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How To

How to Sew in Magnetic Purse Clasps

Contributor
By Michelle Mathews
eHow Contributing Writer
(1 Ratings)

Adding a magnetic clasp when sewing a purse can, at first glance, seem like an impossible task. Appearances can be deceiving. This small sewing notion is about as easy to install as it is to use on a finished purse. A few common sewing tools and some easy-to-follow instructions are all you need to install magnetic purse clasps in your purse projects. Mastering this technique will enable you to give your purse projects a finished, professional look.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Magnetic purse clasps
  • Fabric marker
  • Scraps of cotton duck
  • Scissors
  • Fusible web
  • Iron
  • Ironing board
  • Cutting mat
  • Craft knife
  • Sewing machine with button hole feature (optional)
  • Small hammer
  1. Step 1

    Determine the placement of the magnetic snap on your purse project. You will be placing the snap on the lining of your purse, so you can set aside the rest of the pieces of your unfinished purse. Make sure that the top of the snap falls at least 3/4 inch (plus your seam allowance) from the top of the purse opening. Remove the washer from the back of one half of the magnetic snap, place the washer on the right side of the lining fabric in the location you have chosen and use your fabric pen to mark the slots in the washer on the fabric. Repeat this step on the opposite side of the purse opening. You now have markings for both halves of the snap on either side of the purse opening.

  2. Step 2

    Cut two small squares of cotton duck fabric (or similar strong fabric), sized so they are slightly larger than the size of the magnetic snap. Cut two small pieces of fusible web, making sure they are slightly smaller than the fabric squares. Place the purse lining face down, then place a layer of fusible web and a layer of cotton duck in the location you marked in Step 1. Fuse the pieces together using an iron, following the fusible web manufacturer's instructions. Repeat this step on the opposite side of the purse opening.

  3. Step 3

    Place the purse lining on the self-healing cutting mat, with the markings facing up. Use your craft knife to carefully cut along the markings. If your sewing machine has a button hole feature, you could add strength to the slits you plan to cut by creating button holes over the markings instead of cutting them first. Once the button holes are stitched in place, use your craft knife to gently cut slits in the button hole openings. Repeat this step on the opposite side of the purse opening.

  4. Step 4

    Place the washer from one half of the snap on the wrong side of the lining fabric, lining up the holes in the washer with the slits you just created. Place the snap piece on the right side of the lining fabric and slip the snap prongs through the slits of the fabric and the holes in the washer. Turn the fabric over so it is wrong side up and place on your work surface, making sure the snap piece does not fall out. Use the head of the hammer to gently apply pressure to each prong, bending it outward over the washer to hold the snap in place. Do not hammer it in place or you may damage the snap. Repeat this step on the opposite side of the purse opening to install the other half of the snap.

  5. Step 5

    Finish assembling your purse to complete your project.

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