When you are new to Innova computerized longarming, the difference between these to functions can be confusing. Hopefully, this will help clarify things.
Sew Zone
The Sew Zone should be set up as soon as you load your backing. It is the “safe” area for your machine to travel, so set it up the same as your backing, clicking when prompted from the upper right to the lower left. It tells the computer to not send patterns beyond that safe space, you don’t want the machine to travel off the backing and try to travel back onto the quilt, possibly tearing the quilt in the process. Do not set the Sew Zone up outside of the backing. Do reset the Sew Zone with every new quilt.
Reposition Tool
As soon as you are ready to begin the quilting (after you baste or load the quilt) it is necessary to tell the computer where the quilt is located on the machine. You’ll do this by using the Reposition Tool. Go into Settings and put in the Quilt Size measurements (we type in accurate measurements) drag your pattern onto the quilt area of the screen, and use Edge to Edge to set up the patterns.
Place your machine head at the upper left corner of the loaded quilt. Select the Reposition tool, zoom in on the screen and left click the upper left corner of the quilt to place a small marker on the screen. Select Apply then Done. The quilt on the screen is now aligned with the quilt on the frame.
Every time you advance the quilt, choose a pointed, defined area at the bottom of the previous row of stitching (we select a spot in the center of the quilt) and Reposition to advance the patterns on the screen.
We also use the crosshairs to check both sides of the quilt to make sure the patterns fit like expected. Move the machine to the widest area on the left and right side and check your screen to make sure the patterns extend to the edge.
If you receive a message that no patterns can be sewn, your current row or patterns may touch or be beyond the Sew Zone. You may need to advance or reverse the quilt on the frame and Reposition again if the pattern is touching the top or bottom, or you may need to Trim patterns that extend beyond the right or left side.
