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.

There are two sizes. One is for Gammill, APQS and A1 machines which have a hopping foot that's larger than 1/2". Most others have a 1/2" foot.
(NOTE: A1 machines prior to 2004 had a very large foot. It won't fit either template. If your A1 was made in 2004, please contact me before ordering.)


Price: $21.95 (includes shipping) - 9/16" foot - Gammill, APQS, A1 (after 2004)

Price: $21.95 (includes shipping) - 1/2" foot - Nolting, HandiQuilter, Prodigy, QuarterMaster


"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.


Line Tamer SID

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.


Line Tamer Outlining

Outline Quilting

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


Line Tamer Edge

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. (But stick to using it on your quilts. Trying to tame the small domestic lions only annoys them.)