Have you ever found yourself with a pile of adorable scrap fabrics and wondered what to do with them? Or maybe you’re searching for a fast, satisfying sewing project that doubles as a thoughtful handmade gift? Look no further! Fabric Key Fobs are the answer. These little accessories are not only incredibly useful for keeping your keys organized and easily accessible, but they also make fantastic personalized gifts, stocking stuffers, party favors, or even teacher presents. They are quick to whip up, require minimal materials, and are a fantastic way to use up those fabric scraps you’ve been hoarding. Whether you’re a seasoned sewer or just starting out, this step-by-step fabric key fob tutorial will guide you through creating your own stylish and practical keychains in no time. Let’s dive in and turn those fabric scraps into something special!
Here’s what you will need to gather to get started on your fabric key fob project:
Sewing Instructions for Your Fabric Key Fob
- Prepare the Fabric Pieces: Begin by sewing the two pieces of your chosen fabrics together along their short ends. Once sewn, press the seam open with an iron to ensure a flat and neat finish.
- Fold and Press Lengthwise: Next, fold your fabric piece in half lengthwise, ensuring the wrong sides of the fabric are facing each other. Press a sharp crease along the fold. This will create the center line of your fabric key fob.
- Insert the Batting: Take your piece of batting and place it inside the folded fabric, aligning it against the crease you just pressed. Center the batting carefully, leaving approximately 1/4″ of fabric overhang on both ends. This ensures the batting is neatly encased within the fabric.
- Fold Bottom Edge and Press: Now, fold the bottom raw edge of the fabric pieces around the batting, encasing the batting material. Press another crease firmly along this folded edge. This step starts to shape the key fob and secure the batting.
- Fold Top Edge and Press Again: Fold the top raw edge of the fabric down approximately 1/4″ over the batting. Press this fold to create a neat, finished top edge. This fold will meet the previous fold, encasing the batting completely.
- Attach Key Fob Hardware: Insert the fabric strip into the key ring of your hardware. Use clips to hold the folded edges of the fabric together securely around the hardware. This will keep everything in place for the next sewing steps.
- Fold in Half: Fold the entire key fob in half, bringing the two raw ends together and aligning them precisely. This fold will create the loop of the key fob.
- Align and Pin Raw Ends: Slightly unfold the two raw ends so that the entire 3″ length of the fabric pieces are aligned flat again. Move the batting out of the seam allowance area to ensure you don’t sew through the batting in the seam. Pin the fabric layers together securely.
- Sew the Loop Closed: Sew a 1/4″ seam across the pinned raw ends. This seam will create a closed loop, forming the main strap of your fabric key fob.
- Press Seam Open with Fingers: Use your fingers to gently press the newly sewn seam open. Since it’s a small area, finger pressing is sufficient to reduce bulk.
- Reposition Batting: Replace the batting pieces back to their original positions inside the fabric loop.
- Trim Batting if Necessary: If the batting pieces overlap at the seam, trim them so that they are butted against each other without overlapping. This will reduce bulk and make the edges smoother.
- Refold and Clip Edges: Fold the fabric back over the batting as it was originally, encasing the batting inside the fabric. Use clips to hold the folded edges together securely around the entire loop.
- Prepare to Stitch Around the Loop: Bring your bobbin thread up through the needle plate of your sewing machine. Pull both the needle and bobbin threads to have about 5″ of thread length to allow for knot tying later. Begin sewing approximately 1/8″ from the edge around the entire loop of the key fob. Remove clips as you sew, being careful around the hardware.
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Bury Threads – Part 1: Knotting: Stop sewing with your needle down about 2-3 inches before reaching your starting point. Gently pull one of the threads to bring the other thread to the same side of the fabric. Tie both threads together in a secure knot.
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Bury Threads – Part 2: Hiding Tails: Thread a hand sewing needle with both thread tails from the knot. Insert the needle close to the knot and bring it out of the fabric about 1-2 inches away, ensuring you only go through the top layers of the fabric key fob and not all the way through to the back.
- Bury Threads – Part 3: Trim Tails: Gently pull on the threads to “pop” the knot underneath the fabric surface. Trim the excess thread tails close to the fabric. This technique hides the thread ends for a cleaner finish.
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Complete the Loop Stitching: Continue stitching from where you left off until you reach the beginning of your seam, completing the stitching around the entire loop. Bury the threads again using steps 15-17 to finish this edge neatly.
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Position Hardware for Final Stitch: Arrange the key fob hardware in the middle of the accent fabric section of your key fob. Clip the fabric around the hardware to prepare for the final securing stitch.
- Stitch Across the Width: Starting with about 5″ of bobbin and needle thread, stitch across the width of the key fob, close to the hardware. For extra security, stitch forward, then backwards, and then forwards again over the same line. Bury these thread tails as explained in steps 15-17.
- Enjoy Your New Fabric Key Fob! Congratulations, you’ve just created your own fabric key fob! Get ready to enjoy the satisfaction of using something you made yourself or gifting it to someone special.
A word of warning: making fabric key fobs can be quite addictive! Once you start, you might find yourself wanting to create them in every color and pattern imaginable. They’re perfect for using up scrap fabric and make such delightful and practical little items.
Happy Sewing!
