I use 2 featherlight clamps attached to bungee cords on each side with both frames I have used--B-Line Studio originally and now a SuperQuilter ProFlex. They only get in the way if I try to skimp on the backing and then only when I'm really close to the edge of the top. I have only used side leaders when I had a really small baby quilt loaded on a 12' frame. The bungee cords weren't long enough so I pinned some 12" strips of muslin to each side of the baby quilt backing and clamped onto the muslin.