Locate the batting rail and center the batting on the rail. The Grace frame and ancillary tools work most effectively with a light, bonded batting.
Attach one end of the batting with the Fabri-Fast tubing, included with the Grace frame. If you cannot insert the batting into the slot because it's too thick, then substitute the tubing with packaging tape to keep batting in place.
Roll the batting onto the rail without stretching it--it doesn't matter in which direction you start. To avoid applying tension to the batting, keep the ratchet lever on the batting rail in the "neutral" position.
Place the quilt top on the frame's table surface right side up, lining up the center of the quilt top with the center of the quilt-top rail. The quilt-top rail is the middle rail.
Attach the back edge of the quilt top to the quilt-top rail with the Fabri-Fast tubing. As you insert the quilt fabric into the slot, avoid stretching or pulling on the fabric. Your quilt fabric should still be right side up.
Put the ratchet lever in the center ratcheting position, line up the fabric and roll the quilt top onto the quilt-top rail all the way. To smooth out wrinkles, brush the quilt fabric from the center outward, so you avoid stretching or pulling on the fabric.
Place the lining on the frame's table surface right side down, lining up the center of the backing with the center of the backing rail. The backing rail is the top rail.
Make sure the good side of the backing is facing the backing rail when attaching it with the Fabri-Fast tubing. As you insert it into the slot, avoid stretching or pulling the backing.
Put the ratchet lever in the center ratcheting position, line up the backing and roll it onto the backing rail all the way. To smooth out wrinkles, brush the backing from the center outward, so you avoid stretching or pulling.
Locate the take-up rail and put its ratchet lever into the center ratcheting position.
Put the back rail's ratchet lever in the "neutral" position. Take the end of backing and carefully bring it up to the take-up rail. Insert it into the take-up rail with the Fabri-Fast tubing. Put the ratchet lever back into the center ratcheting position and roll the backing rail so the fabric is flat, but loose.
Bring the batting up and in between the quilt top and backing rails, draping it over the quilt backing, along the edge of the take-up rail. Work carefully.
Put the quilt top's ratchet lever into the neutral position. Bring the quilt top up over the backing and batting carefully and place it over the batting, along the take-up rail, making sure to line them up. Pin the batting and quilt top to the backing. Put the quilt top's ratchet lever back into the center ratcheting position so you can begin sewing your quilt patterns onto the quilt.