Are Longarm Magnets Worth the Hype? (SewTites Magnum Magnetic Pins Product Review)
SewTites Magnum Magnetic Sewing Pins are an accurate, pain-free way to attach your quilt back to your longarm quilting machine. SewTites is a woman-owned company that specializes in magnetic products to make sewing easier, more precise, and a little less… prickly! (I know I’m not the only one who has stabbed myself more times than I can count with my straight pins!). Let’s talk about why switching from pins to magnets for your longarm is worth the hype and the expense.
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Longarm quilters are almost constantly finding new ways to attach the quilt back to the leaders for quilting. You can use straight pins, plastic tubing, or, now, magnets. For years, I've been a pinner. I love the accuracy and control that pins give me when loading a quilt back. But I stab myself often enough that we simply call it "the blood sacrifice." A few years ago, SewTites (makers of the rotating mat that changed my life) came out with big ol' magnets designed to replace pins. I've had my eye on them forever, but, let's be honest, they're pricy. So, are they worth the hype?
(Before we go any further, let’s fully acknowledge the fact that SewTites named these the “Magnums.” I laugh every single time I say, “Can you pass me the box of Magnums.” So, if you chuckle as you read this, yeah, I’m right there with you.)
As I was saying, I’ve had my eye on the Magnums, and I know quilters who LOVE them, but I was unsure about the investment. Then SewTites generously gifted me a set so I could check them out first hand. My key questions included:
Are they easy to use?
Are they as secure and accurate as pins?
Are they worth the investment?
Not to spoil the ending, but I love them. They are easy, they are accurate, and I think they’re worth the investment. But let’s break down WHY together:
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Product Details
SewTites® Magnums are the longest SewTites magnet, designed for loading quilts onto longarm machines quickly, easily, and painlessly.
They also work great for keeping beads in when sewing weighted blankets, as well as for some bagmaking applications.
Choose from a 5-pack or 20-pack in a keepsake tin.
Dimensions: 3.98” x .59” (101 x 15 mm) each
Magnet Strength: 5 stronger earth magnets on back
Important Safety Note: Please keep this and all magnets away from medical devices such as pacemakers.
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Key Questions
Are they Easy to Use?
My primary hesitation about the SewTites Magnums was that they would be fiddly. Many of us have used magnetic nametags and experienced the annoyance of trying to hold the nametag straight on the front of our shirt while getting the backing in place. It takes way too much focus for such a simple task! The Magnums are a similar set up, so I expected a similar annoyance.
NOPE. You never have to fiddle with the front and back of the magnet at the same time. Instead, all of the backs slide into the little “sleeve” on the edge of your longarm leader. To load your quilt back, you simply slide the front of the magnet off with your thumbs, position your backing, then snap the front back into place. As a bonus, this makes it easy to take your quilt off, too, and store the magnets right on the leader.
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Are they as secure and accurate as pins?
Yes! I started “slow” with the Magnums and only put them on the bottom of my quilt back to see how they felt. Then, I jumped in with both feet and used them top and bottom on a queen sized quilt that I was custom quilting. When I custom quilt, I frequently roll the quilt back and forth, so this was the perfect stress test for the Magnums. And let me tell you, they passed with flying colors.
Are they worth the investment?
A box of 20 SewTites Magnums costs about $200 USD, and you need about 2 magnets per foot of leader. Because I have a 12 foot frame, and I use two of my leaders (top and bottom of the back), I need 40 magnets. Let’s be honest, that’s a lot!
So are the SewTites Magnums worth the investment, even if you’re not a professional longarmer?
First of all, if you are a professional longarmer, the Magnums are a no brainer. RUN DON’T WALK to buy however many you need because they will be a time and skin saver worth their weight in gold with how frequently you are loading and unloading your frame.
But even if you are only quilting for yourself, I highly recommend the SewTites Magnums. They are easier to use than pins, I’m not worried about dropping one and losing a sharp object on the floor, I’m no longer nursing pricked fingers and pin scrapes that take forever to heal, and unloading the frame is so quick.
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The Review
So what are the pros and cons of the SewTites Magnum magnetic pins?
Pros:
Quick and easy to use
Stores easily on the leaders, so you’re no longer fumbling with a box of pins while trying to wrestle a quilt back
More more pin picks and scrapes (which is an extra bonus when the air is dry, if you have difficulty healing wounds, or have delicate skin)
Won’t dull over time and need to be replaced
Photogenic (we all love a pretty accessory)
Cons:
It is an investment (about $200-600 USD at the time of this writing for enough magnets for a 12 foot frame)
I don’t recommend them if you have a pacemaker or similar medical device
The Verdict
I love my Magnums! I’m the first one to admit that I’m slow to use a new tool and admit the difference that it can make, and I’m really glad I had the opportunity to use these magnets sooner rather than later. I’m very impressed with how strong the magnets are to hold the backing without being impossible to handle and manipulate. Plus, I’m really, really enjoying not having torn up fingers (because I always pricked myself at least once with each quilt)
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Resources
SHOP the SewTites website for all their amazing products, including the SewTites Magnum Magnetic Pins as well as some of my other favorites: the Magnetic Rotating Mat and Magnetic Ruler. Use code QUILTINGROCKSTAR for 10% off your purchase!
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