Super Easy Keychain Tutorial

Here are some key chains I made last night and this morning. They are so easy to make and take no time. I made lots of these this past Christmas to give as small gifts and I include them with some of the purses I sell.  The first one uses brown fabric and grosgrain ribbon. The one in the middle I used gingham fabric, daisy ribbon and iron on transfer for the Daisy Bags writing. The last one is black fabric with aqua grosgrain ribbon and the monogram was done on my embroidery machine. The brown and pink one will go with this purse.

I decided to do a tutorial in case anyone is interested.

Materials needed:

Fabric, fusible interfacing (optional), ribbon (optional) 1" d ring and a split ring.

I find it easiest to cut most things using a rotary cutter on a self healing mat. If you sew much and don't have one I highly recommend getting one. One of my best investments.  Mine is 33" x 58".

Cut your fabric 4" x 9" and if you use the interfacing cut it 4" x 8" (this is to decrease the bulk when sewing the ends together). When fusing onto the fabric center it so that there is no interfacing on either end.

You can skip the interfacing unless your fabric is very lightweight. Even on a medium weight fabric the ribbon usually adds enough body to it. If you want a key chain out a printed fabric and choose not to add ribbon I would suggest using the interfacing.

Iron fabric in half the long way. Open and fold either side in to meet in the center. Fold this in half. You should have a strip that is 1" wide and no raw edges visible.

If you aren't going to add ribbon at this point you just sew down either side close to the edge and you are almost finished. I used  fusible tape to secure the ribbon on the strip for sewing.

Stitch down either side.

Now slide the d ring onto the strip and fold in half with right sides together. Stitch the open end using about a 1/2" seam allowance.

Turn it around with the right side facing out and pull the d ring up to the end that you just stitched together.

Stitch as close to the d ring as you can. Sometimes I use my zipper foot for this step.

Put the split ring on the d ring and you are done! Easy as pie and you can make one to match every purse. I know you creative geniuses can come up with all kinds of clever variations. These are just 3 I did in less an hour.

I bought the split rings at hobby lobby but who doesn't have those lying around from old key rings. I use the d rings on my purse handle sometimes so I bought mine on eBay. I think the shipping was more than the actual auction price. It was a total of less than $5.00 for about 100 d rings. When I put short cloth handles on a purse I use cloth or ribbon tabs and d rings to attach the handles.

Comments

[Debi D]

Your blog is new to me and I can't remember how I found it, but you are so inspiring :)
The key chains are so cute...I haven't sewn in years, but this makes me really want to....I think I'll give it a try. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Toni]

Those are so great Autum!! Thank you for taking the time to share. xo.

[Gina L]

I need to make me one of those. I wouldn't dare loose my keys with one of those attached...LOL
You are pretty clever.

[Dawn]

Thanks for the tut...I intend to try this one. Your work is excellent....!

ps-enjoyed reading all the details about YOU!

[Min]

How fun & a great idea, too! Thanks for sharing! :)

[joanna]

Thanks for the tutorial! I'm totally going to make these sometime. They are cute and useful (bonus!).

[elizabeth]

those are so cute!

great blog :)

[kate]

I too forgot how I found your blog, but I am so excited I did! SO much fun stuff to do!
I LOVE this key chain idea. I think I can at least do this! (This is the type of gift that would floor me!) Thanks for sharing it!

[Angie]

Oh wow, those look so neat. I'm going to have to try it!

[Amy]

Thanks Autumn! I made a keychain (scroll down)
http://happythings.typepad.com/happythings/2006/06/inspiration_iv.html

[Carrie B.]

This is a great tutorial, and such a fun project. Thank you so much for sharing! :) I can't wait to try a few.