When I helped my mom we just used "thumb tacks" every couple of inches on the two sides rolled to center then SHE quilted. I only helped to put on (we used the C clamps to hold the frame with quilt attached to side bars) the whole thing was positioned over 4 dining room chairs and we crawled under to get in living room. We all were very happy when a quilt was finished. I now own a long arm and use that. Her sister used a leader strip that she basted to quilt top then slipped over her rails because gave you slivers was so full of "tack" holes -her frame was originally used for drying lace curtains had mini-nails all around entire 4 pieces was a great,great grandmothers.Think thats still in moms attic.