inserting magnets for closures in tote bags

[vivian1970]

I need some instructions for sewing in those magnet closures in my next tote bag. Unfortunately the magnet package does not give any instructions.

[Joannequilts]

Me, too, Viv! Hope someone can help with this!

Joanne

[vivian1970]

Joanne, I cut apart an old purse and discovered that there is a slightly thick piece of lining the magnet is attached to. So I am thinking that when I cut out the purse pattern I should also cut a piece of heavier interfacing the same size of the purse pattern. That way its all sewn together and the magnet wouldn't shift.
This also would give the purse more stability too.


Does that make sense?

Viv

[Oasis]

I've been wondering about this also!

[vivian1970]

grammiequilts posted this on the sew in,

Now for the snaps....I used fusible fleece on all of my purses. It makes the fabric heavy enough to support the snaps on the small purses I used the small magnetic snaps. for the larger totes I used an extra piece of fleece inside the lining and used an exacto blade to make the holes...I used a marker to mark the place where the prongs go through and made the holes...I placed the prongs into the holes and then applied the washer and bent the prongs down. I have pulled on the snaps and they are fine...no ripped fabric...the extra piece of fleece is about 1 inch square so it doesn't add bulk to the whole area. I hope this helps because I had to do it by trial and error. there were no directions on the magnetic snap package.

HOpe this helps you all, I will be working on this tomorrow.

viv

[ladiehummer]

When I used the magnetic snap for a purse I first sewed a piece of thin vinyl behind. ( So it wouldn't show) in the lining of the purse. I did this to give it extra strength so it wouldn't pull out of the fabric. I then assembled it as vivian1970 explained, using exacto knife etc... Hope this helps.

[cindyg]

I just used about a 1" X 2" piece of template plastic in each side of the magnetic closure.

[Bobbinchick]

The fastners I use have a little disk for each part of the fastener. They have a little hole and a line on each side of the hole. What you want to do is take that little disk and mark the lines with a ball point pen or some such marker. Then what I do is cut a piece of ultra firm stabilizer and fold that in half and mark the lines and the hole on it too. Then take a small seam ripper and make a little hole on each of the lines that you mark and then take a small pair of scissor and cut the lines. You only need the lines long enough to the tabs on the fasteners will go through them. Put the fastener on the right side of the purs lining and then put the ultra firm on the tabs and then place the little disk on the tabs and then bend the tabs in place. I place mine on the inside of my purses so you won't see them. The ultra firm stabilizer gives it stability so the fastener doesn't tear through the fabric. Good luck on your purses. I wish I had a tutorial to show how to insert them. Huggies, Fay

[Joannequilts]

After reading all your posts, I realize what I did wrong when I applied the snaps! Those little disks are WASHERS!! DUH!!! No wonder my snaps pulled out! I had no idea....!! LOL!!

Thank you for this thread Vivian!

[Joannequilts]

btt for Valerie