 Magnetic snap |
Magnetic snaps make great closures for handbags and totes. They’re clean-looking and offer quick and easy opening and closing of your bag. They’re easy to install, but if you don’t take a few precautions, you could end up with strained, torn fabric. Let me show you how I do it. A full tutorial for the bag you see here can be found at this link. |
Supplies
 Magnetic snap |
 Pliers |
 Sharp-tip scissors |
|
 Interfacing |
 Fabric scraps |
 Fray Check |
|
The process
 Dot marks the spot |
Decide where you want the snap. I wanted it centered at the top of the inside of my bag, so I measured halfway across, and then put a dot 1-1/4″ down from the top. This allows me room to sew and top stitch the top of the bag without the snap getting in the way. |
 Apply interfacing |
Fuse a small scrap of interfacing on the back side of the fabric where the dot is. This will add reinforcement. But not enough for my taste. |
 Cut scraps |
I like to add even more reinforcement by stitching a double-layer scrap of fabric over the interfacing. Sometimes I use any old scrap, but if you have a thin, light-colored fabric, keep in mind whether your scrap will be able to show through. |
 Sew on scrap |
I just stitch in the seam allowance at the top. I let the fabric hang free like a flap. From the outside, you will not even know it’s there. |
 Mark prongs |
Place one side of the snap over the dot and press in to make an indention. Then mark the prong indentions. |
 Snip |
With a pair of scissors with a nice, sharp tip, snip holes for the snap prongs on the markings. You want to aim to get through all the layers of fabric/scrap fabric/interfacing, but not make very big snips.
I then choose to apply a bit of Fray Check over the cuts. |
 Attach back |
Push the prongs through from right-side to wrong-side of fabric. Then put the backing on and use the pliers to bend the prongs. Bend them inward. If you turn them outward, they will tear the fabric. Not immediately, but soon enough. |
 One down |
One side of the bag is complete. Now snap the other side of the snap onto the one you just put on. Flip the two sides of the bag to face each other and then line up the tops. This will help you get the snaps lined up nicely.
|
 Mark other prongs |
Again press the prongs into the fabric to make a small indention where you want it to go, then repeat the steps above to attach the second side of the magnetic snap. |
Tags: bag, magnetic snap, sewing tutorial, tutorial
Oh, drat! I have been doing this wrong- I was putting the prongs facing outward. And I like how much reinforcing you have done. I will definitely use these tips next time. Thanks!!
[...] Links: New Fabric | Stock Reduction | Clearance Fabric | Fabric Markdowns « How to insert a magnetic snap into a bag Rolled edge on a serger » Subscribe to the RSS [...]
[...] Insert the “female” side of your magnetic snap here, following the instructions in the Magnetic Snap Tutorial. We’re placing our snaps in a different location than the tutorial, but it’s the same [...]
[...] the prongs toward the center. (For more on magnetic snaps, see this tutorial.) Place the lining piece against this one, right-sides together. I like to draw a seam allowance on [...]
[...] is the easiest time to install your magnetic snap. Here is a tutorial on how to do that. Then come on back to finish this [...]
If the fabric is thin especially on the other side that backs the prongs e.g. outside of bag, you can sewa fabric scrap or two on top ~after~ you’ve finished with your zipper foot. That way it’s close and snug and you can keep it neat.
[...] the magnetic snaps using the Magnetic Snap Tutorial. Mark a dot halfway across the interior front and back pieces and 1-1/4″ down from the raw [...]
Thank you for the information. I am just now attempting to insert some snaps. By the readings of your posts it is a good thing I read the comments. LOL.. I would have been like most everyone and pushed the prongs in the wrong directions. Thank you again,
Bobbie
Hello
I made this bag for my mother, shey’s alway’s have to stay in
the hospital for pulmonary emphysema. This was (accept for loving her)
the most loving thing to do for her!
Thanks for sharing this tut with us…..
Lots of love from Holland, and a big hug from my moms xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx