Tired of always losing your keys? This tutorial on how to make a wristlet keychain with fabric is perfect. The great thing about this simple craft project is that it’s good for adults and for kids. Adults can easily use it to keep track of their car keys while the kids can use it to keep track of that extra house key that they’re always seeming to misplace. This handy wristlet keychain will save you time and sanity of never having to look for your keys again.
While there are quite a few steps to this simple sewing project, don’t worry. Once you read and follow the picture step by step below, you’ll have no issue cranking these adorable wristlet keychains out quickly. These are not only handy to use for your own personal organization needs but they’re also great gift ideas as well. Customize the wristlet keychain with the fabric you or the person receiving it would enjoy, you can even make them match outfits.
Printable PDF Version of how to make a Keychain Wristlet - This PDF version has been optimized for printing and you won’t need to access the internet every time you want to make it. If you would like to purchase an ad free printable version of this sewing pattern & tutorial, please visit our Etsy Shop listing for our Keychain Wristlet Printable Pattern & you can purchase a PDF downloadable version of this easy sewing pattern & tutorial or you can keep reading for the free version of this wristlet sewing pattern.
Supplies Need to Make a Wristlet Keychain with Fabric
- Fabric (2 coordinating, cotton – scraps or remnants are GREAT for this!
- Fusible interfacing
- 1.25” D-ring
- Thread
- Scissors
- Optional: Rotary cutter, mat, & ruler
- Pins or clips
- Safety pin
- Hem gauge
- Chopstick or turning tool
- Iron/ironing board
- Sewing machine
How To Make A Wristlet Keychain With Fabric
Measure and cut your fabric and interfacing. You will need:
- 5” x 13” rectangle for main loop
- 2.5” x 21” rectangle strip for ruffle
- 5” x 12” rectangle of interfacing
First, we need to fuse the interfacing onto the fabric. Lay out the main loop rectangle face down on your ironing board. Place the interfacing rectangle on top of the fabric with the bumpy or rough side down. Press with your iron on wool setting for 10-15 seconds on each section. Lift your iron to move it rather than scooting it across the interfacing. Flip the fabric over and press across the fabric again. Check to ensure the interfacing is fused.
Fold the rectangle in half so the 13” sides are touching (hot dog style!). Press well to create a crease in the center of the rectangle.
The next step in how to make a wristlet keychain with fabric is to open the rectangle and fold up one 13” edge to meet the crease you made. Press to create a new crease.
Fold the opposite 13” edge to meet the original center crease. Press well.
Fold the rectangle in half again along the original center crease. Press all the layers well.
Slide a D-ring onto the folded strip.
Carefully unfold each end of the folded strip.
Put the right sides of the fabric together on each end and clip or pin to hold. (see photo for clarification)
With a ¼” seam allowance, stitch the two ends of fabric together.
Folding the seam to one side, carefully fold the fabric back where the original creases were. You should now have a loop of fabric with the D-ring looped on.
Keeping the D-ring out of the way, top stitch along the open fold edge of the loop. Be sure to sew right along the edge with a close seam allowance. Repeat for the other side as well.
The next step in how to make a wristlet keychain with fabric, we need to make the ruffle. Fold the 21” strip of fabric in half length-wise (hot dog style again!) with right sides touching. Pin or clip along the raw edges a few times to hold.
With a 1/8” seam allowance, stitch along the raw edges. Do not sew the top or bottom closed.
Insert a safety pin into the seam of one end. Tuck the safety pin down into the tube of fabric. We will be flipping it right side out!
Continue to work the safety pin through the tube of fabric. You’ll need to shimmy the fabric down a little each time you pull the safety pin a bit more. Eventually, the safety pin will come out of the other end! Ensure all the fabric has turned right side out.
With the seam in the center of the tube, press the tube flat to create creases on each side.
Tuck in one end of the tube about ¼”. Press well, then stitch the opening closed close to the folded edge. Repeat for the other end of the tube.
The next step in how to make a wristlet keychain with fabric, we will create the ruffle. Change your stitch length to the longest number (my machine’s default is 2.5, and I increased it to the highest it will go at 5). Stitch down the center of the tube. Do not backstitch when starting or finishing this stitch! Leave long strings on both ends.
Find the bobbin thread (this one will be coming out on the bottom of your fabric). Hold it tightly and begin to bunch the fabric up along this thread. Be careful when bunching the fabric not to push too hard, as you could break the bobbin thread. It helps to do about half of the strip from one end, then switch to the other end to do the other half. You’ll notice the strip of fabric starts to curl on itself – this is okay!
About an inch away from the seam on the D-ring loop you completed earlier, lay one end of your ruffled tube so it is centered on the loop. Begin slowly stitching your way down the ruffle, making sure to keep the D-ring out of the way. Because of how the ruffle curls and twists, it is easier to not pin it beforehand. Just adjust the ruffle as you go. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam.
Finally, match your ruffled ends up and be sure the D-ring is sandwiched in the section that is not ruffled.
As close as you can get to the D-ring, top stitch the two sides of the loop together. You’ll want to backstitch several times across this seam to create a strong hold.
Attach your keys or gift the keychain – these make wonderful and inexpensive presents!
If you loved this how to make a wristlet keychain with fabric sewing tutorial, be sure to pin it to your favorite sewing projects or sewing tutorials board on Pinterest! If you make the wristlet keychain make sure to tag us on social media so we can see the fabric you use.
How To Make A Wristlet Keychain With Fabric
Learning how to make a wristlet keychain with fabric is a fun and simple sewing project! These super cute keychains make great gifts, plus it keeps your keys close at hand, literally!
Materials
- Fabric (2 coordinating, cotton – scraps or remnants are GREAT for this!
- Fusible interfacing
- 1.25” D-ring
- Thread
Tools
Instructions
- Measure and cut your fabric and interfacing. You will need:
a. 5” x 13” rectangle for main loop
b. 2.5” x 21” rectangle strip for ruffle
c. 5” x 12” rectangle of interfacing - Lay out the main loop rectangle face down on your ironing board. Place the interfacing rectangle on top.
- Press with your iron on wool setting for 10-15 seconds on each section.
- Flip the fabric over and press across the fabric again. Check to ensure the interfacing is fused.
- Fold the rectangle in half so the 13” sides are touching. Press well to create a crease in the center of the rectangle.
- Open the rectangle and fold up one 13” edge to meet the crease you made. Press to create a new crease.
- Fold the opposite 13” edge to meet the original center crease. Press well.
- Fold the rectangle in half again along the original center crease. Press all the layers well.
- Slide a D-ring onto the folded strip.
- Carefully unfold each end of the folded strip.
- Put the right sides of the fabric together on each end and clip or pin to hold.
- With a ¼” seam allowance, stitch the two ends of fabric together.
- Folding the seam to one side, carefully fold the fabric back where the original creases were. You should now have a loop of fabric with the D-ring looped on.
- Keeping the D-ring out of the way, top stitch along the open fold edge of the loop. Be sure to sew right along the edge with a close seam allowance. Repeat for the other side as well.
- Now, we need to make the ruffle. Fold the 21” strip of fabric in half length-wise with right sides touching.
- Pin or clip along the raw edges a few times to hold.
- With a 1/8” seam allowance, stitch along the raw edges. Do not sew the top or bottom closed.
- Insert a safety pin into the seam of one end. Tuck the safety pin down into the tube of fabric.
- Continue to work the safety pin through the tube of fabric. You’ll need to shimmy the fabric down a little each time you pull the safety pin a bit more.
- Ensure all the fabric has turned right side out.
- With the seam in the center of the tube, press the tube flat to create creases on each side.
- Tuck in one end of the tube about ¼”.
- Press well, then stitch the opening closed close to the folded edge. Repeat for the other end of the tube.
- Next we will create the ruffle. Change your stitch length to the longest number.
- Stitch down the center of the tube. Do not backstitch when starting or finishing this stitch! Leave long strings on both ends.
- Find the bobbin thread (this one will be coming out on the bottom of your fabric). Hold it tightly and begin to bunch the fabric up along this thread.
- About an inch away from the seam on the D-ring loop you completed earlier, lay one end of your ruffled tube so it is centered on the loop.
- Begin slowly stitching your way down the ruffle, making sure to keep the D-ring out of the way.
- Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of your seam.
- Finally, match your ruffled ends up and be sure the D-ring is sandwiched in the section that is not ruffled.
- As close as you can get to the D-ring, top stitch the two sides of the loop together. You’ll want to backstitch several times across this seam to create a strong hold.
- Attach your keys or gift the keychain – these make wonderful and inexpensive presents!
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