Fabric Refrigerator Magnet

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This finishing technique is used to add a magnetic backing to a cross-stitch project turning it into a refrigerator magnet. The fabric is reinforced using a thin piece of solid cardboard.

Materials Required

  • 1/16" (1.6mm) thick solid cardboard
  • Acrylic Felt
  • White Glue
  • Flexible Magnetic Sheet
  • Hot Glue Gun
Braided Cording

Instructions

  1. Determine the overall finished width and height you want for your magnet. If you want a small border between the edge of the magnet and the pattern, don't forget to include the additional space! Cut a piece of solid cardboard or similar light-weight, single-ply cardboard to this size. Cut a piece of felt the same size. The felt should be a color that coordinates well with your project.
  2. Add 1" (2.6 cm) to the width and height of your pattern. See Using the Fabric Size Calculator for details on how to quickly perform this calculation. Trim the pattern to to this size.
  3. Braided Cording Center the cardboard piece cut in Step 1 on the BACK of your finished stitching. Apply a small amount of white glue to a 1/2" (1.3 cm) square area of one corner. The glue should cover the two edges of the fabric and the corner of the cardboard. Use enough glue to coat the fabric.
  4. Braided Cording Fold the corner of the fabric over onto the cardboard diagonally forming a triangle. Add additional white glue if the fabric is not completely covered. Press down firmly. Repeat with other three corners.
  5. Braided Cording Braided Cording Once all four corners have been glued and folded down, you will have four "tabs", one on each side of the fabric.  Apply white glue to one tab and fold down onto the cardboard. Add additional glue to the top of the tab until it is completely covered. Press down firmly. Repeat with other three sides.
  6. Apply a thin coating of white glue to the sides and center of the project back. Take the piece of felt cut in Step 1 and center onto the back of your project. In order to ensure that the felt adheres to the fabric and cardboard, put a heavy book or other heavy object on the back and leave set until dry. Note that some felt is sold with an adhesive backing which may not hold as well over time.
  7. Braided Cording After the felt has dried thoroughly, cut a piece of Magnetic Sheet that is large enough to cover the back of the project. Remove the plastic covering from the adhesive backing. Put a thin bead of hot glue around the edge and in the center of the magnet on the adhesive side. Before the hot glue hardens, press down firmly onto the felt. The hot glue is needed since the adhesive from the magnet usually won't last over time.
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