The following is a step-by-step guide to using a laserpointer with a paper pantograph to create a pattern on your quilt.
You can purchase paper pattern rolls, or use a photocopier to make your own repeating designs. |
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Step 1.
Use tape to secure your paper pattern to the template board. If you purchased a template board from us, you can simply tape your pattern over the top. Otherwise, you can purchase a 1x8 piece of wood locally to lay your patterns on.
Determine where you would like your design to start on the fabric. Insert your machine needle at that point on your quilt to mark that position.
Position your laserpointer over the startpoint of the pattern, tighten both knobs on the pointerpackage securely.
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Fig 1. Place needle and laserpointer at start point. |
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Step 2.
As you follow along the pattern to make the first row of stitching, here are a few tips:
- Reverse your handles, leave your hand speed control lever on the left handle (as you are looking at the frame from the rear). Place your right hand on the left handle and your left hand on the end of the stylus support. This way you can control your speed with your right hand and guide the stylus through the groove with the left hand.
- Run your machine a little more quickly than normal, keeping your movements slow, this will help prevent broken needles.
- Be patient, it will take a couple of passes to get used to the shape of the template. Try practicing a row without running the machine to get used to the design.
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Fig 2. First row complete |
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Step 3.
To line up the second row of stitching for a siimple pattern, use the basic procedure as outlined in the templates page
For more complicated patterns:
Find a reference point on the first row. In Fig. 3 the reference point is the crossing point of the two leaves. Measure the distance to a second reference point on the second row, if you don't have two rows printed on the pattern, determine a distance that will prevent the rows from overlapping. |
 Fig 3. First row complete |
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Step 4.
Find your reference point on your first row of stitching, measure your offset distance on your quilt and place your needle. Line up your laser with the second reference point on the pattern and start stitching! |
Fig 4. Line up needle and stylus for second row. |
