Why the GMQ Pro the Best Choice compared to other Grace Frames

Machine quilting is not only fun, but can help you make quilts that are actually stronger, so they can be use as well as admired. The biggest difference between the GMQ Pro and Little Gracie II is price. The question is what do you get for the extra cost that would make it worth purchasing the GMQ Pro. With that said, I really like the GMQ Pro better than the Little Gracie. I don't know if it is a guy thing to always want something bigger and better, but I just like to have ability for my quilting frame to be able to evolve as my skills and needs change.

The Little Gracie is a Great machine quilting frame, it is a better frame over-all than the original GMQ. Purchasing the Little Gracie II would be a sound investment, for anyone getting a frame that is better than nearly all the other machine quilting frames available on the market today. The big question would be why do I think the GMQ Pro is a better frame for anyone getting started machine quilting?

Listed below are the reasons that owning the GMQ Pro is a smarter choice, if someone has the budget for it:

• Leveling Feet - The GMQ Pro comes with foot levelers that allow you to fine tune your GMQ Pro, so it is perfectly level. With the carriage of the GMQ Pro now shipping sealed bearings right from the factory, the chances of your carriage costing off to the side are greatly improved. This isn't a good thing. When you stop quilt and have the needle of your machine in the up position, you want to have the machine stay where you left it, not at the other end of the frame with your bobbin thread pulled out. The feet levelers let you fine tune and make sure that your frame is level.


• Pivoting Rails - When you are quilting, you need to keep checking the underside of your quilt. You need to check for puckering, thread loops, or anything that might not be working properly. The GMQ Pro frame is the only frame on the market that has this feature at this price point. You would have to spend thousands of dollars to get a frame with this capability.


• Stronger Frame Rails - The GMQ Pro has a larger diameter frame rail which means that they are stronger and stiffer. This doesn't mean that you should load your quilt on as tight as a drum, but use properly, these rails will not sag even when set up to king length.


• King Length Rails - Even if you never plan on quilting a quilt that is king size, the extra length can be a great advantage. When you are doing a quilt that is longer than it is wide, you can load it on sideways. That way you have a lot longer row that you can quilt before you have to roll the quilt, and you will have less quilt rolled up inside the arm of your sewing machine which helps as well. The more quilt you have rolled up on your take up rail, the less room you have for moving your sewing machine forward and back.


• Room for a Practice Quilt - Machine Quilting takes lots of practice, the problem is that if you work on a practice quilt, then take it off and put a real quilt on the frame, you have lost most of your practice effort. With your GMQ Pro set up to King length, you can have a practice quilt strip that is about 10 to 20 inches wide loaded beside your project quilt. You can practice all you want on your practice piece and then roll over and nail that tricky feather that you have been practicing. It just makes it a lot easier if you can just roll over and quilt what you have been practicing without having to load on a new quilt.


• Batting Rail Included - This is nice that you don't have another accessory that you need to purchase. You save money!


• Three Sizes - The GMQ Pro can be set up King, Queen, and Crib lengths.


• Sizes of Machine Heads - Holds sewing machine heads up to 18 inches of throat length without needing any additional upgrades or parts. Only current model Grace Frame that allows for larger machine head.

All the Grace Frame machine quilting frame models perform wonderfully, but the GMQ Pro is the best choice for the Quilter that wants to get the best value for the money. It is so hard to determine how hard you will be bitten by the machine quilting bug! If you purchase a frame that can't grow with your needs, you will be limited by your frame's limitations.

-Lynn

Using the Kathy Quilts Speed Control Box

If you have a KathyQuilts.com Speed Control box and are wondering how to use it, here are some simple instructions.

The Kathy Quilts speed box just replaces your foot pedal that comes with your machine. Just plug the two cords in (Juki TL-98E or Q only, all other machines only have one cord), and it works! I suggest using some duct tape or similar size tape, and making a loop to temporarily attach to the bottom of the speed box. Try the speed box several locations until you find a position you like. Once you have an idea of where you want to attach your Speed Box, you will attach the hook side, scratchy side, of the Velcro to the bottom of the speed box and the soft side right to the wood of your carriage.

When I quilt in front of the frame, I set the speed box up on top of the carriage where the Gooseneck Lamp usually attaches. I rest my left hand right on that brace next to the speed box, that way I can turn it on or off without having to look away from my quilting to turn it on our off. Once I turn off the Juki, I can push the thread cutter button, move over to a new section and then just start quilting again. There will be a 1/4 thread tail on the bottom and top of the quilt. I will usually clip the top thread, but leave the bottom thread for later after I have taken the quilt off the frame.

You can try the speed box out in a variety of positions. You can also get more double stick Velcro and have several places that you like to position your speed box depending upon what type of quilting you are doing.