DIY Retractable Leather Key Cover // Faux Leather Bell-Shaped Key Case // Slim Leather Key Holder

Tired of keys that scratch everything in your bag? This bell-shaped key cover is the perfect solution! Stylish and functional, it keeps your keys neatly tucked away in a soft faux leather pouch—protecting your phone, cosmetics, and bag linings from damage while keeping everything organized.

The retractable design is both clever and practical: your keys attach to a split ring at one end of the string, and when you need them, simply pull the ring to reveal your keys. When you’re done, pull the tab to tuck them back inside and snap the heavy-duty press stud to secure everything in place.

This tutorial includes patterns for two stylish variations, both sewn using the same straightforward technique. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced sewist, you’ll love how quickly this practical project comes together. The finished pouch holds up to 6 keys and doubles as a cute bag charm or belt accessory. Ready to create your own? Let’s get started

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

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Table of Contents

1 How to make the Bell Shaped Key Case
2 Supplies and tools
3 How to Sew a Retractable Leather Key Cover

How to make the Bell Shaped Key Case

Supplies and tools

faux leather 1.2-1.4mm (3 oz) thick
thin ribbon or string 30cm (12-inch) long
split ring – 2.5-3cm (1 – 1 1/4″)
matching thread
scissors (or rotary cutter and a cutting mat)
ruler or measuring tape
iron and ironing board
sewing clips or pins

plastic snaps (you will need a sewing owl and snap pliers
heavy duty metal press studs
hook and loop dots/tape

DOWNLOAD: Retractable Key Cover Templates [Free pdf file]

How to Sew a Retractable Leather Key Cover

Watch the diy bell key cover video first and then follow the written step by step instructions below.
Please enjoy and don’t forget to Like and SUBSCRIBE over on YouTube to be kept up to date with new videos as they come out.

Retractable Leather Key Cover VIDEO TUTORIAL

INSTRUCTIONS:

STEP 1:

Download, print the pattern at 100% (no scaling). Pattern has 2 styles for the bell shaped key cover – choose which one you are going to make and cut it out. Cut out the tab pattern.

You will now have 2 paper pieces – one for the body of the key cover and one for the tab. Put them aside.

STEP 2:

Place your faux leather on top of your workdesk, wrong side UP. Mark around your pattern pieces with a fabric marker or a pen.

For STYLE 1 – mark around your pattern, then flip the pattern piece and mark once again – you will need 2 pieces for the body. Mark around the tab.

For STYLE 2 – Mark around the body pattern, then carefullty flip the paper patten over the FOLD line of the pattern so that the back side is facing up and mark the other half. Mark around the tab. Watch the video – it makes this step super clear

STEP 3:

Cut out the faux leather using a roller cutter (preferable) or a pair of scissors.

You will have a total of 3 pieces for STYLE 1 and 2 pieces for STYLE 2.

STEP 4:

Place the body pattern on top of the key cover body and mark where the snap will go.

Place the tab pattern on top of the tab and mark the position of the other part of the snap.

STEP 5:

Use a sewing awl to pierce throgh the marks on the body.

Fold the tab in half and pierce through both layers.

STEP 6:

Position front and back male snaps on the body. Use the press pliers to install the snap.

STEP 7:

In this step only use sewing clips and NOT pins. Do not use pins with leather as the holes will be visible later.

FOR STYLE 1: Place the front and tha back of the body wrong sides together, then clip in place.

For STYLE 2: Fold the body in half along the fold line. Clip in place along the top and side.

STEP 8:

Fold the tab in half and clip the top. Fold the string in half and insert the cut edges at the middle of the curvy part. Use another clip to keep the string in place.

STEP 9:

Carefully stitch around both sides for style 1 and along the top and the right side for style 2.

Sew around the sides and the curvy part of the tab

The dashed lines on the pattern indicate where you need to sew.

I recommend using a teflon foot and a denim/jeans machine needle (80/12 or 90/14). Backstitch at the beginning and the end of the seam.

STEP 10:

Install the front and back female press studs on the tab using the press pliers.

STEP 11:

Insert the string through the top opening of the body. Pull it through until the tap reaches the top of the body.

STEP 12:

Grab the folded end of the string and feed through the split ring.

How to attach the split ring to the string:

METHOD 1: Use a tool like a staple remover, needle-nose pliers, or split-ring pliers to pry open the gap between the two wire layers. Slide the loop into the opening, then twist it around the spiral until fully secure.

Quick tip: No tools handy? Wedge the edge of a key or small screwdriver into the gap to create enough space to slide the item through.

METHOD 2: Pass the looped end of the string through the center of the ring, push your fingers between the loop and the ring, grab the top of the ring and pull it though until it attaches securely.