Fabric Scrap Key Fobs

If you’re like me, you have a hard time throwing away even the tiniest fabric scraps.  I noticed recently as I was doing a quick sewing room clean out, that my fabric scrap baskets are getting out of control.  I decided something had to be done.  These small scraps needed to be used and quickly.  What resulted was a pile of Fabric Scrap Key Fobs that went together quickly.  And even better than that?  I’ve check off a whole handful of people on my handmade Christmas gift list. These are perfect for neighbors and teachers!

Because the fabric is made from a collage of fabric scraps, there are a million possibilities for how each one will turn out.  And you determine how many can be made at a time based on the size of the “quilted” base fabric. Which means in under 30 minutes, you can cross off a whole basketful of handmade Christmas gifts!

I know I tend to procrastinate when it comes to getting started on those handmade gifts so you’ll be thanking me come Christmas if you sit down and whip a few of these up now.  Here’s how to create these fun fabric scrap key fobs:

Supplies:

• Fabric scraps
• Scrap of white felt or quilt batting
• slightly larger piece of fabric for the backing
• fusible interfacing (optional)
• 1 Key Fob Hardware Set
• Pliers
• Sewing Notions
• free motion quilting foot

Step 1:  Layer your fabrics; backing (right side down), batting or felt, and fabric scraps (right side up). Play around with the fabric scraps until you’ve found an arrangement that is pleasing. Remember that this will be cut down into strips along the shorter edge so you’ll want to picture how things will look once cut.

Step 2:  If you haven’t already, give your scraps a good pressing.   Anything curling up may get “quilted” to the wrong side or stick up from your fob once it’s folded.

Step 3: Quilt the fabric using a free motion quilting foot or standard foot depending on whether you choose to stitch loops and a meandering path or straight lines.  I highly recommend using a looping pattern in order to catch the small corners.

 

Step 4:  Turn your quilted fabric sandwich the backing side and “square up”.  You still want this to be a rectangle in shape just make sure all edges are even.

Step 5:  Cut into 1 inch X 8 inch strips. Then surge or satin stitch the long edges of each strip.

Step 6:  Fold a strip in half length-wise.  Use a pair of pliers to attach key fob to the folded strip.  Squeeze together from the middle and then each side.

Attach the key chain loop and these are ready to give as gifts.  Just be sure to make one extra because you will want to keep a fabric scrap key fob for yourself!