newellyn Posted July 20, 2010 Report Share Posted July 20, 2010 Hi all, As promised I am finally ready to report my views on the new Leadergrips loading system. I LOVE THEM!!! I was working on a very large (85 X 107) quilt and doing some heavy quilting when they arrived so it took awhile before I could try them out. I usually avoid turning quilts like the plague but this one had to be turned to do the loooong side borders. This system made that process a breeze. The instructions say to insert the dowels in the 3/4" hem on most leaders. Well my leaders did not have that hem plus I had zippers on them and didn't want to take those off. So over to JoAnn's I go and buy some canvas. I sewed zippers onto one side and made a 3/4" hem in the other and simply zipped them onto my leaders. Then, it was just a matter of joining 3 -- 4' dowels together with the heat shrink joiners provided and just inserting them into the 3/4" hems. Voila, installed. Turning a quilt has NEVER been so easy for me. NO pins, No punctures (in me), NO stress at all. I finished that quilt, (pics when the binding is done) and just loaded another quilt to give it another try. They are absolutely the best loading method I have used. Loading was my least favorite part of longarming, not any more. I loaded this 75 X 88 quilt in about 5 minutes and I am sure that time will get even better as I get more experienced with the Leadergrips. Anyway, I recommend them. The webpage is www.leadergrips.com They are $89.00 + $15.00 shipping. They come from Pennsylvania and I received them in Oregon in 3 days after placing the order. By the way the shipping label said it cost them $15.30 to mail them to me. For those of you in business, time is money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted July 20, 2010 Report Share Posted July 20, 2010 Thanks Lynda--can't wait to have you show us these next month. I bet there will be some orders placed from the northwest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kari Posted July 20, 2010 Report Share Posted July 20, 2010 I've been thinking about these since I saw the U-tube video. But was waiting for a report from an "unbiased" party. My longarm group is waiting for me to try as well (kinowing I am always the first interested in a new tool). Does anybody have any recommendations on an easy way to hem the leaders? I currently have velcro leaders (which I have made) that I will probably take off (or maybe just cut off the ends of the leaders) -- since I need to hem them for the Leadergrips. Kari Brooklyn Park, MN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted July 20, 2010 Report Share Posted July 20, 2010 Lynda, Do you have a 14' frame and did you order the 12' set? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoleneK Posted July 20, 2010 Report Share Posted July 20, 2010 I have the leadrergrips also and agree putting a quilt on was quick and easy. It took only minutes! The problems I had on my Millie is with the leveling roller. The grips barely fit between the roller and the machine head. In betweens quilts I'm going to raise the bar up a tiny bit and see how that works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newellyn Posted July 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2010 Heidi, yes I have the 14' table and ordered the 12' set. Jolene, I didn't experience the problem with the leveler bar but then mine was already raised to accommodate my CL. I did have to adapt the process a bit for the Millie. The video demo on YouTube is on a Gammill but it was an easy adaptation. There was a question before about how well it would work if seams were involved. There were two seams in the backing of the quilt I turned and didn't notice any difference with that one and the latest load with no seams. I forgot to mention, I float my tops so I only installed the two backing leaders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joy Posted July 20, 2010 Report Share Posted July 20, 2010 Hi Lynda If you have a 14 foot table why did you install the 12 foot set? I have a 12 foot table what size would I need? Thanks for your help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newellyn Posted July 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2010 Joy it is the width of your leaders not the width of the table that determines the size you should install. Probably your 12' table has 10' leaders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littleshoes Posted July 21, 2010 Report Share Posted July 21, 2010 oh shoot, i wish i had waited to install mine. i put them on the other day and in the process took off my zippers. it just wasn't coming to me , how i could leave them on. i may someday redo them and put the zippers back on, but then again, i've used the leader grips for a week now, and love them too! i may never need the zippers with this system. i've only done a few lap sized quilts so far, so will be curious to see how they work with a bigger backing, but so far so good. no more pins for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joy Posted July 21, 2010 Report Share Posted July 21, 2010 Thanks Lynda Is there any chance you can post a photo of how you put your on the leaders Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliagraves Posted July 21, 2010 Report Share Posted July 21, 2010 I wonder if the plastic grippers are going to fatigue over time. I use Q-Snaps (from my cross stitch days) as the side clamps, and it's the same concept - a plastic sleeve that goes around a plastic dowel) and I've had to replace the gripper sleeve - it gets a little loose. Julia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klwheeler Posted July 22, 2010 Report Share Posted July 22, 2010 I am so happy with my Leader Grips and I have the 14 ft table but the leaders are 12' and it has really simplfied the process of loading quilts. I used long corsage pins and bled alot. It took 30 mins to pin the back in place. Now it is a few minutes! Wow already they are a lifesaver! One of the best investments I have made on my machine. I also love my new M & M wheels!!! Karen Wheeler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calicokat Posted July 22, 2010 Report Share Posted July 22, 2010 OH WOW! Just watched the video and I can't wait to get a set ordered. No more poked fingers, holes snagged in shirts, etc. woo hoo!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkle Posted July 22, 2010 Report Share Posted July 22, 2010 I occasionally do Fleece Quilts and flannel as well---Do you think the Leader Grips will hold thicker backing fabrics. ? I could buy these and continue pinning the occasional thicker fabrics, but I'm just curious. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bekah Posted July 22, 2010 Report Share Posted July 22, 2010 sounds wonderful!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joy Posted July 22, 2010 Report Share Posted July 22, 2010 Does anyone know if the post them to australia. I have emailed them twice with no reply Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltlover03 Posted July 22, 2010 Report Share Posted July 22, 2010 Joy, I believe they are at vacation for the next 2 weeks. I just got an e-mail from Regina, so be patient. They will ship to Canada, so I imagine they'll post to Australia as well. If I had a new product,. i would...great marketing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkle Posted July 24, 2010 Report Share Posted July 24, 2010 Thanks Debbie for the info. on their use for thicker fabrics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelleywa Posted July 24, 2010 Report Share Posted July 24, 2010 Joy, I recently had an email from Regina - she thinks the postage will be an extra $23 . She suggested waiting until late August/early Sept as they are going to update the website and offer more options for those who like to float their quilts. So I am going to wait until then. Shelley Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busy Quilting Posted July 24, 2010 Report Share Posted July 24, 2010 Sounds like we need to do a bulk order to Australia then split up up and send to the other states! But if Shelley is correct in the postage costs singly might be the way to go. Lyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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