I have been researching some of the available systems for faster loading of quilts on my machine quilting frame. Some people love Red Snappers and some swear by Leader Grips. I have seen tutorials for Mondo Clips and magnets. I have not wanted to spend the $ because for every good review, there is one not so good. I saw one note somewhere using flexible plumbing tubing and rope light tracks. Friday evening we were driving by Home Depot and Stopped on a whim to see if you could even find rope light track. Wow! Under $4 for a 6′ length. $10 for a 20′ length of tubing. For a total of $22, I decided to try it.
It is hard to get a good pic of the track. The red strip is a self adhesive strip that I will leave on. My leaders already had a casing for the 3/8″ tubing.
I only bought enough for three rollers since I generally float my tops.
Once the tube is inserted into the casing, the track clamps the backing fabric to the leader. It is hard to describe but not hard to do.
So now I have a backing and batting loaded.
I guess I better get working on a top!
Until next time…
KatyQuilts 
I new to this. Can you explain your pictures more.; Could you do a step by step tutorial for your experiment? I would really like to use your method.
So, did it work to your satisfaction?
I have been trying to figure out the actual product that people have used-the fact that you told where you purchased items and the pictures of the label was fantastic. Have to return what I had bought previously as it not the correct stuff. Thanks so much.
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Amazing to find your blog post about this. I’ve been researching this for the last couple of months. I’m looking at 5/16 inch rope light track and tubing online but haven’t purchased anything yet. I’ll head to Home Depot tomorrow and give this a try. Thanks so much for sharing.
Betty: Have a safe trip. Congrats to you grandma that is so awesome. I’ll be watching & cheering her on for sure now. I think you will like the tubing versa the wood. And as far as the belly bar I don’t thing it made that much of a difference. But since my frame is more for the mid-arm, maybe Katy can tell you how it works for her.
Hi, glad it works for you. I went to Home Depot and got all the supplies, got both the wood dowl and the tubing, ready to try it but leaving Monday for Soch to see my granddaughter in the Olympics JessieDiggins.com. I put it on my back takeup bar but a little worried about putting it on the front belly bar as it will raise the quilt up requiring me to adjust the bar down. Will try it as soon as I get back.
Betty: Have you tried this yet? I did and it works greats, Love it. And far less expensive then the others you can buy on the internet – Thanks again Katy. And thanks for your blogs, I look forward to seeing them. Keeps me inspired.
Hi, I’d like to know how this worked also, thanks!
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I have a crib sized frame and use the Mondo Clips but this looks SO much easier!! Thank you! ::: sounds of footsteps as I run out the door to Home Depot :::
I’m curious as to how this worked out for you.
Wow. I will be interested in how this works. Pinning is almost as bad as ironing the backing!