We are proud to introduce the newest revision of the IntelliStitch stitch regulator, the I/S-Turbo(cl). The new software is based in part on the analysis of the feedback from I/S-Turbo users. Even more importantly, we have listened to the opinion of those who chose other stitch regulators after trying the I/S. After about a one-year development process we think that the I/S-Turbo(cl) will satisfy even the most critical customers. (see the User Manual here)

We took the "I really like the I/S, but..." opinions and tried to eliminate what came after the "but". Here are some examples:

"... but I don't like the hammering of the firing stitch."

With its speed sensitive stitching power, the I/S-Turbo(cl) provides smoother stitching at both slow and fast machine movements. The feel of machines driven by the I/S-Turbo(cl) is now the same as the speed-based regulators, like the A-1 Stitch-Rite, the Gammill Plus and the APQS Millennium, while the advantages of the firing stitch technique are still maintained.

"... but sometimes I am getting these long stitches at points."

The reason why there are less long-stitch complaints coming from Millennium or Prodigy owners is that those machines have more powerful motors, which makes it easier to follow the sudden changes in speed and direction. We decided that instead of adding the cost of a more powerful motor to each conversion, we would make the motor control more "intelligent". The I/S-Turbo(cl) uses a sophisticated method to detect the turns at points and corners, and overdrives the motor in anticipation of sudden speed increases. This results in fewer long stitches coming out of the points, without increasing the stitch pile-up before the points. This method will give a good long stitch elimination to medium to slow speed quilters, who had problems triggering the "coasting" of the I/S-Turbo.

"... but I don't want to retrain myself in the way I move the machine."

No, we did not change this one, and here is why: Keeping the non-regulated machine moving technique certainly helps those with speed-based regulators, because if your machine moving speed is pretty constant, the regulator does not need to work hard to compensate for changes. One of the advantages of stitch regulation should be that you can use the "minimum effort" machine moving method, which means that you don't try to overpower the mechanism by keeping it moving with the same speed around the points, but slow down before and gradually speed up coming out of points. With this technique you will use just enough force to guide the needle along the patterns, while obeying the inertia and momentum of the machine. To help you practicing the minimum effort movements, in the "training mode" the I/S-Turbo(cl) beeps when you turn at points using the proper relaxed technique.

"... but I am having problems with needle position changes."

The "cl" in the name of the new software stands for "closed loop", a highly technical term, which means that the controller watches the position and speed of the needle during every stitch cycle, and adjusts the power of the motor based on changes of those. The result is consistent needle positions, independently of quilt thickness and density.

"... but the adjustment procedure is too complicated."

The I/S-Turbo(cl) brings two good news: due to the closed loop technique, half of the adjustments were eliminated. The other good news is that we made the remaining ones either automatic, or easy to follow. The "auto adjustment" sets the machine speed and needle up positions automatically to match the mechanical properties of the machine. The regulated stitch speed adjustment gives audible indication of the actual speed, there is no need to record the number of adjustment steps. The maximum constant speed remained adjustable to match the quilter's style. The needle up and needle down position adjustments were left in the program, but they need to be used only in extreme cases, e.g. on too tight or too loose machines.


In addition to the above, the I/S-Turbo(cl) features faster, one-step single stitch, controlled warm-up and more troubleshooting help through sound and light signals. The improved data protection practically eliminates setup data loss.

The software comes with a new manual that includes Helen Baczynski's training lessons and simplified adjustment instructions.

All the new conversions come with the I/S-Turbo(cl). Despite the dramatic improvements, the price of the conversions remains the same. Please contact your nearest I/S dealer for details.

We will offer upgrades for existing I/S users starting with the MQS show in Kansas City. We encourage them to try the I/S-Turbo(cl) on shows (Dallas, MQX, MQS) and to watch for the opinion of those who have the new revision, which will be posted here, on e-mail lists, in Unlimited Possibilities, On Track and other magazines.

As opposed to the last, free I/S-Turbo upgrade, the I/S-Turbo(cl) will cost a nominal shipping and handling fee only for those who had their I/S installed after January 1st, 2004. For older conversions the upgrade will cost $150, S&H included.

We would like to thank everybody, our dealers, beta-tester customers, who participated in the development and testing of the new software for their contribution. We hope that the new software will make quilting even more enjoyable for its users.