Are you tired of digging through your purse to find your lip balm? Or maybe you’re looking for a quick and thoughtful handmade gift? This easy sewing tutorial will show you how to create a stylish and practical key fob holder for your purse, perfect for keeping your lip balm or other small essentials within easy reach. This project is not only a fantastic way to use up fabric scraps, but it also results in a super useful accessory that you’ll wonder how you ever lived without. Let’s get crafting and make a charming key fob lip balm holder that will keep you organized and add a touch of handmade flair to your everyday carry!
Get Started with Your Lip Balm Key Fob Holder
I’m thrilled to guide you through making these adorable and incredibly useful lip balm holders using readily available key fob hardware. As someone who can’t live without lip balm, I know the frustration of constantly losing them in the depths of a bag. But no more! With just a few simple steps, you can create a cute holder that clips right onto your purse or keys, ensuring your lip balm is always at your fingertips. Ready to say goodbye to lost lip balms? Let’s gather our supplies and get started on this fun and fast sewing project! You can find key fob hardware at craft stores or online – Emmaline key fob hardware is a great option.
Supplies You’ll Need:
Before we begin, gather these simple materials:
- (1) 5″ x 6 1/2″ piece of fabric: Choose your favorite cotton fabric – quilting cottons work wonderfully for their durability and variety of prints.
- (1) 2 1/2″ x 6″ piece of interfacing: Interfacing adds structure and stability to your key fob holder. Shape Flex 101 is recommended as it provides enough body without making the holder too stiff, ensuring easy lip balm access.
- Fabric marking pen: For marking your fabric accurately.
- Emmaline Key Fob Hardware: This essential hardware gives your holder its key fob functionality and a professional finish.
- Pliers: To securely attach the key fob hardware.
Step 1: Prepare Your Fabric and Interfacing
Begin by fusing the interfacing to your fabric. Center the interfacing on the wrong side of your 5″ x 6 1/2″ fabric piece. Align the bottom edge of the interfacing with the bottom edge of the fabric, leaving approximately 1/2″ of fabric exposed at the top. Following the manufacturer’s instructions for your interfacing, fuse it to the fabric with an iron. This will provide structure to your key fob holder.
Step 2: Create the Top Fold
Next, we’ll create a finished top edge for your key fob holder. Turn down the top edge of your fabric by ½” towards the interfaced side. Press this fold firmly with your iron. The top of this fold should align neatly with the top edge of the interfacing, creating a clean, folded edge.
Step 3: Fold and Press the Sides
Now, we’ll prepare the sides of the holder. First, fold your fabric piece in half lengthwise, with wrong sides together, and press to create a center crease. Open the fabric back up. Then, fold each long raw edge towards the center crease you just made. Ensure the raw edges meet neatly at the center crease line. Press these folds well to create crisp, clean side edges. This step encases the raw edges and prepares the sides for stitching.
Step 4: Top Stitch the Top Edge
To secure the folded top edge and add a professional touch, top stitch along the folded top edge. Use a ⅛” seam allowance and stitch across the top edge. This topstitching not only looks neat but also helps to keep the top fold in place.
Step 5: Mark and Fold the Bottom Edge
It’s time to create the pocket for your lip balm. Measure 1 ¼” up from the raw bottom edge of the fabric. Use your fabric marking pen to draw a horizontal line across the width of the fabric at this 1 ¼” mark. This line will guide your bottom fold.
Fold the bottom raw edge of the fabric up to meet the marked line. Pin or clip the folded edge in place. This creates the pocket that will hold your lip balm securely.
Step 6: Stitch the Long Sides – First Side
Now, stitch down the long sides of the holder to secure the pocket. Use a ⅛” seam allowance to stitch along the long side. For a decorative topstitch look, you can use a slightly longer stitch length (like 4). However, it’s crucial to shorten your stitch length (to about 2.5) and backstitch right before you reach the top edge of the folded-up pocket. This reinforced stitching at the top of the pocket is essential for durability, as this area will bear the stress of inserting and removing your lip balm. After securing the top edge of the pocket, you can return to a longer stitch length and continue stitching down the rest of the long side.
Step 7: Stitch the Long Sides – Second Side
Repeat the previous step on the other long side of your fabric piece. Stitch down the second long side with a ⅛” seam allowance, remembering to reinforce the top edge of the pocket with a shorter stitch length and backstitching for added strength. Once both sides are stitched, your key fob holder will start to take shape.
Step 8: Attach the Key Fob Hardware
It’s time to add the key fob hardware and transform your fabric piece into a functional key fob holder for your purse! Gather your Emmaline key fob hardware, a small piece of scrap fabric (or a folded kitchen towel to protect the hardware), and your pliers.
Slide the raw top edge of your fabric piece into the metal teeth of the key fob hardware. Ensure the fabric is inserted straight and evenly. Take your scrap fabric and place it over the metal hardware to protect its finish from scratches. Using the pliers, firmly and evenly press down on the key fob hardware to close the teeth and secure it tightly onto the fabric. Make sure the hardware is crimped securely to prevent it from slipping off.
Step 9: Finishing Touches and Enjoy!
Congratulations, you’ve just created your own key fob holder for your purse! Now, simply attach a keyring to the hardware. Slide your favorite lip balm into the pocket you created, and clip your new key fob holder onto your purse, keys, backpack, or anywhere you need quick access to your lip balm.
These adorable key fob holders are incredibly quick to make – each one takes less than 10 minutes to stitch up! They are perfect for last-minute gifts, stocking stuffers, party favors, or craft fair items. Imagine the possibilities – coordinating fabrics to match different purses or creating themed holders for friends. Whip up a batch in an afternoon and you’ll have a stash of practical and charming key fob lip balm holders ready to go.
Happy Sewing!
Photos and content inspired by Cyndi Farfsing from The Nosy Pepper for Emmaline Bags.
