project: yoyo magnets

We got a new refrigerator at my house, and let me tell you, it was a big deal. I won't go into details, but just know that people keep pushing buttons (thank goodness the water line isn't connected yet!), opening it, touching it, and admiring the lights that fade on when you open it (I admit, this last one is me).

My mom loves it so much that she declared it magnet free because she doesn't want any scratches. I can't blame her, but I can complain, because I like sticking recipes up on the fridge while I'm baking cookies. Not other things...just cookies. So I came up with a solution. Magnets for me, no scratches for my mom.



These easy-to-make magnets are basically a fabric yoyo with a round magnet inside. They are plenty strong, but are completely enclosed by fabric. And they are bright and cute! (By the way, the recipe you see above is super yummy, and probably my favorite cookie!)



Here's what you need:
Fabric scraps
Round magnets
Needle and thread



Cut out a circle that is about 3 times the diameter of your magnet. (I used a small ribbon spool to make my template.)



Fold down the edge of the circle as you sew around it. Use a loose running stitch. Shorter stitches will make the yoyo more bunchy in the middle, while longer stitches make it lie flatter.



Before you tighten the yoyo, drop a magnet into the center.



Cinch in it, and knot it off. Done! Now, make a bunch of them, because they are fast, and fun!




Oooh...look at that shiny new fridge!

These came out a little different than I originally imagined because my magnets are thicker than what I expected to buy. But you get what you can get. Flatter magnets would help make the yoyos closer in shape to the traditional kind used in quilting. I'll probably see if I can get my hands on more magnets and make another round of them. You can't have too many of these, can you?