Magnetic Button Ring Tutorial

Hi. My name is Kim Walus from Bitty Bits & Pieces. Just a little about me: I've been blogging now for over 3 years and I just love designing, quilting, sewing, creating, taking pictures and making tutorials. I've been sewing for 36+ years now and quilting for about 20 of those years. I wrote and published tole painting books in the early 90's for about 5 years. I keep myself busy now designing projects for Moda Bake Shop and was recently published in the first ever Moda Bake Shop Book called "Fresh Fabric Treats" you can learn more about the book by visiting my blog. I'm also involved in a few other top secret projects that I will eventually reveal and talk about on my blog so, you'll want to check in from time to time.

About the Project:

I've been using i-top products for a few years now and when I saw their newer product for button rings I got all excited and knew I HAD to make a magnetic button ring! It's a great way to have a pin handy when you're machine sewing or hand sewing. The magnets I bought are really strong and will surprisingly hold a lot of pins.

I first made up several rings to take to a Quilt Retreat I taught at in March for the ladies in my class and a few of my friends that went with me. I also made lots of rings for Spring Quilt Market as little giveaways for my friends and others that I would meet during the 4 days at Market. I have to tell you that they were a HUGE hit!!! I even took it over to the i-Top booth and showed it to the people there. They loved it and thought it was a clever idea. I just think it's a simple and effective use of their product.

I've made a tutorial for all of the reader's at Sew WE Quilt @ Stash Manicure. I thought you might enjoy making your very own Magnetic Button Ring. You'll have sooo much FUN making them that you'll want to make one for ALL of your quilting friends too!

What You Will Need:

• 1 Scrap of Fabric measuring 2.5" x 2.5"
• 1 Scrap of Wool measuring 2.5" x 2.5"
• 1 pkg. Large Snap Daddies (28mm Buttons) by i-top
• 1 pkg. Snap Rings by i-top
• 1 pkg. Craft Magnet (12 x 3mm round)
• 1 i-top Tool for making the buttons (one option for making covered buttons)
• Dritz Covered Button Kit-Size 45 (another option for making covered buttons)
• E6000 glue

Instructions:

1. Here's a picture of the i-top products and the magnets.

2. Open packages and take out one metal disc without snap, one disc with snap, one ring, and one magnet.

3. Take a piece of vinyl and cut a 2" circle to make a circle template. Inner circle is 1 1/8". Or use the plastic circle that comes in the Dritz covered button kit. You can also use the handy i-Top tool.

4. Center the clear plastic circle over the fabric you want to see when the button is done.

5. Trace the circle and cut out the fabric.

6. Place the button disc in the center of fabric and place into the plastic cup.

7. Take the metal snap disc and place the magnet on the opposite side of the snap. Make sure and remember to place the magnet in the center of the metal backing. Trust me when I say that I've forgotten to do this step and then you'll end up with just a really cute button ring.

8. Now place the metal snap disc with the magnet facing inward on top of the fabric/metal disc.

9. Use the blue pusher to push the front and back pieces securely together. You will hear a small snap as it connects and comes together.

10. Remove completed covered button from the plastic cup.

11. The magnetic button is now ready to snap on to the ring.

12. At this point you can add a wool flower to the back of the ring if you wish. I used a bit of E6000 to attach the wool flower to the back of the ring. Using a toothpick just spread it around the snap then attach the wool.

13. I used a Sizzix Big Shot to cut out the flower shape. Here's the link for the Sizzix Die that I used to cut out the flowers. The flower shape is the smallest flower on the die and it has the perfect size hole that fits the snap on the button. Also, the hole is cut out at the same time as the flower shape.

14. Let glue dry for several hours before using.

This is the ring without the wool flower attached.

As you can see it holds quite a few pins!

A view of my magnetic button ring on a spool of thread with the scissors holding the ring in place.

A closer look at the back of the rings.

Here's a closer look at the front of the rings on my fingers.

Thank You Madame Samm for inviting me to post here on Sew We Quilt @ Stash Manicure and I hope you all enjoyed a little peek into my world and that you will absolutely LOVE making this handy little gadget to keep by your sewing machine.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment and you will have a chance to win ONE Magnetic Button Ring in your choice of red or black. Winner will be chosen after Midnight on Saturday, July 2nd and the winner will be announced on my blog on Sunday, July 3rd.

Update Information:

Several people have asked where to buy the products. I want to remind you to click on the links that I've provided above and it will take you to i-Tops Website where you can click on the STORE LOCATOR button that will take you to a map. Then Click on the STATE that you live in and it will take you to a list of places in your STATE that sell the i-Top products. Also I did a search on google and here are a few other links where to can buy the product online HERE and HERE. You will also want to watch the Imaginesce video HERE.

You will also see that there are videos on the IMAGINESCE (i-Top) website. Also, one other thing- When I taught how to use their products at a quilt retreat my local quilt shop contacted Imaginesce (maker of i-top products) and purchased them at wholesale for the retreat.