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I'm so struggling. I need some hints as to how to line up brads when they are not right next to each other. For example, when I want to put brads in the corners of my cards I line up with a ruler, pierce the paper in the appropriate (or so I think) place and insert brad but they are never in a straight line. Please help me!! Thanks in advance.
I heard that some people use a piece of plastic canvas
I do this - it works really well as you can just line up one row of holes with the edge of your card and then pierce however many spaces apart you need. You can get shaped canvas too - I use a circle one as well as the square!
I got mine on eBay as I don't have a local store with any of this kind of stuff but yes, try looking with needle art stuff at your LSS. Plastic canvas is not really canvas, it's rigid moulded plastic - people use it with thick crewel yarn to make things like coasters and ornaments which is why it comes in different shapes. You can see pictures of it here if that helps!
Like fabric canvas for needlework, it does come in different "counts" for the spacing of the holes. I don't think it's crucial to get a particular count though, just choose the holes you need as you do your spacing.
I bought a big sheet of plastic canvas at a dollar store. I cut a piece the size of an A2 card front and a 5x7. I works well for placing brads evenly. I also bought a piece of circle plastic canvas but haven't use it yet.
I use the tear-off strip from the top of a Stampin Up order form (or any similar form). It's that strip that holds all the copies together and has holes all the way across it. It's only 8-1/2" wide, but you could attach 2 of them if you need it to reach further.
I bought my plastic canvas several years ago, at Wal-Mart, when I was going to work on some projects-never made the projects but found a great use for lining up brads, eyelets and for paper piercing!
I actually use the strip that comes off the top of an old SU order form - the paper strip with the holes in it. I liay it across the cardstock and punch through the holes in the strip.
I have often wondered about this but just as I was reading this thread it came to me. I'm sure you all have the mat pack, the one that comes with the tool kit or you can buy on its own. There is a plastic piece in there with all different sizes of circles and measurements etc. If you have it why buy another piece of plastic canvas.
I've also found that if you place the prongs of the brads so they they all face the same way, that helps.
That makes so much sense! Since the holes are round but the prongs aren't! That might be why if I start with perfectly placed holes, my brads sometimes still aren't straight. I usually push them into line and hammer the brad lightly to tighten them so they stay.
Another tip that related to this one. If you can't put all of the brads the same way because the prongs might show, they can be cut shorter quite easily with wire cutters.
__________________ RebeccaEdnie Mixed Media Artist, Paper Crafter, Jewelry Designer SCSDirtyDozenAlumni Www.Boxofchocolatescrafts.Com YouNeverKnowWhatI’mGoingtoMake
... If you can't put all of the brads the same way because the prongs might show, they can be cut shorter quite easily with wire cutters.
I just use an old pair of scissors to cut the prongs off. Sometimes I will cut them off quite short and push them into the back of the brad and use glue dots to attach it. Gets rid of the bumps on the back of the layer from the prongs.
Help lining up brads
