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Here’s everything you’ll need to craft your own key fob fabric:
Materials You’ll Need
- Fabric Scraps: Choose two coordinating fabric pieces. Cotton fabric works best and allows for creative designs. Scraps are perfect for this project, making it a great way to use up leftover materials from larger sewing projects.
- Batting Scraps: You’ll need a small piece of batting to give your key fob fabric some padding and structure. Leftover batting from quilting or other sewing projects is ideal.
- Key Fob Hardware: Purchase key fob hardware sets online or at craft stores. These typically include the metal key ring and the clamp piece that secures the fabric.
- Sewing Machine: A standard sewing machine is necessary for this project.
- Thread: Matching thread to blend with your chosen fabrics.
- Scissors or Rotary Cutter: For precise fabric cutting.
- Iron and Ironing Board: Pressing seams is crucial for a professional finish.
- Clips or Pins: To hold fabric layers together while sewing.
- Pliers (Optional): Pliers can be helpful for securely closing the key fob hardware clamp.
- Ruler or Measuring Tape: To ensure accurate fabric dimensions.
Sewing Instructions: Step-by-Step Guide to Your Fabric Key Fob
Let’s walk through each step to create your key fob fabric:
1. Prepare the Fabric Pieces
Sew the two chosen fabric pieces together along one of the short ends, with right sides facing. This combines your accent and main fabrics. After sewing, press the seam open with your iron to create a flat, neat seam.
2. Fold and Press the Fabric
Fold the joined fabric piece in half lengthwise, ensuring the wrong sides of the fabric are together. Press a sharp crease along the fold. This crease will serve as the center guide for the batting.
3. Insert the Batting
Open the folded fabric and place the batting piece inside, aligning it with the crease you just pressed. Center the batting so that there’s approximately a 1/4″ fabric overhang on each end of the batting. This ensures the batting is neatly enclosed within the fabric.
4. Fold Bottom Edge and Press
Fold the bottom raw edge of the fabric up and around the batting, encasing the batting. Press another crease along this folded edge. This creates a clean edge and prepares the fabric for the next fold.
5. Fold Top Edge and Press Again
Fold the top raw edge of the fabric down by about 1/4″, positioning it on top of the batting and overlapping slightly with the previous fold. Press this fold to create a neat, layered edge.
6. Attach Key Fob Hardware
Insert the folded fabric into the key fob hardware clamp. Position it so the raw edges are aligned within the clamp. Use clips to hold the folded fabric edges together, ensuring they stay in place while you prepare to sew.
7. Fold in Half
Fold the entire key fob in half at the hardware, bringing the two raw fabric ends together. Ensure these raw ends are aligned evenly.
8. Align and Pin Raw Ends
Slightly unfold the raw ends so the entire 3″ length of fabric is aligned flat. Gently move the batting aside, ensuring you won’t sew through the batting in this seam. Pin the fabric layers together to keep them aligned for sewing.
9. Sew the Loop
Sew a 1/4″ seam along the pinned raw edges. This seam will create a closed fabric loop for your key fob.
10. Press Seam Open
Use your fingers to gently press the seam you just sewed open. This will reduce bulk and help the loop lay flat.
11. Reposition Batting
Return the batting pieces to their original position inside the fabric loop.
If the batting pieces overlap after sewing the loop, trim them so they are butted against each other without overlapping. This prevents bulk in the finished key fob fabric.
12. Fold Fabric Back Over Batting
Refold the fabric over the batting to its original folded position, encasing the batting neatly once more. Use clips to hold the folded edges in place.
13. Start Topstitching
Bring both the bobbin thread and needle thread to the top of your sewing machine. Pull them out about 5 inches – this extra thread will be used for knotting and burying the threads later. Start topstitching approximately 1/8″ from the edge around the entire fabric loop. Move the hardware and clips out of the way as you sew, maintaining an even stitch line.
14. Bury Threads for a Clean Finish
Instead of backstitching which can be visible, bury your threads for a cleaner look, especially because the seam starts and stops in the same place. Stop sewing about 2-3 inches before you reach your starting point, with the needle in the down position.
15. Create a Knot
Gently pull on one of the threads to bring the other thread to the same side of the fabric. Tie these two threads together in a secure knot.
16. Bury the Thread Tails
Thread a hand sewing needle with both thread tails. Insert the needle close to the knot and bring it out of the fabric about 1-2 inches away. Be careful not to go through all layers of the key fob – just through a top layer.
17. Trim Thread Tails
Gently pull the threads until the knot pops underneath the fabric surface and disappears. Trim the excess thread tails flush with the fabric.
18. Complete Topstitching
Continue stitching from where you stopped in step 14 until you reach the beginning of your seam, completing the topstitching around the loop. Bury these threads as you did in steps 14-17 for a seamless finish all around.
19. Center Hardware and Clip
Arrange the key fob hardware so it’s centered on the accent fabric section of your key fob. Fold the fabric key fob around the metal hardware clamp, ensuring it’s evenly positioned. Use clips to hold it in place.
20. Final Stitch Across Width
Starting with about 5″ of bobbin and needle thread pulled out, stitch across the width of the key fob, close to the hardware clamp. For extra security, stitch forward, then backward, and then forward again over the same line. Bury these thread tails as you did in steps 15-16 to finish neatly.
21. Enjoy Your Fabric Key Fob!
Your fabric key fob is now complete! Attach your keys and admire your handmade creation.
Fair warning: making fabric key fobs can be addictive! Once you start, you might not want to stop. They are so quick and customizable – perfect for gifts or to add a personal touch to your own keys.
Download the printable PDF for this tutorial here.
Happy Sewing!
