Daffy's Stitchy Friends

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Magnetic Needleminder Tutorial

So many of you have asked how I make the needleminders I decided to try and make up a tutorial to show you how. If you have any questions feel free to email me, I am always happy to help out!

First, gather supplies. You will need:
1. A stitched piece, about an inch in size.
2. Backing fabric that compliments.
3. Fusible interfacing for light to medium weight fabric.
4. Craft magnets. I get mine from Hobby Lobby. They look sort of like watch batteries.
5. Metal finishing form ~ two pieces, 1.5 inch size. I get mine from The Silver Needle.
6. Thick white glue that dries clear and is fabric safe. I use Aleene's Tacky Glue.
7. Sewing thread and needle.

First, wash your fabrics and iron dry. Then, iron on the interfacing following the manufacturers instructions. Please, pay attention to ironing on the interfacing. I embarrassed to admit I have ironed it on to the front side of my stitching...or adhered it to the ironing cloth instead of the fabric...or scorched it black.

Now, cut your fabric pieces into circles. I have a juice glass that fits these perfectly and I can see through it to see if I'm centered. The circles should be about 2.5 inches.

Here are my circles, finishing forms and magnets.

On each of your fabric circles make a loose running stitch (use regular sewing thread) starting from the front and ending at the front. You don't have to be perfect either! I usually use a thread close to the color of my fabric but I've used black here so you could easily see it. I'm almost done here...see the big knot? You need to be able to pull the ends tight to draw up the circle so use a big knot that's easy to grab. End close to your knot and leave a long tail...

Here, I have started drawing in on the thread. Get it cupped and then insert your form. and draw it in tight. Careful! Not too tight or you might break your thread or tear through your fabric! This is why you use interfacing...it gives the fabric a little more strength.


I've finished the backing side. Here is the front side with the magnet. I use a little drop of glue on the magnet (to keep it from moving around) but it does stick to the form by itself.

Finish drawing in your threads, pull gently until it's good & tight. Check the front to make sure it's centered. You can gently slide the fabric around on the form until you have it centered nicely. Then tie the ends of the threads together to hold tight.

Now, using a tooth pick, spread white glue over both pieces, being careful to get close to the edges but not getting the glue onto the areas that will be visible. Once your glue is on, place the backs together and squeeze them gently, make sure to get the edges even. The magnet will tend to hold them too. I don't bother...but you can place the needleminder under a book until the glue dries.
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The finished needleminder! Was that easy or what?
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Thank you for visiting my blog today!
xox





60 comments:

Cole said...

Awesome, thank you for sharing!!

LisaG said...

What a brilliant tutorial.... so easy to follow, I look forward to making one. Thank you.

valerie said...

Great tutorial! Thanks for sharing!

Robin said...

I love tutorials! Thanks for sharing. Your directions were clear and concise and now I think I can do it!

Christine said...

Great demo! Thank you!

Myra said...

Thanks for the wonderful tutorial! I really want to make myself one of these - I lost 2 needles while stitching last night. I am confident DH will find them (with his feet) in due time. :o)

CalamityJr said...

Thank you! I don't think any of us can go wrong with such clear instructions. I look forward to finishing the bigger piece I must get done and then trying this myself!

Maggie said...

Thanks for taking the time to post this tutorial, it was very clear and easy to follow :-)

Patty C. said...

Ok - that was awesome - I found another way I haven't completed yet in my attempt to figure out what you were doing - If I can make it work I'll let you know ;)

Your tutorial is awesome - thank you !!!!

Sun City Stitcher said...

I LOVE those finishing forms. Perfect for round stuff. I use them all the time for Christmas ornies, never thought of a needle minder! Great idea, thanks.

tkdquintmom said...

you...are...amazing :) Love this. Thanks so much for sharing it with us Sharon.

Lynn said...

Thanks very much for the tutorial. It looks pretty easy and I need all the help I can get!

Natasha said...

what great instructions. I can not wait to try out this finish :)
Thank you

Faye said...

Thanks so much for the tutorial~~~ I just might go by Michaels to see for supplies to make some...Or Joannes.... Anyway, good job on the directions! Faye

BubzRugz said...

Great tutorial - I must look out for magnets now - I haven't seen the forms and round magnets here - but then I haven't looked properly.... these would be lovely little gifts at Christmas... thanks
Hugz

Melanie said...

Thanks so much for taking the time to write this out!! I'm sure it will come in handy for a lot of people! :)

Annette said...

Thanks you Sharon so much for this tutorial...
It looks so easy, need to try it one day..

Nicky said...

Thanks for a wonderful tutorial, you've made it look so easy! Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Hi,
Wonderful tutorioal!!! But what happens whenever you only stitch on aida? What can you use? Thank you for the tutorioal!!!

Denise said...

Who'd a thought? Great tutorial! Just might have to try this out!
Thank-you for taking the time to do this for us!

Denise

Jackie's Stitches said...

The way you laid out your tutorial it looks really easy! Thank you SO much. You finish things so beautifully and it's nice to see how you do things.

How'd your week go?

Beth R. said...

Than you so much for posting this tutorial! I love your needleminders and can now make my own! Beth

Karen said...

Thanks for sharing....will definitely give this a try!

Amanda said...

Great tutorial! Thanks for sharing.

Sheila said...

Thanks, that is great. I definitely will have to try this. I have been wanting a needle minder.

Friendship Crossing said...

I've got everything except for the magnet ~love love love your tutorial and can't wait to try it!

Thanks so much!

That one looks just like mine ~tee hee!

Tanya~friendshipcrossing.blogspot.com

Blu said...

Thanks for a great tutorial!

Bev said...

how good is that? going on eBay to see if i can get the things i need i am always panicking to what i have done with my needle that i had 10 seconds ago.....memory like a fish i have lol

Ellen said...

Great tutorial!

Hugs,

Christine said...

Thanks for the tutorial, it looks easy enough (famous last words!)
Interfacing is tricky stuff. I've stuck it to the ironing board and the iron before now!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the tutorial, i will go and have to try this for myself now this can't go wrong anymore.

Hugs Yvon.

Karan said...

Thanks for a great tutorial - bookmarking it for future reference! :))

Pumpkin said...

That WAS super easy!!!! Thanks for the tutorial Sharon :o) I have those forms but have never used them.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing this tutorial.
I'm off to find some forms now.

Tatkis said...

That's a great tutorial! Thank you very much!

Best wishes,
Tatyana

Kathy A. said...

What a great tutorial. Thank you so much for sharing.

Kttycat said...

Wow that looks pretty easy I can't wait to try it myself. Thanks for posting.

Julie said...

Brilliant! Thank you, will have to try one of these

Joanna said...

That is such a smart item to make. I need one. Thank you for the tutorial.

Lisa S said...

Now how cool is that Sharon!!
These would be wonderful to add a little extra something into an exchange gift!

Thank You for the wonderful tutorial!

Danielle said...

Thanks so much for the tutorial! I may make one of these someday. Just too easy.

Pauline said...

I'm hearing you about ironing the interfacing the wrong way- I've done this so many times you'd think I would have learnt by now!

Great tutorial, I had no idea how a needleminder worked- its got a magnet inside- how cool!

mbroider said...

Thanks for this tutorial. So easy to follow... Hope to do one soon!

Carmen said...

thank you for the tutorial!

Berit said...

Very nice (and clear) tutorial! Now I'm itching to order one of those finishing forms. :)

Natalia said...

What a great idea !!! Thanks so much for the tutorial... I'll be making some for sure. They make great little gifts.

Sharon said...

Great tutorial! Thanks for sharing it!

Kathy said...

Thanks for a great tutorial. The directions are very clear. I'll have to try it soon.
Kathy(who has ironed the interfacing the wrong way many times)

Sheila said...

Great tutorial! I'm gonna have a go at this cos I'm always losing my needles down the couch Thanks for sharing..

sheila x

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing, Sharon. It is a great tutorial...very clear and easy to follow. I'm off to find some piccies to stitch so I can make a few now!

Siobhán said...

Well, that is too cool! Thanks for sharing that tutorial!

Dani - tkdchick said...

Very cool! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

never thought of making my own cool!

The Redhead Riter said...

I love this little needleminder! It is so cute! You did a great job with the tutorial too. Some can do and some can teach, but you can do it all! ♥

Barb said...

You know there will be a stampede over to the Silver needle now lol.I like that idea and will be trying it out if SN havent sold out . Thanks so much for sharing, and that little design is so cute.

Fiona said...

um sorry if this is a dumb question but what do the metal forms look like, never seem/heard of them before and we don't have hobby lobby in the uk.

Lynn S. said...

A GREAT little tutorial! Thanks for sharing it with us! Gonna try one soon!

Miokka said...

Way cool! Thanks for doing this!

Chiloe said...

W O W !!!!!!!!!! Very good idea ;-)

Dawn B. said...

I make these out of clay...I buy washers and magnets from a local hardware store..saves me money. I like your idea as well.