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September Newsletter

An Update from MK

Greetings, all.

It's eerily quiet here. Where is here? Tampa International Airport. The start of September finds me traveling for the first time since March.

The lack of travel this year has not really affected my ability to come to many with my love for teaching computerized quilting. In fact, it has aided me in finding new methods. New classes. Different approaches and a stronger team to make it all better.

Many ask me if this is all I ever do? Do I ever sleep? Sometimes it does feel like this quilting gig is all consuming. And yes, I do sleep. Hard. Like a storm could blow through and I wouldn't know. Energized after rest, I work hard. Today starts a different period of rest for me. I'm heading to my homeland. My hometown and my family in central Minnesota for some family and down time.

Just as I say that, I'm aware that my computer and therefore my Pro-Stitcher simulator and my Pro-Stitcher Designer software always go with me and I'm sure some work will be done.
When I get back to the 727 [that's my area code. ;)] new and exciting things will be happening in the studio. Can't wait to share that with you all.

Until then, a big thanks to Ellen and Theresa and Colleen and Pam and Mark and especially Mr. MK and Samson for holding down the fort and keeping the train moving while I'm away.
Keep quilting. It has kept us sane during this time, hasn't it?
MK :)

Turn your Avante into an Amara

MK Quilts is considering taking trade-in machines as part of future deals. The Amara can use the same frame as the Avante. We can include the sidearm upgrade to turn your frame into a Studio 2 version. We have a floor model Amara available at $2000 below show price!

Contact us now to find out how little it can cost to jump up to an Amara with Pro-Stitcher!

Request a Floor Model Machine Quote

Colleen's Corner

MKQU Director of Education

Survey Says…

I want to thank everyone who took the time to fill out our membership survey last month. The results are in and we are thrilled with the encouragement and support we received. We were humbled and honored to learn that over 85% of our users rate their overall satisfaction an eight or higher with over 91% of our users saying they would HIGHLY recommend MKQU. Talk about feeling the love!

We learned a lot about our community, our site, our content and our communication. We know it’s not all flowers and sunshine though. Through your responses, we have identified the areas we need to improve and have begun the process of making some positive (we think) changes.

We have already:

updated and clarified course categories
created a standard Webinar process for announcements, registration, links and replays
created a “best practices” process for new course content featuring planned focus, shorter segments, design and product links, and additional supplemental resources where applicable

We will make the following improvements during September:

continued focus on updating original course content
improve communication with the addition of a mid-month, MKQU-only newsletter that will include information about new course content as well as a webinar and event schedule.
improve FaceBook messaging through the addition of formatted/scheduled posts (stay tuned)
renovating the current MKQU website - watch for updated information and a fresh look (don’t worry, the courses will still look the same)

As you can see I am keeping busy “behind the scenes” and I am hoping one day soon to get in front of the camera to bring you additional educational improvements.

Until then… Get Stitching!

One Forte Floor Model Left

New or slightly used, we treat everyone the same. We offer so much value after the sale, it should be an easy decision. If someone is trying to sell you on price, talk to us first. Ask around on social media. Pro-Stitcher is synonomous with MK Quilts.

If you don't need to upgrade, tell your friends. We give a 2.5% store credit for referrals.

Our studio is beginning to see the signs of Christmas Quilting.
Get your quilts in now as our longarm quilting service queue begins to fill up!
Call 727-935-1739 and press #1 to set an appointment to drop your quilt.

Ruler Club 7 Starting!

We have a brand new ruler club session starting. Get ready for some Flower Power, feeling Groovy, and Peace Out on your longarm! Ruler Club 7 comes with video content from HQ, video lessons from Ellen, and a brand new twist.

This club session will add in how to combine ruller work with ProStitcher! Dare I say MK will be giving rulers a spin?

Join us now! This new club launches Spetember 1st and runs for six months.

https://university.mkquilts.com/courses/ROTMC7

Troubleshooting Tips

Learn from other people's mishaps...

MOTOR ERRORS

An unsecured Pro-Stitcher carriage cable is the number one cause of motor errors. The cable can catch on the carriage and encoder, so watch out for cable routing and any trips behind the machine.

Do not exceed 300 without direction from HQ support.

If you are starting to have motor errors, it may be because your motors are 'burning in' and are now drawing more current. Sudden changes of direction takes more 'energy' and may trip the Motor Torque Limit. You have permission to increase the Motor Torque Setting to 300. This may reduce the motor errors.

Try reconnecting the motors and/or machine instead of rebooting. If something seriously goes bad, we still recommend a complete shutdown and reboot of both the machine and tablet. Yes, it is a pain. If you have to do it often, contact us as you are likely dealing with a cable issue.

Note that the screen grabs above were taken from a Pro-Stitcher in simulator mode. If your tablet on your machine looks like this, no amount of reconnecting will fix your problem.

Many of these troubleshooting tips can be found in the MKQU troubleshooting course and will be put into a members only Knowledge Base.

Used Machines Available

One of our contributors on MK Quilts University wants to upgrade her Infinity. The only place to go is a newer Infinity. You can take advantage of this and purchase an Infinity with another year left on the warranty and save big!

Infinity with Pro-Stitcher and Designer - $17,000

https://www.facebook.com/MKQuiltsFL/posts/2561521463951400

Looking for a deal in California?

Baby Lock Crown Jewel 18 Inch Long Arm Quilter

10-foot Pearl Frame - MODEL BLCJ18
Quilter’s Creative Touch Software and robotics - NOT PRO-STITCHER
Surface Pro tablet

QuiltMotion/Quilter’s Creative Touch Software
Info about the software from their website: Take your quilting to the next level with QuiltMotion software, designed specifically for the Crown Jewel. You can choose, edit or even create quilt motifs on your PC, then instantly transfer your patterns to the machine and hardware for automatic quilting with flawless placement.

$9,500

Special Products

Don't forget to check out these and other discounted items and others on our MK Quilts online store.

Glide Thread Users Rejoice!

We have a two tier pricing model for Glide 40 weight large 5000M spools. Buy from our in-stock color rack and get $2 off each spool. Each stocked color is pictured on our shop site.

If you special order a color, you can still get $1.50 off each spool. Please use this link to select other colors.

FREE SHIPPING is available on Glide orders over $75 when you use this coupon code at checkout: GlideFreeShipping

"I don't need no stinking needles!"

Watch the product video MK has made for these magnetic wonders. Just click the picture and scroll down. You will realize why we these are flying off our shelves.

HQ Bungee Grabbers set of 2 - Sidearm enhancement

Start with one set of two or order enough to replace all positions on your sidearms. One handed bungee management.

15% off the entire month of September!
Get ready for Fall with these essentials...

All items are in stock and ready to be shipped!

Samson's Corner

I have been able to greet more people coming around the shop here in Florida. If you are an owner or simply want some training, don't forget to make vacation plans to come visit me at the shop. It will be colder soon up north and I will still be rolling in the grass.

Samson
- Mascot and official greeter for MK Quilts.

September Handi Quilter Promotion

Many of our MK Quilts customers know how the "local retailer training" works out. That is why they love the MK Quilt's University. MK Quilts also offers free in-studio training to our owners. Who does not want to come to Florida in the winter?

Check out this new Handi Quilter promotion for September.