How is my quilt attached to the machine?
First the top and bottom edge of your backing is attached to the machine using the Red Snapper Clamping method. This means no pins or zippers. You can watch a video here to see how it works.
After the backing is secured to rollers - side clamps are attached to the left and right side of the backing. THIS is why long arm quilters ask you to make your backing at least 4” longer than your top on all four sides. Next comes the layer of batting and then your top.
I prefer to "float the top" as opposed to attaching it to another set of rollers. This allows me to lift the top and the batting each time I advance the backing on the rollers to check that everything is still flat and without issue..