I have been using a sew slip for at least 2 years My machine is dropped down in an old dining room table even with the top. I find the slider makes life easier I also used garden gloves the kind with the bumps untill I got a pair of machingers quilt gloves The gloves and the slider have given me more control and it takes a lot less effort to move the quilt around a lot less aches and pains I was told to keep it on the paper it comes on and put it in a plastic bag to store