Pinning to the quilt frame - hat pins vs T pins vs ...?
 

So, I've been able to play with my frame and machine a little. The thing I'm finding is that loading a quilt (so far charity quilts, so they're small) takes longer for me than the quilting does. The first one took 2 hours + to load, and an hour to quilt!

One of the things taking the time is pinning through the ticking on the leaders. Now, in fairness, the pins that came with the frame are terrible. I'd swear they were dull if they weren't brand new.

They're T Pins (http://www.dritz.com/brands/showcase...p?ITEM_NUM=101) , and I also find the presser foot of the machine hooks on them and yanks them out (when I baste to be able to remove the pins) and I'm afraid that one will get in the way of the needle and cause a real mess. I also find that because they're dull, or whatever, I'm losing 3/8" pieces of skin at a time when I skewer myself while pinning and they suddenly go through the ticking and fabric. (yes, I suppose my technique can use some work too)

I've got some detachable zippers on order, and will be changing to that sort of set up (http://dragonpoodle.blogspot.ca/2012...-quilting.html) when they arrive, but for now, I'd just like to stop bleeding on the quilts and speed things up a little. :)

So I figured, what better place to ask than here.... what do you all prefer for pinning to the leaders?

I've been looking at hat/corsage pins. I figured out my flower headed pins are too thin and bend, so they're out. Are there other suggestions?

Sorry about your bleeding - - -

I don't have a long-arm - so really can't help you - but I have heard some mention of 'leaders' - I think they just clip on - maybe something called 'red snappers'?

I'm sure that the people that KNOW something about this will be helping you out soon - - -

I don't have a long-arm either. But would safety pins work? That's what I use when I'm quilting at my sewing machine.

There are quilting pins you can buy. I use ones with a flower head. They're long and the head is flat, so they don't cause a lump when you roll the quilt (not that that's a real bother). I took a class at one of the quilt shows with Linda Taylor, and she used what looked like corsage pins. They worked really well, too. Just make sure you get LONG pins, not short pins, or you'll be pinning for days!

I've seen those. I didn't know how well they worked (as in people like them or not). I've considered them, but have a concern about keeping the top and backing straight. I need all the help I can get there. ;) Perhaps someone will see this and weigh in about them...? Another concern too is how much they would cost to ship to Canada, if I can even find someone who will. Which is the main reason I think I'm fabricating stuff. :)

I have a sneaking suspicion that safety pins may have the same problem as the T Pins, as far as sharpness goes. That ticking is terribly hard to push through. I will try it though and see what I can come up with.

Haven't got a long arm but I did watch a You tube video where the young lady had resorted to small magnets to hold the backing fabric along the metal roller. She had tried the zipper and other methods but now found the magnets worked fine. She was very competent too.

I would not load a quilt without my red snappers. I practiced on a system that had zipper leaders, and you had to either pin or sew the quilt to the leaders in that case. With the red snappers, I never touch a pin. Matter of fact dont think there is a pin at all in my long arm room. Takes me about 15mins to fully load a quilt. it stays straight never had any issues with that. Would probably take me less time but I sorta poke around and listen to music :p

I would definitely recommend them to any and all people who have long arms. They are a godsend! worth every single penny and then some. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Nancy's Notions carries them:
http://www.nancysnotions.com/product...ding+system.do
and her shipping policy says to just add $9 to the US shipping cost.....
http://www.nancysnotions.com/categor...?intcmp=FFSHIP

Until your zippers arrive, I'd switch to corsage pins. No point in buying Red Snappers if you're switching to zippers, imho. Corsage pins can be found online at longarm supply places or locally at florist supply places and craft stores (not sure what those would be in Alberta, sorry).

T pins are probably the worst pins you could use, IMHO. They are not sharp, and I don't even like the idea of them going through my quilt fabric. When I pinned I used those yellow-headed pins. They're strong and sharp (enough) and they show up when I drop them on the carpet. Now I use Red Snappers. I tried pinning, then Velcro. The problem with Velcro or zippers is that you still have to attach the fabric to the leaders, which means sewing or pinning. Red Snappers solve the whole problem and they come off very easily. I use Red-E-Edge clamps for the sides too, and love them as much as the Snappers.

I have zippered leaders and just recently switched to using Red Snappers...I really like them, I can load my quilts in about 10 minutes now. Before, I used the corsage pins you can buy through your quilt store...but beware, they have huge heads, so to run over one of them is to invite disaster! If you really want "tearless" loading, buy the red snapper type clamps...best part of it is, there are no pin-sticks to worry about!