Q-Snap Leave In?

[LaraAmber]

I just started using Q-Snaps (and love them) but have a question. Is it safe to leave my project in the Q-Snap or should I take it out when I stop like I did with my embroidery hoops?

The reason I ask is since my Q-Snaps are new they are so tight I worry that constant on-off with them might wear the fabric a bit and I am using a smaller Q-Snap frame then the size of my finished project.

Thoughts?

[karen4bells]

I've been using qsnaps for at least 3 years now and leave them in. I almost never move them at all until I need to in order to continue stitching. If I have to use the snaps over an already stitched area, I use a strip of thin fabric or paper towel between the stitching and the qsnap. Even if lines should appear when you remove the qsnap, they will smooth out easily enough once you do your finishes process(rinse/wash process and ironing, etc)
Hope this all makes sense

[Rose]

I agree with Karen. I have used the q-snaps for years and years and I never take mine off..... but then I never took my projects off when I used a hoop either.

[MaggieM1750]

Yep- what Karen and Rose have said.
I've been using them for years.. actually need to get a set of replacement clips soon. I leave projects on until I need to move it around. And like Rose.. I did that with regular hoops too.

[Arianwen]

I agree with everyone else. My projects almost always stay on the frames from start to finish apart from when I move them around and I have never had a problem. I use a strip off an old cotton pillow case to help protect the stitching.

If you're worried about the tension side of things, you can always twist the clips around to slacken it off a bit until you next stitch

[LaraAmber]

Thanks for the responses. Last night I went ahead and left the project in the Q-Snap. Should make it easier tonight to not first have to put it in the frame and tuck the fabric in to the cover.

How do you store you project between sessions? I can't leave the Q-Snap on my stand, my toddler has a hard enough time leaving the knobs alone, I would come back to fabric covered in sticky fingerprints and possible crayon. The current project is in a 11 x 11 Q-Snap.

[MaggieM1750]

My projects are on a smaller frame. So I put them in a vinyl zippered folder that I got from the office supply store. Then carry it around with me in a canvas tote bag, along with maybe 3-4 other projects. Or just toss the single zip folder into my purse. I like that it all stays contained in one zippered case.

For something bigger.. a woman at my stitch group keeps her projects in a pillow case. With floss box and tool box just tossed into her canvas tote bag.

[Arianwen]

I am currently using the 11x17 configuration.

I store my projects in an old (clean!) cotton pillow case. that includes my charts and if possible, my threads as well.

If you have a toddler, you might want to think about some kind of box etc that you can put up out of temptations way.

While I do my best to make sure that my hands are clean before stitching, I don't worry over much about sticky fingerprints etc because I almost always wash it when I am done unless it has speciality over dyed threads or is on hand dyed fabric