Looking for a simple yet thoughtful gift that’s always appreciated? Or perhaps you want to add a personal touch to your own keys? Wristlet keychains, also known as key fobs, are the answer! These handy accessories are not only incredibly useful for keeping your keys organized and accessible, but they also offer a fantastic opportunity to express your creativity. As a DIY project, crafting Keychains For Key Fobs is surprisingly quick and easy, even for beginner sewers. Among all the handmade gifts I’ve created over the years, these fabric keychains are consistently the most requested – and for good reason!
Just recently, the assistant principal at my daughter’s school playfully hinted that the wristlet keychain I had gifted her a couple of years prior was starting to show its age. It was a clear sign that these little accessories are not only loved but also used daily!
This tutorial will guide you through creating your own charming keychains for key fobs using fabric scraps and minimal hardware. It’s the perfect project for last-minute gifts that are guaranteed to be a hit with everyone.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why this project is so beginner-friendly:
- Fabric Scraps are Perfect: You only need small pieces of fabric, making this an ideal scrap-busting project. For each keychain, you’ll need two fabric strips – one for the outer and one for the inner part of the strap. Each strip measures just 2’’ x 14’’. Additionally, a small scrap of about 3’’ x 3 1/2’’ is needed for the tab that secures the hardware.
- Simple Stabilizer: While I recommend Decor-Bond 809 from Pellon for its excellent stability, any light- to medium-weight fusible interfacing you have on hand from other projects will work just as well. You’ll need a 3 1/2’’ x 14’’ strip of interfacing for each keychain.
- Essential Hardware: The final component is a 1’’ swivel snap clip. These are readily available at craft stores like Joanns or Hobby Lobby. However, for a wider selection and often better prices, I prefer shopping for them on Amazon. Buying in bulk online can be much more economical, especially if you plan to make multiple keychains for key fobs.
While some tutorials suggest using metal crimp ends to finish key fobs, I find sewing to be a more durable and reliable method. Plus, it eliminates the need for specialized tools. Swivel snap clips are universally loved because they allow users to easily attach their keychains to purses, bags, or belt loops – a feature I personally appreciate!
To add a touch of flair and efficiency to my keychain making process, I experimented with thread colors. Instead of changing threads for every keychain, I started selecting thread colors that would complement both the inner and outer fabrics. For topstitching, I embraced the triple stitch on my sewing machine, which creates a bold and decorative finish, especially when the stitch length is slightly lengthened. A vibrant pink thread looks surprisingly stylish on gray fabric, and yellow thread truly pops against turquoise!
The beauty of this approach is using just one thread color per keychain for key fobs, simplifying the sewing process. If your sewing machine doesn’t have a triple stitch, a regular straight stitch will work perfectly fine for topstitching. Just remember to lengthen your stitch length for a more professional look.
Let’s Sew Wristlet Keychains for Key Fobs: The Tutorial
Ready to get started? Follow these step-by-step instructions to create your own stylish and practical keychains for key fobs.
Cutting Your Fabric and Interfacing
For each keychain, you will need to cut the following pieces:
- Outer Strap Fabric: 1 strip measuring 2’’ x 14’’
- Inner Strap Fabric: 1 strip measuring 2’’ x 14’’
- Wrap Around Tab Fabric: 1 rectangle measuring 3’’ x 3 1/2’’
- Fusible Interfacing: 1 strip measuring 3 1/2’’ x 14’’ of light to medium weight fusible interfacing (like Decor-Bond 809)
- Swivel Snap Clip: 1 clip with a 1’’ opening
Additional Supplies:
- Coordinating polyester thread
- Heavy duty sewing machine needle (size 90/14 or 100/16 recommended, such as Superior Topstitch Needles)
- Iron and ironing board
Sewing the Strap
- Join Strap Fabrics: Place the outer and inner 2’’ x 14’’ fabric strips right sides together. Sew along one long edge using a 1/4’’ seam allowance.
Pressing for a Professional Finish
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Open the Seam: Press the seam open to reduce bulk and create a flatter strap.
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Create a Center Crease: Fold the strap in half lengthwise and press. This helps create a crisp center crease that will guide you in the next steps.
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Fuse Interfacing: Open the fabric strip and place the fusible side of the interfacing strip against the wrong side of one fabric layer. Press thoroughly with a hot iron from the fabric side to fuse the interfacing securely. The fabric can withstand higher heat than the interfacing, ensuring a good bond.
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Fold in Long Edges: Fold each long edge of the fabric strip towards the wrong side by approximately 3/4’’. This fold should bring the raw edges just to the edge of the interfacing underneath, encasing the raw edges neatly within the strap.
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Fold and Press Again: After folding both long edges, refold the entire strip in half along the center crease you made earlier. Press flat to secure all layers and create a neat strap.
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Prepare the Wrap Around Tab: Now, take the 3 1/2’’ x 3’’ fabric rectangle for the wrap around tab. Fold one of the 3 1/2’’ sides to the wrong side by about 1’’ and press. Then, fold the opposite 3 1/2’’ side over, positioning the raw edge about 1/8’’ away from the first fold. Press again to create a clean, folded tab with no raw edges showing on the right side. This will result in a finished tab approximately 1’’ x 3 1/2’’.
Topstitching and Final Assembly
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Topstitch the Strap: Set your sewing machine to a longer stitch length (3-4) for topstitching. For a bolder look, you can use a triple stitch as I did. Topstitch along both long edges of the 1’’ x 14’’ strap, approximately 1/8’’ from the edge. This adds a professional touch and reinforces the strap.
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Attach the Swivel Snap Clip: Switch to a wide zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine, setting it to the widest possible setting. Slide the swivel snap clip onto the fabric strap. Bring the two ends of the strap together, butting them against each other. Place the joined ends under the sewing machine foot and zig-zag stitch back and forth several times across the ends, securely joining them together.
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Add the Wrap Around Tab: Position the zig-zagged join approximately 1 1/2’’ away from the swivel clip. Wrap the folded fabric tab around the joined area, ensuring the raw edge of the tab is facing inwards, against the keychain strap, to hide it. Tuck the short raw ends of the tab inside the folded edges of the tab.
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Secure the Tab: Carefully adjust the tab to fit snugly around the strap join, making it as tight as possible. Use a clip to hold it in place temporarily. Sew two short lines of topstitching to secure the tab, aligning these lines to connect with the existing topstitching on the strap. Backstitch neatly at the beginning and end of each line of stitching.
This simple stitching is sufficient to secure the tab and your keychain for key fobs. For extra security or a different look, you can add more topstitching, such as a square around the tab. However, sewing a neat square in this small area can be a bit trickier.
Consider which version of securing the tab you prefer – both are functional and add a personal touch to your handmade keychains for key fobs!
If you decide to sew these wristlet keychains for yourself or as gifts, I would love to see your creations! Share a picture on Instagram and tag me @sewcanshe or use #sewcanshe so I can admire your work.
Happy Sewing!
