The Coronet and Her Amendments

My famous line is....if you have this machine on this frame you probably already know what I am talking about. Let me make two little statements before we move on, this is a long post. There are lots of pictures, requested by many readers who have or are considering this machine. Second, please remember that this is a working studio, there is clutter, there are things stored under this machine. Carts, fabric, etc. Try to ignore that when viewing the photo's. Ok, lets begin.


First, lets be clear. The Baby Lock Coronet on the 5 foot frame is the same machine sold by Handi Quilter on the Little Foot Frame. The same machine. Prices seem to be the same. For me the sway point was the location of the dealer and the readily available and knowledgeable assembler and answer man, Steve.

All in all I am totally on board with this machine. I would love to have a larger table but I don't have room unless I give up other machines etc. That is not going to happen so I have done a few little things to make the whole process more comfortable.

When Steve assembled my machine he made it lower than I had seen at the store. I am only 5'3" now and at the height it was displayed I had to stand and stretch to work.
I have lots of nasty arthritis that inhibits my standing time and stance, therefore, I purchased a new chair, specific for sewing that had 1.) lots of padding, 2.) a full all around foot rail, 3.) height adjustable. I can use this chair at all my machines, just adjust height. Pricey, yes, worth it, yes.
I added the ruler base after I was comfortable with the machine. Essential for ruler work. I must add that I had the sit down Sweet 16 for several years before I traded up. Many functional elements of the machine, including the stitch regulator (that was an additional purchase) made the transition much easier for me than for some.
I added a thin elastic band that spans the entire frame to indicate to me, since I get going and forget where my stitching field ends, where to end the pattern.
I tried to add a leader to the back bar to increase the stitching field at the top. Failure. Just not enough space.
I purchased 6 large magnet bars to secure fabric to rails, instead of the provided clamps. I am still playing with those. I will address the outcome in another post. Bars were purchased at Harbor Freight. This leader is attached to the bar with a thin layer of Velcro. I have yet to add my registration marks. I will mark center, left center and right center. I will add the same registration marks to the front bar.
I bought new side clamps from another retailer. I was having a hard time finding the ones I wanted locally and online and accidentally stumbled on these in a Google search. They are a Handi-Quilter product, easy order, shipped in two days. Good price. *The retailer is Canyonland Quilts, click here. These dear people even sent a charm square of Halloween fabric as a thank you. How rare is that?

Now here is the clincher. I added a third rail. What? You know, a take up rail.

This is a Handi-Quilter product, the same as the back rail that was on your table. It is attached by L brackets that attach to those Upright bars on the back of the frame that you never knew what to do with! I used to hang clamps on them!

The bar comes with the leader attached with a thin row of Velcro, all you need to do is bolt those L brackets on to those uprights, snap the bar in place and close the clamp and you, dear ones, are ready to rock and roll! No more juggling that rolled up quilt on the back bar to keep it off the machine tracks. No more bulk to shift here and there to get close to the top line of the stitching field. Now, FYI, there are multiple adaptions shown and demonstrated on the Facebook Coronet site. They all work. I know they are much less expensive. But I went this route because it is a perfect fit, it sits very securely in the clamps and if/when I upgrade it will enhance the trade in value. I was fortunate to find a retailer having a special on price and shipping. Sew Creative was prompt in recognizing the online order and shipped quickly. You will see a phone number on their site if you need to discuss anything. ***BTW- I do not receive compensation in any form from the retailers I mention on this blog. If they are honest, if the product is good, it is received in a timely manner and they are available for questions this is where I buy.

I plan to work on a Christmas Wall Quilt first with this set up. I will report back including the process I use to help you decide if this might be for you.

*I added a set of Echo feet to this order. Many of my project have echo's but my hands aren't as steady as I would like. The feet, in three sizes, will help.

Adding the leader, the third bar and the elastic warning band has given me a full 15 inches of stitching field.

I have had these rulers for a while. Played with them a bit but will give them a work-out soon. Two shapes, this one kidney shaped, palm size.

This one an oval, also fits easily in the hand.

Just had to add this fabric. Can you believe it is so cute. It is beautifully printed, there is a gold, lurex type, thread throughout. It is premium weight with a nice hand and texture.

I got it at Joann's on sale. It will be and apron and placemats or a runner for my kitchen table. I always add a layer of heat resistant batting for table items now.