A Snapping Good Time!

Granny D here.  In keeping with our daily themes (Today is 'Sew and Tell Sunday) I thought I'd put together a little tutorial on how to install magnetic snaps.  When making purses and bags, they are the BEST!  They're easy to install, not expensive and these little guys are strong!  Keep in mind, I'm no expert but this is such a simple addition that adds a special touch to your bags and purses.

You'll need 4 pieces for each installation.  Two flat washers, or back pieces, to stabilize the snap (I add fusible interfacing, too) and two outside pieces as shown here.  One has a little bump and one has a corresponding slot for it to fit in.









So, first, I prepare my fabric (in this case, the lining) by putting a square of fusible interfacing on the inside right in the center of the bag.  Then, I use the washer to mark my positioning and mark where the prongs should go through with a pen.   I usually drop it down about an inch from the top to allow for seams. 









Then I snip those open.  I try to make this hole as small as possible so that I almost have to force the prongs through.  Just to be on the safe side.











After that, I push the prongs through the holes I just made.  The snap will be on the outside of your project.












The washer goes in place next.














And then, I spread the prongs open to hold the snap in place.  Once I get them positioned, I try to push them completely flat on a hard surface.

Oh, and then you do the same thing for the other side, using the other half of the snap. 

It takes only a little practice, and you'll be a pro at this in no time.


And that's it.   I learned my lesson about putting them in first, even before I put the pockets on the lining.  Everything sticks to them, pins, scissors, etc. and they are constantly sticking to each other.  Well, they are magnets!  So I waited till the last minute this time and it worked so much better.

Next week, I'll share my thoughts on shaping your bags.  There are square bottoms and softer ones, each requiring a different technique.  Still, very simple, very doable, even for beginners.

Let us know if this was helpful or if there's some other fastener you've found that you just can't live without.

Wayback Wednesday - Tomato, tomahto...

It is the lowly tomato - sweet summer fruit that always makes us smile.

Except that it apparently has a superpower.

(No, it's not voodoo.)

Once upon a time, there was a belief that a tomato, if left on the mantel piece, was said to ward off evil spirits in the home. Now, I don't know about you, but I'm imagining a tomato rotting in the heat of the living room and melting all over the fireplace. Ick.

But that wasn't the only problem - back in the day, tomatoes weren't all that easy to come by, and when you did get your hands on one, you probably ate it immediately. So all in all...that was a really stupid superstition.

To combat the problem of tomatoes bearing heat bubbles and the teeth marks of hungry children, people started making their tomatoes out of paper and fabric. That was a pretty good idea, and then somewhere along the line they decided that sticking their pins into the tomatoes was a good way to keep from stepping on them. (Or maybe the pins were to keep the children from eating them anyway. Kids aren't choosy - they'll eat anything). 

There doesn't seem to be much detail about who came up with that idea originally, but it makes sense. If an evil spirit comes to your house, just stab him with your pins. Apparently they hate that.