SewTites Magnum Magnets - Load Frames Faster!

Load Quilting Frames Faster with SewTites Magnum Magnets

Putting quilts on our quilting frames has just gotten easier! SewTite Magnum magnets are super sized magnet bars designed to secure your quilt backing to leader cloth or directly to your frame rails.

Use SewTites Magnum Magnets on a Hoop Frame

The first load on a hoop frame is the hardest because the quilt tends to slip off the frame and the back clamps don't have much to hang onto. Using SewTite Magnum magnets will give you the control you need to quickly secure your quilt to any hoop frame:

• Evolution Hoop Frame
• Cutie Frame or Cutie Breeze Frame
• Q-Zone Hoop Frame

First layer your quilt backing, batting, and quilt top to create a sandwich. I like to do this on a wall so the layers smooth out evenly. (Affiliate) I recently found these magnetic whiteboard strips which work great with SewTites Magnum to hang the backing fabric on the wall. Then pin the batting and quilt top to the backing fabric, about 3 inches from the top of the backing fabric.

Once the layers are smoothed out and ready to go, lay the quilt sandwich over the hoop frame. Use three SewTite Magnum magnets to secure the quilt backing to the back rail of the frame. Smooth out the backing fabric and add more magnets, spaced 3 fingers (or 1 1/2 - 3 inches) apart.

Attach the hoop frame side and front clamps as usual and begin quilting. When you're ready to advance side-to-side, remove the front and side clamps, remove all but 1-2 SewTites, then slide the quilt from left to right. This allows you to shift the quilt evenly side-to-side without it slipping off the frame. Reattach all of the SewTite Magnum magnets to the back rail and continue quilting!

Now that a row of your quilt is quilted, you'll be able to switch to your hoop frame back clamps for the next row. SewTite Magnums help when quilting the first row when there isn't much fabric and batting to clamp.

Installing SewTites Magnum Magnets on a Rolling Rail Frame

You can install the backs of your SewTites Magnum magnets directly into your leader cloth if you have a rolling rail frame like these:

• Q-Zone Queen Frame
• Evolution Elite Frame
  
• Continuum II (Discontinued 2022)
• Continuum (Discontinued 2020)

This is very similar to modifying your leader cloth for Red Snappers. Remove the leader cloth from the frame and fold over the non-Velcro edge of the leader cloth 3/4 inch. Edge stitch along the finished edge to create a 5/8 inch casing to fit the SewTites Magnum backs. The back piece is silver and one side has a diamond shaped texture.

Insert one magnet back into the casing at a time, making sure the diamond texture faces the right side of the leader cloth. Stitch lines perpendicular to lock the metal bars in place and create space between each magnet back.

SewTite magnet backs are also available in packs of 5. You may find yourself needing far more backs held within leader cloth which is why these sets are so helpful.

How much space should be between the magnets?

This is up to you, but I liked 3 fingers of space (1 1/2 - 2 inches) between my Magnums. When I emailed SewTites, they didn't have a specific recommendation, but mentioned that longarmers will space the magnets anywhere from 1 to 4 inches apart depending on their preference.

Once the leader cloth is modified with as many magnet backs as can fit, reattach it to your frame using the Velcro strips. Now you can use the magnets to secure your backing fabric instead of pins!

Line up the midpoint of the backing fabric with the midpoint of the leader cloth. Click on the SewTite Magnums to the magnet backs one by one. Check that the backing fabric is smooth and flat and the edge lines up nicely with the stitching on the leader cloth.

Repeat these steps with the opposite edge of the backing fabric attached to your front rail. Your quilt backing is now secured and ready to have batting and the quilt top loaded on your frame!

Common Questions about SewTites Magnum Magnets

Why choose SewTite Magnum over Red Snappers?

SewTites Magnum are most helpful for the first load on hoop frames. You won't need many magnets and this tool basically eliminates the need for hoop frame leader cloth.

Hoop Frames also aren't compatible with Red Snappers - the thick tubes we use for that system stick out weirdly on a hoop frame and make loading and advancing the quilt more challenging.

If you're using a rolling rail frame, you'll need to compare cost and features. Snappers work great on rolling rail frames and installing them in your leader cloth will be a little faster than the SewTite Magnums.

But snappers do add bulk. The SewTites Magnum magnets rest flatter in your leader cloth. This reduces bulk in your quilt as it rolls up on the back rail of your frame.

I have had a few returns of snapper sets because quilters with poor hand strength couldn't use the clamps. SewTites Magnum magnets might work for quilters who don't have the dexterity to use snappers.

However, for very long rolling rail frames, you will need a LOT of magnets, and this can get expensive. I recommend modifying only your back rail leader cloth first, check that you like how SewTite Magnums work and how many you will need. Then once you're sure this tool is for you, purchase and install more magnets into the remaining leader cloth.

How Many SewTites Magnum Will I Need?

Here's my estimate for the number of SewTites Magnum magnets you'll need for these frames:

• Cutie or Cutie Breeze Frame - 8 magnets for the back rail
• Q-Zone Hoop Frame - 9 magnets for the back rail
• Evolution Hoop Frame - 10 magnets for the back rail (20 magnets total for using this hybrid frame in rolling rail style)
• 8 Foot Rolling Rail - 15 magnets per rail
• 10 Foot Rolling Rail - 19 magnets per rail
• 12 Foot Rolling Rail - 23 magnets per rail

You'll also need an additional 4 magnets if you install them in your side leader cloth.

This estimate is based on spacing the SewTite Magnum Magnets 2 inches apart across the length of the rails. You may need more or less depending on your preferred magnet spacing.

SewTites Magnum Specifications

• Color: Yellow
  
• Made of: Plastic and Metal
  
• Use: Magnetic Sewing Pins
  
• Size: 3.98in x 0.59in