Mercedes Posted January 7, 2010 Report Share Posted January 7, 2010 Hi, I need to order some better clamps and I'm wondering whether you all like the featherlight or the grip light clamps? Which one works better and holds up better? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks...Mercedes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkle Posted January 7, 2010 Report Share Posted January 7, 2010 I read mixed reviews on the Featherlight clamps. That they break or that you can only grip the quilt backing. Sometimes I like to grip both the backing and the batting. I ordered the Grip-Lite Clamps. Four of them. I've had them on the frame for about a month now. I like them a lot. At first I wasn't sure about the skinny velcro that is attached to Grip-Lite clamp handles, but now I prefer this velcro to the wider size I've always had on my previous clamps. The Grip-Lites are easy to open and set in place and they grip very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoseCity Quilter Posted January 7, 2010 Report Share Posted January 7, 2010 I also have the grip-lite clamps and have had them since end of Sept. I really like them. Easy to clamp, and like that they are wider than the clamps that came with my Milli- less distortion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted January 7, 2010 Report Share Posted January 7, 2010 I had the Featherlight clamps and hated them! They kept pullling apart. I use a lot of fleece for backing and they didn't like the thickness either. I love, love my Grip-Lite clamps, like Sparkle said you really need 4 (2 sets). They hold well and cover a large area. They are made very well and the thin velcro holds just as well as the wide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Beth Posted January 7, 2010 Report Share Posted January 7, 2010 I agree with Connie. Had the Feather lite - hated them. Have the Grip-Lite - like them much better. Can't use the ones that came with the APQS machine because they are just too hard to squeeze. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted January 7, 2010 Report Share Posted January 7, 2010 I have the Grip-lite and love them. I got 2 sets so I have 2 clamps for each side. I find that they really help keep my backer in line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmcclannan Posted January 7, 2010 Report Share Posted January 7, 2010 I, too, have 2 sets of the Grip-lites so there are 2 clamps on each side. I really love them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoryJM Posted January 7, 2010 Report Share Posted January 7, 2010 Mercedes....I sent you an U2U Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinneaMarie Posted January 7, 2010 Report Share Posted January 7, 2010 Ditto! 2 sets of Grip lites:P:P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kay Anderson Posted January 7, 2010 Report Share Posted January 7, 2010 I hate the clamps that came with my Gammill C+. So about 3 months ago I designed and made the one's in this photo. If anyone is interested I'll post how to make them. Let me tell you, they hold great, are cheap to make, and are small. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltnutt Posted January 7, 2010 Report Share Posted January 7, 2010 I bought the featherweight clamps and they came in broken. I had a hard time getting my refund for them. I bought the other clamps and really like them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoseCity Quilter Posted January 8, 2010 Report Share Posted January 8, 2010 Kay- those do look interesting. I would be interested in how you made them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kay Anderson Posted January 8, 2010 Report Share Posted January 8, 2010 I made a set of 4 side clamps. For each one I used a drapery ring with a spring clamp on it. Then I cut a 12" section of 1" wide elastic. Run it through the ring, and sew to the end of your side leader tape. (You could just use the other end of the ones that you have.) Sew close to the ring, then up and down each side of the elastic. I have found that they hold better than anything I've used, are fast and easy to make,small, and cheap (I'm cheap and proud of it) and you can use as many as you need to. Four works for me, in all I made 6 for those realy weird quilts. The elastic allows you to remove and reclamp without changing the tension you get after each roll. The stretch gives just enough bounce to keep from damaging the fabric. Let me know how yours turn out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoseCity Quilter Posted January 8, 2010 Report Share Posted January 8, 2010 thanks Kay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarieBrewer Posted January 8, 2010 Report Share Posted January 8, 2010 I have featherlites and you are right, they won't hold to anything thick and I've already broken two of them. Think I'll try some modifications to my original concept of side leaders. The curtain hooks look like a good idea-cheap too!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lsilver Posted January 8, 2010 Report Share Posted January 8, 2010 Well, I am a fan of featherlite. It took three years for one to crack. I bought the Grip Lites, too, but MUCH prefer feather lites. If you are doings slippery fabrics or are heavy handed ,featherlights are not for you. I just bought four more, and they are now made or black material that is much heavier duty thgan the originals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuiltingComforts Posted January 9, 2010 Report Share Posted January 9, 2010 Just use a Q-Snap frame with some modfications. Works great, no clamps necessary when you drill a hole so velcro can be threaded through. No breaking, fits thick or thin applications. Cindy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReisingStarQuilts Posted January 9, 2010 Report Share Posted January 9, 2010 I turned my original clamps around so the elastic is toward the quilt and the clamp hangs free. I use the clamp as a weight and on the side toward the quilt pin the elastic onto the quilt backing or to both as I desire. I use a large corsage pin to pin thru the elastic and quilt. This works for me and at no cost. I can go right to the edge and no clamps to hit at edge. Irene Reising Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.