Stitching near bottom of fabric, Q-snap not tight

[mimers]

Hi everyone --- so the current page I am working on is the very bottom right of my HAED design and the Q-snap (11 x 18) I am using just isn't holding the fabric taut enough and I am having to stitch without it but you can imagine that's kind of tough given how large my fabric is to begin with. Is there something else I can use? Any advice?

Thanks!!!

[karen4bells]

I usually find that if I use a bit of paper towel between the clamp and the fabric, the qsnap will hold it a bit snugger when I'm having to stitch like that

[speart]

Try that rubbery (I use white), gridded shelf liner for kitchen cabinets--the kind that looks like a piece of flexible canvas. It won't damage fabric or fibers and is super cheap! I get mine at the dollar store; a roll lasts for ages.

Another thing you can try is to put your snaps in the dishwasher. HONEST! It really works. China setting, no heat dry, put the clamps in the silverware bin.

[Rose]

I use 2 different tricks to help with my tension. On the bars of the q-snaps I wrap them with paper medical tape. It is the tape they use for holding bandages in place but they are not super sticky tape so it does not leave a lot of residue. The tape makes the bar less slick so the fabric does mot roll so much. I also us the shelf gripper in the claps. The combination of the tape and the gripper is what makes it work for me.

[Allyn]

...Another thing you can try is to put your snaps in the dishwasher. HONEST! It really works. China setting, no heat dry, put the clamps in the silverware bin.

I don't use Q-Snaps much anymore, so I can't help with that, but I can vouche for the dishwasher trick though I was advised to put them in the top tray only (but maybe the person who told me that didn't turn off the heat dry). The person who told me that used Q-Snaps exclusively and she spoke from experience.

[NeedleAndFork]

If you have a sewing machine, get yourself some sturdy non-stretchy fabric and sew a piece to the bottom edge using a sturdy seam - I like to use a french seam. Then let the qsnap hold that fabric instead of the edge of your fabric. It gives you a bit more wiggle room tto place your frame where you want. I frequently do this with some scrap cotton when working on ornaments and make use of even the smallest scraps of fabric this way.

Another thing to do is get some fleece and cut it into strips about 6 inches wide and the length of each side of your qsnap, and place it between the stitching fabric and the snap. It helps tighten things quite a bit, and also helps protect the fabric from your handds where you hold it. And as a bonus you can stick your needle into it when you need a quick place to part it for a second, and all those little tails of thread you cutt off stick to it too.