¶ Introduction
Bernina Q24 longarm with Classic Pro 11' 11" × 3'11" frame.
¶ Shop Access
A membership or day pass is required to access Digital Textiles.
The Shop Safety Class Quilting Machine 1: Shop Safety is required to operate the Bernina Q Series Longarm. Quilting Machine 2: Q-matic covers the Q-Matic software in depth.
Every student who completes Quilting Machine 1: Shop Safety is granted quilting machine access at Domesticity as well.
Quilting Club runs the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 6pm - 8pm!
¶ Machine Reservations
You can make machine reservations in the following ways:
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- In person at the front desk.
- Reserve a machine any time through our Mind Body Portal.
- Call the front desk during business hours at (410) 862-0424.
- Email us at frontdesk@openworksbmore.com. Please include your name, the machine you'd like to reserve, and the date(s) and times of the reservation(s).
Members and day pass users must reserve the machine even when exclusively doing design work on Art and Stitch.
¶ Machine Overview
The Bernina Q24 longarm quilting machine is capable of handling quilts up to 9' feet long. At Open Works our quilting machine has hydraulic lifts allowing the machine to be raised and lowered according to the users height. The screen can be lowered to a minimum of 52" tall, the spool holder can be lowered to 64", and the handles can be lowered to a minimum of 45" tall. Members and day pass users can load their quilts using zippers or Renae's Red Snappers. The Q-Matic software comes loaded with more than 650 preset designs and allows users to create custom designs. The quilting machine also supports free hand motion quilting.
¶ Machines Available
- Open Works has one Bernina longarm quilting machine available for use.
¶ Machine Comparison Chart
| Machine | Stitch Type(s) | Fabric/Material Compatibility | Thread(s) to use | Compatible Needles | Needle Orientation | Bobbin spool type and diameter | Available Feet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embroidery Machine (Melco EMT-16 Plus) | Embroidery | knits and light woven fabrics | DBxK | Scarf facing back, groove facing forward |  L Style |
||
| Long-Arm Quilting Machine (Bernina Q24) | straight stitches | light and medium weight wovens, quilt batting | standard domestic flat back needles | flat back needles only go in one way |  Class M Bernina |
#96 ruler foot with cup clip |
¶ Parts of the Machine
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¶ Fabric Considerations
¶ Acceptable Materials:
High-quality fabrics
¶ Use with Caution and Proper Technique:
• When using heavyweight fabrics switch to a 100 or 110/120/130 sized needle
¶ FORBIDDEN MATERIALS :
Any materials that would make the machine excessively dirty
¶ Thread Considerations
- Open Works stocks Mettler Seracor polyester thread.
¶ Needle Considerations
- Open Works stocks universal needles at sizes 80/90/100.
- Universal needles have a round shaft and a flat back, the Bernina does not require Bernina proprietary needles.
¶ Safety and Setup
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
¶ Step-by-Step Guides
¶ Before You Begin
¶ 1. Clean and oil the machine at the beginning of each project.
If it is a lengthy project, the machine may need to be cleaned periodically during the project.
¶ 2. Needles should be changed at the start of every project!
Use Domestic 130//705H system needles or universal needle (size 80/90/100)
1 Loosen the needle set screw with the T6 screwdriver to remove the used needle.
2. Insert the new needle with the flat side to the back, just like a domestic sewing machine.
3. Tighten the needle set screw with the T6 screwdriver.
- Preparing a Bobbin: Winding and checking tension on a bobbon before threading the machine.
- Threading the Bernina Q24 Longarm Quilting Machine SOP
- Loading a Quilt SOP
- Stitching Modes: control how you want the needle to behave as you move the machine.
- Setting the Stitch Length SOP: control the stitch length in some Stitching modes.
¶ Using the Machine
- Turning Q-Matic On and Off SOP
- Q-Matic Screen Introduction and Tool Icon guide
- Setting the Safe Area SOP
- Setting the Quilt Size SOP
- Setting the Bobbin Level: the machine needs to know how much thread it has to work with for best performance
- Starting, Stopping and Securing Stitch SOP
- Continuing down the Quilt
- Turning Off and Unloading the Machine SOP
¶ Techniques
OW is not providing tutorials on techniques, but techniques you may be interested include
- Free Motion Quilting a technique where the quilter controls where the machine sews in real time.
- Edge to Edge Quilting Techniques
- Custom Block Design Techniques
- Art and Stitch, a vector tool for creating stitching paths for quilting machines and embroidery machines that is available on a PC in the Digital Textiles lab.
¶ Machine Maintenance
¶ Cleaning and Oiling the Bernina Q24 Longarm Quilting Machine SOP
¶ Tools Required
- Oil dropper
- Needle
- Needle plate
- Presser foot
- Soft brush
¶ Step-by-Step Guide
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Remove the stitch plate and bobbin case.
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Brush the lint from the machine using a soft brush.
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Check the bobbin case for lint and brush gently to remove.
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Rotate the handwheel to expose the hook race and place a drop of oil on the hook.
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Turn the handwheel to distribute the oil.
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Replace the bobbin case and stitch plate.
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Check the track where the wheels glide to be sure it is free of threads and lint.
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Use a soft cloth to clean the wheels.
¶ Troubleshooting
¶ Cut the Bobbin or Top Thread
¶ References
Bernina Q Series Longarm Brochure.