Key Fob Wristlets are the unsung heroes of everyday carry. These handy accessories keep your keys secure and easily accessible, all while adding a touch of personal style. As a seasoned auto repair expert at keyfobx.com, I understand the importance of keeping your keys safe and sound. That’s why I’m excited to share this incredibly simple and quick sewing tutorial for creating your own key fob wristlet.
Over the years, I’ve personally crafted countless DIY projects, but key fob wristlets consistently top the list as the most requested handmade gifts. There’s just something universally appealing about their practicality and charm. Even my daughter’s school assistant principal is a repeat admirer, hinting more than once that her well-loved wrist lanyard – a previous gift from me – was showing its age!
If you’re searching for last-minute gift ideas that are both speedy to create and guaranteed to be appreciated, look no further. This key fob wristlet project is your answer. It’s a fantastic way to use up fabric scraps and create something genuinely useful and stylish.
Here’s what you need to know to get started on your key fob wristlet sewing adventure:
- Perfect for Scraps: This free sewing tutorial is ideal for utilizing those leftover fabric pieces you’ve been saving. Each key fob wristlet requires only small amounts of fabric – two 2’’ x 14’’ strips, one for the outer and one for the inner layer. You’ll also need a small scrap, approximately 3’’ x 3 1/2’’, for the tab that secures the hardware and prevents it from sliding around. I like to use a coordinating fabric for this tab, often matching the inner fabric of the key fob wristlet.
- Stabilizer is Key: My go-to stabilizer for key fob wristlets is Pellon Decor-Bond 809. However, any light- to midweight fusible interfacing you have on hand from other projects will work perfectly. You’ll need a 3 1/2’’ x 14’’ strip of interfacing for each key fob wristlet you plan to make.
- Hardware Essentials: The final essential is a 1’’ swivel snap clip. While you can find these at craft stores like Joann Fabrics or Hobby Lobby in a pinch, I recommend checking out Amazon for the best value. Purchasing in bulk online can save you money and ensure you have plenty on hand for future key fob wristlet projects.
While some tutorials suggest using metal clamps to secure the ends of the strap, I personally prefer the sewn method for durability. Those metal clamps can sometimes be unreliable in the long run. Plus, I’m not keen on investing in specialized tools when a simple sewing technique works just as well. The swivel snap clip is a favorite because it allows for easy attachment to purses, bags, or belt loops – a feature I find incredibly useful myself!
As I made more and more of these charming little gifts, I realized that constantly changing thread colors was slowing me down. That’s when I decided to experiment with bolder thread choices. I began selecting thread colors that would complement both the inner and outer fabrics of the key fob wristlet. For topstitching, I embraced the triple stitch on my sewing machine, which creates a striking, layered effect, especially when lengthened to a 3 or 4 stitch length. The result? My pink thread looked unexpectedly glamorous against gray fabric, and yellow thread popped vibrantly against turquoise.
The best part of this thread experiment was the efficiency – using just one thread color per key fob wristlet streamlined the process beautifully. If your sewing machine doesn’t have a triple stitch, don’t worry! A regular straight stitch for topstitching works perfectly fine. Just remember to lengthen your stitch length for that professional, polished look.
Ready to create your own stylish and practical key fob wristlets? Let’s dive into the tutorial!
DIY Key Fob Wristlet Tutorial: Step-by-Step Guide
Materials You’ll Need:
For each key fob wristlet, gather the following:
- Outer Fabric Strip: 1 strip of fabric, 2’’ x 14’’
- Inner Fabric Strip: 1 strip of fabric, 2’’ x 14’’
- Wrap Around Tab Fabric: 1 rectangle of fabric, 3’’ x 3 1/2’’
- Fusible Interfacing: 1 strip of light to medium weight fusible interfacing (like Pellon Decor-Bond 809), 3 1/2’’ x 14’’
- Swivel Snap Clip: 1 swivel snap or alligator clasp with a 1’’ opening
You will also need:
- Coordinating polyester thread
- Heavy duty sewing machine needle (size 90/14 or 100/16 recommended)
- Iron and ironing board
Sewing Your Key Fob Wristlet:
- Prepare the Strap: Place the two 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 Crisp Edge: Fold the strap in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press. This ‘teaches’ the fabric to fold nicely along the seam, resulting in a crisp, professional edge.
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Fuse the Interfacing: Open the fabric strap and place the fusible side of the interfacing strip against the wrong side of the fabric. Press firmly with a hot iron from the fabric side to fuse the interfacing. Ensure the interfacing adheres completely to the fabric for added stability.
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Fold in Long Edges: Fold each long edge of the fabric strip over to the wrong side by approximately 3/4’’. This should align the raw edges with the seam allowances underneath the interfacing, encasing the raw edges for a clean finish.
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Fold and Press Again: After folding and pressing both long edges, fold the entire strip in half again along the original seam. Press flat to secure the folds and create the final strap shape. Set this piece aside for topstitching.
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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 over to the wrong side by about 1’’. Press flat. Then, fold the other 3 1/2” side over so that the raw edge is approximately 1/8’’ away from the first fold. Press again. This creates a neat, folded tab with no raw edges showing on the finished key fob wristlet. You should now have a tab piece that measures approximately 1’’ x 3 1/2’’.
Topstitching and Final Assembly:
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Topstitch the Strap: Set your sewing machine to a topstitching stitch length of 3-4. For a bolder look, use a triple stitch if your machine has one. Topstitch along both long edges of the 1’’ x 14’’ strap, approximately 1/8’’ from the edge. This adds a decorative touch and reinforces the edges of your key fob wristlet.
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Attach the Swivel Snap Clip: Switch to a wide zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine (set it to the widest setting). Slide the swivel snap clip onto the strap. Butt the two ends of the strap together, overlapping slightly if needed. Place the ends under the sewing machine foot and zig-zag back and forth several times to securely join the strap ends.
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Secure with Wrap Around Tab: Position the zig-zagged join on the strap about 1 1/2’’ away from the clasp. Wrap the prepared tab piece around the joined strap section, with the raw edge of the tab against the key fob wristlet strap (ensuring the folded edges are visible on the outside). Tuck the short raw ends of the tab to the inside of the strap, creating a neat, enclosed finish. Adjust the tab until it is snug and secure, then use a clip to hold it in place.
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Final Topstitching: Sew two short lines of topstitching to connect the wrap-around tab to the existing topstitching lines on the strap. Backstitch neatly at the beginning and end of each line of topstitching to secure the threads. This is sufficient to hold the tab firmly in place and complete your key fob wristlet. For extra security or a different look, you can add more topstitching, such as a square around the tab, but straight lines are often easier to sew neatly.
Your handmade key fob wristlet is now complete! Whether you choose to sew these for yourself or as thoughtful, personalized gifts, I’m confident you’ll enjoy the process and the final product.
If you create your own key fob wristlets using this tutorial, I’d love to see your creations! Share a picture on Instagram and tag me @sewcanshe or use #sewcanshe so I can admire your handiwork.
Happy Sewing!
