There are several groups on Yahoo that specialize in mid arm quilting machines. I know Superquilter has one, and New Joy might too. In any case, I think the frames work similarly so you could get a lot of help there. Good luck.

yahoo has a group for new joy frames I tried to add the link here but GW stopped it LOL. Also do you have the magic or gold frame.
Red

I have the gold frame, It looks really good, I wish I could use it properly! The machine is working fine but when I put the quilt on like I think it should go, I have a mess!!

Can you take pics....perhaps it is your tension what is the "mess".......can you explain? Also what size did you set your frame up to? Also did you sew velcro on your leaders? Can you post a pic of how you have your practice quilt loaded?
Red

When you lower the whole thing onto the bed of the machine to sew, it looks like basting (very large basting) stitches, the velcro was previously sewn by the former owner. I did however, notice that there are no markings on the poles for the "center" of the poles as stated in the internet instructions. I have a small wall hanging that I had previously made to practice on. I will try to send pictures but I'm not real good with pictures and email. The frame is set up at the crib size until I can master this thing. I am due to go out of town on Thursday, I'll try to do pictures before I leave, if not it will be at least 10-12 days later. Thanks for you help. In my area there is not any where to see or ask for help unless you buy their frame, they're not a friendly crowd.

treynmama,
I dont know anything about your sewing machine but I think a computerized machine is going to be a problem for your frame. Try adjusting your stitch length on your machine and see how that works...
Red

Hey there redpenny--you were right, the tension is out of whack on the machine, it works perfectly when not on the frame but goes totally haywire when on the frame. Soooooooo-now I am in the market for a different machine-any suggestions? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Sorry it took so long to figure this out, but with everyday living and watching 2 grandkids (ages 2&7) daily, I've not got much "me time" Thanks for you help.

I'm not Redpenny but I will give my 2 cent, also I don't recall seeing a posting from her recently but unfortunately my time is limited so I don't make it here very often.

I have a New Joy and I have a Janome 1600DBX on the frame ~ works well together.

Marty

Thank you for the input, the Janome 1600DBX is one of the 2 that I have considered. The machine I currently was using was a Kenmore(made by Janome) with all the bells and whistles but a tension system that definitely doesn't like the New Joy frame, and the throat plate area is maybe 4-5 inches wide, making it very hard to do the quilting. I had a heck of a time learning how to load the quilt on the frame in the beginning, even with instructions I got off of the internet, and then with the machine not working correctly, I was ready to throw in the towel. Do you have any hints I should know concerning the frame and quilting? I know I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, and I can use all the help I can get. Thanks again.
Treynmama

When you quilt on a frame you are dealing with many tension issues.

There are thread tensions issues - you want your top and bottom threads balanced so they interlock in the center of your quilt sandwich. In other words, if you are seeing the bobbin thread on the top, or your top thread on the bottom, you need to adjust and balance your tension. None of us will be able to help you with this - you need to look and see which thread is tighter. Check your manual.

There are also "quilt loading" tensions to be considered. I see many people loading a quilt and pulling it so tight that the rollers actually bend. WRONG!!

You should have a slight tension on both the quilt top and the quilt backing, but you should be able to see the sewing machine needle plate, kind of outlined under your quilt sandwich. It's kind of like a mole in a tunnel - you can't seen the mole, but you know where his tunnel is running.

Practice, practice, practice, is the key.

I also should have said - you do not need a machine with any fancy stitches. When machine quilting on a frame system all you will ever use is a straight stitch.

Get the simplest machine with a good straight stitch, the deepest throat space, and the ability to lower the feed dogs.

Mary-Thanks for the input, I guess I really need all the help I can get to do this right! The throat plate size seems to be the key to successful quilting on the frame. Now I need to buy the one with the largest throat plate space that I can afford. Again, many thanks.
Treynmama

Here's the manual for the standard new joy, just click on the link and click on adobe PDF VERSION ON THIS PAGE AND IT GIVES YOU THE ASSEMBLY DIRECTIONS
http://www.newjoyquilting.com/troubleshooting.html

Is this the one you have?

New Joy Quilting

Perhaps you can contact them for instructions.

If there are no leaders on the rails, here is a link on how to do that. Instead of glue like in the video, I used double sided carpet tape to glue to the rails.

leaders

Hope this helps

Right now, all of the pieces are still just pieces. I'm praying I have all of them. The instructions for assembly says it is a Gold New Joy quilt frame. So yes, I assume that is the one I have. I need a magician to assemble it. But I realize now I don't have any instructions for using it. Once I get it assembled, I have no idea how to use it. I have ZERO knowledge. Just got excited when I saw it for sale. I have such a difficult time trying to Quilt with just a regular machine and thought this may help solve my problem. But I may have just thrown my money away. Cuz I need instructions. Thanks for the info on the leaders. I have no idea what they are. I have 4 aluminum rods with shabby fabric on them that definitely needs to be replaced. Not sure where to do that either. Any idea where I can find instructions about using the frame? The company has evidently gone out of business.

I'm looking for instructions on how to load the quilt on the frame and how tomquilt it once it's loaded. Praying I can even get the frame assembled.

I went to YouTube and searched loading a New Joy frame. Didn't find that brand but there are lots of videos for others. It depends on the direction the rollers turn. I have an old Hinterburg frame that is "over the top," meaning the front roller with the backing rolled on it turns toward me so that the fabric goes over the top of the roller. The other configuration is "in the well," meaning that the front roller turns away from you so that the backing rolls up from the underside.

Once you get it assembled and can tell which way it loads (I found a photo on a search and it looks like it's in the well) you can find a YT video that shows how to load a quilt on that type of frame.

Donna

Thanks! I guess I should have researched before I bought the quilt frame to make sure I could go to the company for help. You and Grammys have been helpful. Now to assemble it. Not looking forward to that at all. Oh - hopefully this is the last question today....the fabric that is on the rollers looks like it needs replacing (I think it's dry rotted). The frame is filthy (the previous owner said it's been on a side porch for years). What kind of fabric do I buy to replace the fabric on the frame?

Any kind of very sturdy fabric that does not stretch. My first leaders were pillow ticking that was very sturdy. When I made a new set I bought fabric that was called pillow ticking, but it is wimpy and stretchy. One of these days I'll get around to making a new set.

If the leader fabric has any stretch the quilt will roll unevenly and you'll either get the layers crooked or get puckers.

Donna

Msmeow - thanks for the info about "over the top" and "in the well". That at least educates me some and gives me an idea of some of the intricacies involved. I'm hoping the seller can help me. It may be that now that she has her money, she is going to disappear.

Deborah Hester , do you still need info/instructions on the New Joy Gold Standard quilt frame?

Yes! I am almost to the point of donating it to Goodwill. It is still in pieces. Nobody can figure out how to assemble it from the instructions I thankfully have. And I have absolutely no idea what to do with it if I ever get it assembled. I wish the company was still in business. Do you have info you can share that might help me with any of this? I can't even figure out how to shorten the metal poles. Thanks for replying.

I would love to have some instructions. I bought the frame from an individual and hove nothing. I think I am also missing some parts. Any ideas where to find any instructions? Any ideas on where to find replacement parts?

Did you ever find parts, I just bought one last week and am very

This thread is sooooooo old.....