I have such a fun project for you stitchers today!! And a confession. I have a terrible habit of putting my needle through my embroidery fabric when I’m not working on it. Do you do that too? It makes little holes in your fabric! Most of the time I can smooth those away, but I really want to cure myself of that.
These little DIY Magnetic Needle Minders are the perfect solution!
The needle minder uses two magnets – one that is glued to the pretty front piece and a loose one that you put on the back side of your project, to hold the needle minder in place on the front. No damage to the fabric! Then you can just rest your needle on the little button and the magnet holds it in place. Boom. Magic!
I might also have gotten carried away making these. But I had so much fun stitching up some and fussy cutting even more, and I ended up making what feels like a lot. :)
And this is maybe the easiest tutorial ever!
How to Make DIY Magnetic Needle Minders:
Materials:
- 1″ Covered Buttons pieces
- Fabric
- Hot Glue
- 2 Magnets (per minder)
- Embroidery Thread/Needle/Hoop
If you are going to make embroidered covers, do that first. Trace the face of the covered button and embroider your phrase inside the circle. Using silly phrases or plays on 90’s rap songs is entirely optional but highly recommended. Trim around the embroidery so you have about an extra 1/2″ all the way around.
Remove the shank from the back piece of the button.
If you have the button covering kits, assemble the buttons using the little tools that come with the kits. I don’t have those in this size. If you don’t either, use hot glue along the inside of the button cover and wrap the fabric tightly around the button. Pull the fabric a bit as needed to keep the little folds along the edge as small as possible.
Glue the button back in place and glue a small magnet to the back. Make sure you double check the polarity of your magnets – make sure they work together, then glue the opposite side of one of them to the back of the needle minder.
Get carried away and make a bazillion more, because they are so much fun.
Now we have cute ways to keep our needles out of the fabric – or off the floor!! Aren’t they fun?
I hope you give them a try!
Oh my goodness what a fab idea! I have often found a half finished project from goodness knows how long ago at the bottom of my sewing box and found I’ve made rust marks with my needles! (that’s really bad I know) These are pretty and practical – love them!
I’m confused, where does the 2nd magnet go? Probably should be sleeping & not reading tutorials at this hr!
Hi Barbara! Sorry for the confusion on this. You glue one magnet to the back of the needle minder and place the needle minder on the top of your fabric in the hoop. Then place the loose magnet on the back side of the work under the needle minder, to hold it in place. I’ve added a photo to the post to show you. Hope that helps!
Bev
I’m not much of a sewer but am recently worked on a quiet book for my daughter. I did not know this concept existed but I totally need one of these! Pinning!
Thanks Beverly. I thought, like Eileen did, that it went inside the button cover. Thanks for clearing that up .
Great idea, but I am also confused like Barbara (above). Does the 2nd magnet go inside the button…..before you put the back cover on?
Thanks for the great idea! I need to make a few…..stat!
Sorry for the confusion on this! I should have made it clearer. :) You glue one magnet to the back of the needle minder and place the needle minder on the top of your fabric in the hoop. Then place the loose magnet on the back side of the work under the needle minder, to hold it in place. I’ve updated the post with a photo so you can see it in place.
Where does the second magnet come into play? I’m guessing it is on the back of the hoop to hold the minder in place on your work. ???
That’s correct Ginger. Sorry for the confusion on this. You glue one magnet to the back of the needle minder and place the needle minder on the top of your fabric in the hoop. Then place the loose magnet on the back side of the work under the needle minder, to hold it in place. I’ve added a photo to the post to show you. Hope that helps!
Bev
Bev,
If I would have read your post more thoroughly I would have seen that you explained the second magnet in your description! Duh! Thanks for your reply to my post.
Ginger
Oh no problem Ginger! I did update that section so it was a little more clear too. ;) Thanks!
Very cute. I have wanted to make some of these for awhile. Where do you find strong enough magnets?
Thanks Kathy, I found these at Home Depot but most craft stores carry magnets as well.
This is an ingenious idea. I too, always stick my needle on the piece I’m working on and it can cause some problems. Thanks.
Judy
Too cute…may have to put some together,,,they would work great for mending also…I have a habit of sewing them to my blouse..sew these will work much better for me…I also may just glue a plastic button on the back magnet for ease of getting a hold of….
I am in love with these!! Going to have to get some magnets soon and make a few–so adorable. Your fabric choices are, of course, perfect!!
xo
These are fab! I have a few magnets in my sewing box that I can put to good use now. I saw an idea somewhere (probably Pinterest) where you glue a magnet to the underside of a small pretty dish or bowl and it acts as a pincushion type of container. Thanks for all your ideas, love reading your pages.
Cute AND practical AND made from scraps!! LOVE!! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for this evening that links to your tutorial:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-magnetic-needle-minders/2015/03/03/
–Anne
These are great! I was just griping to myself when I moved a project the other day and the needle went flying off!! Need to make one!
This is so clever!!! I could see this being handy for so many crafts. I need about 10! :)
So simple and clever! I will make some for me and for a few friends, many thanks for this idea :)
I love this idea. Question – does the needle just stick to the holder or do you pad the button like a pincushion?
Hi Wanda!
They just stick to the holder since you add in the magnet. It isn’t a super tight hold but it should work pretty well. You don’t need to pad the button at all. Hope that helps! :)
You are just too clever and creative. Well done Bev – really magnificent. I get so very little time for hobbies, but i really wish to make this for me.
Thank you for this fantastic idea.
this is such a cute idea. I was looking to buy some, but this is so much cuter!!!!
Thanks!
Beverly, you’re brilliant!! These are wonderful! I am notorious for losing my needle at times (in the armchair, on the knit pants I’m wearing, somewhere on the fabric I’m quilting on, etc.). These are so clever! If I gave out awards, I’d have to say that this is the best of 2019 so far. Thank you so much for sharing!! P.S. I’m new to your blog (found you through the equally wonderful Emily at the Caffeinated Quilter).
I love these sweet little needle minders! I can’t wait to make some for Christmas gifts. I might just have a few pieces of vintage fabrics with tiny prints. Thank you for sharing these along with a great tutorial.
Thank you for such a nice tutorial. What size magnet do you use?/
I have issues with gripping tiny items like the backside magnet. I sew a tiny bag for the backside magnet with an extended loop of fabric or bias tape. The loop gives me something to hold onto when it’s time to reposition. For those who still leave needles in their stichery, instead put it in the margins of their piece. If it rusts, it’s not going to ruin the piece.