Grace Q-Zone Queen Frame - Simple Rolling Rail Frame

The Grace Q-Zone Queen Frame is a simple 8-foot rolling rail style quilting frame that can fit quilt tops up to 82-inches wide. This is our most inexpensive rolling rail frame, designed for quilters who want a larger frame at an affordable price.

Which Quilting Machines Work on the Q-Zone Queen?

The Q-Zone Queen Frame works great with larger home sewing machines like the Little Rebel and you can also use any Qnique 16X longarm.

For the most quilting happiness, it is recommended that your home sewing machine has at least a 9 inch harp space. This will give you enough space to quilt creative designs on this frame.

The Qnique 19X longarm and 19X Elite longarms can also fit on the Q-Zone Queen Frame, however if you attach a ruler base, you may find your stroke limited as the front rail of the frame cannot expand far enough to fully accommodate the ruler base. You can fix this issue by raising the front rail up higher so the ruler base skims underneath.

This frame is also compatible with off-brand longarms (like the Babylock Tiara or HQ Sweet 16*), but you will need to set up the frame low so you can use your foot pedal to operate the machine.

How Big is the Q-Zone Queen?

The Q-Zone Queen is an 8-foot rolling rail frame. Check out the size chart to see how much space this frame will take up in your quilting room:

When set up full size, you'll be able to quilt tops up to 82 inches wide.

Did you know you can now expand the Q-Zone Queen 2 feet to become a Q-Zone King 10-foot frame? Click Here to check out this Extension kit!

Why is the size of your quilt top limited on this quilting frame?

On a rolling rail frame, the frame must be larger than the quilt top so you can attach the backing, batting, and quilt top and roll up the quilt sandwich onto the rails. Unlike a hoop frame, rolling rail frames are designed for you to quilt across the entire quilt in one pass.

You can also set up half of the the Q-Zone Queen frame to create a 5-foot long, crib quilting frame. Please note, the maximum quilt width is 32 1/2 inches wide. You'll need to save all the leftover parts carefully in case you decide to expand the frame later.

What is Included with the Q-Zone Queen Frame?

This quilting frame includes:

• Lightweight single track frame
• Bottom carriage to hold your longarm or top carriage
• Leveling feet
• 4 bungee cords
• Machine and bottom carriage channel locks
• Two height adjustable rolling rails

What Else Do I Need to Load This Queen Frame?

Leader Cloth is not included with the Q-Zone Queen Frame. Click here to find an pack of 8-Foot Leaders.

However, this particular frame can be loaded very quickly using 30 Magnum Magnets (15 per rail). An even cheaper alternative is to use masking tape to attach the backing fabric to the rails (see instructions below).

It's also nice to have the option to roll your frame out of the way when needed. Click Here to find casters to fit the Q-Zone Queen Frame.

How to Load a Quilt on the Q-Zone Queen Frame

Here's the steps to attach the backing fabric directly to your frame rails using either masking tape or Magnum Magnets:

1. Cut your backing fabric 6 inches longer on all sides than the quilt top on all sides (12 inches bigger total)
2. Find the midpoint of the top and bottom edges of the backing fabric and mark with a sharpie. It's just easier to see than trying to use a crease line.
3. Align the midpoint with the center point of the back frame rail - where the two sections of the rail meet.
4. Curl the fabric from the bottom of the rail up and around the back and tape or attach a Magnum Magnet to the rail. Use either the groove in the rail or the 1/2 inch channel as a guide to secure the backing fabric straight to the rail.
5. Smooth out the backing fabric and place 3 inch wide pieces of tape every 2 inches, or space the Magnum Magnets 2-3 inches apart down the rail. Keep the backing fabric nice and straight, not stretched too tight, but not loosey goosey either.
6. Roll up the backing fabric on the rail so the tape is concealed. The taped section is now secured by the rolled up fabric around it and will hold securely.
7. Repeat with the front rail, but this time secure the fabric to the top edge of the rail.
8. Roll up the backing fabric on the front rail until the fabric is bouncy tight within the frame. This is where the fabric no longer has wrinkles, but isn't super stretched like a drum. It has a little bounce to it.
9. Place the batting on top of the backing, 2 inches from the back rail. Lock the machine channel lock. Baste stitch the batting to the backing in a straight line from left to right.
10. Unlock the channel lock and roll down 2 inches. Lock the machine channel lock again. Place the quilt top on top of the batting and baste to the batting and backing fabric in a straight line.

Leah's Advice on Picking Your Frame

It can be really tough to know which sized frame to buy, especially when you're first getting started with longarm quilting. My best advice is to go with the maximum size your quilting space allows. When I set up my first frame, I couldn't imagine ever needing a frame longer than 8 feet. Within 2 years I'd expanded my frame twice to reach 12 feet!