Sew-in magnets are a versatile way to add hidden fasteners to all kinds of projects. You can use them in bags, garments, curtains, and kids' fabric toys. Because waterproof sew-in magnets keep their PVC seal, they're perfect for anything that gets handled a lot or tossed in the wash. Today we're going to show you how to sew a waterproof magnet into a fabric letter for the fridge.
What You'll Need
- 1x sew-in waterproof magnet, 12mm x 3mm
- Sewing machine
- Letter tracing cutout (template)
- Wash-away pen or chalk marker
- Pinking shears
- Pins or clips
- 2x 5x5 in fabric squares (front and back)
- 1x 5x5 in piece of cotton batting (for the inside)
- Coordinating thread
Time required: about 30 minutes per letter, including cutting and sewing. Difficulty level: Beginner.
Before You Start: Check Magnet Polarity
If you're making several letters that should stick to each other (or to a matching magnet), test which sides attract before you sew. Mark the "up" face so every magnet is oriented the same way, otherwise finished pieces may repel instead of attract.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cut your front fabric, back fabric, and cotton batting into 5x5 in squares.
- Place the two fabric squares with wrong sides together and slip the batting between them. Pin or clip the layers to hold everything in place.
- Use a washable fabric pen or chalk marker to trace your letter onto the fabric.
- Trim the plastic around the edge of the magnet so it fits within the lines of your letter. Important: do not cut the seal directly around the magnet, or you'll lose the waterproof property.
- Pin the magnet in place, or hold it with a second magnet on the outside of the fabric. On the letter "A," I placed the magnet at the top; adjust the placement depending on which letter you're making.
- Follow your traced lines and sew around them to hold the fabric together and secure the magnet in place.
- Once you've sewn all the way around, check that everything is secure and the magnet doesn't shift around.
- Use pinking shears to cut around the letter, taking care not to cut into any of your seams.
- Wash off the marker or chalk.
- You're done, test it on your fridge!
Tips & Common Mistakes
- Add a small piece of fusible interfacing behind the magnet for extra reinforcement on thin fabrics.
- Keep the magnet from shifting by holding it with a second magnet on the underside while you sew.
- Double-check polarity before sewing so multi-letter sets attract rather than repel.
- Sew slowly around the magnet and keep it flat to avoid catching it under the presser foot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you machine wash projects with sew-in waterproof magnets?
Yes, as long as the PVC seal is intact, waterproof sew-in magnets are made to handle washing. Avoid the spin cycle where possible to reduce stress on the stitches.
How strong is a 12mm sew-in magnet?
A 12mm x 3mm neodymium magnet gives a firm hold for lightweight fabric projects like fridge letters, closures, and small toys.
Can you sew magnets in by hand?
You can, but the PVC casing is tough. A sewing machine with a zipper or edge foot makes it much easier to stitch neatly around the magnet.
Conclusion
And that's it, you've made a waterproof, magnetic fabric letter that's perfect for the fridge. Because these sew-in magnets keep their waterproof seal, your finished letters can stand up to sticky fingers and the occasional wash without losing their grip. Once you've mastered one letter, you can spell out names, words, or the whole alphabet for a fun, tactile learning toy. Try different fabrics, colors, and letter shapes to make each one unique. Happy sewing!