto:[email protected])