Easy DIY Key Fob Strap Tutorial: Sew a Stylish Wristlet Keychain

Looking for a quick, satisfying sewing project that also makes a fantastic gift? You’ve come to the right place! Wristlet Key Fob Straps are not only incredibly useful but also surprisingly simple to sew. They are the kind of DIY gift that people genuinely appreciate and ask for time and again.

Speaking from experience, just recently, the assistant principal at my daughter’s school subtly (or not so subtly!) hinted that the wrist lanyard I had gifted her a couple of years prior was showing its age. This was all the prompting I needed to get back to sewing these handy little accessories.

This blog post is also available as an optional print-optimized PDF. You can find it here. The free DIY Key Fob Strap Tutorial is provided in full below for you to read, print, and sew! Simply use CTRL+P on your computer to print this page. If you love having organized, print-friendly PDFs at your fingertips, you might want to check out my library of Optimized for Printing PDF files.

If you’re searching for last-minute gift ideas that are both quick to make and universally loved, this key fob strap project is your answer. Let’s dive into what you’ll need and how to create these charming and practical wristlets.

Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know before you get started:

• Perfect for Fabric Scraps: This project is ideal for using up those beautiful fabric scraps you’ve been saving. You only need small pieces of fabric for each key fob strap. Each wristlet uses two coordinating fabrics – one for the outer strap and one for the inner strap lining. You’ll need fabric strips that are just 2’’ x 14’’. Additionally, you’ll need a small scrap for the wrap-around tab that neatly secures the hardware and prevents it from sliding around. A piece that measures approximately 3’’ x 3 1/2’’ works perfectly for this tab, and I like to use fabric that matches the inside lining of the fob for a cohesive look.
• Stabilizer is Key: My go-to stabilizer for key fob straps is Decor-Bond 809 from Pellon. Its fusible nature and medium weight provide the perfect structure for these wristlets. However, if you have leftover fusible interfacing from other sewing projects (any light- to mid-weight fusible interfacing will do), feel free to use that instead. You will need a 3 1/2’’ x 14’’ strip of interfacing for each key fob strap to give it durability and shape.
• Essential Hardware: The final essential component is a 1’’ swivel snap clip. These are readily available at craft stores like Joanns or Hobby Lobby if you need them quickly. However, for the best value and variety, I highly recommend checking out Amazon. You can often purchase swivel snap clips in bulk there, which is cost-effective if you plan to make several key fob straps.

While some tutorials suggest using metal crimp ends to finish key fob straps, I personally find sewing to be a more reliable and aesthetically pleasing method. Those metal clamps can sometimes be unreliable and prone to coming loose over time. Plus, I prefer to avoid purchasing specialty tools whenever possible. Swivel snap clips are fantastic because they allow the user to easily attach their keys to a purse, belt loop, or backpack – a feature that is genuinely appreciated in a key fob strap. It’s functionality that I, and many others, find incredibly useful in everyday life.

As I continued to sew batches of these key fob straps as gifts, I started noticing the time spent switching thread colors. It felt a bit tedious to change threads for each new wristlet, especially when making several at once.

That’s when I decided to experiment and become more adventurous with my thread choices! I made a conscious effort to select thread colors that would complement both the outer and inner fabrics of the key fob strap. Then, for the topstitching, I decided to use the triple stitch feature on my sewing machine for a bolder look. The triple stitch, which goes back and forth to create a reinforced stitch line, adds a beautiful, pronounced detail, especially when you slightly lengthen the stitch to a 3 or 4 setting. For instance, using pink thread on a gray fabric creates a surprisingly glamorous effect, and yellow thread really pops against a turquoise wristlet.

The best part of this thread experiment was realizing I could use just one color of thread for each key fob strap, simplifying the sewing process without compromising on style. If your sewing machine doesn’t have a triple stitch, don’t worry at all – a regular straight stitch works perfectly well for topstitching. I do suggest lengthening your stitch length slightly for topstitching, as it enhances the overall finished look.

Let’s get started on creating these Wristlet Key Fob Straps! Below is the step-by-step tutorial:

How to Sew a Key Fob Strap: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Materials You Will Need

For each key fob strap, you will need to cut the following fabric and interfacing pieces:

• Outer Fabric Strip: 1 strip measuring 2’’ x 14’’ for the exterior of the strap.
• Inner Fabric Strip (Lining): 1 strip measuring 2’’ x 14’’ for the interior lining of the strap.
• Wrap Around Tab Fabric: 1 rectangle measuring 3’’ x 3 1/2’’ for creating the wrap-around tab.
• Fusible Interfacing: 1 strip measuring 3 1/2’’ x 14’’ of light to medium weight fusible interfacing (such as Pellon Decor-Bond 809 recommended for best results).
• Swivel Snap Clip: 1 swivel snap or alligator clasp with a 1’’ opening (examples can be found here).

In addition to these materials, you will also need:

• Coordinating Polyester Thread: Choose a color that complements both your fabric choices.
• Heavy Duty Sewing Machine Needle: A size 90/14 or 100/16 heavy-duty needle is recommended. My personal favorites are Superior Topstitch Needles for their durability and performance.
• Iron and Ironing Board: Essential for pressing and achieving crisp folds.

Alt text: Sewing supplies needed to make a key fob strap including fabric strips, interfacing, swivel clip, thread, and sewing tools.

Sewing Instructions: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Prepare the Fabric Strips: Place the two 2’’ x 14’’ fabric strips right sides together. Sew along one long edge using a 1/4’’ seam allowance. This seam will join the outer and inner fabric pieces to form the strap.

Alt text: Sewing two fabric strips right sides together along the long edge to create the key fob strap.

Pressing: Creating Crisp Edges

1. Press the Seam Open: After sewing, carefully press the seam open using your iron. This helps to reduce bulk and create a flatter strap.

2. Fold and Press in Half: Fold the strap in half lengthwise, with wrong sides together, aligning the long raw edges. Press firmly along the fold. This ‘teaches’ the fabric to create a nice, crisp edge along what will be the center of your key fob strap.

3. Fuse the Interfacing: Open the folded strap. Lay it flat with the wrong side facing up. Place the fusible side of your 3 1/2’’ x 14’’ interfacing strip against the wrong side of the fabric strap. Carefully press with a hot iron to fuse the interfacing to the fabric. Ensure you press well from the fabric side, as cotton can withstand higher heat better than the non-woven interfacing, ensuring a good bond.

Alt text: Ironing fusible interfacing onto the wrong side of the fabric strip for the key fob strap.

4. Fold Long Edges to Center: Fold each of the long raw edges of the fabric strip towards the wrong side by approximately 3/4’’. When folded correctly, the raw edges should meet or slightly overlap the edges of the interfacing underneath. This creates a clean, finished edge for your key fob strap.

5. Fold in Half Again and Press: After folding and pressing both long edges to the wrong side, fold the entire strip in half again along the original center seam, encasing the raw edges within the fold. Press the entire length of the strap flat. This creates the main strap of the key fob, neatly finished and ready for topstitching. Set this piece aside.

6. Prepare the Wrap Around Tab: Now, take your 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 opposite 3 1/2’’ side over so that its raw edge is approximately 1/8’’ away from the first folded edge. Press again. This double-fold method ensures that no raw edges will be visible on the finished tab. You should now have a neat, narrow strip approximately 1’’ x 3 1/2’’.

Alt text: Step-by-step image showing how to fold and press the fabric tab for the key fob strap.

Topstitching and Finishing: Assembling the Key Fob

1. Topstitch the Strap: Set your sewing machine to a topstitching stitch length of 3-4. If you have a triple stitch option, you can use it for a more decorative and prominent topstitch as I did. Topstitch along both long edges of the 1’’ x 14’’ strap, sewing approximately 1/8’’ from the edge. This topstitching not only adds a professional finish but also reinforces the strap.

Alt text: Topstitching along the edge of the fabric key fob strap with a sewing machine.

2. Attach the Swivel Snap Clip: Switch your sewing machine to a wide zig-zag stitch (use the widest setting possible on your machine). Slide the swivel snap clip onto the topstitched strap. Bring the two ends of the strap together, overlapping them slightly if needed to align neatly. Place the overlapped ends under the sewing machine foot and zig-zag stitch back and forth several times across the ends to securely join them.

3. Attach the Wrap Around Tab: Move the zig-zagged seam where you joined the strap ends so it is approximately 1 1/2’’ away from the swivel snap clip. Position the prepared wrap-around tab around the joined strap area, with the raw edge of the tab aligning against the key fob strap (this will hide the raw edge). Tuck the short raw ends of the tab to the inside of the strap, ensuring a clean finish. Adjust the tab so it fits snugly and securely around the strap join, then use a clip to hold it in place temporarily.

Alt text: Securing the wrap-around fabric tab around the joined ends of the key fob strap before sewing.

4. Final Topstitching on Tab: Sew two short lines of topstitching to attach the wrap-around tab. Align these stitches to connect seamlessly with the existing topstitching lines on the strap. Neatly backstitch at the beginning and end of each line of stitching to secure them. This amount of stitching is usually sufficient to securely attach the tab and key fob. For added security or a different look, you can add more topstitching as desired, such as stitching a square around the tab. However, sewing a square can be a bit trickier to keep perfectly aligned.

And that’s it! You’ve completed your DIY key fob strap.

Which topstitching version do you prefer – just the two lines, or a square?

If you sew wristlet key fob straps for yourself or as gifts, I would absolutely love to see them! Please post a picture on Instagram and tag me @sewcanshe or use #sewcanshe so I can admire your creations.

Happy Sewing!