Scrap Fabric Button Magnets

Easy to use instructions for a fun and simple project which utilizes fabric remnants and/or project squares. I wanted a way to use scraps of some of my favorite prints; using inexpensive materials and leftover fabric, making button magnets is simple and a great way to use fabric scraps all sewers have laying around. 

• Scrap Fabric (at least 1.5" squares)
• 18-mm Magnets: Found Here
• Button & Backs: Found Here
• Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks
• Scissors
• Measuring Tool
• Marking Pen
• Double sided tape: Exceptionally useful but not 100% necessary

Once you've gathered your tools and selected your fabric, use the button top to decide which portion of the fabric you want presented on the front of the button.

• Keep in mind, the fabric will wrap around the edges as well. Consider this when deciding where to place and mark your fabric.

Using your measuring and marking tool, measure approximately 1 1/2" by 1 1/2" squares.

• Hint (1): I find it useful to create a measuring square from thick paper or cardboard. This speeds up the measuring process as well as ensuring perfect and consistent sized fabric squares. Here I use a piece of thin foam.
• Hint (2): If marking on the back is easier, feel free! You can mark your fabric on either side as the edges will all be tucked inside the button.

Next we will cut out our squares and begin wrapping our button with the cut squares.

• Double sided tape will help tremendously in the button wrapping process, however, if you are feeling adventurous you can go without.

Place a small piece of double sided tape, approximately 1/4", on the button top as well as on the inside of the button as shown

• You can place a larger piece of tape on the inside of the button, however the top only needs a small piece.

Once the tape is in place, position the fabric square centered on the button top.

Start by folding your first corner into the button bottom, attaching the fabric to the tape. Repeat for the adjacent corner, and place another small piece of double sided tape as shown.

The corners remaining look a bit like an envelope or present, and we are going to wrap these two corners just like a present.

Here comes the tricky part; pinch the fabric on each side of your 'present' as shown.

• Pinch Side (1)
• Fold & Hold
• Pinch Side (2)
• Fold & Hold

The center of the two folded sides should be puckered upwards, and then pressed down to the tape.

• If you are able to tuck and fold the edges snugly without the puckered center that is fine as well.

A short video of the pucker fold is included (and hopefully helpful!).

Repeat for both sides of the button.

• The button will have pointy edges around the fabric, most of the edges will soften and round out quite a bit after we insert the back.

Using the rubber die included with the buttons, slip your button into the rubber die firmly.

Rotate the rubber die and button in your hand while pressing the edges of the fabric firmly into the rear of the button.

• This will help round out some of the sharper edges and allow the back to tighten the fabric better.

Rest a button back on top of the fabric in the button die, and place the pressure piece on the button back.

Choose one of the following:

• With both hands, hold the die button/button back/pressure piece firmly between your pointer and thumb. Squeeze the pressure piece firmly until the button back inserts into the die.

(OR)

• Place the die button/button back/pressure piece on a hard sturdy surface; using an object such as your scissors, press the pressure piece firmly until the button back inserts into the die.

• Hint: I would recommend step 2 even if you prefer to do the initial 'squeeze' by hand first. This ensures the button back is snugly in place.

Now that our button is complete, we need to add our magnet.

• Some magnets can be purchased with adhesive on them, I personally use magnets without adhesive and attach them with hot glue.
• The magnet link included in the material list are much stronger than your average magnet. I recommend this type of magnet if you are looking to hold more than a single sheet of printer paper.

With a hot glue gun, place a dollop of hot glue on the back of the button and firmly place your magnet in place.

• Hint: I like to use enough hot glue so that it extrudes around the base of the magnet and creates a nice rounded edge.

Let cool and VOILA!