Quiltsinmotion Posted October 19, 2006 Report Share Posted October 19, 2006 Ladies , why is it important to clamp quilts on our longarm frames ? Can you just keep the fabric tight enough by tension of rollers ? Thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted October 19, 2006 Report Share Posted October 19, 2006 Okay, I read this an hour ago and since no one has answered I'll tackle it. For me, it is a more stable work surface. When the edges are kind of drooping, or hanging just a bit my machine doesn't even want to stitch. But when I have the side clamps on the backing, it creates a more stable surface. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewingupastorm Posted October 19, 2006 Report Share Posted October 19, 2006 The reason for the clamps on the sides is that you want your quilt taut (not tight) both verticle and horizontal. The clamps just hold everything so that nothing will shift sideways as you move your machine. The big thing with the clamps is just to hold but not to tug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlene Posted October 19, 2006 Report Share Posted October 19, 2006 Carol, I just clamp the backing. It seems to give it just a little more security. I tried doing one quilt without the clamps and had a problem with some tucks in the backing. No problems when I use the clamps. Char Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted October 19, 2006 Report Share Posted October 19, 2006 Clamping the sides can really help you avoid tucks in the backing fabric that you may not be able to see as you're rolling. I take my clamps a step further and use parts from an old Q-Snap frame on the sides of my quilts. Here are some pics: Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BethDurand Posted October 19, 2006 Report Share Posted October 19, 2006 I think we should also point out Linda's curtain rods over her rollers. When I took my beginner class from (name removed), I couldn't figure out what they were for. The curtain rods raise the clamps so that the machine head doesn't get caught on them. A very helpful, inexpensive solution. Beth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiltsinmotion Posted October 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 thanks ladies for hints . DH has made me sticks of nice wood to hold up clamps I saw it on Linda Taylors video . Linda A & Linda S curtain rod works well also Linda S I will have DH [or myself ] make some of the white clamps like the way they look , seems like the hold the quilt very nice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted October 20, 2006 Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 I use yard sticks - works for me, and they were just laying around the house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa Thiesssen Posted October 20, 2006 Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 I use yard sticks too. I've also switched the pony clamps that came with the machine to tarp clamps...much smaller and flatter, and you can open and close (and change tension of grip) with one hand easily. Happy stitching, Lisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike&kelly Posted October 20, 2006 Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 *****:oohhhhh Cool Stuff! Equipment envy!!! ***** Linda S. I want a grid like you have showing on the panto table, in the picture of the clamps, is this available on your web site??? The PVC clamps things are very cool to can I get those anywere too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltbee43 Posted October 20, 2006 Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 I have a questions along these lines. When I clamp a smaller quilt it seems to pull to tight? I know the clamps are only to support the quilt from the sides and to intended to pull to tightly. Do any of you have any suggestions on how to extend the reach of my clamps?: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted October 20, 2006 Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 The pattern grid is made by the Colorado Quilting Company. I bought mine at Columbia River Quilting http://columbiariverquilting.com/the_patterngrid.html It is indispensible for lining up patterns on the back of your table. The PVC clamps are made from a Q-Snap quilting frame I bought at JoAnn's -- I think mine was 11" square, and I actually used to use it for hand quilting. Just took it apart and used it. My friend Christine Olson has drilled a hole in the cover of her clamp (similar to mine) and inserted a loop of plastic cable tie, which makes it a lot easier to pop the cover off the clamp when you want to move it. Ah, yes, necessity is the mother of invention! Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9patch Posted October 20, 2006 Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 quiltbee43- Go to your local store and buy elastic. Sew the elastic to the ends of your present straps, and they can be as long as you need them to be. I have cut the clamps off of my straps. I pin the straps to the batting and backing only. I still use the curtain rods to give the straps a lift from the pull of gravity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TishMarshall Posted October 20, 2006 Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 Thanks Linda, your so good! Putting pictures for those of us who are visual people..!!! ;-) Thanks for sharing Tish Originally posted by Linda S Clamping the sides can really help you avoid tucks in the backing fabric that you may not be able to see as you're rolling. I take my clamps a step further and use parts from an old Q-Snap frame on the sides of my quilts. Here are some pics: Linda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewbobby Posted October 20, 2006 Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 The clamps make a big difference in keeping the quilt lined up correctly. If I don't use them the quilt seems to dip a little on the sides which makes the quilt borders a little wavy. I did have to replace the elastic once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PattyJo Posted October 20, 2006 Report Share Posted October 20, 2006 Thanks Linda S for the great idea with the Q snap - I also have the 11" frame from my hand quilting days and now I know what to do with it. Better than taking up my fabric storage places. Now I can go and buy more fabric!!! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeri Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 I don't use clamps. I use Dawn Cavanaugh's idea of using elastic and pine. I use no-roll elastic and very large safety pins. This gives me a very stable and flat quilt top with no clamps to run into with my machine or rulers. With the clamps the top either droops from the clam weight at the edges (without rods holding the edges up) or goes up on the sides (with the rods). The top also bounces alot. I bought long lenghts of elastic so I can also use it on small quilts or actually attatch each in 2 places if I need it. jeri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted October 23, 2006 Report Share Posted October 23, 2006 Okay, I don't know what Dawn's idea is....can you expand?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeri Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 Mary Beth, I'll post a photo tomorrow. I'm currently working on a friend's machine and I bought elastic to use on hers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sylkamode Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 I use the clamps, for tautness. I don't have them to taut though, just enough to keep things steady when quilting. Sylvia Kaptein Sylka-Mode www.sylkamode.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewingupastorm Posted October 24, 2006 Report Share Posted October 24, 2006 Jeri I am also interested in seeing what your elastic setup looks like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeri Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 In one of Dawn Cavanaugh's classes she suggested using the elastic end of the clamps and safety pins to get those clamps out of the way. I was doing several small quilts and the elastic wouldn't reach so I went to the fabric store and bought several yards of 1 inch wide elastic. I believe I have about 8 feet or so in place of each clamp. It has been handy to have extra because I can attatch it to the backing in 3 of 4 places instead of just 2 if I need it. I hope the photos work as I've never posted one here before. jeri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeri Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Here is the second photo I tried to attatch, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaFritchen Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Thank you Jeri! Looks very handy and useful in different situations (a picture is worth...) You did well. The redwork looks interesting. Is it handwork? Show us when you are done now that you know how to post pictures;). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeri Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Definately a super simple and cheap (rare in this business) solution to many a problem. I haven't put my clamps back on in three years. I tried them on my firend's machine, hated them still. Yes, the redwork is done by hand, I believe the lady is 93 and the quilt was pieced by her niece. It's a Ruby McKim pattern, I think from the 30's, and the fabrics are 30's repros. The quilting will be as close to the original as I can do by machine. she has the original quilting pattern. This one has been interesting as I've adapted the hand quilting cornacopia that goes in the alternate blocks. I spent several hours playing with it before I managed to get it continuous. Didn't charge for that time as it was an interesting challange and I hadn't said that I could even do the quilt yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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