I found that my clamps or snaps didn't hold the sandwich quilt tightly an neither, so I used "thin" potholders under the snaps or clamps, and it worked beautifully, very tight. My mother in law sewed the potholders for me but they were too thin to use in the oven. Try a scrap of quilted fabric or a thin wash cloth. I love mine. My husband built my frame with 3 /4 inch PVC pipe, but I use it only for sofa throws or crib quilts. It's very heavy for that size . He said he built it for less than $25. The clamps or snaps is what cost money, if you can find them. I purchased the snaps before he built the frame, and I use several on the frame. My husband is very fussy, so the cut edges are clean and no sharp edges. Go for it, I use my frame many times already.