Do you use a purse, clutch, wallet, phone holder, or wristlet to carry around your personal belongings?  If so, you may be using a magnet every day without even noticing! Magnets are commonly used as clasps because of their many advantages. For instance, they have a strong closing power and are easier to open and close for individuals with arthritis, muscular dystrophy, or other conditions that can affect hand mobility.

If you own or are making a purse or other item to hold your belongings, you can install your own magnetic clasp with this tutorial.

Supplies

Instructions

  1. First, create your sewing magnet cover. Cut out a square piece of fabric that is big enough to cover the magnet on both sides. Leave some extra room to allow for sewing. You will need at least a pair of these, so that they will attract to one another and form the closure.
  2. Sew around the magnet to secure the cover in place. For added security, you can supplement your fabric magnet cover with some fusible interfacing. For tips on choosing and using interfacing check out Craftsy.
  3. Once you have created your sewing magnets you are ready to install them. In your purse design, allow a pocket to drop in your magnetic closures.
  4. Sew around the pocket and through the bag fabric to secure the magnet cover in place.
  5. For the other side of the clasp you can do the same process or simply attach the magnet using glue on the fabric. However, be sure to glue the right side down so that when you close the magnet it is attracted to its pair. A tip is to mark the sides of your fabric cover with negative and positive signs to distinguish them.
When you have finished sewing you should have a strong but easy to fasten magnetic handbag closure. If you plan to wash your handbag often, a plastic cover would be better to prevent damage to the magnetic clasp. However, we recommend hand washing and air drying instead to prevent the magnets from shattering or otherwise being damaged in a machine.

Find More DIYs and Magnet Hacks With Apex Magnets 

If you like magnetic DIYs, then you’re in the right place! Check out our full magnets for crafts or fix it with magnets sections of the blog for more activities and creative ways to use magnets. 

Photo by Bess Georgette