Zippered Quilting Machine Leaders
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 80
Zippered Quilting Machine Leaders
I have a small HQ Little Foot frame with an HQ Simply 16. I've tried pins...ouch! And the "poor man's" version of red snappers...clumsy. And now I think I would like to make some zipped leaders. Have any of you made your own zippered leaders? If so, what type of zipper did you get and were they slightly longer than the leader bars? I ordered two 60" plastic separating zippers for my 6' frame, but they actually measured 63". Also what kind of fabric did you use to make your leaders? Thanks for any help you may provide.
#2
I have not made my own leaders. I bought ones made of heavy duck/canvas and I use the Red Snappers to load the quilt. Before going that route, I made short leaders that attached to the longer ones with Velcro, the same idea as using zippers but easier to make and adjust. However - after using those for a few quilts I decided that I did not like having to baste the quilt back to the leaders! That was a lot more work than pinning. I then bought Red Snappers and have been totally happy with that solution. (I also tried the poor man's version - not nearly as good.)
#4
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 80
Lyric Girl, there is a "third bar" that one can purchase for the Little Ft frame and attaches to a bracket behind and a few inches above the back bar and comes with a leader that is velcroed to the bar and then you can pin the backing to the other edge. I also attached another "bar" (pvc pipe) to just below the from bar of the frame and duplicated the 3rd bar leader. I don't don't like getting stuck with pins and my version of the red snappers just added bulk and loading difficulty.
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 1,097
I have a Gammell longarm machine that came with canvas leaders. I got zippers from this
online store: http://stores.longarmconnection.com/quick-zip-system/ . I love the zippers as I can sit and put on and take off the zippers that are on the quilt. If you get the basic set you can then get the "renter" set so you can alternate between different quilts if you want. You have to sew the zippers to your leaders but they give you great instructions and you only do it once.
I'm sure you could google how to make your own leaders. Mine are attached to the bars with a very heavy duty tape. Oh, and you can get the safety pins from that website too and definitely get a tool that helps you release the pins on the leaders(bottom of quilt, etc).
online store: http://stores.longarmconnection.com/quick-zip-system/ . I love the zippers as I can sit and put on and take off the zippers that are on the quilt. If you get the basic set you can then get the "renter" set so you can alternate between different quilts if you want. You have to sew the zippers to your leaders but they give you great instructions and you only do it once.
I'm sure you could google how to make your own leaders. Mine are attached to the bars with a very heavy duty tape. Oh, and you can get the safety pins from that website too and definitely get a tool that helps you release the pins on the leaders(bottom of quilt, etc).
Last edited by selm; 01-19-2019 at 12:41 PM.
#6
Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Illinois
Posts: 80
I have a Gammell longarm machine that came with canvas leaders. I got zippers from this
online store: http://stores.longarmconnection.com/quick-zip-system/ . I love the zippers as I can sit and put on and take off the zippers that are on the quilt. If you get the basic set you can then get the "renter" set so you can alternate between different quilts if you want. You have to sew the zippers to your leaders but they give you great instructions and you only do it once.
I'm sure you could google how to make your own leaders. Mine are attached to the bars with a very heavy duty tape. Oh, and you can get the safety pins from that website too and definitely get a tool that helps you release the pins on the leaders(bottom of quilt, etc).
online store: http://stores.longarmconnection.com/quick-zip-system/ . I love the zippers as I can sit and put on and take off the zippers that are on the quilt. If you get the basic set you can then get the "renter" set so you can alternate between different quilts if you want. You have to sew the zippers to your leaders but they give you great instructions and you only do it once.
I'm sure you could google how to make your own leaders. Mine are attached to the bars with a very heavy duty tape. Oh, and you can get the safety pins from that website too and definitely get a tool that helps you release the pins on the leaders(bottom of quilt, etc).
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Walton Hills, OH
Posts: 828
I have not made my own leaders. I bought ones made of heavy duck/canvas and I use the Red Snappers to load the quilt. Before going that route, I made short leaders that attached to the longer ones with Velcro, the same idea as using zippers but easier to make and adjust. However - after using those for a few quilts I decided that I did not like having to baste the quilt back to the leaders! That was a lot more work than pinning. I then bought Red Snappers and have been totally happy with that solution. (I also tried the poor man's version - not nearly as good.)
#8
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Washington
Posts: 197
I have an A1 long arm and I have made several sets of zippered leaders. I sewed the zipper to the attached leader and then put about 10" of lightweight duck canvas on the other leader and attached with the zipper. Now, I staple my quilts to the leader. No pins and they come off easy. The staples make holes in the leader but they last at least a year and then I just make a deeper hem and keep on going. PM me if you want further instructions.
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Michigan Thumb
Posts: 1,956
I have a small HQ Little Foot frame with an HQ Simply 16. I've tried pins...ouch! And the "poor man's" version of red snappers...clumsy. And now I think I would like to make some zipped leaders. Have any of you made your own zippered leaders? If so, what type of zipper did you get and were they slightly longer than the leader bars? I ordered two 60" plastic separating zippers for my 6' frame, but they actually measured 63". Also what kind of fabric did you use to make your leaders? Thanks for any help you may provide.
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