SewTites For Your Longarm – Magnum Magnetics

Let me tell you about the SewTites for your longarm! I am excited to share my experience and how it works for me.

These magnets are mega strong and perfect for longarm machines… you know how loading the backing fabric using pins is kind of tedious.

I’ve tried another system for loading them and didn’t really like it (I tell you about it in the video). So I was a little hesitant on using the SewTites, but I really do like it!

Currently I don’t have the pieces stitched in place on the longarm leader or ender… that will be coming though as at the end these can pop out of the channel they are put into. For now though, I have them set up and use them. They are great.

What are the SewTites Magnums

SewTites Magnums are long, magnetic pins designed to hold thick or delicate fabrics together without puncturing them, ideal for longarm quilting, bag making, and working with materials like leather or cork.

Consisting of strong magnets and a metal backing, they attach by sliding apart and snapping onto the fabric, providing a secure hold for projects where pins or clips are impractical.

How they work:

1. Separate the pieces:
   The magnetic unit is comprised of a yellow plastic piece with strong magnets on the back and a smooth-backed metal piece.
2. Align and apply:
   Slide the magnets apart to separate them. Then, align the pieces of fabric you need to join and snap the SewTite Magnums on to secure them.
3. Sew:
   The magnets hold the fabric in place, allowing you to sew without traditional pins or working around clips.
   Key features and uses:
   Longarm quilting:
   They are particularly useful for loading quilts onto longarm machines, helping to align the backing and hold it in place without pins.

Alternative to pins:
SewTites Magnums are a pin-free alternative, preventing damage and allowing for greater precision.
Strong bond:
The earth magnets create a powerful bond, though it’s recommended to slide them apart to separate rather than prying them open.

Where to buy a set

• SewTites store (save 15% with this link)

How many sets will you need?

My longarm machine is on a 10 foot frame. So, I needed 2 tins. One for the upper bar and one for the lower. They are spaced around 2-3 inches gab in between, so you can measure your bars and get what you need.

Watch Me Set Them Up and Load the Quilt:

How to load the SewTites on your longarm:

Separate the Magnum SewTites by sliding them sideways. They are very strong and pulling them apart will break a nail.

Slide the silver back of the Magnum inside the channel on your leaders and enders. If you don’t have a channel for the, you will need to fold over the edge and sew one.

I place the first silver back in the center of the leader and ender.

Continue sliding in the silver backing pieced into the channel and then place the yellow on top to keep it into place.

At this point, you could sew a line in the channel to keep the silver backing from sliding around. I didn’t do this, but I will.

Drape the edge of the fabric over the bar so it just covers the magnetic part.

Place the yellow top in place to secure the fabric in between the two magnetic pieces.

Continue the process, moving from the center to the edges – draping the fabric over the top, placing the yellow on top to secure.

At this point you can go back and make any adjustments if you need.

You may find a few places where the fabric drapes too much or not enough. Simply slide the yellow magnet off and reposition the fabric, then slide it back on.

This is a quick look at both ends of the quilt backing on the bars.

They are a little thicker so be aware of that when you are rolling the fabric on the bar. They will clank a few times as well before there is a bit of a fabric buffer as well.

If anything gets off kilter, again they are easy to adjust.

More Longarm Quilting Resources

What’s the best batting for quilting? This is one question that I get a lot.

Learn how long it takes to make a quilt… depending on the size, you can finish one in a weekend.

You can sew with your standard sewing machine. Don’t be afraid of giving that a try.

Don’t overthink quilting. Keeping it simple will help you make progress.

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