Do you remember the days when key fobs were all the rage? Here at keyfobprog.com, we’ve been crafting these little accessories for years, and they’re still just as fun and rewarding to make! Fabric key fobs are a fantastic way to use up scrap fabric and create personalized gifts for teachers, friends, or even yourself. They’re quick to sew, endlessly customizable, and require minimal materials. You probably already have everything you need in your craft stash! So, gather your fabric scraps, batting, and a keyring, and let’s dive into this easy sewing project.
Looking for a convenient, printable version of this tutorial? We’ve got you covered! Download our printable PDF guide here.
Here’s what you will need to make your own fabric key fobs:
Sewing Instructions for Fabric Key Fobs
Follow these simple step-by-step instructions to create your own stylish fabric key fobs:
Step 1: Prepare the Fabric Pieces
Take your two pieces of fabric and place them right sides together. Sew along one of the short ends with a ¼ inch seam allowance. Once sewn, press the seam open to reduce bulk and create a neater finish.
Step 2: Fold and Press the Fabric
Fold the joined fabric piece in half lengthwise, ensuring the wrong sides are facing each other. Press along the fold to create a crisp crease. This crease will act as a guide for centering the batting in the next step.
Step 3: Insert the Batting
Open the folded fabric and place the batting inside, aligning it with the center crease you just pressed. Make sure the batting is centered and leaves approximately ¼ inch of fabric overhang on both ends. This overhang will be folded over later to enclose the batting.
Step 4: Fold the Bottom Edge
Fold the bottom raw edge of the fabric up and over the batting. Press this folded edge to create a clean line. This fold starts to encase the batting within the fabric.
Step 5: Fold the Top Edge
Now, fold the top raw edge of the fabric down by about ¼ inch, positioning it over the batting and overlapping the previous fold. Press this top fold firmly. This completes the fabric enclosure around the batting, preparing it for stitching.
Step 6: Attach to Key Ring and Secure
Insert the folded fabric strip into the key ring hardware. Fold the fabric over the bar of the keyring, ensuring the raw edges are tucked neatly inside the folds. Use clips to hold the folded edges together securely around the keyring.
Step 7: Fold in Half
Fold the entire key fob in half at the keyring, bringing the two raw fabric ends together and aligning them precisely.
Step 8: Align and Pin Raw Ends
Slightly unfold the two raw ends so that the entire 3-inch length of the fabric pieces are aligned flat. Carefully move the batting out of the seam allowance area to avoid stitching through the batting in the seam. Pin the fabric layers together securely.
Step 9: Sew the Loop Closed
Sew a ¼ inch seam across the aligned raw edges. This seam will create a closed loop for your key fob.
Step 10: Press Seam Open
Use your fingers to gently press the seam open. This helps to reduce bulk and allows the key fob to lay flatter.
Step 11: Reposition Batting
Return the batting pieces to their original position within the fabric fold.
If the batting pieces now overlap due to the seam allowance, trim them so they butt up against each other without overlapping.
Step 12: Refold and Clip
Fold the fabric back over the batting as it was originally, encasing the batting within the fabric folds. Clip the edges together to hold them in place for the final stitching.
Step 13: Stitch Around the Loop (First Edge)
Bring your bobbin thread up through the needle plate, leaving about 5 inches of thread tail for both the bobbin and needle threads. Begin sewing approximately ⅛ inch from the edge of the loop. Sew all the way around the loop, moving the hardware and clips as needed.
Step 14-17: Bury Threads (First Edge)
To neatly finish the seam without backstitching (which can be visible), stop sewing about 2-3 inches before your starting point with the needle down. Gently pull one of the threads to bring the other thread to the same side. Tie these two threads in a knot. Thread a needle with both thread tails, insert the needle close to the knot, and bring it out about 1-2 inches away, going between the fabric layers but not through all layers. Gently pull the threads to pop the knot underneath the fabric surface. Trim the excess thread tails close to the fabric. Continue stitching from where you stopped to complete the seam. Bury the threads again at the end of this seam using the same method.
Step 18: Repeat for Second Edge
Repeat steps 13-17 for the other long edge of the key fob, stitching and burying the threads to create a clean finish on both sides.
Step 19: Position Hardware
Arrange the key fob hardware (the metal piece that clamps down) in the middle of the accent fabric section of your key fob. Clip the fabric around the hardware, ensuring it’s centered and secure.
Step 20: Stitch Across the Width
Starting with about 5 inches of bobbin and needle thread, stitch across the width of the key fob, close to the hardware. For extra security, stitch forward, backward, and then forward again. Bury the thread tails as explained in steps 15-16 to finish neatly.
Step 21: Enjoy Your Fabric Key Fob!
Congratulations! Your fabric key fob is now complete. Get ready to make more – they are quite addictive!
Download the printable PDF for this tutorial here.
Happy Sewing!
