Magnets

Elmsley Rose asked in yesterday's comments what sort of magnets I used to hold the Ultrauede in position as I stitched it to my canvas.  She realized they would have to be small and powerful, and most of the pretty decorative magnets we can buy are neither small or really strong.  Fortunately, there are other types of magnets available.

My first strong set of magnets were rare earth magnets, recommended by folks on the ANG email list.  You can buy them from woodworking sites and science supply stores.  I have some donut shapes that are 10 mm (a bit less than half an inch) across.  DO NOT buy them any larger.  I think 3/8 inch diameter round magnets are a good size, better than my slightly larger ones, actually.  These are very strong magnets. They are hard to separate and will magnetize your needles and scissors without too much trouble.  Here's the first place I found them online.
http://www.indigo.com/magnets/rare-earth-magnets.html

These are not the ones I used, however.  I used a pair that were a gift from a friend but they are very much like the medium sized ones from this set.
http://www.nordicneedle.com/PROD/E39-00-00/7003V.html

I also have these from Romancing the Past which I like very much but they are not quite as strong.
http://www.nordicneedle.com/PROD/E39-00-00/7003A.html

Nordic Needle also had these similar strong, but small magnets.
http://www.nordicneedle.com/PROD/E39-00-00/7003D.html

I think any of these magnets will be strong enough to hold anything in place on top of your canvas while you stitch it into position.  Be careful, though.  3/8 inches in diameter is plenty big!  And keep these strong magnets away from your credit cards, your computer, or anything else that an electrical field could damage.

Great question, Megan!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow