Longarm Quilting: Supplies To Get Started (with links)
You’ve just purchased your first longarm, but now what?! First, let me congratulate you on your big investment. This is HUGE (literally)! You may still have that worried feeling but I assure you, you’re going to love it and it’s going to be awesome! I haven’t regret the decision and we’re coming up on 2 years now.
So, if you’re anything like most manufactures there is a bit of lead time from when you place your order to when you machine arrives and is assembled. Instead of waiting around, use this time to collect supplies and educate your self on how to load and operate your machine.
When referring to this blog, it should be noted that I own and operate a Bernina Q24 on a 13 foot pro-frame with Qmatic. There may be subtle difference (IE needles) relating to different machines and set ups but the ideas and concepts are the same. So, lets dive in!
Note: This article does not contain any affiliate links and all opinions are my own.
CLEANING & MAINTENCE
Your machine requires regular cleaning to function property. A clean machine also prevents stitch interruptions such as breakage and tension issues. The stitching area should be dusted/cleaned/oiled daily while rails and wheels need periodic cleaning. I try and get to the rails and wheels monthly or at the very latest, every other month.
QTIPS (Something with a fibrous tip on a stick will work just fine)
MICROFIBER CLOTH (Your baby will get DUSTY. A Swiffer is also a great option.)
OIL (Typically comes with your machine but if not, make sure you grab some for your machine)
AIR CAN (Yes, my large Bernina dealer/local sewing center gave me approval for a can of air to be used in the lower bobbin hook area, only)
LINT BRUSH (Dust that baby good. She’ll love you forever!)
LOADING
HANDIQUILTER PINS (optional - depends how you will load // I learned by pinning, tried magnets but ultimately loved red snappers. These pins were made for durability and can be used in the canvas leaders.)
HANDIQUILTER HAMMOCK (great if you work in a dusty/pet hair environment - keeps projects off the floor // can be hung on any frame a little fabric engineering)
HARBOR FREIGHT MAGNETS (great for floating)
HARBOR FREIGHT MAGNET PIN HOLDER (lifesaver to keep pins from going everywhere in the studio)
LINT ROLLER (seam ripping, IYKYK - I don’t think I need to say more :P)
LINDAS ELECTRIC CLAMPS (Best clamps I have found thus far that provide 14 inches of evenly distributed side tension - Bernina Q24 uses a 14 inch clamp)
SPRAY WATER BOTTLE (minor wrinkle releases with water)
TRADITIONAL STARCH (Have fullness? Spray some starch on that bad boy and shrink up the fullness. Starch shrinks)
RULER FABRIC 120 WIDE (You’ll need this to measure backings and tops before loading)
RULER SMALL (This small ruler takes up the least amount of real-estate in my office and tells me how big a design is on my screen which I can then visualize on the quilt with a ruler/size.)
WOODEN DOWLS (Home Depot, approx 1 inch in diameter - used to place under your side clamps and on top of your belly bar and backing bar to hold up the side clamp and prevent downward drape/tension)
RED SNAPPERS 14 FT SET (I have a 13 foot frame. These are a literal game changer. The biggest complaint I hear however is that they are hard to put on if you have arthritis otherwise I have zero issues.)
RED SNAPPERS 2 & 6 INCH EXTRAS (Extra pieces for snappers - great if you only need a small piece to finish attaching instead of applying a 18 inch piece).
QUILTING
GLIDE 40 WEIGHT THREAD (This thread is widely used with Bernina users for longarm. Make sure you use a brand that is compatible with your machine.)
THREAD NET (Do not pass got until you have a thread net : P It allows the thread to come off the cone at an even speed.)
CLOVER AWL (Great little tool to sweep under your presser foot and pull your top and bobbin threads to reaching distances)
SEAM RIPPER (duuuuh - ish happens, we’re not perfect)
BERNINA CUP CLIP (helps prevent your sewing foot from catching on quilt tops)
BERNINA RULER FOOT 96 - (the one an only foot I use - I own a bouncing foot but don’t prefer it)
NEEDLES // SCHMETS UNIVERSAL 80/12 (Again, brand specific - use what’s compatible with your machine - i’m able to use Scmetz needles and the 80/12 works GREAT).
EXTRA BOBBINS (an average quilt will use anywhere from 4-8 bobbins - if you aren’t using prewound bobbins you want a stack of them around so you’re not constantly pulling thread off and re-winding. I believe I have 8-10 total)
GENERAL
TRAY (RexMachineAndTool@gmail.com $175 + $25 shipping in 2023 // a MUST IMO - easy install
THREAD PULLER (Do you have a dark visible thread under your quilt top you want to remove? This will discretely help you pull it without damaging the fibers in your top)
LONGARM WHEELS (I built my machine with casters so that I can move my machine in the garage. It also brings the height of the machine and frame up to a more comfortable height which doesn’t hurt my back if I have to seam rip for long durations.)
SHARPS STORAGE CONTAINER (Please make sure you properly dispose of your used needles)
WIRELESS KEYBOARD (Bernina specific // Our machines use Dell computers and I have chosen to go wireless for cord management.)
WIRELESS MOUSE (see above)
TWO BOBBIN CASES (it’s always good to have a backup in case you drop or damage your primary but also if you use pre-wound bobbins you can set tension and remove the spring from one case and leave the other for bobbins you load yourself)
FLASHLIGHT (I’ve got news for you! You’ll be on your hands and knees at times and a flashlight is a good friend to help you check tension or see if you can locate a silly noise it may be producing under the machine/frame)
Again, a big congratulations to you and your new BFF! You’re about to become inseparable. Have fun shopping for supplies, and if there’s a must-have tool I missed, feel free to share it in the comments below. I’m always on the lookout for new gadgets to make my quilting more efficient.
Happy Sewing!
-Alexis