Longarm Tech Tips

by Dan Novak, Nolting Manufacturing

The rush is over

Now that the Christmas rush is over, it’s time to think about how productive the year has been. Have you completed the number of quilts that you set out to do? Were you overbooked? Did you have a lot of down time? Were you able to make repairs and adjustments on your own? What could you do to be more productive?

When booking quilts to be done, don’t overbook yourself. Allow some time for the unexpected things such as family matters, minor equipment repairs, supply shortages and forgotten plans. When we have overbooked ourselves, we have to work under pressure. Most people do not work well under pressure. We start to stress out and make silly mistakes, often times messing up things that we do daily without any thought or effort. We also tend to forget about the daily maintenance that our quilting machines require, such as oiling and cleaning. Don’t take in quilts from customers who make every job you do for them a problem. You know who these customers are. Set yourself up to work at a comfortable pace. If you were busy all of the time last year, it might be time to raise your prices. You might then work a few less hours and make a bit more money. Set yourself up to win!

To avoid down time, check your machine over at least twice a week. When you have some time to spare, make yourself a checklist and use it. Try to learn as much about your machine as you can. Take some classes to learn how your machine works and what steps you can take to maintain it. Also take classes to improve your existing skills.

Is your current machine the right machine for the job? Is your machine and frame big enough to tackle the workload that you have in front of you? There are many options and accessories that can speed up some of these jobs. If you think that you might need a different machine, see what your machine might be worth as a trade-in. You might be surprised. A clean, well-maintained machine will hold its value very well. Check with your machine dealer to see if there are any upgrades or options that would be to your advantage; often a larger more equipped machine can make you more productive.

Reflect on 2006 and make plans for 2007. Set your goals high and stick with them.

Good luck and keep the quilts rolling!

Dan Novak is the lead technician for Nolting Manufacturing Inc. Dan is responsible for the assembly, retro fit, repair and adjustment of all longarm machines built and repaired at Nolting. Dan is a technical instructor at quilting trade shows and enjoys working on all things mechanical.

Reprinted from SQE Professional, February 2007