How to Build a Quilting Machine Frame
Quilting frames accommodate the piece of artwork that you are putting together. Having the right kind of quilting frame is important because it will be the backbone of your quilting design, and you will need it when you use your quilting machine to produce your product.
- Position two 2x6 boards that are 12 inches long on the ground (or your other working surface), leaving them 2 feet from each other. On the boards, mark a measurement that is 1 foot from the bottom of the board. Then, mark off 20.5 inches. Use the same measurements, marked from the other end of the board.
- Set down a 1x4 board that is 31.5 inches long on the board at the 1-foot mark you just made. Keep it in place with a screw placed at the corners. When the frame has been squared, put screws along the other corners. Place additional 1x4 boards of the same length at the 20.5-inch marks you made in step one and screw them into place as well.
- Secure the leg for the table to both of the boards running along the 20.5 placements (called the cross members).
- Attach a 1x4 board 12 inches in length to the sides of the table and screw the boards into place.
- Place two 1x8 boards 10 inches long and two 1x8 boards 12 inches long, which you will use for your brackets.
- Make a mark 7 inches from the board you are using for your bracket at the end. Mark a second measurement on that board at 11.25 inches. With these marks, use your drill motor and a 3/8 bit to drill a hole at that position. Make additional measurements of 1.5 inches from each side and cut into a slot that is 1 inch in diameter. Do this also for the other board you are using as a bracket.
- Measure and mark two 1x4 pieces of board that are 2 feet long. These marks should be 2 inches, 15 inches, and 22 inches from the board's end. Make cuts along each of the ovals on the board's side.
- Position the support boards onto the brackets using bolts. Secure the brackets with deck screws.
- Secure the track for the frame, and the machine carriage kit should be attached to the track.
- Position the rollers into the indentations and make sure that all bolts are tightened.