Hello fellow crafters! 

Today I am sharing a super fun make with you. Key fobs!

If you want to make them as a special gift, you can simply make one. Or, if you're like me you can make fifteen of them and give them to everyone on your gift list! 

Let’s get into it!

Existing key fob tutorials:

For my first key fob I used this post from Sew Can She. It was a great tutorial! However, I didn’t love the square method to hide the ends of the strap, so I searched the internet to find another tutorial I liked. 

In my searches I found this one from Lo & Behold Stitchery and really liked the scrappy feel of the key fobs. This pattern also appealed to me since I was looking for a scrap buster project and most of my scraps were smaller than the size recommended by Caroline in the Sew Can She post. I have not made a key fob following this exact pattern, but it is one that I used for inspiration. 

When I was looking around for tutorials, I noticed that the majority of them used the metal key fob hardware which I’ve heard needs an extra tool to apply. For certain things I’m willing to buy another tool, but for this project I thought there had to be an easier/better way. 

So, having the two patterns above as inspo, I made my own! 

My key fob tutorial:

Options:

Option 1: Use the same fabric for the whole key fob and use a fun colored contrasting thread to give it some interest.

Option 2: For a scrappier key fob, choose as many scraps as you like as long as they look nice together.

Option 3: Use one fabric for the outside and another fabric for the inside. 

(Each option has a number, choose which option you want and follow the instructions by the numbered option of choice.)

You will need:

Fabric: choose which of the three options above you would like to use, then you can choose your fabric. 

Option 1: Cut one piece of fabric 4 x 14 inches.

Option 2: Cut your scraps to be 4 inches wide by however tall you can get them. If you line them all up with the 4 inch sides together they should be 15 inches long (allowing for seams.).

Option 3: Cut two pieces of fabric each 2 x 14 inches. 

Interfacing: I used stitch witchery for mine, but you can use interfacing. If you’re using stitch witchery, you will need two 14-inch pieces. If you chose to use interfacing, cut a 3.5 x 13.5 inch piece. 

Hardware: I used these one inch lobster clasps as recommended by Caroline. They don’t require the extra tool for fitting.

Thread: I used a contrasting thread that looked nice with all the colors of the fob I was working with. You can also use a color that matches the fabric you’re working with if you prefer. You will be topstitching, so keep that in mind when choosing a thread color. I generally use the same color for the whole key fob. 

Iron: We will be pressing a lot during this project, so keep your iron handy!

Basic sewing supplies: Sewing machine, rotary cutter and mat, ruler or measuring tape, scissors, etc.

Let’s begin!

Cut your fabric pieces of choice and head over to your sewing machine.

Option 1: For this option, you actually don’t need to sew anything right off the bat. We will use the iron on this one in a minute.

Option 2: Sew the 4 inch ends of all your scraps together making one long strip. the seam should follow the long edge of the fabric vertically.

Option 3: Sew the 14 inch sides of your strips right sides together making a wider, but not longer, strip. the seams should run horizontally to the long edge.

Ironing:

Option 1: Fold your strip in half lengthways and press. Open it up and fold each long edge in to meet the middle seam. Press. Now, one side at a time, open up the sides and place one piece of stitch witchery inside. Press according to the manufacturer's instructions. Repeat on the other side. Fold the strip back on the middle crease and press, making sure to line up the edges nicely.

Option 2: Press all of your seams open then fold your strip in half lengthways and press. Open it up and fold each long edge in to meet the middle seam. Press. Now, one side at a time, open up the sides and place one piece of stitch witchery inside. Press according to the manufacturer's instructions. Repeat on the other side. Fold the strip back on the middle crease and press, making sure to line up the edges nicely.

Option 3: Press your seams open, then fold the strip on the seam line and press. Open it up and fold each long edge in to meet the middle seam. Press. Now, one side at a time, open up the sides and place one piece of stitch witchery inside. Press according to the manufacturer's instructions. Repeat on the other side. Fold the strip back on the middle crease and press, making sure to line up the edges nicely.

The instructions past these steps are the same for all the options so there are no more numbers.

Sewing the strips closed:

Sew the open long edge with a ⅛ inch seam allowance. Then sew the closed edge to give your fob a symmetrical look. 

Note: If you are using a more subtle fabric, you can use a decorative stitch down the middle of your strip or sew another row of stitching an ⅛ inch inside the first line of stitching.

Sewing the fobs into a loop:

Take your strip and lay it on your table with the outside facing up.

Slide the clasp onto it with the clasp facing up.

Now, fold your strip in half with the right sides together. Your clasp will be inside the loop, but don’t worry, we’ll turn it rightside out soon.

Sew the raw ends together about a ¼ inch from the edge. Go back and forth over this place a few times, you don’t want your key fob to come apart! T

urn the loop right side out.

Check to make sure the clasp is facing out. If it’s not, you can just maneuver the fabric around to make it so the clasp is on the outside.

Finger press the seam open and place the clasp on the seam.

Fold the fabric around the clasp and sew as close to the clasp as you can get without sewing into the clasp its self. If you like, you can sew back and forth over this seam a few times, but I like it best with less stitching.

Trim all the threads and make sure the raw ends aren’t visible inside the seam you just made.

Ta-da! You just made a key fob! 

Other options: 

You could lengthen or shorten the measurements to make a lanyard or a smaller fob depending on your preference. 

Happy crafting!