Leader cloths

[gardenquilter]

i float mine down the front cindy i still use my clamps on the side to hold off of it in place - the advantage to floating it is it saves time - if i thought i had to take out stitches i would spend the extra time and pin the top -

[quilterbee]

I float my top and batt because it's easy and I haven't ever had problems with tucks or anything. I just use my duckbill clamps and my 505 and I'm all set. All 3 are on the takeup roller, the backing on the backing roller and the top/batt just float. I love the simplicity of it and my clamps are as efficient as using the top roller. I just took it off and now I have more space. Amie )

[TooMuchFabric]

I have been looking at the premade leader cloths available from the Grace Company but they are a bit more than my budget will allow. I saw leader cloths by the yard in the Nancy's Notions catalog and wondered if anyone had any experience with the product.

Thanks,

Jo Ann

[quilterbee]

I have my leaders 10' long and keep them on all the time. The only time you would need to change your leaders are is they were not long enough. Amie

[cindyg]

Your leaders should be at least as long as your quilt. I put my longest leaders on and keep them on no matter the size of the quilt.

[TooMuchFabric]

Do your leaders have measurements on them?

[quilterbee]

I put a black Sharpie line in the Centerof the leaders so everything is straight. I fold the top and back so the crease is the center point. So I pin the crease to the black line. Amie )

[corning]

My leaders are the length of the poles. I have sewn a sleeping bag separating zipper on the leaders for the take up pole and the pole the backing is loaded on. I take half of the zipper off and sew on the top, or backing with soluble thread. Zip it back onto the leader. After quilting I just spray with water and they come right off.

[gardenquilter]

i just got new ones my old ones were tattered and torn about 12 years old - they were and are as long as my bars - I ordered zippers for them and cant wait to get them on then i will be able to take a quilt off and reload it when necessary - it happens sometimes -
i mark a center line in the leaders and use that as my reference