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Making Cloth Leaders
1: First, select your cloth leader material. We recommend using a good quality muslin or
similar fabric that has a good thread count. Be aware, however, that if the fabric is too
thick, it may prove more difficult getting it installed into the rail slot.
2: Surge or hem your cloth leaders on all sides.
3: Make cloth leaders in the widths shown. (The recommended length is 105”, this length will
accommodate any width of quilt that can be made on your Quilting Frame.)
4: Make a dashed line along the length of your leader about ½” in from the edge with a pen or
marker. You will use this as a guide to help you insert your leader into the slot in straight line.
(OPTIONAL: For a straighter cloth leader installation, some may consider it easier to make
a hem and then push the tubing into the hem before installing it into the slot. If you wish to do
this, create a hem on one end of each leader by folding over the fabric one inch (1”), and,
using your foot pedal as a guide, stitching the fabric together 3/4” from the fold. This will leave
about ¼” of fabric beyond the stitching. Leave the edges open on both ends. You may then slide
your tubing into the hem, Fig. CL1-1).
5: Mark each cloth leader at the center (length-wise).
6: Mark (or baste) a straight line about ½” in from the opposite (non-hemed, or non-dashed) end
of the leader. This will be the line to which you attach your fabric layer.
7: Center your cloth leader lengthwise along the rail. Using Grace’s Fabri-FastTM System, take a
piece of plastic tubing (cut to the appropriate length), and, holding your cloth leader to the slot
(lining up the dashed line), press the tubing over the leader and into the slot. Use the Fabri-Fast
tool to press the rest of the tube and fabric in quickly and easily. (If you have made a hem, line
up this hem w/ tubing over the slot and press it into the slot using the Fabri-Fast tool. 8: With
Cloth Leaders in place, pin your Quilt Fabric to the Leaders, rather than attaching it directly to the
Rails.
Installing Fabric Layers onto Rails
STEP 1: Quilt Backing to 2nd Rail
Step 1-1: To begin, determine which will be the front and back
edges of your quilt backing (make sure the backing is not wider
than your quilting frame).Note: If your backing is made up of
more than one piece of fabric, cut your selvedges off and flatten
them out to allow the backing the proper give it needs.
Step 1-2: Line up the center of your fabric layer with the center
of the cloth leader on the 2nd rail. Pin the back edge of your
backing to the leader cloth. This is to be done with the finished
side of the fabric facing down. Note: Do not stretch or pull the
fabric during this process, let it lay as naturally as possible.
backing
take up
leader
1st rail
2nd rail
backing
1st rail
2nd rail
Fig.1-1
Fig.1-2
Summary of Contents for SR2+
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