This post will show you how to make your own fabric cord keeper!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a small commission if you purchase through my link–at no additional cost to you.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve got cords everywhere. After all, everything has a cord! Charger cords for your phone, iPad, laptop, headphones, game controllers, and more. Keeping them neatly wrapped up is a pain.
But I have a solution! Fabric cord keepers!
This is a quick, easy & practical DIY that you can tackle with very few materials. You need fabric, interfacing, thread, and a way to close the cord keepers. I use snap buttons, but you could also use a regular button or a piece of Velcro.
Add a few to stockings at Christmas, in teacher gifts, or give them away just because. They’re also great little products to bring to craft sales or to sell online.
I’ve made a simple pattern that’s totally free for personal use! (You can use it for your small business too, provided you’re making the items yourself and not providing the pattern to a third party for mass production.)
What you’ll need to make a fabric cord keeper:
- Fabric: I used a patterned quilting cotton for this. You can also use flannelette, or whatever fabrics you have on hand. Make sure you pre-wash and dry your fabric! I generally buy my fabric from Fabricland, but you can find some really cute fat quarters at Walmart, Dollar Tree, and of course on Amazon. You can make multiple cord keepers with a fat quarter of fabric, depending on the size you’re making.
- Interfacing: I use lightweight, iron-on interfacing. (Did you know you can find interfacing at Dollar Tree? I use it all the time for my projects. It’s great!)
- Thread: Something that matches your fabric is best. Gutermann thread is my go-to for quality thread; I’d recommend this Gutermann thread pack if you’re just starting your collection of threads. It’s a popular brand, so you should be able to find it in any craft store, fabric store, and even Walmart!
- Snap Buttons & Button Attachment Tool: This is the snap attachment tool and snap set that I use. You can also find the tool and snaps at craft stores like Michaels, Hobby Lobby, and even sometimes at Walmart!
- Other Supplies: Scissors, Sewing Machine, pins, etc.
Directions
Step 1
Get your materials together, print out your pattern (or draft your own!), and cut the pattern out. I like to get everything together in one place before I start so I’m not doing a lot of running around mid-project if I can help it.
Step 2
Trace your pattern out on your fabric. You’ll need to cut two pieces from your main fabric, and one from your interfacing. My cord keepers had the same fabric on both sides, but you could change things up and do two different fabrics. Get creative!
Step 3
Now you’ll attach your interfacing to the wrong side of one of your pattern pieces. I prefer to use fusible interfacing but if you like working with sew-in interfacing, go for it!
Step 4
Next, sew your pieces together with the right sides facing. Make sure to leave a little space to turn your fabric right side out. Leave a 1/2″ seam allowance while you sew, and then trim it down when you’ve finished sewing.
Step 5
Next, turn your fabric right side out. Iron it flat.
Step 6
Top stitch all the way around.
Step 7
Find the center of your piece. If you’re making the smallest cord keeper, make a mark 1/2″ up. If you’re making the medium or large one, make a mark 3/4″ up. This is where you’ll place your snaps. It’s easy to find the middle of the piece – just fold it in half!
This is the snap attachment tool and snap set that I use. If you don’t have snap buttons or don’t want to use them, you could sew pieces of Velcro on instead.
Attach the snaps as per the instructions that come with the snap attachment tool.
Step 8
And there we go!
You are now the owner of a cute fabric cord keeper!
I told you it was easy! The pattern I linked above has three size variations. Once you make a few and get a feel for how it all comes together, the pattern itself is simple to modify.
These are great to throw into teacher gifts, to add to stockings, or to pretty up your workspace.
Did you make something with this pattern? Let me know in the comments! Or use the hashtags #theserialcreative #cordkeeperdiy on Instagram.
For more free patterns, check out my FREE RESOURCES section.
