I have a Gracie ii frame, and have done a whole whopping two quilts on it. Lol. What is the quickest/easiest way to load the quilts onto it? I've just pinned the ones I did onto the leaders, but it makes my arthritis hurt in my fingers during all that pinning. Is there an easier less painful way to load it?

how are the leads attached to the frame? if velcro is used you can take the leads off- go to your machine- baste the quilt components to the leads and go back and reattach the leads to the frame....basting is much easier-faster (all though i've been pinning mine on for years- and big quilts can easily take 400-500 pins by the time i am done---machine basting is always an option-
but it does depend on how they are on the frame....if they are permenently attached to the frame could you hand baste them easier than pinning?

You can use zippers. Look for separating sleeping bag zippers, you will need at least 2. With the zipper zipped, find and mark the center of both sides with a permanent marker. Sew one side of the zipper to the take up leader, matching the centers. Do the same with the backing leader.
Now you can machine baste the quilt backing to the zipper and just zip it on. You can also pin the backing to the zipper. Might be easier on your hands if it's not on the frame.

I have sewed mine on with water soluble (sp?) thread on the top thread and regular thread in the bobbin.

i baste mine with the water soluble thread to the velcro leaders.

it doesn't even take me 10 minutes to load a quilt using this method.

My leaders are put on the frame with a plastic tubing shoved into a narrow wedge. They were made to be replaced if ever needed, lol, but at the rate I use it, that will never happen. The zipper way sounds interesting. Wonder where those can be found.......

Will also have to check into the Velcro method.....

Thanks y'all!

I rent time on a local longarm and we use zippers. It takes about 5 minutes to load a quilt. I pin the zippers at home at my leisure so I'm good to go when I get to the shop.
Sue

try looking into

http://quiltsonthecorner.com/gadgets Red snappers

and


http://leadergrips.com leader grips

I have friends that have these. Both friends like theirs very much. I'm going to order the Red Snappers.