FAQs

We are always happy to have visitors come to the factory. You can see how the machines are built, meet the people behind the scenes, and see and play with new machines.
Please call to let us know when you are going to visit the factory. We want to have machines available for you to operate. If you are in the area please stop by. It’s fun.

Your question comes up pretty often. As you suspected there is much more to the story. I hope I can shed some light the subject.

Hand quilting has always had an influence over longarm quilting. Many of the “rules” of hand quilting apply – 1/4″ echoing, 10 stitches per inch, don’t cross over your lines and many of the designs all have passed from hand quilting to longarm quilting.

The mechanics of using cones top and bottom creates a stitch that does not have a desirable look to quilters. I have not yet met a quilter that would like a cover stitch, chain stitch or serger stitch in place of the straight stitch used in quilting. The process of making a knot is as old as humans. To make a knot with thread that looks somewhat close to a stitch that was hand quilted [the lock stitch] can only be made by wrapping the top thread around the entire supply of bottom thread twice for each plunge of the needle. Over the years the bobbin or shuttle evolved to create the lock stitch.

The Fun Quilter series comes with the L bobbin. We offer our commercial machines with the L bobbin or the customer can select the M bobbin.

We have worked very hard to make the new features available as a retrofit to older Nolting machines. We can add most of the current options to your machine. Laser pointers, round foot, stitch regulator, needle positioner, Hartley Fence, and now the track lock can all be added to your machine. Contact us about retrofits for your machine.

Yes… we still have or build parts for all the machines we have made. Contact your dealer for more information.

We are always interested in working with you on a trade in of your current longarm machine to help you purchase a new or used Nolting Longarm Quilting Machine. You can trade in the machine and frame or just the machine. We can build a machine to fit your current frame. We refurbish them and make them available to people as used machines. We offer them with a short warranty. Please contact us if you are interested in trading in your used machine and/or frame. It can be much easier than trying to sell it yourself.

Sometimes machines are no longer needed. They will not fit into the new house, physical challenges make it impossible to use, or an estate. We would be interested in purchasing that machine. Contact us if this need arises.

Static electricity can be dangerous to your machine’s sensitive electronics. We recommend using a humidifier in the room you are quilting in. We also recommend using the spray called Static Guard. Spray it on the carpet around your machine and on your batting and fabric. Another precaution to take is to touch the table before touching the machine. You can protect all of your electronics with these tips.

The worst thing that can happen is a minor breakdown that shuts you down for days. Avoid waiting days for a minor part to arrive in the mail or paying too much for overnight shipping by having a stock of parts for your longarm machine.
If you consider your investment in machines, fabric, batting, thread, and all the other great things that go with machine quilting, most of them are of little use if your longarm is idle. A supply of common parts is a wise business move. This is not a sales pitch, but a way to make your quilting more profitable and productive.
Make a list of the parts that wear as you sew. Consider your experience with your machine. What parts wear on it? Include parts that you cannot sew without.
Let’s look at some.

• Thread guides get concentrated wear from the thread traveling over the same spot, and can develop burrs or break.
• Needles get dull, break, and can develop burrs.
• Bobbins never seem to have the right color of thread in them.
• Throat plates get hit by flexed needles and develop thread-cutting burrs.

Most of the mentioned parts are very inexpensive. This idea list should help. Having the part you need, late Friday night, can save you a lot of down time. Your time is valuable. Your customers are eager. So make that list and be prepared.

We recommend that you make a space large enough to be comfortable while operating the machine. We suggest a minimum of two feet on the front, back, and on one end. On a 24″ by 12′ table, we recommend 8′ by 14′, minimum. This will be tight but you can operate the machine. More would be better. We can make custom length tables to fit your room.

Yes… we can repair most of the quilting machines. If you need help, call to make an appointment with our technicians.

Longarm quilting machines are high-speed, multi-directional, industrial sewing machines that typically require stronger thread than your home sewing machine. Therefore choose threads with high tensile strength. Polyester, cotton wrapped polyester core, and selected cottons have proven to work effectively. Nolting carries a line of quilting thread that works very well on Longarm machines. Ask us about our new Heartland Thread, made for Nolting, – 50 weight, long-staple Egyptian cotton.