Looking for a quick and satisfying sewing project? My easy Key Fob Sewing tutorial will guide you through creating adorable wrist strap key chains that are perfect for gifts or personal use. Over the years, wristlet keychain fobs have consistently been the DIY project that friends and family request time and time again! They’re practical, stylish, and a fantastic way to use up fabric scraps.
Just recently, the assistant principal at my daughter’s school subtly (or not so subtly!) hinted that the wrist lanyard I gifted her a few years prior was showing its age. This sparked the idea to share this updated and improved key fob sewing tutorial with you, ensuring everyone can create these sought-after accessories.
This blog post is also available as an optional PDF, optimized for printing convenience. You can find it here. The free DIY Key Fob Tutorial is provided below for you to read, print directly from your browser (CTRL +P), and sew! For those who love having all their printable sewing tutorials organized and accessible, consider exploring the optimized for printing PDF files library here.
If you’re searching for last-minute gift ideas that are both quick to sew and universally loved, this key fob sewing project is your answer!
Here’s what you need to know before you start your key fob sewing project:
- Fabric Scraps are Ideal: This free sewing tutorial is perfect for utilizing your fabric scraps. Each key fob requires minimal fabric – just 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 keeps it neatly in place. I recommend using a coordinating fabric for this tab that matches the inside of your fob.
- Stabilizer is Key: My go-to stabilizer for key fobs is Decor-Bond 809 from Pellon. However, any light to mid-weight fusible interfacing you have leftover from other projects will work perfectly. You’ll need a 3 1/2’’ x 14’’ strip of interfacing for each key fob to give it structure and durability.
- Essential Hardware: The final essential is a 1’’ swivel snap clip. While you can find these at local craft stores like Joanns or Hobby Lobby if you need them urgently, Amazon is my preferred source. Buying in bulk online is often more economical, especially if you plan on making multiple key fobs.
While some tutorials suggest using metal crimp clamps to secure the strap ends, I find sewing to be a much more reliable and durable method. Those metal clamps can sometimes fail over time. Plus, sewing eliminates the need for specialized tools. The swivel snap clip is universally appreciated as it allows users to easily attach their keys to purses, bags, or belt loops – a feature I personally find invaluable!
As I continued making batches of these key fob gifts, I realized how time-consuming it was to constantly switch thread colors. That’s when I decided to experiment and get creative with my thread choices.
My solution was to select a thread color that would complement both the inner and outer fabrics of the key fob. Then, for topstitching, I opted for a bold triple stitch on my sewing machine. This stitch, which goes back and forth creating a three-layered stitch, adds a beautiful, pronounced detail, especially when the stitch length is lengthened to 3 or 4. For instance, pink thread adds a touch of glamour to a gray fabric, and yellow thread really pops against turquoise.
The best part of this approach was sticking to a single thread color for each key fob, streamlining the sewing process. If your sewing machine doesn’t have a triple stitch, don’t worry! A regular straight stitch for topstitching works just as well. Just remember to lengthen your stitch length for topstitching – it significantly enhances the finished look.
Let’s get started making Wristlet Key Fobs! Here’s your step-by-step tutorial for easy key fob sewing:
Key Fob Sewing Tutorial: Step-by-Step Instructions
Materials You’ll Need for Each Key Fob:
Cutting:
- Outer Fabric Strip: 1 piece, 2’’ x 14’’
- Inner Fabric Strip: 1 piece, 2’’ x 14’’
- Wrap Around Tab Fabric Rectangle: 1 piece, 3’’ x 3 1/2’’
- Fusible Interfacing (Light to Medium Weight): 1 strip, 3 1/2’’ x 14’’ (Decor-Bond 809 from Pellon recommended for best results)
- Swivel Snap Clip: 1 piece with a 1’’ opening (similar to these)
Other Essential 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 Key Fob Strap:
- Sew Fabric Strips Together: Place the 2’’ x 14’’ outer and inner 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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Press Seam Open: Open the sewn fabric strip and press the seam allowance open with your iron. This reduces bulk and creates a flatter strap.
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Pre-Crease the Fold: Fold the strap in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press. This ‘teaches’ the fabric to fold nicely along the seam, making topstitching easier and more precise.
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Fuse Interfacing: Open the fabric strip again. Place the fusible side of the interfacing strip against the wrong side of one half of the fabric (it doesn’t matter which half). Press firmly with a hot iron to fuse the interfacing to the fabric. Ensure the interfacing is securely bonded to provide structure to your key fob.
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Fold in Long Edges: Fold each long raw edge of the fabric strip towards the wrong side by approximately 3/4’’. This fold should bring the raw edges just to the edge of the interfacing underneath, encasing the raw edges neatly within the strap. Refer to the photo for visual guidance.
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Final Press and Fold: After folding and pressing both long edges, fold the entire strip in half again along the original pressed center crease, right sides out. Press flat to create a crisp, professional-looking strap. Set this strap aside.
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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 to the wrong side by about 1’’. Press flat. Then, fold the opposite 3 1/2’’ side over, ensuring the raw edge is about 1/8’’ away from the first folded edge. Press again. This creates a neat, double-folded tab approximately 1’’ x 3 1/2’’ with no raw edges showing.
Topstitching and Final Assembly:
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Topstitch the Strap: Set your sewing machine to a longer stitch length for topstitching (3-4 is ideal). If desired, select a triple stitch for a bolder look. Topstitch along both long edges of the 1’’ x 14’’ strap, sewing approximately 1/8’’ from the edge. This topstitching not only adds a decorative touch but also reinforces the strap edges.
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Attach Swivel Snap Clip: Switch to a wide zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine, making it as wide as possible. Slide the swivel snap clip onto the finished strap. Bring the two ends of the strap together, butting them against each other. Position the joined ends under the sewing machine foot and zig-zag stitch back and forth several times across the join, securely attaching both strap ends together.
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Position and Secure Wrap Around Tab: Slide the zig-zag stitched join along the strap until it’s about 1 1/2’’ away from the swivel snap clip. Take the prepared wrap-around tab and position it around the zig-zag join, with the raw edge of the tab facing the key fob strap (this ensures the raw edge will be hidden). Tuck the short raw ends of the tab to the inside of the strap, creating a clean finish. Adjust the tab until it fits snugly around the strap join. Use a clip to hold it in place temporarily.
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Final Topstitching on Tab: Sew two short lines of topstitching to secure the wrap-around tab. Align these lines to connect seamlessly with the existing topstitching lines on the strap. Backstitch neatly at the beginning and end of each line of topstitching to secure the stitches. This simple stitching is sufficient to hold the tab and key fob securely, but you can add more topstitching for extra reinforcement or decorative effect if desired. For example, you could stitch a square around the tab. However, sewing a neat square can be a bit trickier than simple straight lines.
Consider which tab finishing style you prefer!
If you sew wristlet key fobs for yourself or as gifts, I would absolutely love to see your creations! Please share a picture on Instagram and tag me @sewcanshe or use #sewcanshe so I can admire your key fob sewing projects.
Happy Sewing!
