How do I use the Qsnap, don't laugh

[littleturtlegirl]

I just finished gridding my fabric, I took the Qsnap out of the package for the first time and tried to put my fabric on the Qsnap....I have Aida 16 count, it is thick, so maybe that is the issue. I can't get it tight, I can't get the Qsnap to move like I see in the videos. I had paper towels under the snaps, will not move. I took the paper towels out, still will not move.

I am ready to toss them out, I know I have to be missing something. You guys all love them, what am I doing wrong?

Thank you for helping me get my sanity back...I just want to stitch this design already...

[NeedleAndFork]

It took a while for me to get the fabric just right in mine so I was happy with them. I'm not sure what you mean by it won't move though. The way I do it is to use some fairly thick fleece between the snap and my fabric and attach one side. Then I pull as tight and evenly as I cna and attach the opposite side, but instead putting the snap on evenly on the edge , I put it a bit more to the front, and then rotate it towards the back to help tighten the fabric and get it as taut as possible. Then I do the same with the sides, attaching first one then the other and then rotating them towards the back to tighten up the fabric.

[Rose]

I too am not sure what you mean , hey won't move. I don't want mine to move other then just for tightness.

I do the same as N&F, except I do not add any fabric I use that non-skid stuff they have for drawers.

[MaggieM1750]

When your Snaps are new.. they are tight.. so the paper towel probably isn't necessary just quite yet.

When I put my fabric on them, I lay fabric over the top of it. Clamp one side. Then I pull tight-ish and clamp the opposite side. Then the two last sides. Positioning my clamps in a similar spot as Needle and Fork.. sort of towards the front and tighten them up a bit when I have done all 4 sides.

When the clips are new and tight.. to get them off, I either slide them off to the side. Or I hold the frame in a corner and pull up on the extra fabric.

[littleturtlegirl]

I guess the word I am looking for is rotate. The clips that you put on will not rotate. The are VERY tight, I guess it is because they are new. And yes getting them off was with the act of God. I am so worried about what they will do to the stitching once I start. I am in the middle of something, but I will try all your suggestions tonight and post an update. If I can't get it to work I will post a picture of how loose the fabric is inside them.

Thank you guys for the advice!!!

[fccs]

Depending on the fabric I'm using, mine are pretty tight, also. (My QSnaps are relatively new.) When I want to rotate the clamp part to tighten or loosen the tension, I find if I rest one side of the QSnap on my lap and then use both hands to gently rotate the clamp, it works. I have a heck of a time getting them off when I'm done, but I persevere.

[littleturtlegirl]

Thank you for all the advice. I clearly needed to put some serious muscle into rotating those clamps. They are soooo tight. I put the bottom against my table and with both hands I rotated them on. The fabric is a little slanted, but at this point I don't think I care. I just want to stitch already. You guys are soooo helpful!

[karen4bells]

Thank you for all the advice. I clearly needed to put some serious muscle into rotating those clamps. They are soooo tight. I put the bottom against my table and with both hands I rotated them on. The fabric is a little slanted, but at this point I don't think I care. I just want to stitch already. You guys are soooo helpful!

I'm glad you've been able to get the fabric taut finally. I am sure with time, your clamps will become a bit looser and you shouldn't have that worry at all. I've had my 3 sets of qsnaps for a a few yrs now and still enjoy using them to do my stitching on!!

[Mystonique]

I think the others have given you some good suggestions. If they are so seriously tight as to be unusable I would run them under hot water with a scrap piece of material in ... that should loosen them a touch.

This is one of the reasons I have never looked at using q snaps. So it's horses for courses!

[calico]

Sounds like everything needs to loosen up a bit, both the Qsnaps and the Aida. That will happen over time. It's like a new pair of shoes AND socks..... I'm one of the few that don't really care much for Qsnaps and can,t get them to work for me. Love my hoops