How to add a magnetic clasp to your sewn bag project.

As home crafts becomes more popular, enthusiasts are discovering the benefits of turning their sewing skills to more than just items of clothing. What could be better than finishing off an outfit with the perfect accessory? Many people are opting to make accessories as these are less intensive in terms of sewing than clothing and you can make any number of items and match them to your favourite Plus Size Dresses from companies such as https://www.tempted.ie/dresses-plus-size-ladies-clothing-from-tempted-raheny-dublin-ireland/day-dress.html to create a complete ensemble.

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But being able to sew a bag, whether big or small, necessitates being able to provide it with a secure fastening. If you don’t want to add a zip closure, a more popular choice is to fit a magnetic clasp – it’s easy to use and easy to add to your bag design.

Popular materials such as cotton poplin fabric are ideal for a bag fixed with a magnetic clasp, as the fabric is flexible, yet strong, minimising the risk of a rip occurring after the magnetic clasp has been used for a while.

Invisible clasps

These come in a clear sleeve that enables easy fixing. Don’t forget to check which sides of the magnetic clasps attract and which repel, as you don’t want to end up with a bag that will not close because the wrong sides of the magnet are facing. Using a fabric marker, mark where you want your clasp to sit on your bag, ensuring that the bag closes nicely. Sew around the outer edge of the clear sleeve before finally fusing or basting the sleeve to your fabric or interfacing.

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Traditional clasps

These clasps are more widely available and involve a ‘male’ and a ‘female’ side that are attached to the material with prongs. As with the invisible clasps, it is sensible to use a fabric marker to position where the clasp will sit. A small cut in the fabric is required, into which the clasp slides. The last step is to use a prong tool or a heavy object in order to open the prongs of the clasp and secure it onto the bag.

When deciding which material to use for your bag, it’s a good idea to do a bit of research. Companies often have a wide range of fabrics to choose from. Advice regarding which types of material work best for different projects can be found on numerous sewing sites.

With a little practice, fixing clasps to your bags will become second nature and with each attempt, your bags will look more professional.