Gallant User Manual
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Quilting With the Gallant
Preparing to Quilt
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IMPORTANT: Make sure your machine has been cleaned, oiled, has a new needle, and that the
tracks on the frame are free from threads or other debris. For details on oiling the machine,
see page 34.
1. If the machine isn’t already plugged in, plug it in now.
2. Select your thread and wind one or more bobbins.
3. Set your bobbin tension and thread your machine.
4. Turn on the main power switch at the back of the machine.
5.
After loading your quilt, use a scrap of fabric along the edge of the quilt backing and batting to test
your top tension. Make adjustments to the top tension as needed.
To load the quilt on the Villa frame
1. Start with the backing fabric. Find the center of the bottom edge of the backing and match with the
center of the backing pole leader. You marked the center of the leader when you installed it with the
Velcro. The wrong side of the fabric should be facing up. It is helpful to drape the backing fabric over
the take-up pole as you pin the bottom edge to the backing pole leader. Match the raw edge of the
fabric with the edge of the leader and pin together. Use long, sturdy quilting pins and insert the pins
parallel to the edge of the leader, about 1/4 inch away from the edge. Place pins about 1/2 inch apart.
Start pinning at the center and work your way to one side, being careful not to stretch the fabric.
Return to the center and work your way to the opposite side. Once the bottom edge is pinned in place,
make sure the ratchet stop is engaged and roll the fabric around the pole, smoothing gently as you go.
The top edge of the backing fabric gets pinned to the take-up pole leader in the same fashion, matching
center of fabric to center of leader. Make sure the leader travels under the idler pole before getting
pinned to the top edge of the backing fabric.
2. Next, find the center of the bottom edge of the quilt top. The right side of the quilt top should be facing
up. It is helpful to drape the quilt top over the take-up pole as you pin the bottom edge to the top
pole leader. Pin the quilt top to the Top pole leader in the same way you pinned the backing. Once the
edge is pinned in place, make sure the ratchet stop is engaged and roll the quilt top around the pole,
smoothing gently as you go. The top edge of the quilt top will get basted in place to the backing and
batting.
3. Consult the diagram to determine the correct pole and the direction of rolling for each of your pieces.
If you engage the ratchet stop before rolling, you will always roll in the correct direction.
