Turn Buttons into Needleminders Easily

You know the kind of button I mean. They have a wire, usually copper, bent to be the pin, below. Did you know that you can turn these buttons into magnetic needleminders in about a minute longer than it takes for the glue to dry?

That’s what I did with this button from 3Kittens Needle Arts and I have several made from Charley Harper designs I bought at an eBay auction. You can find these buttons in many places, often inexpensively. Because they are popular with children, I often find them in kid’s stores and in bookstores with great children’s sections. eBay, Etsy, and other collectible and crafts sites are also great places to find them.

I like these because they are small, mine is 1″ across, strong because of the magnets, and flat. The flat magnet means they can store better and won’t let the needle get caught in some odd place. Because the face of the button is flat instead of curved it holds the needles securely in one place.

You can even buy button maker kits and make your own using pictures, pages from books and magazines, or fabric. If you have kids or grandkids, this makes a great rainy day project. HINT: If you are making your own, leave off any pins.

Step-by-step Instructions

1. First find your materials. You’ll need:

• buttons, preferably with backs like the one shown above
• rare earth magnets, smaller than the inside measurement of the button back (1/2″ to 3″4 inch is good)
• ES-6000 glue or other super glue

2. Remove the pin. Do this by unlatching it and bending the ends so they come out of the grove at the edge of the button’s back. If the back is another type, you may need to use wire cutters to cut out the pin.

3. Take a pair of magnets and put one far away from where you will glue. This keeps it from interfering with the magnet you will glue.

4. Put a drop of glue in the center of the button’s back. Place the other magnet of the pair on the glue.

5. Set aside to dry completely (The time for this depends on the glue.)

6. When dry put the other magnet on the back and you can use as a needleminder.