Magic Pins Quilting is a technique that involves using specialized quilting pins to secure the layers of a quilt together during the quilting process. These pins are designed to be thin and sharp, making them easy to slide through the fabric layers without damaging the fabric or causing puckering. One of the main advantages of using magic pins for quilting is that they are longer than regular quilting pins. This extra length allows them to securely hold all the layers of fabric and batting together, preventing any shifting or bunching that can occur while quilting. Another benefit of magic pins is that they are heat resistant, which means that they can be used with an iron or a quilting iron without melting or warping. This is especially helpful when pressing seams or using heat to manipulate the fabric during the quilting process.
—Chris Butler, Aeclectic Tarot
Unlike most 20th century decks, Hall s deck is free of occult or pagan mumbo jumbo and yet is rich in subtle symbolism, such as the mysterious black birds and orange cats that appear on various cards, and the mandala type designs in the center of the pip cards. The cards feature illustrations of witches, and the images do indeed convey a sense of magic, but overall, I also found the images very grounded in reality.
This is especially helpful when pressing seams or using heat to manipulate the fabric during the quilting process. Magic pins also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, allowing quilters to choose the best option for the specific project they are working on. Some pins have flat heads, while others have curved or bent heads, which can make them easier to grip and use.
Witch tarot card depictions
I personally love this deck and it is one of the most frequently used decks for my personal readings. I love the fact that the cards were painted with oils on canvas; the colors are incredibly rich and vibrant and there is a depth and solidity to the images that is rare. There's something psychological here for me as an artist - these feel like the sort of images I would encounter in an art gallery rather than straightforward commercial illustrations. To me this is as much of an art tarot as it is a working deck, which makes me feel good when I handle the cards.
Unlike many of the esoteric decks that are imbued with either breathless solemnity or an almost religious conviction, this one manages to do full justice to the depth and meaning of the age old symbols while somehow not taking itself too seriously. The characters on the cards have a dark, almost camp wit with a slightly sinister edge to them. Everything is wildly out of proportion and ethereally colored yet somehow it all works. If anyone asked me why, I really couldn't say, but the humor in the pictures seems to conceal but invite you to look deeper in the same breath.
I would thoroughly recommend the accompanying Tarot of the Witches book by Stuart R. Kaplan. This gives detailed descriptions of the Major cards and the artist's thinking behind them. Reading this greatly enhanced my appreciation of the deck and its sheer originality.
—Chris Butler, Aeclectic Tarot
This delightful deck has unfortunately been misnamed and mismarketed throughout its existence. It has nothing to do with James Bond or witches but has everything to do with Fergus Hall, the idiosyncratic artist who painted the deck. It should be called simply the Fergus Hall Tarot. Hall got his start doing carnival paintings and that freaky bizarro style shows in this deck. Unlike most 20th century decks, Hall's deck is free of occult or pagan mumbo jumbo and yet is rich in subtle symbolism, such as the mysterious black birds and orange cats that appear on various cards, and the mandala type designs in the center of the pip cards. The books held by the hanged man and hermit contain original poems. (Can't read them? See Stuart Kaplan's companion book). The art is very expertly done and yet is so whimsical and unassuming it's easy to take for granted. The World card is one of the best I've ever seen, downright haunting. This is a very profound deck but at the same time doesn't take itself too seriously. The pip cards are a welcome return to tradition, using the original suits of cups, swords, batons, and coins rather than the recently introduced "wands" and "pentacles" which many mistakenly consider authentic. Also, as in traditional decks, the pips are unillustrated save for Hall's central mandalas . In my opinion, unillustrated pips leave more room for the reader’s own imagination and insight.
A perfect blend of tradition and creativity. You might find this deck puzzling at first, but stick with it. There's an entire little world in every card!
—A. Simone, Amazon customer
These tarot cards should really be known as the Fergus Hall deck.
Many people are familiar with this deck due to its use in the James Bond movie, "Live and Let Die". But it is far more than that.
Abandoning all efforts to reproduce the Rider Waite Tarot, Hall has created a deck with some of the most surreal, yet highly mystical art ever seen on Tarot cards.
Those who are familiar with Tarot cards know that many different interpretations of cards are possible by seeing the imagery on the cards. Hall's imagery isn't for everyone, but I believe the art really draws you into readings in a whole new way.
I have also found this deck invaluable for dream interpretation.
The Minor Arcana return to the old "pip" system.
One of my higher recommendations if you are already doing readings for others.
—Bruce Gray, Amazon customer
I think this deck is absolutely wonderful. You have to use your own imagination and find your own meanings to the symbolism. which in my opinion is what tarot cards are all about. For those of you who want a deck that lays out plainly what the cards mean, then this is not for you. If you have a good imagination and enjoy the type of artistry used in this deck you wont be disappointed.
—Joe Arthur, Amazon customer
This is an older deck, but it’s one I’ve been meaning to get my hands on for quite some time. The Green Witch Tarot is a deck designed by Ann Moura, the author of the highly successful Green Witchcraft books.* It’s a colorful Tarot deck printed with Pagans and witches in mind, adapting the classic archetypes of Tarot to fit a Pagan worldview.
When using magic pins for quilting, it is important to place them strategically to ensure that they hold the layers together securely but also allow the fabric and batting to move slightly during quilting. This prevents any puckering or distortion of the quilt top. Overall, magic pins quilting is a useful technique for quilters who want to ensure that their quilt layers stay securely together during the quilting process. These pins offer a variety of benefits and can be a valuable tool for any quilting project..
Reviews for "The Power of Precision: How Magic Pins Can Transform Your Quilting"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with the Magic pins quilting set. The pins were not sharp enough to even go through the fabric properly, so it made the whole quilting process extremely frustrating. The pins also kept bending easily, which made them even more useless. Additionally, the package advertised that the pins were heat resistant, but when I tried ironing over them, they melted and left sticky residue on my iron. Overall, I would not recommend this quilting set to anyone who is serious about quilting.
2. Mark - 1/5 - The Magic pins quilting set turned out to be a complete waste of money. The pins are simply too short to securely hold the fabric in place while quilting, which resulted in a lot of shifting and misalignment. Not to mention, the pins were so flimsy that they easily snapped when I applied even a little pressure. The packaging claims that these pins are perfect for fine fabrics, but I would argue that they are more suited for crafts or lightweight fabrics at best. I won't be purchasing this product again.
3. Lisa - 2/5 - I had high hopes for the Magic pins quilting set, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pins are supposed to be rust-resistant, but after just a few uses, I noticed rust forming on some of them. This is a major disappointment, especially when the package states that they are suitable for long-term use. Moreover, the pins are quite difficult to insert into the fabric, often causing snagging and fraying. I ended up switching to a different set of pins soon after starting my quilting project. I would recommend looking for better quality pins instead of wasting your money on these.