How Do I Use Magnets as a Sewing Tool?
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Time to read 4 min
Learn to Use The Best Magnetic Sewing Tools
When you think of sewing tools, magnets might not be the first thing that come to mind—but they’ve become one of our go-to essentials. Whether we’re working on embroidery, quilting, or even prepping fabric for cutting, magnets have changed how we work at the machine. In this session, we’re sharing how we use SewTites magnets in our own sewing spaces.
From securing thick quilt sandwiches to holding fabric in place without leaving holes, these little tools are surprisingly powerful—and once you try them, you’ll wonder how you ever sewed without them.
Magnets for Embroidery Hooping: A No-Pin Solution
Machine embroidery often requires stabilizers and adhesives to keep fabric in place. But what if you could ditch sticky sprays and hooping struggles altogether? With SewTites magnets, securing fabric inside your hoop has never been easier.
Skip the spray and try this instead:
• Hoop the fabric and stabilizer in your embroidery hoop as you normally would.
• Use SewTites magnets to hold the appliqué fabric or topper in place on top of your hooped fabric instead of adhesive spray or clips.
• Easily reposition fabric before stitching begins, ensuring a smooth and wrinkle-free finish.
Pro Tip: Use your machine’s basting stitch function before starting the embroidery to outline your design area. This ensures the magnets stay outside the stitching zone.
Magnets for Quilting & Binding
Keeping quilt layers in place while stitching can be a challenge. Spray adhesives can be messy, some temporary glues don't provide enough hold and pins can cause puckering. Magnets offer a cleaner, more reliable solution by keeping layers flat and secure without slipping.
Using Magnets for Binding:
• Magnets replace tape and other adhesives, ensuring a firm hold without sticky residue.
• They allow you to adjust the fabric without removing them constantly.
• Simply slide them along the fabric as you stitch for a smooth, even binding.
Pro Tip: SewTites long bar magnets work exceptionally well for securing large quilt edges in one step—no mess, no hassle!
Magnets for Garment Sewing & Pattern Cutting
Garment sewing requires precise cutting and alignment, especially for necklines, sleeves, and curved edges. Traditional pattern weights can shift, but magnets provide a stronger, more reliable hold.
Magnetic Help for Tricky Curves:
• Place SewTites magnets along pattern edges instead of using pins.
• Adjust fabric easily without removing and replacing clips.
• Get cleaner, more accurate cuts without shifting fabric.
Pro Tip: For garment construction, use magnets on tricky areas like armholes and necklines to maintain accuracy.
Our Favorite Way to Cut Fabric (No Slipping!)
We’ve both been loving the SewTites Sew Magnetic Cutting System—especially that magnetic ruler. It grips right onto the mat, so there’s no sliding around while you cut. The markings are super clear, and we can flip it for half-inch or whole-inch cuts without losing precision. Thanks to the magnets inside, we don’t have to press down hard, which saves our wrists on long cutting days.
Add in the booster magnets for bulky fabrics, and this system handles just about anything—leather, foam, cuddle, you name it. If you’re tired of chasing your ruler around the mat, this setup is a serious upgrade.
Magnetic Needle Minders: Store Your Pins & Needles
Tired of losing needles or dropping pins while sewing? A magnetic needle minder ensures your pins and scissors are always within reach.
A smarter way to stay organized:
• Stick the needle minder to your sleeve or lapel.
• Place pins, needles, magnets, and scissors on the magnetic surface.
• Keep your workspace tidy and prevent lost needles!
Pro Tip: Avoid putting pins in your mouth while sewing—use a magnetic needle minder instead!
Why Every Sewist Needs Magnets
We rely on magnets all the time in our sewing rooms—they’ve quickly become some of our most-used tools. From prepping fabric to hooping embroidery, magnets make the process smoother and a lot less frustrating.
Here's how we like to use them:
• Embroidery Hooping – No sticky sprays or clips needed.
• Quilting & Binding – Holds layers in place without shifting.
• Longarm Quilting – Easily attach fabric to leader cloth.
• Fabric Cutting – Secure fabric for precise cuts.
• Garment Sewing – Replace pattern weights for better accuracy.
We hope you love sewing with magnets as much as we do. If you are not sure which sewing magnets are the best fit for your projects, our team has tried plenty—pin-free holders, cutting tools, strong hooping magnets—and would happy to share what we have found works best, depending on what you’re working on.
Call 1(800) 687-5175 to chat with one of our sewing experts to find the perfect magnetic tools to make your sewing projects easier, faster, and frustration-free.
Happy Sewing! - Carmen & Andrea
Can I use regular craft magnets for sewing projects?
No, regular craft magnets are not strong enough. SewTites magnets are designed for sewing, quilting, and embroidery, offering a secure hold without shifting.
Will magnets interfere with my sewing machine?
No, when placed correctly, magnets will not interfere with your machine. Make sure they are positioned outside the stitching area to prevent damage to the needle.
How do magnets help with embroidery hooping?
Magnets replace sticky sprays and clips, making hooping easier. SewTites Originals and SewTites HD keep fabric taut without distortion.
Can magnets be used instead of binding clips for quilting?
Yes! Magnets hold fabric layers in place while quilting, reducing puckering and shifting. SewTites Magnum are great for large quilt edges and binding.
