Category Archives: Training

Training for machine quilters

Kathy Barlow owner of Kathy Quilts University

New Machine Quilting How-To Videos on YouTube from Kathy Quilts University

Our latest machine quilting videos are packed with tips, tricks, and step-by-step tutorials designed to make your quilting journey smoother and more enjoyable. Here’s a peek at what’s new:

🌟 Pattern Eclipse with QCT-6 Pro Gold Card Access

This video highlights the powerful Pattern Eclipse feature of the QCT-6 Pro Gold Card Access. This is a really cool feature when you have areas on your quilt that you want to mask off and not have the edge to edge pattern quilt over it. Kathy’s pumpkin quilt shows how she did it.

https://youtu.be/Uh_fhG1l1LY?si=MoWoXcGbMpbcYz52

🧵 Grace Company Precision Leader Cloth Hack

The cloth leaders used to attach a quilt to the quilting frame rails are pretty good, but they can be even better with a few simple adjustments. This video shows you exactly how to prepare your leaders before you install them. Check them out!

https://youtu.be/rK0H15QOtbk

✨ Essential QCT6 Safe Zone Tips Everyone Needs to Know

Check out the video!

Why Subscribe to Kathy Quilts University?

We’re constantly adding new videos to help you improve your skills and make the most of your quilting machine. We will be doing more videos on free motion quilting and how to develop you muscle memory so you can quilt like Kathy!

Here are some of the subjects we plan on covering.

• Product walkthroughs

• Maintenance tips

• Tutorials for both beginner and advanced quilters

• Inspiration for your next project

Huge Black Friday Sale Now Live!

This is the biggest sale of the year at KathyQuilts.com! Check out the sale

Join the Conversation!

We love hearing from our community! If you have a question or want to see a specific topic covered, leave a comment on one of our videos.

Ready to learn something new? Head over to the Kathy Quilts University YouTube channel, hit subscribe, and start exploring our latest tutorials today!

Visit Kathy Quilts University on YouTube

Happy quilting,

The Kathy Quilts Team

How QCT 6 Pro Has Changed My Quilting Business

Kathy by her Q'nique 21 Pro and Continuum Quilting Frame

For several years, I’d wander through quilt shows, strolling through vendor booths—it’s my favorite pastime! I’d see these stunning quilts quilted simply with all-over patterns. Now, I’m mostly a ‘custom’ quilter, changing thread colors, switching up designs for each block and border. But those all-over designs were so beautiful that they really made the whole quilt shine. I wanted to create that look on my own quilts, but I didn’t have a computerized system on my home setup.

When COVID hit, with all that extra time at home, I thought, ‘Now’s my chance!’ I dove into quilting with the QCT QuiltMotion system. I’d previously used pantographs from the back of my quilter, following patterns by hand, but WOW! The precision using Quilt Motion was next-level. Each quilt became more fun, and my skills improved. Plus, with free designs I found online, I could add even more variety.

And don’t get me wrong, I’m still right there as the machine quilts, but now I can do designs I never thought possible! Quilting for clients has sped up, and my work feels elevated. So, if you’re thinking about a computerized system—if not now, when? There’s never been a better time, and learning it now puts you way ahead for next year. Imagine quilting simple all-over designs or making each block unique with more precision. I only wish I’d started years ago!

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Pinning a Quilt on a Grace Two Rail Frame

Here’s how to pin a quilt on a Grace Company 2-rail frame:

1. Prepare Your Quilt Layers: Lay out your backing, batting, and quilt top. Make sure your backing fabric is a few inches larger than the quilt top on all sides.

2. Attach the Backing Fabric: With the wrong side of the backing fabric facing up, pin one edge of the backing to the take-up rail using the cloth leaders. Smooth the fabric, then pin the opposite edge to the front rail, keeping it taut but not stretched.

3. Roll the Backing: Roll the backing fabric onto the front rail, keeping it smooth and wrinkle-free.

4. Attach the Quilt Top: Pin the top edge of the quilt top (right side up) to the front rail’s leader cloth. Smooth the top and pin the opposite edge to the take-up rail.

5. Pin the Batting: Place your batting between the backing and quilt top. Let the batting rest flat without pinning it, making sure it’s centered.

6. Smooth and Adjust: Roll the quilt top and backing as needed, keeping everything smooth and tension even across the frame.

You can also watch a video on YouTube where Kathy Barlow shows you how to install the Cloth Leaders and other video of how to pin your quilt on the frame:

Link for how to install cloth leaders on your Grace Frame:

https://youtu.be/kWDolmYUMOs

Link for how to pin a quilt on your two rail Grace Frame:

https://youtu.be/3bRsq3xa-h4

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