When I was sewing up a diaper bag the other day, I realized how many things are involved in bag-making that I just had to discover myself along the way. I also thought that if someone had just shown me a few things, it could have saved me some headache early on in my sewing life.
I always hesitate to give sewing tips because I know there are so many of you out there who have been sewing much longer than I have and will probably laugh at the way I do things. But, I’ll risk it and hope that I might give a tip or two that might help someone out.
So here goes, Tip #1: Installing a Magnetic Snap:
I’m all about sturdiness. I don’t want to make a bag, just to have the fabric around the magnetic snap fall apart and make the bag look bad. Here’s how I do it.
1. I never install a magnetic snap on just fabric alone. Even if the fabric is heavy canvas, I always interface it - at least the small area where the snap is going to be installed.
2. I measure to the spot where the pattern tells me to place the snap. I mark a dot on this spot.
3. Then, I take the washer from the magnetic snap and place the center hole on the dot. Then I make 2 marks in the slits on the sides of the washer. This is where the holes will need to be cut.
4. On my machine, I make 2 buttonholes around these lines and slit the holes open with the seam ripper.
5. Place the prongs through the holes. Place the washer over the prongs.
6. Bend the the prongs toward the middle of the magnet using something firm, but not slippery. (Hint: don’t use the handle of the rotary cutter - it’s just not safe!)
7. Repeat with opposite side of magnetic snap.
8. Get snap-happy and start putting snaps on EVERYTHING: purses, bags, drawing cases, patchfolios, etc.
Also, a great, cheap source for buying snaps is Ah Kwok Supplies. It’s an Ebay store out of Hong Kong. Even with shipping, when I buy 25 half-inch snaps, I end up paying about $1 per snap which is a better deal than I can get anywhere else.
Never thought about buttonholeing (is that a word?) the slits. Top tip missus.
That’s a great idea - I never would have though of doing the buttonhole thing but it’s very clever!
For extra support, I cut out a small piece of needle point mesh and insert the magnetic snap in the middle of this. This gives reinforcement with repeated opening and closing a bag.
Thanks for sharing the buttonhole tip - I’ve never thought of doing that!
Please don’t stop giving hints. That was a great one.
Wow, buttonholes! You are very conscientious. I do everything the same, except I use a piece of Peltex or something else stiff behind the snap, don’t do buttonholes (lazy butt, to borrow a phrase from your sister) and I bend the prongs outwards instead of inwards. I wonder if there is a difference between bending them in vs. out?
What a great idea using buttonholes for the prongs!
A word of warning though. You can’t use magnetic snaps on wallets if you want to use it to store credit cards. The magnets will wipe the information from the black strip!!!!
Great tips and thanks for sharing…like others I had never thought of the button hole for the prongs. The rotary blade tip is too funny, lots of bad things can happen with a rotary blade.
Great tips and thanks for the Ebay source! Marking the spots first is a good idea. I’m always trying to eyeball it and that doesn’t work well.
Thanks for the tips…I never thought of using a pen and marking the slits (let alone buttonholing them), just foolishly making a dot with my fingernail.
You’re so good to do buttonholes, I just use a seam ripper to make the slit and the add a little piece of timtex before I close the prongs. It never occured to me to do a buttonhole - you’re so clever
Thank you! Earlier this week, literally, I was thinking I’d rather have a magnetic snap on a bag and wondering how I would do it and if it would be worth it. Now I know.
You know, I always bent my prongs to the outside. It wasn’t until I saw Autums’s tutorial that it ever occurred to me to bend them to the inside.
Hey, please keep the tips coming. Hopefully I’m not the only one who doesn’t have a clue about these sort of things.
Thanks for the great tips. I’ve just recently discovered the world bag blogging and I’m learning so many things that my head is bursting with all the bags I want to make. The source for buying the snaps is great..thanks.
Wowzer. I was AFRAID of attempting snaps! You’ve made it not so much ‘easy’ but, MUCH less scary! *LOL* And for that I’m grateful - keep up the wonderful work! I can use all the help and tutorials I can get! :o)
Blessings!
This is almost exactly how I put in magnet snaps and it works great. I know what you mean about having had to learn by yourself along the way. I have been lucky to be able to call & ask my mom for advice on some sewing things, but some of it I have just had to learn myself or figure out myself.
Thanks a million!!! I just bought some magnetic snaps but they only came with ’skimpy’ directions. They must be popular right now as they are always sold out.
Joni
Great tutorial! I hadn’t thought about doing a buttonhole stitch at the prong placement–great tip! And thanks for the tips on where to get magnetic clasps–I’ve been looking for a new source for these. My local craft shop only ever has two in stock and charge an arm & leg for them…Hope you have a great weekend! :o)
Thanks for sharing the info. I have never felt it necessary to button hole the edges, I thought that using interfacing was enough to stablize the opening. Did you start to do the button hole reinforcement due to a previous failure?
I am also an outward prong bender. The online source is a great help, they are very hard to find at local shops and pricey.
Great tips. Thank you. Have never used a buttonhole as reinforcement, will need to try that. Another source for the magnetic snaps is Joann’s - they have a six pack 2 gold 4 silver for 2.99. They are found in the racks with all the odds & ends under the Joann Essentials name.
That’s a great idea!!!
Kind Regards,
Sonnja
Thanks for the ebay source. I just bought some. Never have been able to find them at Joann’s and Michael’s is always out and expensive. Thanks for the tips, too. I’m probably too lazy to do the buttonhole stitch but I will start using interfacing. Smart. And if you’re taking a poll, I fold them to the inside too. Keep those tips coming!
I wish I’d found your tutorial before I made my last bag! I did it pretty much like you did, but the thing didn’t come with any directions!!! I did bend the prongs outwards though. I’ve bookmarked your blog. Love it!
Dana
Awesome! That’s a great tutorial, I’ve never used a magnetic snap but I want to make your diaper bag for my baby and I will definitely use this!
You’re such a pro! And so sweet for posting this tut. It took me months of bag making (all the while using buttons/buttonholes for closures), before I attempted the magnetic snap. Why was I so intimidated? It’s nice of you to post this for others just starting out.
Another great source for snaps is this website:
http://www.rnllee.com/
I’ve been using them for over a year and they are wonderful. Inexpensive, quick, and great service. I highly recommend them. Their quantity discounts are really good.
Cheers!
I love the button hole tip! That’s brilliant! Here’s an addition to your tutorial to perfectly place the snap on the other side (the other piece of fabric). Before placing the snap in the fabric, align the other piece of fabric in the direction it will be stitched and pin the two together (two pins will do - just to keep them together). Then take a pin and push it through the dot you marked on the first piece of fabric so it sticks through to the second piece. Flip it over and slide the washer for the other side of the snap over the pin. Align properly and mark the fabric where you will place the other slits. Unpin the materials and continue to prep for the snaps (whether you use the buttonhole or the stiff interfacing). Now you will have perfectly positioned snaps on both sides without having to eye-ball it!
I love magnetic snaps and you have great tips here. I never thought of button holes either but I use interfaced fabric with an extra piece of stiff pellon, I mark the slits with a marker and put fray check on them. I push outward though. Just never thought about pushing inward.
There are always new tips to learn no matter how much we know. Keep them coming. I’m an etsy seller too!
Thanks for such a lovely clear tutorial - I’ve been wanting to use snaps for a while, but had been feeling a bit intimidated by them, but actually you’ve made it look quite easy! Thank you!!!
you should write a top tips manual!
You did good on the buttonhole application…gives extra strength.Now..another source for purse magnet snaps and all kinds of fittings…pick up all of the purses you can find at tag sales..garage sales thrift stores…etc.”harvest” all of the fittings very carefully …straps pockets zippers ..the actual pattern of the bag too if you feel that you like it well enough…just a note from a packrat sewer…
Thanks for the fabulous tutorial! I just installed my first magnetic snap, and it was a piece of cake, thanks to you!
very helpful tutorial. i’ve been using magnetic snaps and folding them outwards…i’m going to try folding them inward! i always get my magnetic snaps at joanne’s…they come in a pack of 3 for under $2. that’s the cheapest i’ve found them. they don’t show it online. but i’ve found these packs of 3 where they sell the handles for making purses. keep giving tips!!
Just thought I would leave a tidbit about where to buy the magnetic snaps at a real reasonble price and purse handles too. Jhittlesewing.com. You can sign up for weekly newsletters and they have tons of stuff to offer. You might want to check them out for buying on the internet. Thanks for the tips on snaps. It was an AHAH! moment for me……..
Very helpful, thanks!
first purse attempt, and my magnetic snaps didn’t come with instructions… I just wish my mom’s 30+ year old machine would let me buttonhole! Will dab on a bit of fabric glue on the slits. But when I get my new machine (August!!!) then I’ll definately reinforce with your advice.
Thanks for the info. I found this from just doing an internet search. I’ve never put in one of these, but now I think I get it!
Great idea to do button holes! Really makes them sturdy! I use fray chek around the openings and have had a good run:>
thanks for posting your instructions and tips. I was fumbling all around these snaps. Thanks for sharing.
hello there!
i couldnt help but notice that you noted paying ~$1 a snap.
if you log onto beingbags.etsy.com, this etsyian sells her snaps for ~55 - 80 cents per 18mm snap whether it is a antibrass, brass or silver/nickel material. the pricing varies with the quantity you purchase of course.
i hope you find this helpful!
=)
Thanks for taking the time to post your tutorial. It’s great and I realized that I’ve been doing my snaps backwards.
I have discovered that you can use the female section of the snap as purse feet. It looks beautiful and I finally have that professional look at the bottom of my purse.
Hello
Thank you for the helpful tutorial. I am an absolute beginner in sewing, and I am deeply grateful for these tips…
I had, however, a question on the snap buttons topic. I usually sew the lining of the bag separated from the outer fabric and interfacing, which are together, and then attach it just at the top line.
If I place the snap closure on the lining, won’t it have a weird effect, like the lining bending inwards and the outer layers remaining wide open as before?
I hope I made what I mean clear enough. I apologize for my rather inadequate english…
Thank you so very much for your help,
Linda