How to Make a Wristlet Keychain – Free Pattern!

In this post, you’ll learn how to make a wristlet keychain! It’s a quick and easy project, so why not make some today?

^{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.}

Wristlets are, in my humble opinion, the best kind of keychain. They make your keys easier to find in your purse or bag, they allow you to carry them hands-free so you can carry other things, and they’re just plain fun. Let’s get crafting; it’s time for you to make your own wristlet!

Want the FREE pattern? Click here to get it!

To make your own wristlet keychain, you’ll need:

• Fabric: I use cotton and cut my fabric to 12” x 4”. This gives me a wristlet that is 1” wide, and about 6” tall (from fold to bottom of the metal hardware). If you’d rather have a physical pattern you can trace, I’ve made a free one for you! Click here to download it! If you’re making this as a gift, try to find a fabric that represents the recipient in some way! Use a fabric themed with their favorite colors, animals, a hobby, or their profession. There are so many fabrics to choose from, both online and in stores. (Did you know Dollar Tree even has little rolls of cotton fabric? If not, go check it out!)
• Thread: Thread that matches the fabric – or doesn’t! It’s up to you!
• Interfacing: I use thin, fusible interfacing. If you want to get a large amount, I’d recommend this white fusible interfacing. That said, I’ve had just as much success with the fusible interfacing from Dollar Tree, believe it or not. Check it out here. I cut it to slightly smaller than my fabric – roughly 11.5” by 3.5”.
• Wristlet hardware: I bought this wristlet keyfob hardware set on Amazon and love it. It includes the hardware and the appropriate pliers for closing the hardware. Make sure that whatever size hardware you’re using, that’s the size of your wristlet! My fabric dimensions are for a 1” wide wristlet, and the link takes you to 1” wristlet hardware.
• An iron: You’re going to do a lot of ironing to make this!
• Scissors or a rotary blade cutter and cutting mat.
• A needle and thread or sewing machine. I highly recommend a sewing machine for this project.

Directions

Step 1

Gather your supplies! I dug through a bin of fabric scraps that I had to find this fabric. You really don’t need much to make a wristlet! I also pulled out my hardware, a rotary blade, and cutting mat, the pattern that I made, and my sewing machine. Starting a project is always easiest when you get everything that you’ll need right at the beginning.

Step 2

Cut out your wristlet fabric. I cut mine 12″ long by 4″ wide. My finished wristlet will be 6″ long and 1″ wide. My keyfob hardware is 1″ wide as well.

Step 3

Cut out your fusible interfacing so it’s just slightly smaller than your main fabric. Fuse it to the back of the fabric according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 4

Fold your fabric in half (so it’s now 12″ long by 2″ wide) and iron it to crease it.

Step 5

Now open it back up and fold each side into the middle. Iron it. I find that folding a little and ironing as I go is the best method for getting everything lined up properly. Once that’s done, fold on the center crease again. You should now have a strip of fabric that is 12″ long by 1″ wide.

Step 6

Stitch down each side, starting with the open side. For this example, I stitched about 1/4″ away from the edges. However, with my more recent wristlets I have been stitching closer to 1/8″ of an inch from the sides. It’s really up to you, based on what you think looks best. Whichever you choose, just make sure you’re consistent.

Step 7

Now fold it in half again, so that you have a strip of fabric that’s 6″ long by 1″ wide. By folding it in half you make the loop that will allow someone to wear it as a wristlet.

Step 8

Finally, attach your hardware according to the manufacturer’s instructions! Congratulations, you have a completed wristlet!

What will you make?

Are you going to make a wristlet keychain? What colors/patterns will you use? Were any of my instructions unclear or difficult to follow? Let me know in the comments!

For more craft ideas, check out my “crafts and hobbies” posts here.