Needles 'n' Knowledge: Fish with Internal Magnets for Fishing Game

A variety of six (2 in each of three sets) thick and sturdy fish

for a magnetic bobber/hook fishing pole game:

wavy gill fish; smilely fish; sharky fish; capsule fish,

spiney fish, spotted belly fish.

Each fish is built with decorative front layers,

and multiple offset build up layers which enclose

a neodyminum 3/8" magnetic ring within

circle recess (considered safely hidden, please watch

small children prone to put things in mouth).

Build your own magnetic pole, or find the fancy kind

that actually can reel in the fish.
We found ours here:
(https://www.etsy.com/listing/87765636/wooden-toy-fishing
-pole-with-fabric-fish?ref=hp_rv)

Varied sizes approx. 5.25" long x 3.25" tall x .125" thick.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Determine how many interior base shapes
with the magnet recess circle you will need:
identify the "Layers Testing Squares"
from the cut file shapes, and cut 4-5 plus the solid back.
Shown here is the pack of Ring Magnets
that the circles are cut to fit.
(If you need a larger circle, use your cutting system
program to "release compound path", resize the hole,
re-group the shapes, test the new hole size, etc.
If this is not possible, you are invited to contact
Jodi at hearthsewnpatterns(@)yahoo(dot)com
to request new base shapes with very specific
new size recess holes.)
In our home area, these were purchased
from Home Depot.

2. Layer the recess squares, beginning with 4,
and glue together, taking care that the circle edges
line up exactly. Add the plain square onto the bottom.

3. Place the magnet ring inside the recess . . .

. . . then feel across the top surface to check if
the magnet is even with or lower than the top
layer surface. If magnet is above more than
slightly, add another recess square to the stack
and recheck depth match. Count the stack layers
(not counting the back layer) and use that as
the quantity to cut. For instance, 100-110 lb.
"Bazzill" cardstock uses 4 interior layers.
Regular textured cardstock may take 6.

4. Identify and cut the shapes for the specific fish
being built. The sample fish for this assembly guide
is the "spikey" fish.
A body base top layer
B interior build up layers (4 for 110 lb stock)
C body base back layer
D spiney spikes body base layer
E body overlay shape with fin cut out
F eye underlay G eye pupil

5. Assemble the body "accent" layers:

position overlay onto spikey base with mouth,

eye and rounded edges lined up, and glue in place.

6. Turn the assembly over to position and attach
the eye contrast behind the eye cutout.

7. Position and attach the pupil shape within

the eye recess. NOTE different positioning

will give the fish a slightly different expressing.

If desired, use distress ink to apply a little

cheek color below eye at smile apex.

8. During the glue up process - specifically as
the liquid adhesive is being allowed to dry,
it may be helpful to use a flat weight to press
the assembly to help avoid warping or curling,
for a fairly long period of time.
Shown here: re-purposed discard flat weights
wrapped in muslin.

9. Assemble the built-up base.
Position and attach the interior layers,
one at a time (quantity determined in steps 1-3)
taking care to align the outer edges AND
the circle recess edges as precisely as possible.

10. Position the interior built up over the backside
of the bottom layer, and attach in place.

11. Add a dab of glue in the recess . . .

. . . then position and attach the magnet ring

inside the hole, then . . .

. . . position and attach the build up front layer
onto the base assembly, matching edges as before.
NOTE: polarity matters, so take care to check which
face of the magnet ring needs to be in UPWARD
(toward top layer) surface before gluing in place.