I thought I would share an idea that came to me the other day. I had been using some side canvas leaders based on the ones Sharon Schamber has on her quilting site. The only thing that I didn't like about those is that they have to be pinned, unpinned, repinned, etc. when advancing the quilt and rolling it back. So I had a thought (see pic). I just took a couple of paint stir sticks and put one on bottom, one on top, and then clamped it using the two side clamps as well as an additional quick release clamp in the middle. It works great and keeps the side of the quilt from distorting and is very quick to undo and redo. Love it!

Great idea!!!

Good idea. Thanks for the info.

That's a hellava good idea !!! I am going to remember that when next (a week or so out now) I zipper up my to-be-quilted quilt top !!!

Seems like it would make things so much nicer when sewing.

Great idea!

OO what a GREAT idea! Thanks for sharing this one.. I am about to load a quilt now!

Yes, I have seen that technique before and use it myself. It works great. Thanks for sharing it here tho, sometimes we forget things like that because it is just second nature to us when we use them all the time.

Thanks,
Sherryl
Candlequilter

Thanks for the tip. Hope I remember when I load my next quilt.

Thanks for the great tip. Love this idea.

Thanks, Eddie.

That's an excellent idea. I just use the clamps with bungee cords but sometimes I use pellon to the side borders for more stability sewn just a 1/4" on the sides. I do this especially if the borders are wanting to wave.

Way kool idea!! I will have to try this!! Thanks

Very clever - good thinking :)

Thanks for the great tip! I will definetly try that next time I load a quilt.

My frame came with side clasp tensions, but I love the idea of the paint stick! Will add that for better tension control on the sides. You guys are wonderful! And so inventive!

I have a long arm an that sounds great to me i will try that
thanks crella

Great idea!!

Thank you Eddie, I've been looking for better side control, I'll definitely be using this trick from now on!

Looks like a great idea. Another tool to take out of the tool box and put in the quilting box/

I will definitely be using this idea! Thanks for the idea!

Thanks for the great tip!!! I've been using 2 clamps and sometimes 3 per side but w/ the paint stick in there to statblize things it looks to be just what I need when quilting.

Nice :thumbup:

I wish I had a longarm to quilt with, but if I ever get one I will remember your suggestion. Thanks

see there is a great mechanic in all of us. LOL Tool box finds, I love them!

Thank you for a great idea - I have clamped a ruler on top but still wasn't satisfied so had thought of putting one on top and one on bottom but the paint sticks are the way to go. Very economical. Thank you so much.

So creative! Good thinking Eddie!

Great idea!! Thanks. Will use it next time :-D

Thanks for this tip.It will make my quilting much easier.

I don't understand with bungee cords. Could you explain? I'm thinking about the paintstick now too. I usually use the clamps with velcro tied onto them and velcroed to the end rails.

That is an awesome idea!
I will remember that if I ever get brave and make friends with the machine on the frame in the other room....

:thumbup: thanks for the tip!

Thanks for the great idea!

thanks Eddie good for idea so when i get my longarm i,ll try it oh i have a handi quilter the new one on layaway just a couple of more payments and she comes home lol

This is a great tip Eddie....I use the paint sticks in my side leaders and for those who haven't made their leaders yet my "Hint" is make a casing at the clamp end just wide enough to get the stick in and then it stays in place and you don't have to juggle getting two sticks lined up perfectly! Works like a charm and so helpful to keep your needle from bumping your clamps and messing up your pattern!

Scotlass

Good idea. I use skirt hangers. They are easy to move and the "hook" part of the hanger gets the velco loop through it to pull it taught to the side bar.

Patent this idea. You could make a million!

I was just given six skirt hangers...what a great idea...i wish i would have read this a week ago...I have a mid arm and when i get to the end it never stays straigt with those little clamps...

Oh Eddie! Thanks so much! I will have my TL18 the end next week! *squeal* :)

Necessity is the mother of invention and finding a quicker way to do things is always a blessing.

Wow, this is a great idea. I'm going to have to try this on my next quilt. I find that even with the bungee clamps on my frame, it's still not enough to make the sides flat.