Quilt in a Day Forums

This might be a dumb question, but I gotta ask. On my old mid-arm quilting machine, there was a laser. The frame had a shelf above the quilt where the pantographs laid and I followed the pantograph with the laser. Easy peasy. Now, however, I have a LA and the shelf is below the quilt at the back of the frame. There is a positionable stylus (about the size of a pencil) which attaches to the machine. I quilt from the back when using a pattern. The stylus fits into the groves of those 3-D patterns, of which I have none. To follow along on the paper pantographs, I have to close one eye in order to avoid seeing double! Am I doing something wrong? Standing too close? Am I too short? (almost 5 feet) I CAN'T be too tall! I've tried repositioning the pantos as well as the stylus. I'm managing, but my stitching isn't great and it's giving me eye-aches! Anybody have thoughts? thx, maryz

They work with a laser too. In fact, I just picked one up today on sale. Did you happen to keep the one from your old set up?

No, I sent the laser with the machine. But I'll see about trying to hunt up another one. Thx.

I had a lazer on my short arm and there's one on the HQ-16 which is what I use to do pantos. I use the stylus when I use groovy boards (they will spoil you). Any time I try to follow a pattern I have to rest my eyes and back pretty often. I do a couple of rows then stop for a few minutes to get my eyes uncrossed. I have found it easier to use the lazer at night when I could dim the lights in the room which made the lazer light seem brighter. I had just enough light to be able to see where I was going on the pattern/panto. I did not use my cheater glasses when I did this - I saw better without them. I have never tried to follow a pattern using the stylus although one did come with my B-line frame/Juki setup.

Edit: BTW there is no such thing as a dumb question.

The laser on my Gammill is on the stylus. Did you buy yours new? Or from an individual? Someone should have told you about the laser. What kind of machine do you have?
Linda

I have the laser Mary used to have and am loving it.... I like the set up on this frame with the shelf on top I think I would have trouble if it was further from my eyes. Mary let me know if you have trouble finding a laser and I can look at the Long Beach show in July, I just sent you a pm about the VikingMQ and the bobbin