Long-Arm Machine Quilting: the Complete Guide to Choosing, Using and Maintaining Your Long-Arm Machine [Paperback]

Carol Thelen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2002

Now all the information quilters need to purchase and use long-arm machines is at their fingertips! This all-inclusive guide will help quilters get up to speed on what their machine can do, or help them determine which machine will best suit their needs. Examines the features of 15 popular models so quilters can make educated buying decisions. Includes lessons for stippling, meandering, grid quilting, and semi-freehand quilting. Offers expert advice on choosing the best threads and batting for professional results. Contains trustworthy tips for machine maintenance and troubleshooting.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Hometown: Pearland, Texas

Carol Thelen is a professional machine quilter and teacher, and the owner of Gadgets by Carol, a company that sells her original tools for long-arm quilting machines.

Product Details

• Paperback: 130 pages
• Publisher: Martingale & Company (May 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564774333
• ISBN-13: 978-1564774330
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #466,417 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have book for machine quilters!, May 5, 2005

By 

Kimberly Noblin "BlockCentral.com" (Alabama) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Long-Arm Machine Quilting: the Complete Guide to Choosing, Using and Maintaining Your Long-Arm Machine (Paperback)

You've seen the long-arm machine ads in your favorite quilting magazines. What could be more helpful to finish that never-ending stack of quilt tops that you've been happily producing than your own long-arm quilting machine? Wait a minute! Before you rush out and buy the first long-arm machine that you come across, you need to read "Long-Arm Machine Quilting" by Carol A. Thelen.

Ms. Thelen is an accomplished long-arm machine quilter with a degree in mechanical engineering to boot. She shares her vast knowledge of long-arm machine quilting in this wonderful resource.

The book assumes no prior knowledge of quilting machines. The first chapter begins with an explanation of the quilting system followed by an introduction to the seven major manufacturers of long-arm quilting machines. Information is also included about optional electronics such as the Intellistitch I/S-2K controller and the Statler Stitcher. The chapter ends with comparison chart of features so that you can see how each machine stacks up against the others. This chapter alone makes this an incredible value for those who are looking for the right machine to fit their quilting needs.

The next three chapters take you through the functions of a long-arm machine, the tools and accessories that you will need to get started, and the supplies such as needles, thread, and batting. This is followed by a wonderful chapter that will help you choose your backing fabric and plan your quilting design.

Chapter Six is where you'll find how to load your quilt onto the machine, thread the machine, bring up your bobbin thread, rip out stitches, and much more. The following chapters explore the options that you have for long-arm machine quilting including quilting with pantographs and other patterns, freehand and semi-freehand quilting ,and specialty techniques such as embellishments, couching, bobbin drawing, wholecloth quilts, chenille, and t-shirt quilts.

The final two chapters deal with the care and maintenance of your machine and troubleshooting hints for common problems such as broken needles, thread problems, motor jams, and more. The book concludes with a large list of long-arm machine quilting suppliers complete with phone numbers, email addresses, and website addresses.

If you are thinking about purchasing a long-arm machine and don't know where to start, this is a must-read for you! If you already own a long-arm machine and want to learn more about your machine, this is a great resource to have at hand.

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Long Arm Machine quilting must have!!!, October 13, 2003

By 

P. Hutti "Traveling Quilter" (Maine USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Long-Arm Machine Quilting: the Complete Guide to Choosing, Using and Maintaining Your Long-Arm Machine (Paperback)

This is a great book for the beginner Long Arm quilter or people who don't have a long arm machine but are thinking of buying one. Even if you have been quilting for years, there is always something more to learn. Great details on maintaining machines but also on different quilting styles. I loved this book and hopes Carol writes another one. (although this book has every thing)

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous, January 20, 2006

By 

Nise - See all my reviews

This review is from: Long-Arm Machine Quilting: the Complete Guide to Choosing, Using and Maintaining Your Long-Arm Machine (Paperback)

This is an indispensable book to the long arm machine quilter. It is jam packed with information about LAMs so if you add it to your personal library and it will be referred to again and again. There is information on care, maintenance, troubleshooting, how to improve your work, what to look for in a machine, tons of tips and she also touches on technique here and there although it isn't a how to book. Look elsewhere for actual patterns.