Will it fit my longarm?
Groovy Boards fit most longarm and mid arm machines that run on a frame. Three things have to be true, and the stylus is the only part that is specific to your machine.
- A frame-mounted machine with rear handlebars. You quilt from the back of the machine, following the board on the table behind it. The board sits on the frame's rear table top.
- A stylus and adapter made for your machine. The stylus mounts to the rear handlebars and its tip rides in the board's 1/8 in groove. Any stylus with a tip of 1/8 in or smaller fits the groove. Groovy Patterns does not sell styluses; your machine's maker or dealer does.
- Room on the frame. Your throat space has to clear the pattern height listed on each board (most are between 7 and 11 in), and the frame's table has to hold the boards you lay down (each is up to 22 in long).
Not for sit-down machines. A sit-down longarm (HQ Sweet Sixteen, HQ Capri, BERNINA Q 16 and Q 20 sit-down, Baby Lock Tiara, Juki J-350QVP S) has no rear handlebars or table, so there is nothing for a stylus to ride on. For those machines, the digital downloads are the right product if a computerized system is attached, and the paper pantographs are not usable either.
By machine
| Machine | What you need |
|---|---|
| Handi Quilter Simply Sixteen, Amara, Avanté, Forte, Fusion | HQ Groovy Board Stylus with Adapter, Handi Quilter's own part. Upgraded to Precision-Glide wheels? HQ sells a separate adapter plate. Pro-Stitcher installed? HQ lists an additional adapter. |
| Handi Quilter Infinity 26, Moxie, HQ Sixteen | Each has its own version of the HQ Groovy Board Stylus with Adapter (Infinity 26, Moxie, HQ16). |
| Baby Lock Crown Jewel, Crown Jewel II and 3, Coronet, Regalia, BLJ18 | Baby Lock Stylus BLJ18-ST plus the Adapter Plate and Stylus Holder BLJ18-SA. |
| Baby Lock Jubilant | Not confirmed. Send us the model and we will check. (unverified) |
| Gammill (hand-guided models) | Gammill machines carry a stylus holder; stylus kits that fit it are sold by longarm accessory makers. Statler owners use our digital downloads instead. |
| APQS (Millie, Lenni, Lucey, Freddie and the rest) | Stylus kits made for any APQS machine (holder, stylus and mounting bolts) are sold by longarm accessory makers. |
| Innova (before the M series) | Stylus kits for the Innova frame are sold by longarm accessory makers. |
| Innova M series | The older Innova stylus does not fit the M series. Not confirmed; send us the model. (unverified) |
| BERNINA Q 20 and Q 24 on the frame | BERNINA's Pantograph Kit includes a metal stylus and holder; stylus kits for the BERNINA frame are also sold by longarm accessory makers. |
| Tin Lizzie | Stylus kits exist for both the older frame and the wooden-carriage frame. |
| Grace Q'nique, Juki J-350QVP on a frame, Nolting | These ship with or offer a laser stylus for paper pantographs. A groove stylus for boards is not confirmed. Send us the model and we will check. (unverified) |
Questions quilters ask
What stylus works with Groovy Boards?
Any stylus whose tip fits inside the 1/8 in groove. Groovy Patterns does not sell styluses; your machine's maker or dealer does, and the table above names the part where we know it.
Will the pattern fit my throat space?
Each board lists its pattern height. Your machine's throat space needs to be at least that tall so the whole design is reachable. Most Groovy Boards run 7 to 11 in.
How many boards do I need?
At least two. Boards of the same design interlock end to end like a jigsaw puzzle, so two boards give you about 40 in of pattern. Enough boards to span the quilt means you never move them; with fewer, quilters leapfrog the boards down the table.
Do the boards stay put?
Six non-slip silicone grips come with every board. A strip of painter's tape at the joint between boards adds security if your frame needs it.
Can I use Groovy Boards on a sit-down machine?
No. A sit-down machine has no rear handlebars or rear table for the board and stylus.
What is the largest board you make?
22 x 11 in. Custom sizes and custom designs are available; most modifications carry no extra charge.
Browse the Groovy Boards or read the Help Center. Still not sure? Email quilting@groovypatterns.com with your machine model and we will check.