Looking for a fast and fun sewing project that everyone will love? Wristlet Key Chain Fobs are the answer! These handy accessories are not only incredibly useful, but they also make fantastic personalized gifts. I’ve been sewing these key chain fobs for years, and they are consistently the most requested DIY gift I make. Just recently, the assistant principal at my daughter’s school reminded me, not so subtly, that the wrist lanyard I gifted her a while back was starting to show its age. This sparked the idea to share my easy-to-follow tutorial so you can create your own key chain fobs – perfect for yourself or for thoughtful, handmade presents.
This project is ideal for using up fabric scraps, and you can whip up a batch of these key chain fobs in no time. They are practical, stylish, and a wonderful way to add a personal touch to your keys. Let’s dive into what you’ll need and how to make these charming key chain fobs.
Here’s a breakdown of what you need for each key chain fob:
- Fabric Scraps: You’ll need two coordinating fabric strips, each measuring just 2’’ x 14’’. One will be for the outside of your key fob and the other for the inside. You’ll also need a small scrap piece, about 3’’ x 3 1/2’’, for the tab that secures the hardware. I like to use a matching fabric for the inside of the fob for this tab.
- Stabilizer: My go-to stabilizer is Decor-Bond 809 from Pellon. It provides the perfect structure without being too bulky. However, if you have any light to midweight fusible interfacing leftover from other projects, that will work wonderfully too. You’ll need a strip of interfacing measuring 3 1/2’’ x 14’’ for each key chain fob.
- Swivel Snap Clip: The essential hardware! You’ll need a 1’’ swivel snap clip for each key fob. While you can find these at local craft stores like Joanns or Hobby Lobby, I prefer shopping for them on Amazon. Buying in bulk online is often more economical.
Many tutorials suggest using metal clamps to finish key fobs, but I find sewn straps to be much more durable and secure. Plus, swivel snap clips are universally loved because they easily attach to purses, bags, or belt loops – keeping your keys conveniently accessible.
To add a bit of flair to my key chain fobs and streamline the sewing process, I experimented with thread choices. Instead of constantly changing thread colors to match each fabric, I started selecting thread that coordinated with both the inside and outside fabrics. For topstitching, I opted for a bold triple stitch on my sewing machine, increasing the stitch length to 3 or 4. This creates a beautiful, pronounced topstitch that really elevates the look. For instance, pink thread looks surprisingly stylish on gray fabric, and yellow thread makes a vibrant statement against turquoise. The best part? Using a single thread color throughout simplifies the process without sacrificing style. If your machine doesn’t have a triple stitch, a regular straight stitch with a lengthened stitch length will also look fantastic for topstitching.
Ready to sew your own wristlet key chain fobs? Let’s get started with this easy tutorial!
Sewing Your Key Chain Fobs: Step-by-Step Tutorial
Cutting the Fabric and Interfacing
For each key chain fob, cut the following pieces:
- Outer Fabric Strip: 1 strip measuring 2’’ x 14’’
- Inner Fabric Strip: 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’’ (such as Decor-Bond 809 from Pellon)
- Swivel Snap Clip: 1 with a 1’’ opening (similar to these)
Gather your additional supplies:
- Coordinating polyester thread
- Heavy duty sewing machine needle (size 90/14 or 100/16 recommended, Superior Topstitch Needles are a great choice)
- Iron and ironing board
Sewing the Strap
- Place your outer and inner fabric strips right sides together. Sew along one of the long edges using a 1/4’’ seam allowance.
Alt text: Sewing two 2-inch fabric strips right sides together along the long edge for a key chain fob strap.
Pressing for a Crisp Finish
- Press the seam open to reduce bulk and create a flatter strap.
Alt text: Pressing the seam open on the wrong side of a partially sewn key chain fob strap to flatten the seam.
- Fold the strap in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press firmly. This step ‘trains’ the fabric and creates a neat center crease that will guide your topstitching later.
Alt text: Folding a key chain fob strap in half lengthwise and pressing to create a crisp center crease.
- Unfold the strap and lay it wrong side up. Position the fusible side of your interfacing strip against the wrong side of the fabric, aligning it centrally. Press with a hot iron to fuse the interfacing to the fabric. Ensure you press well from the fabric side to achieve a strong bond without scorching the interfacing.
Alt text: Applying fusible interfacing to the wrong side of a key chain fob strap using a hot iron.
- Fold one long edge of the strap over to the wrong side by approximately 3/4’’. Repeat for the other long edge. You’ll notice that these folded edges should meet or slightly overlap over the edge of the interfacing underneath. This creates a clean, finished edge.
Alt text: Folding and pressing both long edges of a key chain fob strap to the wrong side by 3/4 inch.
- Refold the entire strap in half along the center crease you made in step 2, enclosing the raw edges. Press flat to secure.
Alt text: Refolding the key chain fob strap along the center crease and pressing it flat to enclose raw edges.
- Now prepare the wrap-around tab. Fold one of the 3 1/2’’ sides of your tab piece over to the wrong side by about 1’’ and press. Then fold the opposite side over so that its raw edge is approximately 1/8’’ away from the first folded edge. Press again. This double-fold creates a neat, no-fray finish for the tab. You should end up with a strip roughly 1’’ x 3 1/2’’.
Alt text: Step-by-step folding and pressing of the fabric tab for a key chain fob, creating a clean finished edge.
Topstitching and Final Assembly
- Set your sewing machine to a topstitching length of 3-4. If you wish to use a decorative stitch like a triple stitch as I did, select that now. Topstitch along both long edges of the 1’’ x 14’’ strap, approximately 1/8’’ from the edge.
Alt text: Topstitching along both long edges of a key chain fob strap with a decorative triple stitch for a professional finish.
- Switch to a wide zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine, using the widest setting possible. Thread the swivel snap clip onto your strap. Bring the two ends of the strap together, overlapping slightly if necessary. Place the joined ends under your sewing machine foot and zig-zag stitch back and forth several times to securely join the strap ends.
Alt text: Using a wide zig-zag stitch to securely join the two ends of a key chain fob strap together, with a swivel snap clip attached.
- Position the zig-zagged seam about 1 1/2’’ away from the swivel snap clip. Take your prepared wrap-around tab and center it around the zig-zagged seam, with the raw edge of the tab facing the key fob strap so it will be hidden. Tuck the short raw ends of the tab to the inside of the strap.
Alt text: Positioning the folded fabric tab around the zig-zag stitched seam of a key chain fob strap, ready for topstitching.
- Carefully adjust the tab until it is snug and neatly encases the zig-zagged seam. Secure it in place with a clip or pin. Sew two short lines of topstitching to attach the tab, aligning these lines with the existing topstitching on the strap. Backstitch securely at the beginning and end of each line of stitching.
Alt text: Final topstitching on a key chain fob to secure the wrap-around tab, completing the project.
This simple stitching is sufficient to secure the tab and your key chain fob hardware. You can add more decorative topstitching if desired, such as a square around the tab, but straight lines are quick and effective.
And there you have it – your handmade key chain fob is complete! These are so quick and satisfying to make.
If you create your own wristlet key chain fobs, please share your creations! Post a picture on Instagram and tag me @sewcanshe or use #sewcanshe – I’d love to see your versions!
Happy Sewing!
