The Joy of Quilting with Your Long-Arm Machine
11
KathyQuilts.com
Cloth Leaders
Cloth Leaders allow you to quilt all the way to the end of your quilt. Without them you
would have to have the quilt back be several inches longer so your could quilt all the
way to the end of your quilt. The Grace Company Continuum frame includes Start
Right Cloth leaders.
If you make your own leaders, make sure to get leaders made of sturdy, durable
fabric that will maintain the tension on the quilt. If the leaders stretch excessively, the
quilt will not be tensioned evenly.
Some Grace frames, like the Continuum, have leaders that are installed by being
glued and taped onto the rail for use (the first time you install them). Older Grace
frames come with the Fabri-Fast system for cloth leaders that allow you to slip a tube
into one side of the leader, which then clips into the groove of the rail. After your
leader is clipped into the groove of the rail, you can pin a quilt on.
Pins
Quilt Back
Quilt Batting
Quilt Top
Take-Up
Cloth Leader
TAKE-UP
RAIL
QUILT BACK
RAIL
QUILT TOP
RAIL
Read the
instructions that
come with your
quilting frame so
you know the sizes
of the leaders for
each frame rail
HELPFUL VIDEO:
Installing Leaders on Continuum
Installing Leaders Fabri-Fast Rails
KATHY SAYS: Before you put your leaders on the frame,
mark the center of your rails and the center of your leaders.
Make sure these centered markings are always aligned,
especially when you will be pinning a quilt to the leaders.
