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How to Make a Key Fob Wristlet in 3 minutes

Making your own fabric key fob wristlet using our key fob pattern allows you to find your keys easily in your purse, plus you get to use up those little bits of fabric you can’t bear to throw away, and you can personalize your creations. All you need to create a wristlet keychain is a piece of fabric measuring 4 inches by 12 inches, some interfacing and the key fob hardware, which by the way, is easily obtainable and quite inexpensive. The wristlet keychain hangs up, and can be made in bright neon colors so you can find it easily in a purse, or dark colors for a masculine looking key fob. Teen girls might like ones with a few glitzy bits attached once you have completed the fabric keychain wristlet. After a grocery shopping trip it’s so easy to slip the DIY key fob onto your wrist so you have your car keys ready when you reach the vehicle, without having to dig in your purse, while juggling grocery bags and children. Read on to learn how to make a key fob wristlet in 3 minutes flat!

diy key fob wristlet

Below you will find my step by step keychain wristlet written tutorial with VIDEO instructions for all the visual learners.

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How to make a Key Fob Wristlet 

DIY Fabric Key Fob Supplies and tools

wristlet keyfob supplies

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How to Sew a Fabric Key Fob

Watch the diy keychain video first and then follow the written step by step instructions below.
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Fabric Keychain Key fob VIDEO TUTORIAL

DIY Key Fob INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1: Cut your fabrics

For a finished wrislet size 5.5″ long and 1″ wide (14cm x 2.5cm) cut as follows:

  • Cut your piece of fabric to size – 4 x 12 inches (10 x 30cm), by using our pattern, or measuring it out.
  • Cut the fusible interfacing, just a bit smaller than the outer piece. Using a medium weight fusible interfacing allows for the correct amount of stiffness and adds to the durability of the fabric.

Because wrist sizes vary we have some inside circumference dimensions to guide you for the finished key fob wristlet, so it fits comfortably over your hand. I would always suggest using the 12 inch strip and cutting down to size – it should slip comfortably over your wrist to keep your keys securely ‘at hand’ while you perform other tasks – you don’t want to wrestle it onto and off your wrist. To get an idea of the circumference place your thumb over your pinkie finger, kind of folding your hand and measure the widest point towards the base of your hand.

These are a general guide to the size of hands:

  • Large – 12 inches
  • Medium – 11 inches
  • Small (kids) – 10 inches

Now, the sizes above are for women’s hands. If you are making for a man you would need to measure the person’s hand to see how much longer your initial strip for the DIY key fob chain should be. As a general guideline 13-16 inches would work fine and will give you a wrislet that is 7 to 8 inches long.

STEP 2: Fuse interfacing to fabric

On your ironing board place the outer fabric wrong side up, then place the fusible interfacing over it with the fusible side down (that’s the side that’s a bit rough and seems slightly sticky), positioning so there are no edges overlapping the outer fabric, then apply the heat from the iron to fuse the lining to the fabric, according to the manufacturer’s instructions – with some fusing you apply heat from the back, and with others it’s from the front.

STEP 3: Fold and press

  • You are now going to press your fabric ready for sewing, so fold it in half along the 12 inch side so you have a piece measuring 12 inches by 2 inches and press along the fold.
  • Open out the fabric on the wrong side, then fold along the length to the middle fold you have just pressed, and press. Repeat with the other side.

  • Fold over again and press so you have a piece that is 12 inches by 1 inch.

STEP 4: Topstitch the wristlet keyfob

Stitch along the sides, allowing a 1/8 inch seam allowance on either side.

topstitching the diy key fob

OPTIONAL: Across the raw ends on either side you need to use the zigzag stitch to ensure it does not fray. If you have an over locker you can overlock the ends.

STEP 5: Attach the hardware

attaching hardware to the wristlet key fob

Time to apply the hardware. Match the two short ends up so you have a piece of material that is folded over and starting to look more like a key fob.

You can use normal pliers but will need a thick piece of fabric to place over the hardware ends to ensure the pliers don’t scratch the metal of the hardware. Take the hardware and place it over the ends of the fabric and use the pliers to press so the serrated edges clamp into the fabric, securing the key fob hardware lock into place.

Attach the split ring of the key chain to the bar of the key chain fob and you are done. One down and a whole lot more to go, because once you see how easy it is you are going to want to make up a whole lot of these for everyone who needs to keep their keys together.

That’s it your DIY fabric key fob is ready!

DIY Wristlet Keychain FAQs

Q: Can I make a keychain fob using two contrasting pieces of fabric?

 A: You certainly can and the contrasting use of fabric will certainly use up those narrow  leftover strips and provide you with a good looking key chain fob but your method will be slightly different. Instead of cutting one piece of fabric to 4 inches by 12 inches you will cut two pieces of fabric each 2 inches by 12 inches. Then, follow these steps tomake a keychain fob using two contrasting pieces of fabric :

Step 1: Cut two pieces of fusible interlining just a tiny bit smaller than each piece, and place in position on the wrong side of the fabric, then iron on.

Step 2: Take each 2 x 12 inch piece and fold in half and iron along the fold.

Step 3: Open out the fabric and place wrong side up on the ironing board then fold in the side towards the middle creased seam and press, repeat with the other side so you have a piece that is one inch wide, then repeat this process with the contrasting piece of fabric.

You then proceed to Step 4 in the original diy key fob tutorial and complete the DIY wristlet key fob.

Q: Can I make the keychain fob out of braid?

A: It is fun to use different pieces of braid as long as they are around an inch wide and are quite firm. You won’t need the fusible lining– just fold over the braid, zigzag the ends so it doesn’t fray,  and attach the key fob hardware. If the braid is flimsy then you will need a piece of fabric as a backing. Follow these steps to complete the DIY key fob out of braid:

Step 1: Cut a piece of fabric to  double the width of the braid and 12 inches long.

Step 2: Cut the fusible interlining  just slightly smaller than the backing piece and iron onto the wrong side.

Step 3: Fold the fabric in half along the 12 inch length and press. Open out and place wrong side up on the iron board and fold in each side to meet the middle crease and press.

You then proceed to Step 4 and complete the key chain wristlet with the braid on the outer side.

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Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 14 comments
Patricia - July 14, 2021

Thank you so much for sharing! I lost my pattern and am so grateful for this tutorial! 🙂

Reply
Marsha Cooper - July 15, 2021

I seen someone who has a lot of these for sale in their booth. I wouldn’t want to make to sell, but I am going to save this and it just might be what I make for gifts this year!

Reply
    Helen - July 16, 2021

    They make wonderful gifts! So useful

    Reply
louise - July 15, 2021

This is nifty! I had to pin it for sure. Thanks for posting!

Reply
Rhondda Mol - July 20, 2021

I couldn’t live without my key fob wristlet when my children were young. It was always around my wrist and I never lost my keys! or forgot where they were… I never realized how easy they were to make. Thank you for providing such a detailed tutorial on how to sew these wristlets. Thank you for linking up at our weekly Link Party! You are being featured at our Wednesday Party #408 this week. Here’s the direct link to the post that will be published on Wednesday July 21 at 12:00 AM EST, in case you’d like to share your feature:
https://oombawkadesigncrochet.com/2021/07/3-minute-key-fob-wristlet-kangaroo-pencil-holder-yarn-bowl-hacks.html

Hope to see you again next week! Rhondda

Reply
Shelbee on the Edge - July 20, 2021

Very cute idea! Thanks for sharing and linking with me, my friend!

Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

Reply
Donna @ Modern on Monticello - July 20, 2021

Great video tutorial! This is a project I think I can make. Thanks for sharing it. #HomeMattersParty

Reply
Michelle - July 25, 2021

What a clever idea!

Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com

Reply
Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs - July 25, 2021

What a fab tutorial. These would make a lovely stocking filler for someone. #MMBC

Reply
    H - December 22, 2021

    Cute Idea. This is a project I think I can make. Thanks for sharing it.

    Reply
Cindy Rust - August 3, 2021

Great project!! I love quick sewing projects like this. Thanks for sharing! Pinned!

Reply
Melynda Brown - August 4, 2021

Hello, this is one of my personal favorites for last week’s Encouraging Hearts and Home. I hope you stop by and say hello, this post has also been pinned to the Encouraging Hearts and Home board! Thank you for being a part of Encouraging Hearts and Home, we appreciate all that you share. Have a great week ahead!

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Ross - January 24, 2022

Great post. Keep posting such kind of info on your page. Am really impressed by your blog.

Reply
    Helen - January 24, 2022

    Thank you, Ross!

    Reply

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