How to Use Magnetic Snaps and Bag Magnets

Learn how to use magnetic snaps for bags, purses, and clutches.  Magnetic snaps or bag magnets add a professional look to your bag and purse projects and are so simple to apply. This tutorial will show you how to insert the bag magnets and reinforce the items so it lasts.

Have you been eyeing some of my premium bag and clutch sewing patterns?

What Are Magnetic Snaps?

Magnetic snaps are 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.

Magnetic snaps come in 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).

Tools Needed

Here is what you need to insert bag magnets.

• 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 3/4 inch (2cm) square).
• Optional: Fray stop solution.
• Seam ripper, Exacto knife, or small sharp scissors.

How to Use Magnetic Snaps – Step-by-Step

Learn how to use magnetic snaps step by step:

1. Separate the Pieces

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.

2. Reinforce the Fabric Backing

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 magnetic snap. 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.

3. Mark the Magnetic Snap Position

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.

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.

4. Insert the Snap Back

On the right side of the fabric, push the legs of one magnet bag piece 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.

At the back, put the disk through the legs.

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

Do a double-check to make sure you can’t feel the ends 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.

❤️PROFESSIONAL TIP: Use your hammer to gently flatten the legs of the bag’s magnetic snap. This will make your magnet sit flatter, so you will get a nicer finished result.

5. Repeat for the Other Half of the Magnetic Snap

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

How to Use Magnetic Snaps FAQs

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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.

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• Topstitching Flaps
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• How to Cover Zipper Ends