WHAT SIZE SHOULD I ORDER
The Swiftquilter comes as a standard 60" and extensions of 48" allow you to quilt to 108" (specials made to order 84" + 24" and 72"+36")
The size depends on what you generally quilt. If you do small quilts and the occasional large quilt the best and most popular is the 60"+48". This is easy to transport between friends or hide under a bed between quilts. If you do larger quilts, the 84"+24" or 72"+36" are an option if you have a larger room and can cope with the size. If the large frame is set up and only doing small quilts you end up doing too much walking around the frame.
WHAT IF I WANT TO MAKE A KING SIZE QUILT?
Swiftquilter has a king size extension kit (48"). You can expand the maximum width to approximately 108 inches
(Quilt Size with space to move the machine out to get to loading bobbins).
You will need about enough room to walk around the frame. The extension kit includes 3 additional quilt bars and track it takes only 2 screws to attach the frame and the extensions slide in.
WHICH SEWING MACHINE CAN BE USED WITH THE SWIFTQUILTER?
Most home sewing machines that do free motion will work with the Swiftquilter. You will need a free motion or darning foot and the ability to drop or cover the feed dog. It is recommended that the sewing machine have a throat opening of six or more inches most modern machines have 7 1/2" and some newer brands:
E.G.: Brother 1500, Janome 6500 & 1600, Elna, etc. have 9" throats, but check out the JUKI TL98p as the perfect companion for the Swiftquilter.
Note for the Pfaff machines that have the foot lift in the throat. Purchase a Janome quilting foot and fit but put the lever right down. ( even better for all quilting)
WHAT SIZE TABLE DO I NEED?
The Swiftquilter sits on a 1800mm X 600mm table it is free standing on a grip mat we supply. These tables are readily avaiable at 'The Warehouse' or 'Bunnings' for $50.00 or so. and 'between' quilts make good cutting tables.
The Swiftquilter can be easily lifted off so the table can be used to lay up a quilt or as a cutting table
Lightweight folding tables from the Warehouse or Bunnings are great. If making a large quilt, you can place the extension on an ironing board.
A door is a good table top/working surface for your Swiftquilter.
DO I NEED AN INSTRUCTION VIDEO?
No the Swiftquilter comes with a good easy to follow instruction book and a video is too confusing to watch while trying to learn.
Set up a small remnant as a practice peice and you will soon be happlily quilting (we often supply the offcuts from the shows to practice on).
DO I NEED ANY OTHER EXTRAS?
No. The Swiftquilter comes standard with;
Tails on the quilt bars (to save the messing about to make them) and 4 Side tapes
A grip mat to sit it on,
Pattern pointer,
Handles that have the speed controller to push the machine's own foot pedal
DO I HAVE TO STAND UP TO QUILT?
No. A secretary style chair on wheels makes its easy to move along while you quilt. If the height of the chair is adjustable, just find the height that works best for you. If you prefer to stand and quilt, you may find raising your table height will minimise muscle and back strain. Sitting on a stool is also comfortable.
CAN I USE A STYLUS OR LASER TO FOLLOW A QUILTING PATTERN?
The Swiftquilter comes standard with a pointer.
The machine sits over the top of the pointer and a pattern can be easily followed.
Lasers are prone to "shake" and the intense light is not good for your eyes.
Lasers can't be seen if the room is light.
HOW HARD IS IT TO SET UP OR TAKE DOWN THE SWIFTQUILTER?
The set up of the Swiftquilter takes approximately 4 minutes with only 4 screws (Allen key supplied).
Pinning the quilt, backing and batting. (with some practice) can be done in about 15 to 20 minutes.
DO I NEED FRONT HANDLES?
No. The standard rear handle are offset so the needle can be clearly seen from the rear and if you are following a pattern is done from the rear.
We offer front (overneedle) handles but the room needs to be large enough to allow you to acess both sides .
The feed back from our Swiftquilter ladies is the rear handle are perfect
HOW DO I TURN THE QUILT?
The Swiftquilter has the frame slotted so it is easy to just lift the quilt bars out and reverse the quilt without having to dismantle or unclamp anything.
The ends just slide in so when reversed the ends are eaily changed over
CAN I USE THE SWIFTQUILTER TO BASTE A QUILT FOR HAND QUILTING?
Yes. Load the quilt on the Swiftquilter as if machine quilting. Take long stitches with slightly loosened tension.
DOES IT COME WITH PATTERNS?
We can offer patterns but the instructions come with how to make your own patterns.
Most of the quilt books have free patterns and there are givaway patterns on the web.
WHAT KIND OF WARRANTY DOES THE SWIFTQUILTER HAVE?
The Swiftquilter is a "lifetime" product and is made with durable, long lasting materials so the warrantee is lifetime (excluding damage or parts lost).
What is the reason the bars dont telescope as other brands do?
Telescoping bars cant have the tails or leaders permanantly on them, so wont telescope without removing the tails. Removing the tails leaves behind glue that must be removed so the bars wont glue themselves together. Attaching the tails each time it is set up is an uneasy task and take quite some time.
Having the track in small peices creates more bumps as the wheels travel over the joins.
What is the reason the slots are in the top frame?
This alows the quilt bars to be removed without dismantling the whole quilt frame as with other brands. Also easy to reverse the quilt.
What is the reason we dont clamp to the table as other brands do?
The grip mat supplied won't let the Swiftquilter move. Being made of metal it is not wobbly like the plastic brands.
Plastic will 'age' become brittle and break
Having the track in small pieces creates more bumps as the wheels travel over the joins.
I have an old Swiftquilter can it be upgraded to the Extra
Yes thought went into the change so we did not want to tell you to dump the old and get the new Click this link