PrecisionStitch User Guide

4.2 Options

The options menu allows you to change defaults, set squaring information, designate motor controllers and access other controller information with the help of technical support.

4.5.1 Options > Show/Edit Pattern Notes

You have the ability to write notes for each pattern. You might wish to note information about a height or a range of height values that look better for the pattern or any other information that would be helpful next time the pattern is opened.

The pattern notes may be viewed when the pattern is displayed via the File > Open screen. See 4.1.1 File > Open for more details. Or you can view/edit the pattern notes when the pattern is opened.

With the pattern opened and displayed on the screen choose Options > Show/Edit Pattern Notes to open the Pattern Notes screen shown below.

Type in the information you wish to save and click OK. The screen closes and the box labeled "Notes" shown below appears at the upper left of the screen whenever the pattern is displayed.

You must choose File > Save Settings to save the notes to the file.

Click on the Notes box to view and/or edit the information saved in the Pattern Notes screen. If there are no notes to view, the Notes box does not appear.

4.5.2 Options > Set Defaults

This option sets the default values for Needle On/Off, Thread Break Alarm, Sewing Speed, Stitches per Inch and Tieoffs. Set these values for your preference then choose Options > Set Defaults. The default settings will appear each time a file is open from the File > Open menu.

If you have changed any of these settings for a pattern then closed the file, or clicked File > Save Settings, the changed settings will appear when you open that file from the list of previously opened files.

4.5.3 Options > Stitch Count

When you first install PrecisionStitch or each time you upgrade, the stitch count is set to 0. Choose Options > Stitch Count to display the following screen.

As a pattern is stitched the system keeps track of the number of stitches for the pattern as well as a running total of all the stitches since the last software upgrade. Stitch Count gives the total number of stitches since PrecisionStitch was started. If you restart PrecisionStitch as you begin each quilt, you will have a stitch count of the amount of stitches used in that quilt. Total Count gives a running total of stitches from the last software upgrade.

4.5.4 Options > Automatic Control of Laser

Newer machines are equipped with a laser that can be set to automatically illuminate when position information is needed. The laser should be aligned (before starting the quilt) by manually lowering the needle into the fabric, retracting the needle again, and adjusting the laser so that it centers on the hole that the needle made in the fabric.

This option, when checked, allows the system to automatically turn the laser pointer on when needed for "clicking" to locate points, and turn it off otherwise. If this option is unchecked, the laser will operate manually only with the laser button located below the Needle and Thread Break buttons as shown below.

4.5.5 Options > Show Restart Screen

When restarting a pattern after the stitching has been interrupted such as for a thread break, you have the option of restarting the pattern by locating the restart point on the quilt or on the computer screen. To find the restart point via the computer screen choose Options > Show Restart Screen. A check mark will appear next to this option if it is chosen. To find the restart point via the quilt, choose Options > Show Restart Screen once again to clear the check mark. For more information on restarting a pattern see 5.1.12 Restart Pattern

4.5.6 Options > Set Squaring Information

When a quilt or part of a quilt has been squared up using the Square Up Quilt function a squaring angle is calculated and held in memory. This squaring angle is used each time a pattern is stitched in Pattern Mode – Repeat Blocks. Choosing Options > Set Squaring Information allows you to manually set the squaring angle.

Some cases you might use this function is to set the squaring angle to 0 or to reset a previously used value.

Options > Set Minimum Line Length

Patterns are drawn in AutoSketch with drawing entities such as three point arcs, line segments and poly lines. If a pattern is designed using three point arcs and straight lines, this value is not necessary.

If a pattern is designed using polylines (many very short lines) to simulate a circular arc, this option is used to speed up sewing. Choose Options > Set Minimum Line Length to set the smallest full-speed line.

In the picture above the minimum line length is set at .02 inch. This means that any line segment (drawing entity) that is .02 inch or smaller will be stitched at a slower speed.

If this option is set to 0 the pattern is stitched at full speed as set in the Speed section of the PrecisionStitch Main Screen.

4.5.7 Options > Calibrate Stitcher Motor

This option is used to set the sewing motor position accuracy which controls stitch length. Choose Options > Calibrate Stitcher Motor. The dialog box tells you to "Move stitcher off the quilt, remove thread and bobbin. Click OK. The motor is calibrated by taking 10 very slow stitches and the dialog box returns to display the new Z-count value. Click OK.

4.5.8 Options > Show Diagnostics

Used to check proper keypad & switch operation, and encoder feedback.

4.5.9 Options > Technical Support

Under the Technical Support Options you have 4 options which should only be used under the direction of the Technical Support team at Statler Stitcher.

Terminal

Select Controller

Set Calibration Value

Controller Definition

5.5.3 Flip Horizontally

Click this button to flip the pattern horizontally from left to right.

5.5.4 Flip Vertically

Click this button to flip the pattern vertically (turn it upside down.) A time you might use Flip Vertically is when stitching repeat patterns with Start and End near the top. When stitching allover patterns you can use the End of Previous Set option to locate the next row to be stitched. The End of Previous Set option uses the End point of the pattern. If the pattern is set for a large height the End point of the pattern is rolled onto the take-up roller when the quilt is advanced. By flipping the pattern vertically (turning the pattern upside down) the Start and End points are positioned at the bottom making the End point of the pattern accessible for the End of Previous Set option(see 13.3 Stitching Patterns at Maximum Height for Your Machine).

5.5.5 Reset

Click this button to reset the pattern orientation and size to that of its original state when loaded

5.5.6 Show Patterns Segments

When a pattern is drawn in AutoSketch it is divided into segments such as lines, three point arcs and polylines. PrecisionStitch™ uses these segments when restarting a pattern after a thread break (see 5.1.12 Restart Pattern). You can view these segments on the pattern screen by checking the Show pattern segments box.

When Show pattern segments is checked the segments are shown alternately green and black on the screen as shown below.

5.5.7 Pattern Width and Pattern Height

With Load as designed unchecked. The Pattern Width and Pattern Height are normalized to 12" when the file is opened. This means that the larger measurement, either height or width, is set to 12" and the other measurement is set proportionally. These values are displayed in Pattern Width and Pattern Height and cannot be changed. For single blocks the sizing information is set when the Start button is pressed.

5.5.8 Actual Width and Actual Height

When Pattern Mode>Single Block is checked this option is grayed out because a single block is sized and stitched by locating points on the quilt. When stitching Repeat Blocks you can change the Actual Width and Actual Height. See 12.3 Stitching Repeat Blocks.

5.5.9 Freeze Aspect

In Single or Repeat Block mode, any time a pattern is opened the program takes the largest measurement, either length or width, and makes it 12". The smaller measurement is proportionately sized. When you want to change the width or height of a pattern you check Freeze Aspect to preserve the proportions of the drawing as it is resized.

You can uncheck Freeze Aspect to size the pattern to exactly fit the desired area.

5.5.10 Stitch in Points

If the Stitch in points box is checked, the program will add a stitch at each "point" in the pattern (a point is an angle which causes the stitcher to momentarily stop when sewing.) This will cause the "points" to be sharp. This is especially useful with large stitches and pointy patterns.

5.5.11 Measure

See 10 Measure.

5.5.12 Restart Pattern

See 5.1.12 Restart Pattern.

5.5.13 Square Up Quilt

See

5.2 Speed

This section of the screen is where you set the stitching speed. Use the slider, up/down tumblers or type in the number to change the speed. The speed can be changed using any of these methods while the pattern is stitching.

5.3 Stitches per Inch (SPI)

This section is used to set the desired stitches per inch. B1/2-B4 are for basting stitches and only available in Regulated Mode. Basting is adjusted in 1/2" increments and Stitches Per Inch can be changed in ½ stitch increments. Stitches Per Inch is adjustable while sewing in Regulated Mode. Up/down tumblers appear for Stitches Per Inch when you start Regulated stitching.

Note: Settings for SPI are kept separate. This means that once a SPI is set in Automatic mode, then Regulated is used at a different SPI setting, when returning to Automatic mode, the SPI will be as you set it. The same is true if you return back to Regulated mode.

5.4 Tieoffs

Use this section to set the number of stitches and stitches per inch for each tieoff and to disable the initial Bobbin Pull-up stitch at the beginning of sewing. The settings below indicate that two tie stitches will be taken at the start and end of the pattern and the length of those two stitches is 20 stitches per inch.

5.5 Alternating Patterns

This is one method you can use to stitch Alternating patterns. The second method is described in 14 Alternating Patterns.

Some patterns such as cloud00.dxf need to alternate each row such that the clouds on the top row are moved over slightly then centered over the clouds on the bottom row. The picture below shows three repeats and two rows of cloud00 that do not alternate.

This is how the pattern displays when Original Grid is selected under Alternating Patterns .

Alternating Pattern Grid.

Shown is Alternating Plus with the Trim & Tie

When Alternating Plus is checked the program adds one repeat to the top row and centers the rows as shown.

When Alternating Minus is checked the program subtracts one repeat from the top row and centers the rows

Note the location of the five red dots that represent the corners and center of the design. When the program calculates Total Width and Total Height for these patterns it calculates between the lower left and right corners and/or between the upper left and right corners (these distances are equal.). Any part of the pattern shown outside the red dots will stitch off the quilt.

Trim & Tie options

When Alternating Plus is checked,

Trim is used to trim the portion of the pattern displayed to the left of the left edge or right of the right edge leaving a smooth edge.

Tie is used to force no-sew lines between

Segments trimmed at the edge. Otherwise, vertical lines are sewn between trimmed segments.

Shown with Trim

5.6 Pattern Mode

This section is used to designate a pattern for a single block or for repeat blocks. When Single Block is checked all other areas of this section are grayed out. When Repeat Blocks is checked you can change the Repeats per row, the number of Rows and other information for repeat blocks. See 12.3 Stitching Repeat Blocks.

The picture below shows the functions available when Repeat Blocks is selected in pattern mode.

In this screen you designate the number of repeats per row as well as the number of rows. You can choose to have the stitching stop between blocks or at the end of each line so the thread can be cut.

The Horizontal Spacing option is used to adjust the distance between repeats. For an example of this see 12.5.7Repeating Block Patterns in Borders or Sashes.

The Vertical Spacing option is used to adjust the distance between rows such as to adjust patterns that interlock from one row to the next.

5.7 Info

When Repeat Blocks is checked the Info section is active. This section gives the coordinates of the Start and End points with the origin at the lower left.

The Vert Diff is important for repeatable patterns. This number must be 0 or nearly 0 for the pattern to repeat.

5.8 Channel Lock

This option is available in Regulated or Constant Speed mode and locks the movement of the machine head to the input angle.

The raised button shown above indicates that Channel Lock is not activated. Clicking on the button turns it red indicating that it is active.

Set the desired angle by typing in the value and pressing Enter or by using the up/down tumblers. If you wish to use the angle obtained from Square Up Quilt, check the Use Squaring Angle box to use the squaring angle. Using the squaring angle will give you a line of stitching that is parallel to the line you used in the Square Up Quilt function. An angle set to 0 restricts vertical movement of the machine along a horizontal line. An angle of 90° restricts horizontal movement of the machine along a vertical line.

5.5.1 Using Channel Lock for Cross Hatching

Cross hatching is done by stitching parallel lines in one direction then rotating the angle 90° and stitching parallel lines in the other direction. To do this quickly you can set the squaring angle to the stitching angle then toggle the Channel Lock angle from 90° to 0° as described below.

1. In Regulated or Constant Speed mode, click Options > Set Squaring Information to open the Squaring Angle screen.

2. Type in 45 and click OK.

3. Check Use Squaring Angle and leave Channel Lock Angle = 0.

4. Position the head where you want to start stitching. Press Channel Lock and Start to begin stitching. The stitching will be at 45°. When you reach the end of the stitching line press Stop.

5. Press Channel Lock to turn it off. Hold down STOP and press Channel Lock to change Angle to 90°.

6. Press Channel Lock and Start to begin stitching. The stitching will be at 90° + 45° for a total of 135°.

5.9 Stitcher Mode

Choose the stitching mode in this section. Each mode is designated by a color. When Start is pressed the mode's corresponding color is displayed in the background indicating that the mode is active. The background can be seen from the quilting machine.

Automatic is green, Regulated is orange, Constant Speed is Blue and Record is red.

5.10 Needle and Thread Break Controls

Use these buttons to toggle the Needle and/or Thread Break off and on. The red shown below for Needle indicates ON. The raised button for Thread Break indicates the thread break is OFF.

When Needle is turned off the sewing head follows the pattern without stitching. Use this feature to do test runs of patterns before actual stitching is done. When the sewing head moves with the needle off this is called “No Sew”.

When threading the sewing head the thread is wrapped around the thread break sensor. If the sewing head is stitching with the Needle and Thread Break on and the thread break sensor stops turning, the Thread Break Detected screen is displayed as shown below.

When this screen is displayed in Automatic or Record modes the sewing head stops stitching. When this screen is displayed in Regulated or Constant Speed mode the sewing head continues to stitch. Press OK to close the screen.

5.11 Laser

Newer models of StatlerStitcher quilting machine include an automatic laser positioner for locating points. See 4.2.4 Options > Automatic Control of Laser.

5.12 Controls

Most of the functions can be controlled from the keypad located on the quilting machine head. The positions of the Controls buttons on the Main Screen and on any pop up screen correspond to those on the keypad. The buttons on the screen are large so they may be viewed as you stand at the quilting machine.

When using various options of the program some of the Controls buttons take on different functions.

5.5.1 Cut Bobbin

The Cut Bobbin button is available whenever the system status is Idle. Press this button and the machine moves to the left a few inches giving you time to grasp the top thread. The machine then moves back to the stop point and takes a single stitch. While the machine moves back and takes the stitch, keep light tension on the top thread. You can then pull on the top thread to raise and cut both threads.

Additionally, while a pattern is sewing in Automatic, Constant Speed or Record Mode, the Cut Bobbin button becomes an Up Arrow. Use this button to increase the sewing speed. In Regulated mode the Up Arrow is used to increase the Stitches Per Inch.

5.5.2 Chan Lock

This key toggles the Channel Lock function off and on and is available in Regulated, Constant Speed or Record modes. In Automatic mode this button is the Option button. NOTE: the belts must be engaged in order to use the Channel Lock function.

5.5.3 Option - Next

When the Option button is pressed you are able to call up the Measure, Square Up Quilt, Restart Pattern functions or toggle the Needle, Thread Break or Laser functions OFF/ON. When the dialog boxes for these functions are displayed, Option changes to Next to enable you to step through the available options.

5.5.4 Mode

This button steps through the modes, Automatic, Regulated, Constant Speed or Record, until the desired mode is reached.

5.5.5 Single Stitch – Yes – OK

Causes the machine to take a single stitch. This button changes to YES when stepping through the available options and changes to OK when dialog boxes are displayed, allowing you to call up functions and to input information from the sewing head or the computer.

Additionally, while a pattern is sewing in Automatic, Constant Speed or Record Mode, the Single Stitch button becomes a Down Arrow. Use this button to decrease the sewing speed. In Regulated mode the Down Arrow is used to decrease the Stitches Per Inch.

5.5.6 Stop – No – Cancel

Stops the stitching abruptly. You must Restart Pattern to finish sewing. This button changes to NO when stepping through the available options and changes to Cancel when the Options dialog boxes are displayed. This allows you to choose not to call up a function and/or to cancel options.

5.5.7 Start – Yes – OK

Starts the stitching or opens the dialog boxes for other functions. This button changes to YES when stepping through the available options and changes to OK when dialog boxes are displayed allowing you to call up functions and to input information from the quilting machine.

Additionally, while a pattern is sewing the Start button becomes a Pause button. This allows you to stop the stitching without losing pattern information. See 7 Pause Stitching.

5.13 System Status

The text box at the bottom left of the Main Screen displays the system status.

5.14 Handle Buttons

Front and rear handles of the sewing head are wired with buttons:

Right Handle

Red Button – Stop/No/ Cancel

Left Handle

Black Button -- Single Stitch/ Yes/OK

12.1 Stitching Single Blocks

Open a pattern file. In Pattern Mode click Single Block. In this mode location points and other sizing information are entered after the Start button is pressed. Before we do that you should understand how the pattern is placed on the quilt in single block pattern mode. The only information needed for single blocks are the four location points and the Minimum Margin. The four location points define the size of the block, the squaring angle and the block's location on the quilt.

12.5.1 Sizing the Pattern

The Minimum Margin is the space you want between the edge of the block and the stitching. For example a 10" square block with a Minimum Margin of 1" results in a stitched pattern 8" square as shown by the heart on the left of the diagram below.

If the pattern is roughly square and the block is rectangular, the same pattern will be elongated to fit within the minimum margin of the rectangle as shown by the heart on the right. In the case of something like the heart this is a good way to have a tall heart without drawing another pattern. However, if the pattern is a tall, thin soldier it is stitched as a short, fat soldier in a square block. In each of these examples the pattern is sized without regard to height and width proportions, known as aspect ratio.

With Freeze Aspect.checked, the pattern will retain its size and be centered within the area defined

12.5.2 Orienting and Locating the Pattern in Single Block Mode

You have the option to rotate the pattern in 1º or 90º increments and/or flip it vertically and/or horizontally. Use the buttons below the pattern to place the pattern in the proper orientation.

To locate the position of the block you will input the locations of four points in order:

1. Lower Left Corner

2. Lower Right Corner

3. Upper Right Corner

4. Upper Left Corner

If a pattern is rotated or flipped on the screen it is stitched exactly the same inside the four location points. Cat00 is shown below rotated at 90º.

It is helpful to remember that the lower left corner of the pattern displayed on the screen corresponds to the lower left corner location point you designate on the quilt. This is true no matter the rotation of the pattern displayed

1. Click Start. The Block Size dialog box is displayed. Change the Minimum Margin to the desired number.

2. Move the needle to the lower left corner of the block and click the Black Button or OK. Continue following the instructions on the screen to enter the other three points in order. After the last point is entered the screen displays "Click to move to starting point."

3. Click once more and the needle moves to the starting point. As the needle moves to the starting point the dialog box displays "Moving to starting point". When the needle reaches the starting point a single stitch is made and the dialog status changes to "Pull up bobbin thread. Click to start:" The machine will not move away from this point so the easiest way to pull up the bobbin thread is to hold the top thread and slide a long straight pin under the hopping foot. As the pin emerges from under the hopping foot the bobbin thread comes with it. Grasp both threads and pull them up and out of the way. You will need to hold both threads taut as the tieoffs are made in the next step.

4. Click again while holding the threads. The tieoff stitches are completed and stitching begins. To pause the stitching, press either the Quick Pause or Pause button. See 7 Pause Stitching. If a thread break occurs or the stitching is stopped see 5.1.12 Restart Pattern.

5. When stitching is complete the final tieoff stitches are completed and the system returns to idle status.

12.2 Triangular Blocks

Triangular shaped blocks are placed by identifying the 3 points of the triangle to fill. Load the pattern to use. Set Pattern Mode for Single Block then press Start

Click on Triangle as the area to be defined. Adjust the Minimum Margin as needed.

Following the on screen prompt, Click lower left corner of the triangle. Move the needle to locate and Click lower right corner, then the needle is moved to Click top of triangle.

With all three points identified, a display of the pattern placed in a triangle, as defined, is shown on the screen.

Pattern is shown inside a defined triangle

Working with the buttons displayed. The pattern Height and Width can be increased or decreased. The display will reflect the change in relationship to the defined triangle. The pattern position can be Moved in relationship to the triangle as well.

This diagram shows the location of points to be identified when triangles are in different positions.

Note: When resizing or moving a pattern in this mode, the pattern displayed remains stationary, while the triangle is shifted and resized.

Note: If Freeze Aspect is used, these patterns may not size correctly to the defined triangle.

Another method

Triangular Blocks Using “No Sew” Lines

Another way to locate a triangular pattern is to set up a “No Sew” line in AutoSketch when the pattern is drawn. See the AutoSketch User manual for more information on No Sew lines.

The picture below shows a triangular pattern drawn with no sew lines.

When this pattern was drawn, the proper margins were included for the triangle. To size and locate this pattern on your quilt:

a) Open the pattern for the block to be stitched.

b) Choose Repeat Blocks leaving repeats per Row and Rows at 1 each. Measure the base of the triangle and transfer to Total Width. Measure the height and transfer to Total Height.

c) Square up Quilt using the base of the triangle.

d) Click Start. Choose Center of Area for starting location.

e) Center of area is located at halfway along the baseline, and halfway to the top of the triangle

Center of Area

12.3 Stitching Repeat Blocks

When stitching repeat blocks you set the width, height and orientation of the pattern and then you have several ways to locate the pattern on the quilt such as the upper or lower corners of the space, the center of the space and more.

In the previous section, Single Blocks, if the quilt was out of square relative to the sewing head, the squaring angle was determined when the four corners of the block were located. With repeat blocks the location of the pattern is designated using one point. Therefore it is important to use the Square up Quilt function as you stitch repeat blocks. Some guidelines for squaring up the quilt are:

à In allover patterns, each time the quilt is advanced. Use a row of blocks or any piecing that is repeated across the width of the quilt.

à In blocks, each time you prepare to stitch another block. Use one side of the block.

à In sashes, each time you prepare to stitch another sash. Use the long edge of the sash.

à In borders, each time you prepare to stitch a border or part of a border. Use the long edge of the border along a seam line.

Remember that the squaring angle is held in the system memory until you change it using the Square up Quilt function; set it to 0 from the options menu or when you close the file. You want to use the squaring angle for the area you are currently working on, not from the previous area.

In most cases you square up the quilt just before pressing Start. To remind you that a squaring angle is in memory, the Square Up Quilt button changes to yellow when the angle is not equal to 0.

12.5.1 Using Start and End

Patterns whose Start and End are located at the outermost edges (Vert Diff = 0) will be continuous when repeated across a row. However patterns whose Start and End are not located at the outermost edges will not be continuous when repeated across a row. For these patterns you have the option of connecting the End of one pattern to the Start of the next in order to make it continuous.

The pictures below show pattern borde02a whose Start and End are not on the outermost edges of the pattern. In the first picture Use Start & End is not checked so the system places the outermost edges of the blocks next to each other.

The picture below shows the same pattern repeats with Use Start & End checked.

Another way to achieve the same results as the picture above is to uncheck Use Start & End and adjust the Horizontal Spacing to a negative number.

12.5.2 Locating Repeat Patterns

When a pattern is displayed on the screen and Repeat Blocks is checked you will see five red dots: four in the corners and one in the center. When Start is pressed for Repeat Blocks the screen below is displayed.

The first five options listed on this screen correspond to the five red dots on the display screen. As an example we will take the Upper Right Corner chosen above. To visualize this choose File > Print to print the pattern on the screen.

Although the red dots do not print, find and mark the location of the upper right red dot on you paper. Draw a vertical line on the right side of the pattern and a horizontal line across the top as shown below. The intersection of these lines is the upper right corner.

Once you choose the option to locate the pattern, move the needle to the location on the quilt that represents that position. In this example that is the upper right corner of the block. When the needle is at the correct position, click OK to input the location.

If you choose Upper Right Corner to locate your pattern, the dot you just located is positioned at that point. As an example we take a 12" block and size the Cat00 pattern to a height of 10". We will choose Upper Right Corner as the location point. If we then move the needle to the upper right corner of the block and click to input the location point, the stitched result is shown below right.

If you wanted to use the upper right corner but wanted to offset the pattern, then in Offsets input -1" in Horizontal and -1" in Vertical. This will give a 1" margin on all sides.

Another way to locate this pattern would be to choose Center of Area then move the needle to the center of the block. Using this method to locate the pattern means that the system has taken the center red dot and placed it at the location on the quilt that you designated as the center of the block.

Start of Pattern and End of Pattern are useful options for placing the start or end of a pattern at an exact point. An example is if you are joining a previously stitched segment of the border to the segment about to be stitched. The start and end points are noted on the display screen.

Same as Last Time is the exact point you used the last time the pattern was located.

End of Previous Set is used to locate the next row of stitching for an allover pattern. Place the needle over the last stitch of the last row and sewing will start on the next row.

12.5.3 Offsets

In Repeat Blocks, in addition to the 9 options described above for locating a pattern, you can also choose to locate a pattern a certain distance from the point you designate. The Horizontal and Vertical Offsets are used to enter the offset distance.

For example, you want the pattern to be placed 3 inches to the right of the left seam. If you choose Lower Left Corner to locate the pattern with a Horizontal Offset = 3, the pattern will be stitched 3" to the right of the left seam and even with the bottom seam as shown below.

12.4 Stitching One Repeat

If you wish to preserve the aspect ratio of a single pattern such as keeping a tall, thin soldier tall and thin, you will need to check Repeat Blocks in Pattern Mode which makes the Actual Width and Actual Height of the pattern active.

1. Open the file. In Pattern Mode check Repeat Blocks. Note the 5 red dots in the corners and center of the pattern.

2. Also in Pattern Mode check Stop to cut thread between blocks to make the final tieoff.

3. Under the pattern, to the right check Freeze Aspect. Checking this means that when one dimension, either height or width, is changed the other dimension changes proportionately.

4. In Actual Width or Actual Height, highlight and change to the desired size and hit enter. Notice that the values for Actual Height and Actual Width change along with those for Total Height and Total Width in Pattern Mode. (You can also use the Measure tool see 10.5 Calculate Repeats and Rows for the Entire Quilt

5. Since we want just one repeat of this pattern leave Rows and Repeats per row at 1.

6. Square up the quilt.

7. Click Start. The Block size dialog box is displayed. Choose an option for locating the pattern. Move the needle to the corresponding position on the quilt and click OK.

8. You are instructed to "Click to go to starting point". Click OK.

9. The needle moves to the starting point. As the needle moves to the starting point the dialog box displays "Moving to starting point". When the needle reaches the starting point a single stitch is made and the dialog status changes to "Pull up bobbin thread. Click to start:" Pull up the bobbin thread.

10. Click again while holding the threads. The tieoff stitches are completed and stitching begins. To pause the stitching, press either the Quick Pause or Pause button. See 7 Pause Stitching. If a thread break occurs or the stitching is stopped see 5.1.12 Restart Pattern.

11. When stitching is complete the final tieoff stitches are completed and the system returns to idle status.

12.5 Borders and Sashes

Many times you might wish to set the height or width of a pattern to an exact number such as fitting a pattern in a border or sash. Although patterns can be sized at any height or width, many patterns look better at a certain size or within a certain range of sizes. In these cases you have the option to set the actual height or width of a pattern before you begin adding repeats and rows

In this example all the borders are stitched along with the stitching for the interior of the quilt. The "working surface" referred to in the steps that follow is the area of the quilt that can be stitched without advancing the quilt. After stitching the top border and advancing the quilt, the interior of the quilt in the working surface should be quilted or at least stabilized before stitching the side borders. This prevents puckers or fullness at or near the border seam line. Some quilters choose to leave the side borders unquilted, basting them as the quilt is advanced, then unloading and turning the quilt to complete the side borders which are now parallel to the rollers.

The steps for stitching the borders as you stitch the interior of the quilt are:

1. Measure the side borders before loading the quilt. Make a note of the measurements.

2. Stitch the top border.

3. Stitch any interior quilting in the working surface.

4. Advance the quilt.

5. Stitch any interior quilting in the working surface.

6. Stitch the left side border in the working surface.

7. Stitch the right side border in the working surface.

8. Advance the quilt.

9. Continue stitching the interior, left side border and right side border until you reach the bottom border.

10. Stitch the bottom border.

If you are using a different thread color for the borders than you use for the quilt interior you should baste the borders as you quilt the interior. Rolling unquilted or unbasted borders on the rollers causes distortion of the borders and/or may result in puckers or pleats later. Stitch large meandering stitches over the borders or place straight pins parallel to the rollers to baste. Once the interior is completed and you reach the bottom of the quilt you can change thread and begin quilting the borders starting with the bottom border and move up. Remove the basting stitches before quilting in an area.

12.5.1 Stitch Top Border

In this example we use the Heart10 pattern to stitch in a 3" border without corners. Use the same methods for stitching a sash.

1. Open Heart10. Notice that this is a directional pattern.

For this example we want the heart points to point to the interior of the quilt. Rotate the pattern as needed so the hearts are in the correct orientation.

2. In Pattern Mode check Repeat Blocks. Then click on the up arrow in Repeats per row.

3. Use Square up Quilt along the border seam line to enter the squaring angle.

4. Check Freeze Aspect. In Actual Height highlight the value, type 2.5 and press enter.

5. Uncheck Freeze Aspect.

6. In Pattern Mode check Use start and end.

7. Uncheck Stop to cut threads between blocks.

8. Use Measure to measure the length of the border. Leave the Measure screen displayed with the measured value.

9. Start adding Repeats per row until the Total Width is approximately the length you measured. If Total Width is larger than the measured length, the pattern will be slightly compressed to fit. If Total Width is smaller than the measured length, the pattern will be slightly stretched to fit.

10. On the Measure screen click Transfer to Total Width. (The Measure screen may be hiding behind the Main Screen). The length of the measured border is entered in Total Width.

11. Click Start. Determine which point you will use to locate the pattern. In this case Start and the lower left corner are at the same point. If you want the bottom edge of the border to sit near the seamline use either Lower Left Corner or Start of Pattern. If you wish to center the pattern in the border use Center of Area. When sizing and locating patterns for the outer border remember to allow for the binding seam allowance.

12. Stitch the top border. For use later when sizing the side borders, make a note of Actual Width and Actual Height.

12.5.2 Stitch Side Borders

When a pattern is rotated to stitch the side borders, what was height before is now width and repeats per row are now rows. Use the side border length you measured before loading the quilt to roughly size the side borders.

Square up the quilt using the side border seam line as a reference.
Change Repeats per Row to 1. Rotate and or flip the pattern until it is at the correct orientation. Note the Start and End positions on the display screen. You will need to take those into account later when choosing location points.
Check Freeze Aspect and change Actual Width to 2.5. Uncheck Freeze Aspect.
Start adding Rows until Total Height is approximately equal to the border length. Highlight Total Height and enter the border length. You may wish to compare Actual Height here with the Actual Width you noted for the top border. The difference shouldn't be too great. If it is you should add or delete rows until the values are closer together.
You will only be able to stitch as much of the side borders that will fit inside the throat of your machine. Decrease Rows until Total Height is smaller than the throat of your machine. Check that the quilt is positioned such that the entire pattern can be stitched without the needle running into the take-up roller.
Click Start, locate then stitch the pattern on the quilt.
Flip the pattern Horizontally and you are in position to stitch the other side border.
Note the side border settings so they can be used to stitch the next side border segments after advancing the quilt and stitching the interior.
When you are ready to stitch the last side border segment near the bottom border, use Measure to measure the unquilted portion of the border. Use that measurement to fit the last segment between the previous segment and the end of the border.

12.5.3 Stitch Bottom Border

The bottom border is stitched in the same manner as the top border.

12.5.4 Border Corners

Connect corners to adjacent borders in one of two ways:

Connect using free motion quilting, or

2 Choose coordinating patterns that are drawn to connect to each other. Size the height and/or width as needed.

12.5.5 Connect with Free Motion Quilting

To use this method simply stitch the corner as a single block. The four location points are the four corners representing the corner square. Stitch the border as described above. Change to Regulated Mode and connect with appropriate free motion designs.

12.5.6 Coordinating Patterns

Coordinating border and corner patterns should be drawn together so the start and end points are at the same point. The patterns are then separated and saved as two files, one for the corner and one for the border repeats.

Follow these steps for stitching connecting borders and corners.

Stitch the two corners first using Repeat Block mode and setting the Actual Height and Actual Width equal to the Actual Height of the top border pattern. Use one of four location points that represent the corner block.
Use the start/end points of the corner pattern to square up the quilt and to measure. To stitch the border between the corners, Use Start of Pattern to locate the border.

12.5.7 Repeating Block Patterns in Borders or Sashes

It isn't always necessary to have a block or border pattern be continuous in a border or sash. You can use a single block pattern that has the start and end points at the same location.

Open the block pattern and in Pattern Mode choose Repeat Blocks.
Check Freeze Aspect then enter the desired pattern height in Actual Height and hit Enter.
Uncheck Use Start and End so the patterns are not connected.
In Pattern Mode add Repeats per row until you reach the desired Total Width.
The block patterns will stitch one next to the other with no horizontal spacing. If you wish to have a space between the blocks, increase the Horizontal Spacing until the desired Total Width is reached.

The picture below shows six repeats of FEATH09. The pattern was first repeated three times and sized to fit the left half of the border. After the left half was stitched the pattern was flipped horizontally and stitched in the right half of the border.

Sizing and stitching allover patterns is similar to that of stitching borders. For this example we will stitch an allover pattern over a 75 x 95 quilt using Fan00. Two methods for sizing allover patterns are presented in this User Guide. The first method used the Measure function and is explained at 10.5 Calculate Repeats and Rows for the Entire Quilt. The second method is explained here.

13.1 Sizing Allover Patterns

Note: The "Start" and "End" points of an allover pattern should be near the bottom of the screen. If you open a pattern for allover quilting and the "Start" and "End" are near the top of the screen click Flip Vertically to flip the pattern so "Start" and "End" are near the bottom of the screen. This makes it easier to use "End of Previous Set" when locating the starting point of the next row of stitching.

1. Open Fan00. Check Repeat Blocks.

2. We want the actual height of the pattern to be 10.5 inches. Check Freeze Aspect. Highlight and change Actual Height to 10.5 and hit enter. Uncheck Freeze Aspect.

3. If you want the pattern repeats to connect, check Use Start and End.

4. First we adjust the width. Increase the Repeats per row until Total Width is approximately 75. In this case that is 7 repeats per row with a Total Width of 79.60.

5. Highlight the 79.60 in Total Width and change it to 75. Hit enter.

6. Now increase the Rows until Total Height is approximately 95. In this case it is 9 rows for a Total Height of 94.5. Now is the time to check the horizontal and vertical spacing between repeats and rows. Look at the pattern displayed on the screen. Increase and decrease the Horizontal Spacing and/or Vertical Spacing until you are satisfied with the layout. Rows that interlock will have a vertical spacing less than 0. To get a closer look at the spacing, click anywhere on the pattern section of the screen to see a magnified view. See 5.1.1 Pattern Display for more information.

7. Once you are satisfied with the spacing, highlight Total Height and change it to 95. Hit enter. The pattern is now sized to fit the quilt.

8. Choose File > Save Settings.

13.2 Stitching Allover Patterns

Now that the pattern is sized you see the entire number of rows and repeats displayed on the screen. Note that there is only one Start and one End. If this pattern were to be stitched in its entirety it would tieoff at the end of the first row and move directly to the second row to begin stitching.

You need to decrease the Rows until the Total Height fits in the throat of your machine. For this example we will use two rows.

1. Square up the quilt. See 11 Squaring Up the Quilt for more information.

2. Press Start. The location dialog box is displayed. For allover patterns the easiest place to locate the pattern is Upper Left Corner. Check Upper Left Corner. Move the needle to the upper left corner of the quilt and click the black button or OK.

3. You are instructed to "Click to go to starting point". Click OK.

4. The needle moves to the starting point. As the needle moves to the starting point the dialog box displays "Moving to starting point". When the needle reaches the starting point a single stitch is made and the dialog status changes to "Pull up bobbin thread. Click to start:" Pull up the bobbin thread.

5. Click again while holding the threads. The tieoff stitches are completed and stitching begins. To pause the stitching, press either the Single Stitch or Start button. See 7 Pause Stitching. If a thread break occurs or the stitching is stopped see 5.1.12 Restart Pattern.

6. When stitching is complete for the row, the final tieoff stitches are completed.

7. Use the Cut Bobbin key to bring up the bobbin thread and cut the threads. Click OK. The needle moves down and over to the start of the second row.

8. Bring up the bobbin thread. The tie stitches are taken then the row is stitched with ties stitched at the end.

9. Advance the quilt and square it up using seam lines or block intersections as a guide, not the previously stitched pattern.

10. .After the second row the pattern is located using End of Previous Set. This is the point where the pattern ended from the last row just stitched. Be sure that the end of the previous row is not advanced into the take up roller.

11. Click Start. Choose End of Previous Set. Move the needle to the end of the last row stitched and click OK.

12. The sewing head moves to the start of the next row and takes a single stitch. Pull up the bobbin thread and click OK. The tieoff stitches are made and stitching begins.

13. Continue with steps 6 – 12 until the quilt is completely stitched.

13.3 Stitching Patterns at Maximum Height for Your Machine

In some cases the height of a pattern takes up most of the sewing head throat space. Often this means that you need to advance the quilt slightly in order to use End of Previous Set to find the start of the next row then advance the quilt slightly again in order to stitch the next row.

1. After stitching one row of the pattern, remove the clamps from the side of the quilt and advance the quilt until the end of the stitching is several inches away from the take-up roller.

2. Move the sewing head so the needle is over the last stitch (End of Previous Set) and press Start.

3. Choose End of Previous Set and click OK. Click OK once more and the sewing head moves to the start of the next row of stitching and takes a stitch. At this point if you continued on to stitch the next row, the pattern may be too large for the sewing machine throat.

4. Place a pin where the needle entered the quilt. This is the Start of Pattern for this row. Click Cancel. You will need to advance the quilt a little more to be sure the pattern fits in the stitching area.

5. After advancing and re-clamping the quilt, place the needle over the pin, remove the pin and click Start.

6. Choose Start of Pattern and click OK. Continue to stitch the row.

Another method you can use to find the starting point of the next row is to add an extra row to the number of rows that can be stitched. When the machine moves to the start of the extra row it will take a single stitch. Mark this location with a pin then hit Stop.

Advance the quilt, clamp the sides and place the needle over the pin. Start the next row using Start of Pattern.

As a pattern is being stitched, several events can cause the stitching to stop before the end of the pattern. Some examples are thread breaks, pressing Cancel or NO or a power interruption or outage. In these cases you can use the Restart Pattern function to resume stitching near the location where stitching was terminated.

When a pattern is displayed on the screen before stitching begins, the Restart Pattern button is not active. The reason for this is that no location information has been entered; therefore the system has no way of knowing where the pattern is located on the quilt. Once stitching has started, the location information remains in memory until the file is closed or the system or computer shuts down.

In the case of thread breaks or if the pattern information is still displayed on the screen you simply click Restart Pattern to continue the pattern. However, in cases where the file closed or the system or computer shut down you will need to locate the pattern again before using Restart Pattern.

15.1 Restart a Pattern with Location Information in Memory

When the thread breaks during stitching of single or repeat blocks with the Thread Break button pressed, the stitching stops and a notification screen is displayed. Click OK to close the screen. After fixing the thread break press the Option button at the head. Press the Next button until “Restart Pattern?” is displayed. Position the head near the point of restart and press the OK button. Press the Back or Next buttons until the head is positioned at the segment to be restarted. Press the OK button for a bobbin-up stitch. After pulling the bobbin thread, Press the OK to continue sewing.

If No or Cancel is pressed while a pattern is stitching the system status changes to idle. The pattern information is still displayed on the screen and Restart Pattern is active. Restart by following the Restart a Pattern instructions above.

15.2 Restarting Pattern after Loss of Location Information

When the location information has been lost such as caused by a power interruption you will need to relocate the pattern before you can restart it.

15.5.1 Repeat Blocks

For repeat blocks this is easily done by pressing Start as the first step. Pressing Start will load the last pattern file used with its settings.

a. Choose Start of Pattern to locate the pattern and move the needle to the first stitch of the entire set being sewed.

b. Click OK. At the next prompt (“Click to go to Starting Point”), Click Cancel. The location information is now in memory.

c. Follow the Restart a Pattern instructions above.

15.5.2 Single Blocks

Because single blocks are sized and located using four location points, it is more difficult to relocate and restart the exact pattern location and size.

Single block information is not stored the same as repeat blocks. The use of the Start button cannot be used restore the pattern and its settings.

What can be done is to log the information of the single block before sewing. Needed would be the actual pattern height, actual pattern width and squaring angle.

a. After restarting the system, pressing start will reload the pattern to default values.

b. Change the Pattern Mode to Repeat Blocks.

c. Enter the logged information for actual pattern height, width and squaring.

d. Use steps in 15.2.1 (a – c) for restarting repeat blocks.

15.3 Show Restart Screen

Another method for restarting a pattern is using the Restart Screen. The restart screen function can be enabled by choosing Show Restart Screen from the Options menubar. The restart function is then accessed by clicking Restart Pattern. The magnified pattern is displayed with its segments alternately colored green and black. The upper right part of this screen gives you the option to cancel out of restart pattern or to magnify the pattern 2X or 3X times.

In the lower right section of this screen you are instructed to "Click on the segment at which to start:"

Use the Magnification buttons if needed to determine which segment to begin stitching and click on it. The segment is colored red and the dialog box asks "Start sewing with the red segment?"

If this is the correct segment then click Yes.
If this is not the correct segment or you wish to choose a different segment, click No. The dialog box closes and the segment returns to its original color. You can now choose another segment.
Click Cancel to close the dialog box. If you cancel out of Restart Pattern you

still have the option to restart the same pattern until you close the pattern or until Start is pressed again.

If you choose Yes you are asked to "Click to go to starting point". Click OK. The needle moves to the starting point and you are asked "Is this the correct starting point?" At this point you can choose to start the stitching where the needle is now or you can click Back or Next to move the needle to the previous or next segment.

a) If this is the correct starting point click OK. Pull up the bobbin thread and click OK. The tieoff stitches are completed and stitching resumes.

b) If you need to move to a different segment click Back or Next. The needle moves along the pattern to the start of the segment. You can continue to click Back or Next as many times as you need to reach the thread break. When you reach the desired starting point, click OK. Pull up the bobbin thread and click OK. The tieoff stitches are completed and stitching resumes

c) If you have gone beyond the point in the pattern where the thread broke, click Cancel. You will need to click Restart Pattern and try again.

When the AutoSketch option is chosen in Record mode, AutoSketch™ is called up and the drawing is created as you stitch. The needle becomes the curser. Use the Black Handle Button, Red Handle Button, OK and NO to click to enter points in AutoSketch just as you would use the left and right mouse buttons. You then save the pattern file for future use.

Before choosing Record Using AutoSketch you should close the AutoSketch program. If you want to record a pattern that you stitch free motion you will find it easier to disconnect the belts. The pattern will be recorded using the auxiliary encoders.

18.1 Record the Pattern

Click Start.

Choose Record Using AutoSketch then Click OK.
You are asked to input locations of the four corners of your block starting with the lower left corner. If you will be locating points along the edge of the block you might wish to make the block bigger as you locate points. This assures you have enough space later to reach the outer points of the block.
After inputting the last location and clicking OK the screen closes and AutoSketch is opened to a new file. The background of the Main Screen remains red as long as AutoSketch is opened.
The needle becomes your cursor and the Left Handle – Black Button becomes the mouse clicker.
In AutoSketch choose a drawing tool such as three point arc, line, polyline or sketch polyline. To activate the drawing tool move the cursor (needle) over the tool and select it with the Left Handle – Black Button.
Move the machine inside the block you located and the drawing is created in AutoSketch as you choose drawing tools and click points.

18.2 Drawing Tools

While you are in Record Using AutoSketch you choose a suitable AutoSketch drawing tool to trace or draw the segments of your pattern. The most commonly used tools are described below.

18.5.1 Single Line

Use the single line tool to draw one line between two points. In AutoSketch, select the Single Line tool.

Choose Draw > Line > Single.
At the quilting machine, move the needle to the location of the beginning of the line and click.
Move the machine to the location of the second point and click.

18.5.2 Multiple Lines

Use the line multiple tool to draw a series of connected lines. In AutoSketch, select the Line Multiple tool.

Choose Draw > Line > Multiple.
At the quilting machine, move the needle to the location of the beginning of the line and click. Move the needle to the next point of the line and click.
Continue locating and clicking points until you reach the last point. Click No to input the last location and exit the tool.

The green squares indicate the location points that were entered each time the black button was clicked.

18.5.3 Three Point Arc

Use this tool to draw curves and circles. In AutoSketch select the Three Point Arc tool.

Choose Draw > Arc > 3 Points.
At the quilting machine move the needle to the location of the first point of the arc and click.
Move the needle to the middle of the curve and click
Move the needle to the last point of the arc and click.

18.5.4 Sketch Polyline

Use this tool to draw free motion designs. When polylines are drawn they consist of a multitude of points along the line as shown below.

These many points make the file large but with PrecisionStitch 7.0.0 the large file does not affect the stitching speed.

After drawing a pattern with this tool you might wish to trace over the polyline with the three point arc and/or the line tools. This reduces the file size and the quilting time for the pattern.

Choose Draw >Polyline > Sketch.
Press and hold the black button as you draw the pattern. Release the black button when drawing is complete.
Or – Press the top center keypad button to lock the left button down. This eliminates having to hold the black button down to draw.

18.3 Complete the Drawing

Once you are finished drawing with the quilting machine you will save the SKF file In AutoSketch using File > Save Copy As. Providing a name for the file.

After using Save Copy As, close AutoSketch

AutoSketch will then be restarted, and the newly created file opened so you can tidy up the drawing to smooth out curves and straighten lines and ad required text commands.

1. Connect all the endpoints and order intersections if necessary.

2. Add "first" and "last" and any other notation needed on the pattern.

3. Save the SKF file by choosing File > Save A s

4. Once you are happy with the drawing, you need to save the file as a DXF R12 file for PrecisionStitch to read. Choose File > Save As… and save as an AutoCAD R12/LT2 DXF file.

Note:

To Record with the Needle On, press the Top Right Keypad button. Pressing the Top Center keypad button will turn the Needle off.