Patterns, Techniques, Articles, Blogs, and other resources to learn how to sew
Go check out my review of the Silhouette rhinestone starter kit. Read down to the bototm, then grab the coupon code for a Silhouette SD & Rhinestone Starter Kit bundle. And be sure to enter the giveaway there – Silhouette is giving away a Silhouette and Rhinestone Starter Kit to one lucky Craft Gossip reader.
Go there now for the review, the specials, and to get yourself entered in the giveaway. (Deadline for the special and to enter the giveaway is April 26, 2011.)
There is something wonderfully satisfying about sewing a project that is small, useful, and doesn’t require half the sewing room to be dragged out onto the dining table. Key fobs are exactly that sort of project. They are quick to sew, easy to personalise, and absolutely brilliant for using up those odd little strips of fabric we all keep because “they might come in handy one day.” And see? We were right.
These key fob sewing patterns are perfect for beginner sewists, scrap-busting afternoons, teacher gifts, stocking stuffers, craft fair makes, and those last-minute “I need something handmade but I only have 20 minutes” moments. You can make them from quilting cotton, webbing, denim scraps, cork, faux leather, candy wrappers, or even leftover charm squares. Add a swivel clasp, key ring, snap, zipper, or wristlet strap and suddenly a tiny fabric scrap becomes something genuinely useful.
I also love key fobs because they are practical without being boring. A pretty wristlet key fob makes keys easier to find in a handbag, a mini zipper pouch key fob can hold coins or emergency tablets, and a quilted key fob is a sweet little way to show off your favourite fabric prints without committing to a whole quilt. Here are 10 clever sewable key fob patterns and tutorials to add to your next scrap fabric sewing session.
Easy Valentine’s Key Fob – CraftGossip
This sweet little Valentine key fob is made with webbing and felt hearts, which makes it a very quick sew with a lovely handmade finish. It would be adorable as a teacher gift, a Galentine’s Day treat, or even a little “thinking of you” present tucked into a card. The best part is that it only needs one seam, so it is a great confidence-builder for beginners.
Quilted Key Fob Or Wristlet – CraftGossip
This quilted key fob tutorial gives you two size options: a shorter key fob and a longer wristlet version. It is a lovely way to use tiny scraps, leftover batting, or those pretty fat quarter offcuts that are too nice to throw away. If you enjoy the look of quilted accessories, this one feels a bit more polished than a plain fabric strap.
Double-Ended Key Fob – CraftGossip
This double-ended key fob is especially handy because one end has a swivel hook and the other has a split ring for keys. It is a practical design for anyone who likes to clip keys to a bag, lanyard, or belt loop while still keeping them easy to remove. These would make lovely end-of-year teacher gifts or small craft market items.
Mini Zipper Pouch Key Fob – CraftGossip
This mini zipper pouch key fob is tiny, cute, and surprisingly useful. It is just the right sort of project for holding coins, earbuds, lip balm, medication, or a little emergency chocolate if we’re being honest. It also gives beginner sewists a gentle way to practise sewing zippers on a small, manageable scale.
Free Key Chain Sewing Pattern – CraftGossip
This free keychain sewing pattern is a simple afternoon project and a lovely one for using leftover fabric pieces. It is also a good option for sewing with older kids or teens because it feels quick, useful, and not overly fussy. Make a few in different prints and you have an instant handmade gift drawer.
Candy Wrapper Key Fob – CraftGossip
This candy wrapper key fob is such a fun recycled sewing idea. It turns colourful packaging into a quirky keychain, which makes it perfect for teens, party favours, or anyone who likes a project with a little bit of cheek. It is also a great reminder that sewing supplies do not always have to come from the fabric shop.
DIY Wristlet Key Fob – SewCanShe
This wristlet key fob is a brilliant scrap-buster because it only needs small strips of fabric and interfacing. The tutorial uses two coordinating fabrics, so it is a nice way to play with colour combinations without overthinking it. These are the sort of quick makes you can batch sew for gifts, markets, or your own handbag collection.
Fabric Keychain, Wristlet Or Key Fob Three Ways – Hooked On Sewing
This tutorial is especially useful because it shows three different versions of a fabric keychain, including key fob and wristlet styles. If you are not sure which style you prefer, this gives you room to experiment. It is a good one to bookmark if you want a flexible pattern that can be customised with fabric, embroidery, decorative stitching, or different hardware.
Wristlet Key Fob And Card Wallet – Bombshell Bling
This project pairs a wristlet key fob with a little card wallet, which makes it feel more like a complete handmade gift set. It is perfect for teachers, teens, dog walkers, or anyone who just wants to grab keys, ID, and a card without carrying a full handbag. Add a gift card inside and it becomes a thoughtful present that still feels personal.
How To Sew A Wristlet Key Fob – Blue Susan Makes
This wristlet key fob tutorial has a neat, sturdy finish and includes options for finishing the join with either leather or fabric. I like this one for making key fobs that look a little more boutique and less “I whipped this up at midnight,” even if that is exactly what happened. It is a lovely choice for using decorator fabric, cotton prints, or a favourite fabric scrap you want to show off.
Key fobs are one of those small sewing projects that quietly earn their keep. They use very little fabric, they are quick to finish, and they make genuinely useful handmade gifts. They are also ideal for practising straight stitching, topstitching, pressing, adding hardware, and working with interfacing without the pressure of a large project.
For craft fairs, key fobs are also a nice low-price item to have on the table. They are practical, colourful, easy to display, and great for using fabric leftovers from larger sewing projects. Make them in school colours, florals, novelty prints, Christmas fabrics, dog prints, sewing-themed fabric, or pretty scraps from your favourite quilt projects.
And honestly, anything that helps me find my keys at the bottom of a handbag full of receipts, lip balm, dog treats, and mysterious loose threads is a win.
AHHHHH!!! OMG, I have one of these on my amazon wishlist!! This would be SOO amazing!!
As I’ve gotten older I started to add bling into my wardrobe and this machine would do the job. I just love it. I would love to win it:0)
I would love to have this for my granddaughters, they are at the age that they love all the bling. It would be a great thing for them to learn and be creative.
I would love to win this bling machine. thanks for offering it as a give away.
I would love to bling a holiday tablecloth.
What a wonderful giveaway.
I am not a sewer — I don’t even have a sewing machine! The Silhouette would give me SO many new opportunities for SO many new ideas and crafts. It’s never to early to start on Christmas gifts — those that are homemade are so much more personal and are giving yourself to your love ones. Plus they answer my “poorness” that prohibit so many gifts.
This is so awesome!! Who know that you could do this too, not me. I would so love to own a Silhouette digital cutter I have been looking at them for a while now. Thanks for the give away…could I be so luck!!
My mother and I just started up a business where we created stationary using old hymns where people could send to someone to give them encouragment or uplift someone. Also, my daughter should be finishing her cultinary class for Job Corp this year and I would love to create something for her and her chef who has taken her under his wings. Thanks in advance!!
I WOULD LOVE TO BLING ON SOME SHOES YES