My Least Favorite Part of Quilting (And How I Finally Fixed It)

Let’s talk about the part of quilting no one wants to talk about.
Not the mountain of fabric you “accidentally” brought home.
Not the UFOs (Un-Finished Objects) lurking in bins under your bed.

No, I’m talking about that one part of quilting that makes you sigh dramatically every time you have to do it. For me? It’s pinning the backing to the leaders.

Ugh. Just thinking about it makes my fingers hurt. I love everything else about quilting, but pinning the fabric onto the longarm frame? It feels like a slow-motion episode of CSI: Sewing Room. There's blood. There are bent pins. And occasionally, there’s me yelling at inanimate objects.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve stabbed myself mid-load or snagged my shirt only to walk around with a stylish new hole for the rest of the day. It’s like a rite of passage… but one I never asked for.

So what’s a quilter to do?

Luckily, there are quite a few alternatives to traditional pinning. Some quilters use clamping systems like Red Snappers. These setups usually involve a rod in a sleeve sewn onto the canvas, with a plastic clip that pinches the backing fabric to the rod. They’re great for saving time and avoiding pinpricks, though some quilters find the Red Snappers difficult to snap on, especially when they’re new and the clips are still stiff.

Then there’s the zipper method. This one uses extra-long separating zippers sewn to the leaders. You unzip one side, attach it to the backing with safety pins or basting stitches, then zip it all back together. It’s clever, but it’s still not my favorite.

 But then...(cue angelic chorus) I discovered SewTite Magnums.

Magnets. Big ones.

These magnetic marvels have totally transformed the way I load quilts. Each Magnum set comes with a bright yellow magnet and a matching metal bar. If you already have sleeves sewn into your leader canvas from a clamping system, good news, you can use those same sleeves. Just slide the metal bars in and stitch the fabric closed between them to create 6” segments.

Why I’m obsessed:

Here’s why these magnetic marvels have completely won me over:

• Compact – They take up way less space than bulky clamp systems.
  

• Pain-free Quilting – No pins = no finger stabbings or shirt casualties.
  

• Durable – The plastic is thick and doesn’t get brittle like some clamping parts do.
  

• Flat profile – Perfect if you float your tops and need a smooth surface to clamp down on.
  

• Arthritis-friendly – If your hands aren’t fans of fiddly things, these are a dream.
  
  

Also, since they stick to the metal on your frame, they’re harder to lose! They don’t just roll away like rogue bobbins or sneak off with your seam ripper when you aren’t looking.

But… they’re not magic wands (sadly).

Each magnet costs around $10, and you’ll want one every 6 inches across your canvas. It’s definitely more of an upfront investment. But let’s be honest, how much have you spent replacing cracked plastic clamps, bent pins, or your favorite quilting tee that got shredded?

And while they are strong, they aren’t Hulk-level strong. If you pull too hard on the backing, it will pop out. So just be gentle—it’s not a tug-of-war with your quilt.

Also, your extended ruler base can catch on the magnets if they’re too close to the top of the frame. So if you’re planning to do ruler work, leave a little extra margin to keep your Magnums out of the danger zone.

So… should you get them?

If loading your quilt makes you groan, sweat, and maybe swear a little—yes. Yes, you should. SewTite Magnums are easy to use, easy to store, and way easier on your fingers (and your wardrobe). Are they perfect? No. But are they better than pins?
A thousand times yes. Because quilting should come with joy, not band-aids. 🧵💖