• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
TREASURIE
  • FREE PATTERNS
  • Sewing
    • Techniques
    • How to Sew
    • Embroidery
    • Quilting
    • Face Mask
    • Fashion Types
    • Fabric Care
    • Fabric Types
    • Sewing Tools
  • Crochet
  • Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Tie Dye
    • Paper Crafts
    • Paper Mache
    • Cricut
    • Christmas
  • SHOP
menu icon
go to homepage
  • SEWING
  • PATTERNS
  • CROCHET
  • CRAFTS
  • SHOP
search icon
Homepage link
  • SEWING
  • PATTERNS
  • CROCHET
  • CRAFTS
  • SHOP
×

Home » Sewing » Sewing Techniques

How to Use Magnetic Snaps in a Purse or Bag

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print

Learn how to use magnetic snaps for bags, purses, and clutches. Have you been eyeing some of my premium bag and clutch sewing patterns? Magnetic snaps add a professional look to your bag and purse projects and are so simple to apply.

how to use magnetic snaps
How to Use Magnetic Snaps

How to Use Magnetic Snaps Tutorial

What are Magnetic Snaps?

Magnetic snaps come in various metallic colors such as gold, silver, brass, and antique brass. The most common is the round shape, but I have also seen rectangular or square ones as well. Magnetic snaps come in sizes from 10mm to 18mm (normally, they are measured in millimeters rather than inches).

Magnetic snaps are an invisible closures that can be used for accessories such as bags, clutches, and purses. The 2 sides of the snap are magnetic, making them easy to open and close with minimum fuss.

Tools needed

  • Magnetic snap - These are available from eBay, Amazon, and your local craft stores. They come in different metal finishes eg gold, silver, or brass.
  • Hammer.
  • A scrap of thick fusible interfacing (around ¾ inch (2cm) square).
  • Optional: Fray stop solution.
  • Seam ripper, Exacto knife, or small sharp scissors.

How to Use Magnetic Snaps - Instructions

Learn how to use magnetic snaps step by step:

Step 1 - Separate

First, break up your magnetic snap into 4 pieces. You will see you have a ball, socket, and 2 circular washer disks with holes in them. Usually, the ball part will be on the flap of a purse, and the socket will be on the body.

Make sure you have cut out your bag pieces and added any interfacing specified in the pattern before you start.

How to Use Magnetic Snaps - Separate the Parts
How to Use Magnetic Snaps - Separate the Parts

Step 2 - Reinforce

If your bag flap piece still feels a bit thin, iron your scrap of fusible interfacing on the wrong side of the fabric in the position you would like the magnet. When your bag is finished you don’t want to feel the legs of the magnet through the fabric.

Alternative - If you don't have fusible fleece interfacing or if it is not thick enough, use a piece of felt. You can hold it in place with pins. Once the snap is inserted, the felt piece will not move around. For leather or vinyl purses, the felt can even be held in place by a bit of glue.

 How to Use Magnetic Snaps - Apply Interfacing
How to Use Magnetic Snaps - Apply Interfacing

Step 3 - Marking

On the wrong side of the fabric, place your circular disk in the position you would like the magnet and mark the rectangular lines on either side.

 How to Use Magnetic Snaps - Mark Position
How to Use Magnetic Snaps - Mark Position

Using your seam ripper, knife, or sharp scissors, cut along your marked lines. Try not to overcut. The fusible interfacing usually stops the cuts from fraying, but if you have a fabric that frays badly you could add a couple of drops of Fray Stop.

 How to Use Magnetic Snaps - Cut Holes
How to Use Magnetic Snaps - Cut Holes

Step 4 - Add Back

On the right side of the fabric, push the legs of one piece of the magnet through the holes. If your fabric still feels a bit thin you may want to add a scrap of fabric or additional interfacing to add thickness.

 How to Use Magnetic Snaps - Push Through
How to Use Magnetic Snaps - Push Through

At the back, put the disk through the legs.

 How to Use Magnetic Snaps - Add Backing
How to Use Magnetic Snaps - Add Backing

Push the legs to the outside. You need strong fingers to do this! If you are going to be applying a few magnets you may want to use a pair of pliers, as you will get sore fingers.

Do double-check that you can't feel the end of the legs on the right side of the purse. You can always bend the legs back up and add a bit more. Hopefully, you added enough as this is a bit tough on the fingers but still possible to do.

 How to Use Magnetic Snaps - Open and Press Arms
How to Use Magnetic Snaps - Open and Press Arms

PROFESSIONAL TIP: Use your hammer to gently flatten the legs. This will make your magnet sit flatter so you will get a nicer finished result.

 How to Use Magnetic Snaps - Flatten with Hammer
How to Use Magnetic Snaps - Flatten with Hammer

Step 5 - Repeat

Now apply the other half of your magnet in your desired position using the same method.

How to Use Magnetic Snaps - In Conclusion

When you are finished, your bag project will look amazingly professional. Easy, wasn’t it? Magnetic snaps can be added to most of my clutch and purse sewing patterns.

 How to Use Magnetic Snaps
How to Use Magnetic Snaps

More Articles on Sewing Bags

  • Sewing Leather
  • How to sew a zipper pocket
  • Topstitching Flaps
  • Free Makeup Roll Pattern
  • How to Cover Zipper Ends
how to insert magnetic snaps

How to Insert Magnetic Snaps

Learn how to use magnetic snaps for bags and purses.
4.9/5 - (13 votes)
Print Pin
Difficulty: Easy Beginner
Keyword: Sewing
Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Tools

  • Magnetic Snaps
  • Scissors or Seam Ripper
  • Hammer

Materials

  • Fabric

Instructions

  • Separate the magnetic snaps into the 4 pieces. Reinforce the wrong side of the fabric with felt or fusible fleece. On the wrong side of the fabric, place your circular disk in the position you would like the magnet and mark the rectangular lines on either side.
    How to Use Magnetic Snaps
  • Using your seam ripper, knife, or sharp scissors, cut along your marked lines. On the right side of the fabric, push the legs of one piece of the magnet through the holes..
    How to Use Magnetic Snaps
  • At the back, put the disk through the legs. Press the legs to either side.
    How to Use Magnetic Snaps
  • Repeat for the other side.
    How to Use Magnetic Snaps
4.9/5 - (13 votes)

More Sewing Techniques

  • How to Iron on Patches, How to Iron Patches Featured Image
    How to Iron on Patches - Best Way for a Perfect Flat Patch
  • hook and eye sewing, how to sew a hook and eye featured image
    Hook and Eye Sewing - TUTORIAL for Beginners
  • Godets
    Godets - Definition, Patterns & Sewing
  • How to Sew Lace, Sewing Lace, Featured Image
    How to Sew Lace - Sewing Lace Fabric Easily

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Pattern Shop

Popular

  • Face Mask Pattern 
  • How to Make Cushion Covers 
  • Burp Cloth Pattern – 3 Styles
  • How to Make a Scrunchie {2 sizes}
  • How to Make a Pillowcase
  • 6 Best Seam Finishes for Fabric
  • How to Gather
  • How to Make Curtains
  • How to Make a Quilt
  • How to Tie Dye
  • Sewing Machine Brands
  • How to Make a Scrunchie
  • How to Sew a Rip
  • How to Make Tassels
  • Types of Skirts
  • Sewing Projects for Beginners
  • Fabric Names

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy/Copyright
  • Sewing Pattern Shop
  • Printing Help
  • Disclaimers/Affiliate/Advertising
  • Site Map

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

Popular

  • How to Sew
  • How to Embroider
  • How to Crochet
  • Fashion Styles
  • How to Macrame
  • How to Knit
  • How to Tie Dye

Copyright © 2022 Treasurie. All rights reserved.