Thread: Need tutorial on making leaders!

I have been so excited to receive my new Juki 2200 with Grace frame. I bought a lightweight canvas to make leaders but now I can't find any decent tutes to make the leaders! I am a" follow the directions" kinda gal when I'm not familiar with something so don't want to strike out on my own, ie. how long for each leader, etc.....I have googled and searched but can't find a good, straight forward tutorial. Are there any fellow quilters on here who would be willing to "hold my hand" if they have previously made leaders for their long arm? My frame has the 5 rail setup (dead rail along with the rail for batting in addition to the others). Help??
thanks in advance!

here's some info... go to the 4th icon/avatar... http://quiltwithus.connectingthreads...ng-frame-users
when i made a leader set for my Hinterberg, i used heavy duty sticky velcro to attach the leaders to the poles... easy to put on and take off. i also sewed a permanent marking at the center of the leaders so i could easily sew the top at the center of the leader and then center the leader on the poles. i marked the poles with permanent marker at the center

your frame should have instructions for making them for that particular frame, how long, how wide for each roller and how to attach, had a small groove that the leaders fit into so I did not need the velcro.

Thanks QuiltnNan! I will check that out. Hi Kathy, I am very familiar with the Kathykwilts you tube videos, thanks! I didn't remember seeing the info, but I will double check. I bought the whole kit n caboodle so it's been a little overwhelming, lol. But very exciting!

I actually used a combination of good ideas from several different video's and written directions .. then made up my own rules I probably viewed 20 different tutorials (both written and video).

I started by using pillow ticking because it has a straight line in the color weave. Word of caution though ... don't pre-wash the ticking as that can skew the weave. The straight line helped me not only attach the leaders to the rods straight, but also helped me attach the zippered ends. Yes, I wanted zippers.

So I suggest spending a day with google and viewing as many tutorials as you can find, take the best from each and go from there.

Originally Posted by DogHouseMom

I actually used a combination of good ideas from several different video's and written directions .. then made up my own rules I probably viewed 20 different tutorials (both written and video).


So I suggest spending a day with google and viewing as many tutorials as you can find, take the best from each and go from there.

Thank you for the tips DogHouseMom. I actually spent several days searching and wasn't coming up with much. That was surprising to me. I was unsure how to measure for my specific grace frame model. Soooo grateful you told me about not washing. I was playing with the idea that I should wash my canvas. Not sure why I thought that! You confirmed that's not a good idea.

Thanks everyone! I DID go back and look through all of my documentation and found instructions for cutting size of leaders! Now to get them made.

http://www.justsewolivia.com/2012/09...r-longarm.html

http://www.quilting-tidbits.com/quil...echniques.html

Here are some ideas. I need to do mine as it came with a horrid stretchy leader.

I like this one and will try it to straighten my leaders.

http://afabricplayground.blogspot.co...r-leaders.html

Originally Posted by Annaquilts

http://www.justsewolivia.com/2012/09/tutorial-fabric-leaders-for-longarm.

http://www.quilting-tidbits.com/quil...echniques.html

Here are some ideas. I need to do mine as it came with a horrid stretchy leader.

I like this one and will try it to straighten my leaders.

http://afabricplayground.blogspot.co...r-leaders.html

Wow annaquilts!! Thank you, thank you! I had seen the one by just sew Olivia and decided that one wasn't for me.....I plan on using tubing in my grace frame and not Velcro. I was not comfortable with her leader lengths either. But the other two sites I had not seen and what a gold mine, especially for a newbie like me. great info and thank you again for taking the time to share.