Wednesday, September 3, 2008

fabric covered magnet strips and magnets

I bought these magnet strips at IKEA for $1 and told the friends that I was with that all you had to do was cover them in fabric and they would be so cute. Well, it was time to make that happen. So, here's how I did it -
this is what you need along with light weight fusbile interfacing.


First, cut fabric to size (1 inch excess all the way around). Cut light weight iron on interfacing the same size as the fabric and iron on to the back of fabric.


Next, brush a coat of Mod Podge on the front and back of magnet strip. Lay the fabric on and fold over the back, smoothing the front of the fabric as you go.


Then, slather more Mod Podge all over the entire strip and fabric adding 3 or 4 coats and letting it dry in between each one.


Done!

Now for those magnets -


You'll need these things - covered buttons, magnets, quick drying glue, and wire snips.


Cover the buttons - my favorites are the jumbo size.


Snip off the back metal loops (I am sure there is a correct term for these, but I don't know it!)


Finally, glue the magnet on the back.


The End.

9 comments:

dana said...

Adorable idea and I love that fabric combo.

~jen said...

love the mini tutorial...now I need an Ikea to get my magnets! =)

Anonymous said...

They look great. Handy for putting notes or shopping lists behind. I wonder if they have the magnet strips in ikea over here? Love your blog. lots of pretty things and good ideas.

Kathryn-nannygoat said...

So cute, this is one project that has been waiting in the closet for me to get to. Now that I see how cute it is finished I can't wait to get to it. Thanks!
P.S. where did you get your fabrics?

Melissa {polkadot chair} said...

Okay,
Andrew is very skeptical but I'm going to make the whip.. i assured him that you knew how to do it and would help- that seemed to ease his nerves a bit LOL!! We did break down and buy the hat & shirt though--- (found them on zappos cheap)
Okay- I have like 5 of those magnet strips- they are sooo cute!!! I should make some for the kids rooms- I never told you but i hate to cover buttons- you'll have to show me your trick sometime, mabye I'm just doing it wrong.

Julie said...

So cute...and now I'm craving Swedish Fish! Your blog looks great!

Brett and Amy said...

Thank goodness for my stockpile of unused, forgotten, magnetic strips. Now, maybe I can put them to use. I love the idea.

Amy said...

YEA! i so have the very IKEA strips still in plastic and have just finished making tons of magnets! i'm so excited to cover mine now! traci, you're the best!

Monica said...

I saw at a store yesterday, where someone didn't cut off the button loop and threaded a hair elastic through it and made a cute little ponytail bauble.