SewTites Midi Mix 3 Pack: Holding EPP Pieces in Place
By Paper Pieces for English Paper Piecing | Published: 2026-11-02
Category: Product Reviews
A practical diagnosis for when EPP pieces shift during basting, plus how the SewTites Midi Mix 3 Pack fits into your English paper piecing tool kit.
Quick answer
If your fabric or paper pieces slide while you baste, try the SewTites Midi Mix 3 Pack as temporary magnets for holding paper pieces in place. They suit small-to-medium EPP shapes; for very large templates or heavy stacks, use pins or clips instead.
Why pieces shift during basting
Most slipping comes from three causes: the fabric is not anchored to the paper, the basting method relies on one hand to hold everything, or the template is too small for the clip or pin you are using. Magnets remove the hand-holding problem because they clamp the fabric to the paper from both sides.
The SewTites Midi Mix 3 Pack gives you three sizes in one set, so you can match the magnet to the piece rather than forcing one size onto every shape. That matters when you switch between small diamonds and larger hexagons in the same project.
When magnets are the wrong tool
Magnets are not a universal replacement for pins or clips. If your paper piece is larger than the magnet's footprint, the edges can still lift. If you are basting with thick wool or multiple layers, the magnet may not grip through the bulk. And if you use metal templates, a magnet will stick to the template rather than clamp the fabric.
For those cases, stay with thread basting, glue basting, or flat clips. The Midi Mix is best treated as a helper for light-to-medium cotton and small-to-medium paper shapes.
Diagnose your slipping pieces
- Symptom: fabric lifts at the seam allowance while basting: Likely cause: the paper piece is not held flat. Corrective action: place a SewTites magnet on top of the fabric and its metal plate underneath the paper, centered on the piece. Use the Original size for pieces wider than about 1.5 inches. Center the magnet; edge placement lets the seam allowance curl.
- Symptom: small pieces rotate or slide under the needle: Likely cause: the magnet is too large for the template. Corrective action: switch to the Dot or Mini from the Midi Mix so the magnet sits fully on the paper shape. If the piece is smaller than the Dot, use a pin instead. Match magnet footprint to paper size; do not overhang the template.
- Symptom: magnet will not hold through the fabric: Likely cause: thick fabric, multiple layers, or a metal template. Corrective action: test the magnet on a scrap first. If it slides off easily, stop using magnets for that project and return to thread or glue basting. If the magnet does not clamp firmly on a scrap, it will not hold during basting.
- Symptom: pieces still shift after adding magnets: Likely cause: too few contact points or the basting stitch is pulling the fabric. Corrective action: add a second magnet on larger pieces, or switch to a basting method that anchors the fold. If the paper itself is warped, replace it before basting. Two magnets on a large piece often solve what one cannot.
Product facts
- SewTites Midi Mix- 3 Pack: The Midi Mix contains three sizes: Original (1.78 x .5 in), Mini (1.25 x .5 in), and Dot (.67 in diameter), each with a matching metal plate. You can choose a wider magnet for larger pieces and a small Dot for tight curves or tiny templates, without buying separate sets.
SewTites Midi Mix- 3 Pack
