K. Szymaszek Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 Oh my gosh quilters. I have really never heard anything negative about them. I purchased them about a year ago along with new leaders. My dh and I spent the day changing the leaders. As if that wasn't enough of a pain. We got the red snappers set and I went about putting the snaps on and oh my gosh! I could hardly get them on. I put 2 large and 2 small. Tbe small were not that hard but the large ones were, I dont know how to describe. My hands are shot now. So hard to do. I cant imagine with a backer also. I am hoping it will get easier with use. I also cant imagine my backer being straight after all the wrangling trying to snap them. Again I have to say my hands and arms are really drained and my hands are sore. Sorry this is so long but I cant believe tbese are so much trouble wben everyone seems to like them. Did anyone experience this and does it get easier to use them. I am ready to just use pins. Tbanks, K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micajah Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 They will stretch some with use. Like you, they did make my hands sore and the long ones were harder to put on and keep the fabric straight. I solved my problem by cutting each of the long ones down to about 18 inches or so. Even got an extra 3 inch snapper from each one too. I can store them hanging up inside one of the tube boxes you gift a bottle of wine in. Short 3 inch bits are just within reach behind me on the table. They are easy to cut with a knife or an industrial pair of scissors. Also, push down with one hand while pulling up the other end and it will snap on easier. Debbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busy Quilting Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 I unroll my leader so it is sitting on the back table and I lean over my front rollers to reach it. Secure the backing fabric with 4 small clips. Then Starting at the centre I bend the longer clips up and then they push into place easier. I then roll all my backing fabric onto the back roller and use the front roller with the snapper on top and few weights to hold the backing fabric same lift and snap process there. You could heat the big snaps up and just bend and make them more pliable off the machine before using Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K. Szymaszek Posted December 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 Thank you both for the tips. I will have to take.some time and practice. That is once I get my strength back :] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMALKB Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 I have a terrible time with them as well. I'll have to try cutting them into smaller pieces. How do you heat them to make them pliable??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oma Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 I use little 2 inch long ones at first. Cut them the length you want them with a pair of scissors. I put my quilt on the roller and I put a little one in the middle to hold the fabric then another one at both ends then one in the middle of those. If I'm happy that the quilt is on straight I start at the middle (leaving the little one in place) and start placing one that is about 3 ft long pulling out the little one as I get to it. As everyone has said push down on the end while sort of pulling up at the other end and work pressing with the palm of your hand across. They may be a little awkward and stiff at first, but it won't take long for you to get real accustom to them. And they loosen up too. I didn't have to heat mine, but if I was going to I would use my hair dryer. My leader fabric was really thick too so that didn't help. Sometimes now if I am doing a really big quilt and I'm using my CL boards I will pin my backer onto my take up bar because that little space the snapper uses up will make it hard to get to that last row on the CL board when you get towards the end of the quilt.. I go ahead a use the Red Leaders on the bottom of the backer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K. Szymaszek Posted December 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 18, 2014 Thank you Oma, I really appreciate all the tips. I can see that I will have to ppp to get this right. Thanks again to all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie H Posted December 18, 2014 Report Share Posted December 18, 2014 I've had my red snappers since they first came out and they have gotten looser with use. I had my DH cut mine in half with a hack saw and file the edges smooth. For me the shorter lengths are easier on my hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheri Butler Posted December 18, 2014 Report Share Posted December 18, 2014 Ditto the shorter lengths. I'm questioning heating up the things tho. Yes, either lay them on your table, or use your front roller bar and snap em on that way. That's what I do. They DO get more pliable with use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirleyl Posted December 20, 2014 Report Share Posted December 20, 2014 I use the front roller bar. After use they loosen up. I wouldn't heat them, they may melt. Shirley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zora Posted December 20, 2014 Report Share Posted December 20, 2014 I know a lot of people love them. I also know they get in the way once they are on. You need a lot of extra backing fabric so you can get them out of the way, and the base extenders can get hung up on them, too. My friend and I were trying to practice a design board, and the machine kept getting hung up on the snappers at the top of the quilt. I never really minded pinning, but I installed zippers and really like them. I baste the backing on at my DSM...quick. They detach just as quickly, and if I discover a missed spot while cleaning up the back of the quilt or a spot of strange tension that needs re-doing, it all goes back on the machine just the way it came off, all lined up. My friend had her red snappers pop off when she rolled the quilt with a bit of tension on the rollers from not having her brake released totally. That was a mess. She had to rip out the rows of panto she had already done and start over. She bought a used set that was already broken in, but still said they were hard on her hands. I hope yours work out for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mswings Posted December 20, 2014 Report Share Posted December 20, 2014 I have had mine for a while. I love them now, but didn't always. They are extremely stiff at first. They do loosen up in time. Now I can load a quilt in about 10 min, maybe even faster.I love them. I wish I had tried the easy leaders first. They look much easier to use. Good luck. Hope they evenetually work for you. If not, try selling them on the forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Me..2015 Posted May 12, 2015 Report Share Posted May 12, 2015 I am new to all of this. Are there any red snappers here for sale. I will get my machine in a week. I have a 12 foot table. I am looking for a set! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gkazee Posted May 12, 2015 Report Share Posted May 12, 2015 I bought leader grips to use with my machine. My APQS dealer replaced her red snappers with them. They are pretty easy to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewingpup Posted May 12, 2015 Report Share Posted May 12, 2015 I still haven't gotten around to putting mine on....I need to make the casing on my leaders.......what I am thinking of doing when I get "round to it" is to take my red snappers upstairs to my dining room table and put them on over a couple of layers of fabric so as I can loosen them up somewhat before putting on the frame....till then.....I will just keep on pinning......so much to do...so little time...retirement makes the time in a day shrink! Lin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlsa3 Posted May 12, 2015 Report Share Posted May 12, 2015 I use the Mondo Clip-N-Seal which are just another brand like Red Snappers. I cut mine in about 6" - 8" lengths. So much easier to put on and take off. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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