5.27.2007

Chart Magnet Instructions

For those of you who wanted to know how to make the chart magnets, here are the instructions.


Materials:
Pack of shrink film like 'Shrinky Dinks' from your local craft store
Glue
Magnet sheet
Permanent Markers
Scissors

The first thing you need to do is chart out your pattern. When you get sorted out where your repeats are, copy it heavily in black or another dark color on paper using blocks about 1cmx1cm.

Trace this onto your shrink film using the permanent markers. A 4"x6" piece is about as large as you want to use due to distortion in the shrinking process. This will make approximately a business card size chart. Don't forget to put the name of the pattern and a key on here. I've made that mistake and charted things that I have to swatch to see what the heck they are!

Cut out the chart and shrink them in the oven at about 250 F for approximately 10 minutes. This is a lower temperature and longer time than called for on the package of shrink film, but it gives me opportunity to check the progress.

After the plastic has cooled, glue your magnet to the back and stick it on the refrigerator!

These are not going to be perfect rectangles due to some amount of distortion in the shrinking process, but they are close.

If anyone doesn't want to do their own, I'll be happy to make them for you for $3.00 each. This will keep me in shrink film and magnets. You would need to provide me with the pattern instructions to work up your chart. Since it's your pattern it wouldn't be shared out to anyone else.

If you have any questions, let me know.

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