Tutorial: Fabric Covered Magnets

Now that I am starting to accumulate fabric, my fabric stash is starting to rival my yarn stash. Fabric is fun to look at and, more importantly, buy. I started making fabric covered magnets with my scraps. These are easy and fun!

Materials

• Aluminum cover buttons
  
• Assembly tool
  
• Magnets
  
• Scrap fabric
  
• Card stock or index card
  
• Pliers
  
• Scissors
  
• Pencil or pen
  
• Gardening or work gloves
  
• Strong adhesive

Instructions

1. Remove button loop - Wearing a glove to protect your hands, pry the button loop off the back. You only need the glove on the hand holding the button.
   
   
   
2. Prepare template - Cut a square about 3/4" longer than the diameter of your button. The buttons I am using are 3/4" in diameter. I cut a 1.5" x 1.5" square from my index card.
   
   
   Trace your button at the center of the square. The reason for this is so you can see which part of your fabric will appear on your button. This will be important if you have a small motif you want to capture.
   
   
   
3. Trace and cut fabric - See how the hole in the template helps with where I want to cut?
   
   
   
4. Make button covers - Make sure you have the assembly tool facing up correctly. That is, the deep well faces upwards. You'll probably figure it out soon if you have the wrongside up.
   
   
   
   Place fabric square with right-side facing downward.
   
   
   Place button cover. Press.
   
   
   Tuck fabric into center.
   
   
   Place button back. Ensure rim edges curl upwards.
   
   
   Position blue assembler tool. Press.
   
   
   Push out.
   
   
   Place glue.
   
   
   Put in magnet.
   
   
   
5. Use with style! Or gift something that looks to be worth 10 times your actual cost of materials.
   
   
   

That's it! Easy! I'll work on a PDF version of this tutorial when I get a free moment.

Tip!
5/8" round magnets will fit perfectly inside 3/4" button covers. That's what I am using for this tutorial

Sources

• Aluminum cover buttons can be procured at Joann. I buy mine in bulk from Jack and Jane. I've seen good prices at Toby's Mom as well. Make sure you get the two-piece blue and white aseembly tool the first time around.
  
• Magnets can be procured at Joann as well. I buy mine in bulk from Heather Knitz.
  
• Gift tin from the Forsythe Company Store.