QCT5 Beginnings Nested Panto - Detailed Instructions for New Users

[@memapoppy4]

Very helpful. Thank you

[@memapoppy4]

Can you put a link to the mondo clips use got? Thank you

[@paulabecker7483]

Thank you Janet for all your help!

[@barbiej923]

Your tutorials are so valuable to us newbies! At first it seemed overwhelming but your explanations make it doable!! Thank you!!

[@Joyfulstamper]

Thank you SO MUCH for sharing that! Makes it all worthwhile! Hopefully this will give you the foundation to make advancing easy :-)

[@phyllisshepard8471]

I am not able to remove my trim line on my 6 pro from my zone

[@johnchaplinsky5587]

What does the step size actually change please? I see it goes from small to jumbo. But I really can’t see what it does.

[@Joyfulstamper]

When you have a row(s) selected and tap on size icon to grow or shrink in size - the step size determines the amount of "growth" in one tap. The tiny choice is good for fine tuning.

[@CandaceCan.]

What’s the difference between 5 and 6 ? I just ordered 6 but limited information to learn!

[@Joyfulstamper]

The only difference in the latest version of 5 and current version 6 is the addition of the new lowest tier and the patterns that will work with that new lowest tier (they also work with the other tiers, too). As for v.5 Beginnings ...... the only change is the name change to v.6 Plus. (Note: an updated version of 6 will be coming out in a few months - I don't know what, if any, changes there'll be to Plus.)

[@CandaceCan.]

Thank you for the follow up! Much appreciated clarification. I’m new to this and very eager to learn. Waiting on the 21x Elite to be delivered this coming week! I ordered just beginnings for now. Waiting on some sales for upgrades!

[@Joyfulstamper]

@@CandaceCan. So excited for you!!!!!!!!

[@shirleywodzenski4791]

Ok I had to Unsew the second row of my zone. How can I make it stitch just the last row of my zone.

[@Joyfulstamper]

This video should help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXOkloWbgrxmadE

[@lindarichter5403]

Janet, why did your row end short of your half inch mark?

[@Joyfulstamper]

With this pattern, the last stitch of the row was not even with the rightmost stitches - it ended a little to the left of them.

[@sabineklapproth1332]

Where can I get the measure tape?

[@Joyfulstamper]

Do a search for "zero center tape measure" and you will see a lot of choices! (The quilt shop I got mine from is no longer in business.)

[@bustbeel1]

Simple great Explanation.

[@Joyfulstamper]

Glad it was helpful! IMHO, this software isn't that hard to learn....you just need a "hand up" to get started.

[@mindachristiansen8352]

Hello. I like this video very much. I am new to QCT5 Beginnings. Do you have a video with QCT5 Beginnings and a hoop frame? I am having problems getting the zone set and the size of the quilt.

[@Joyfulstamper]

I actually have a Cutie frame now ..... but don't have QCT on it. It's only on my rolling rail frame. So I'm afraid I'm not much help with using QCT on a hoop frame. Karla at the Grace Co has done some videos - here's one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpa7p6ycl6l3a5I Here is a pdf from The Grace Co you may find helpful - it shows how to use an edge to edge panto using a hoop frame: drive.google.com/file/d/1mDzluS1KNNzHcdSdRJdrXeZnlPTdkfuJ/view

[@Joyfulstamper]

Here is the website for the automation training by The Grace Co: www.gracecompanyeducation.com/automation.html

[@catherinevoice2062]

Great Tutorial. Only question is how do I get the Zone to return to the default? Somehow It is stuck on 4-Point Placement and will not allow me to toggle to center. I have QCT 5 Beginnings. Oh fun!

[@Joyfulstamper]

Compare your Safe Area width with the Total Width in Panto screen. SA width should be larger. From Home screen, Help, Settings - make sure the correct frame is selected.

[@wpeters1170]

Hello Janet, thank you for all of the very helpful tutorials you do. You mention the clips you use on the side of your quilt as 'Mondo Clips" and that they were ordered from Amazon. Could you mention the spelling as I am unable to find them. Thanks!

[@Joyfulstamper]

Glad you have found the tutorials helpful. You will find Mondo Clips by searching for Clip 'n Seal. I use the upper portion that clamps on (the rod is too flexible to use).

[@Nunya-biz-ness]

Why am I never asked in the beginning to set my safe area? I always have to do it through the tool box and have to reenter the info for my quilt size...it's making me nuts! lol

[@Joyfulstamper]

Hmmm.....not sure! What version of the software are you using? (For Q'niques, the most current version is 5.05.59.) I'm guessing you are talking about actually using on a quilt and not in simulation? If you have exited out of QCT, the next time you open it, whether live or in sim, as soon as you tap on Select & Sew or Pantograph, you should be asked to set your Safe Area. I'd call Grace and let them remotely take over your tablet and figure out what the problem is. (Be sure to do a Windows update before doing that, especially if it's been awhile since you last did that.)

[@nitahughes-bise4047]

I just received my software with Grace Tech help. I set up my design and clicked “sew” but the machine only stitched one straight stitch then simply outlined the pattern on the screen but did not sew! What did I do wrong?

[@dfgeorge]

We don't think you did anything wrong. Sounds like a machine issue. Likely, you'll need to contact Grace on Tuesday.

[@Elizabeth-mc3dz]

So very helpful! Thank you.

[@kittyyackle1663]

What do you do in the case of quilting a king size quilt? The zone (row) only allows for 42". Even if you have an A and B zone, there is no accommodation for a C zone on the same line for the larger quilt.

[@Joyfulstamper]

42" is just the default width assigned by the software when QCT is first turned on --- until you change it. In PantoStacker screen, use the yellow ruler to set the width you want for your quilt top. If you have a rolling rail frame (not a hoop frame) then when you go into Zone Manager - Zone Sizing - Zone Scale% width should be 100.

[@Nunya-biz-ness]

Hi. Thanks for the videos, I am finding them very helpful. I’d like to know what kind of tablet you suggest as I don’t want to buy one and not have it work. Thanks!

[@dfgeorge]

We have a Microsoft Surface Pro tablet, bought in late 2017 (so it is now "old" technology). We knew not to follow what Grace recommends as Grace specs are "minimum requirements." It has an i5 Intel processor with 4 GB RAM and 128 GB storage. It worked well for QCT4 Beginnings, but now that we have QCT5 Gold, there are some aspects that run a little slow (i.e., when it lays out a complex panto on a quilt -- can take about 5-10 seconds to do the calculations). We've never had any issues with driving the Q'nique 21 Pro itself; the tablet has always been able to keep up. In retrospect, I might have considered a faster processor (i.e., i7) and more memory, but didn't want to spend the money (we paid $850 in 2017). All in all, we have been happy with the tablet we purchased. In the end, QCT works on it and the long-arm sews fine with it.

[@Nunya-biz-ness]

@@dfgeorge thank you so much for the information. I am looking at the surface pro as well, I also found a tablet called a fusion that I think would work and would be in our price point.

[@wilmawagner9631]

Hi and thanks for this helpful video. I just setup my Q’nique 21 Pro with the PRO software and watched your video to help me get started. Will this software work with a Bernina 880 Plus?

[@dfgeorge]

Hi Wilma. Glad you find our videos helpful. You say that you have QCT5 Pro. You are likely not going to find our Beginnings videos helpful (like this one) if you have Pro version...you will get confused quickly, as Beginnings and Pro have many differences between them. Here is a link to the QCT5 Pro videos that you will likely find much more helpful: kzbin.info/aero/PLK6Fc1e_vGLR0Ir_joYO-DANKNtJ_OuON I would suggest contacting Grace Company regarding your question on the Bernina 880 Plus.

[@pennypederson2448]

What do you do if you have a thread break, or something and need to start in the middle of a row?

[@Joyfulstamper]

First....if there's a power outage or USB plug comes loose or something like that, then you'll have to re-set safe area, open file, and re-place zone before you can use Repair Pattern. But if you just ran out of bobbin or something like that, tap on red tool box and release sewing machine. Pull out enough stitches that you can knot the ends and bury thread tails and knot in quilt sandwich. (Make sure this will be a good place to resume stitching - and not at tip of point or something like that.) Replace bobbin (or whatever needs taking care of) and do some test stitches off to side. Tap on OK on screen to give control back to QCT. Tap on Repair Pattern and choose last stitch and trace back (I find I usually have less nudging to do with this choice) - or you can move needle near where stitching ended and tap on closest stitch. (Make sure you are not leaning on the front top rail when you do this!!!) Use trace back/forward, +1/-1 stitches, and nudges if needed to make sure you are back lined up with the pattern. When you are confident that you are, move needle over last stitch showing, pull bobbin and sew. Here is a video Marie Nielson posted that is very good to follow: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpCzi55qlrSNmac

[@patriciagoldberg6284]

Why do you say zones when its rows. Very confusing. How do i get the instruction manual for qct5?

[@Joyfulstamper]

Yes, zones had me confused at first too! A zone is the name for what you are able to quilt between each advance of the quilt on your rails. A zone (with Beginnings) can be only a partial row....or it could be a partial row and 1 full row....or it could be just 1 row....or it could be 2 full rows. There are some helpful tutorials at this website: leahday.com/pages/quilters-creative-touch-5-qct5-help-tutorials

[@cindybacon663]

Can QCT5 Beginings be used on Janome Qcp 18 machines/Frames?

[@Joyfulstamper]

No, it will not work with your machine. Most Janomes that work with QCT are the short arms.

[@catherinevoice2062]

Another question Janet, did you baste your quilt in this tutorial before you started working with the program? Does it cause any confusion to the program if you baste after you do your programing? Much to learn!

[@Joyfulstamper]

OH my goodness!! I meant to reply way before now!! As I'm loading, I use the machine in manual mode to baste the batting to the backing - and then quilt top to those layers (across top and up the sides) Once I start quilting and am between zones, I will tap on the red tool box in quilting screen to Release Sewing Machine, putting it in manual mode, so that i can baste up sides. (Also what I do to test a new bobbin.)

[@patriciaevans380]

Are you using the Crayola washable markers to mark positions? Do they really wash completely out?

[@Joyfulstamper]

Yes, I use the Crayola Ultra-Clean Washable markers and so far marks have completely washed out. I try to use the "safer" colors and not use red. When I need a darker color, I usually use green. (The marks do not come out easily just wiping with a wet rag - they usually have to be actually washed out.)

[@patriciaevans380]

@@Joyfulstamper Thank you

[@olliemaurice5841]

Video is good but she says umm so many times that it becomes very annoying

[@Joyfulstamper]

I agree!!! I try to make myself stop doing that but I keep being a failure. I'm so sorry!!!! I'd stoppit if I could!! I'm a retired postal employee .... never a teacher! So I try to do the best I can and at least it's free so no one can demand their money back!! 🙂

[@Joyfulstamper]

@Flotessia Synatschk I am no expert with the machines .... I just try to help people who are learning how to use QCT. There was a problem with some of the bobbin winders stopping working in the earlier Q'nique machines - I don't know any fix for that. I think best to ask a good repairman or call the company that manufactured your machine.

[@pennypederson2448]

You are so helpful! How do you set the safe area other than when you first turn on the software? Thanks.

[@Joyfulstamper]

When you are in the Quilting Interface screen, you can tap on the red tool box and resetting safe area is a choice there.

[@pennypederson2448]

@@Joyfulstamper Thanks so much! There is so much more to learn!!

[@Joyfulstamper]

@@pennypederson2448 If you didn't see this yesterday - Grace's online Fall Festival - there were 2 ladies newer to quilting and using Beginnings - and they did a great job presenting - here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jme5mpKpoLRqhqs It starts about 4:58:30

[@junemcdonald4663]

Janet, where do you find such adorable fabrics?

[@Joyfulstamper]

Most of the quilts seen on the videos are Quilts For Kids kits that I checked out from local chapter to sew. The kits are from fabric donated by individuals or local quilt shops. The others are either 3-yd bundles from Fabric Cafe (they sell 3 coordinating 1 yd cuts bundled together - love them!) or fabric from Backyard Fabric, a shop south of Paducah - most of their fabric is $5/yd. Wonderful shop!

[@lazaraabernathy5809]

I’m new to Quilters Creative Touch, and really appreciate your videos. One question - under Settings, I do not have an option to change the tie-off mode. I only have the back-and-forth stitches, no option for micro stitching. Does that vary with the software version? I have QM Pro 5.

[@Joyfulstamper]

Some versions (depending on company) don't yet have micro stitching......

[@cherylabraham7081]

Did you go in for training or did you train yourself

[@Joyfulstamper]

I had over-the-phone training with a Grace employee to learn what was new with version 5 (zones, placement nodes, Power Panto, etc.) Plus any time I am on the phone with Grace for whatever reason, I try to glean whatever nuggets of wisdom I can - for example, how to remove and replace an upper tension assembly. Take ALL the advantage you can of those moments! Other than that, how I learned is a huge variety of things, besides actually using it of course....which is HUGE. I scoured the internet reading stuff & watching videos about QCT/QuiltPath/Quiltmagine, asked questions/read comments on the QCT, Q'nique, and Longarm Quilting World Facebook pages, spent ~quality~ time in sim/demo mode. I am fortunate to be retired and have the time to spend (plus the desire!) doing that. As far as using QCT4 Beginnings....much of what I learned during the early months was trial and error (using it) and messaging with a few others using Beginnings, including a particularly savvy lady in Australia, Michelle A, whose encouragement and ideas were invaluable. I wouldn't take a million dollars for all the friends I have made from learning to use this software!! #noregrets

[@catd6235]

I have the Qnique 15r but just bought the quilt quilting motion touch 5 pro today. Hopefully I can get the hand of it. Do you like the this new one from your last one qct 4?

[@Joyfulstamper]

Yes, I am enjoying version 5 very much! I went from QCT4 Beginnings to QCT5 Pro. That has been a fun learning experience. A big difference in pantos is with Beginnings, you can only design 1 or 2 rows at a time - the Total Height entered in the PantoStacker screen is what your machine's throat will allow. With Pro, you enter the entire height of your quilt, making the computer guided row placement very nice!