Four Paws Quilting - Line Tamer Template

Template size: 10-1/2" x 3" (Photo by Margie Campbell)

The Line Tamer

As a fairly new longarm quilter, I quickly discovered that if I concentrated on guiding the machine, I lost control of the template. And if I concentrated on holding the template, the hopping foot wandered off. It occurred to me that it would be a lot easier if the hopping foot was constrained on both sides. Thus was born my first model. I was delighted with the results, and hope you will be too.

** The Line Tamer template is now made from clear plastic. **

There are two sizes. One is for Gammill and APQS machines which have a hopping foot that's larger than 1/2". Most others have a 1/2" foot.

Price: $25.95 (includes shipping) - 9/16" foot - Gammill, APQS

Price: $25.95 (includes shipping) - 1/2" foot - A1 (after 2004), Nolting, HandiQuilter, Prodigy, QuarterMaster

Innova

If you use the open toe foot, the 1/2" template is correct.

For the closed toe foot, it depends:

The foot being sold now is also 1/2", but machines sold more than a year ago had a larger closed toe foot.

If you want to use the closed toe foot, compare it to the open toe foot. If it's the same size, then order the 1/2" template. If it's bigger, order the 9/16". I was also told by someone at ABM that it's possible to buy the newer foot (assuming you have the old one) for $13. You don't need to for my template, but if you wanted both feet to be the same size, that's an option.

And finally, ABM has a "ruler foot" in prototype, that's being made especially for use with quilting rulers. It will also be 1/2". I can't tell you anything else about it because it's still in the prototype stage, and that's all they could tell me.

Bottom Line: If you want to use the Line Tamer with the older, larger closed toe foot, order the 9/16" size. Otherwise, get the 1/2".

"Snug Up" the Fit

The slot in the template is sized about 1/32" larger than the machine foot. This doesn't sound like much, but it may be more play than you'd prefer. A simple way to tighten the fit is to run a piece of Quilter's Tape along the entire inside edge. This tape is 1/4" wide masking tape, and is widely available at crafts and quilting stores.

Stitch in the Ditch, Cross Hatching

Center the line you want to stitch on. (The etched line at the end of the template can help.) For crosshatching, once you have the first line, you can use the lines etched every 1/2" on the template to position others.

Outline Quilting

Just align the seam with the edge of the slot, and you'll be stitching 1/4" away.

Using the Edge

Are you already comfortable using a straight edge? You'll find this template provides you with a secure grip other templates lack. Using the bottom leg, you can hold and move the template easily, while keeping your fingers clear of the hopping foot.

Name That Template Contest has a Winner

After receiving almost 400 possible names, I chose "The Line Tamer", suggested by Lisa Burghart of Lafayette, NJ. Thanks Lisa! Most important is that the name implies its use, and is easy to remember. Then there's the fact that it sounds like "lion tamer", perfect for a company named Four Paws Quilting.