Q-Snaps

[Kathy_A]

I'm using these for the first time, and I was just wondering if those who are more experienced with them could give me a recommendation on how long I should leave my project in them before I irreparably warp the material? Right now, I'm taking the Aida cloth out of the snaps about every 10 days or so and leaving it out overnight before putting it back.

I'm more used to stretcher bars where I put the material in place and just leave it there until I'm done with the project, no matter how many years that might take.

[Rose]

The majority of my stitching is done on aida fabric and work with Q snaps. Unless I need to move the frame to finish a section or I want to take a look/picture of my stitched work I never take my projects off. When I am finished I take it off and wash it. The fabric has always bounced back once it is washed and ironed. I know some take the frame or hoop off every night but I just don't see the need.

[Allyn]

I don't use Q-Snap as my go-to frame, but my girlfriend does. She doesn't take the fabric off until the piece is done or she has to move the frame to continue stitching. All she does is slightly roll the clamps -- very slight roll, maybe 1/8-inch or less -- to loosen the tension at the end of her session, and then roll the clamps back to apply tension when she picks it up to start working. I'm not sure it's necessary, but that's what she does.

[cairee]

I use Q snaps, I only take them off if I need to move it to a new section of fabric or if I want that Q snap for another project (3 frames and over a dozen wips/ufos)

[rcperryls]

I use both Q snaps and wooden hoops, mostly the Q snaps. I leave them on until I have to move the fabric or because I am moving to a different WIP project. I have never had a problem with any permanent damage to the fabric, mostly 25 or 28 ct evenweaves or 18 ct Charles Croft afghan fabrics.

Carole

[Kathy_A]

Oh, good!! Thanks for the validation--I really don't like having to take the snaps off unless I absolutely have to. I'll probably still take them off once a month or so just to give it a bit of a break and maybe to take my how-far-I've-gotten photo.

[Kathy_A]

One more question about Q-Snaps to those who've used them--when you move the frame over towards the center of the fabric and have to snap the frame over an already-stitched portion of fabric, do you put a thin piece of material between the plastic snap and the stitches? Will it snap over something with that much bulk to it (aida cloth, floss, and protective material)?

[karen4bells]

One more question about Q-Snaps to those who've used them--when you move the frame over towards the center of the fabric and have to snap the frame over an already-stitched portion of fabric, do you put a thin piece of material between the plastic snap and the stitches? Will it snap over something with that much bulk to it (aida cloth, floss, and protective material)?

I usually use a piece of paper towel between the stitches and the clamp---a very thin piece of fabric will work too

[Arianwen]

I currently use a piece of fleece to protect my stitches, it seems to work fine and I haven't noticed the clamps becoming too loose yet, but i will just pop them in the dishwasher or a pot of hot water to reshape them

[Allyn]

We -- my girlfriend and I -- don't put anything under the clamp. I know other folks put something between the clamp and the stitches to protect them or cushion them, but we haven't found the need to 'protect' or 'cushion' them and nothing bad has happened.

[19Roland19]

I currently use a piece of fleece to protect my stitches, it seems to work fine and I haven't noticed the clamps becoming too loose yet, but i will just pop them in the dishwasher or a pot of hot water to reshape them

Oh....never thought to do that. Thanks.

[cairee]

I dont usually cushion the stitches, I have paper towel on one because the linen kept slipping on the q snap so I needed it a little tighter.