Learn how to make quick and easy Key Fobs with our Key Fob Tutorial by Crazy Little Projects. With a little bit of cotton webbing, ribbon, and low cost key fob hardware, you can have a fun project in minutes!
Hi! It’s Amber from Crazy Little Projects again!! I’ve got something great for you today!
Who likes quick and easy projects?
I bought one of these a while back from an internet site and just loved it and knew that they would be easy to make and now I’ve done it. They’re easy. Believe me, they’re really easy.
Very fast, very easy, inexpensive and could make a really cute gift. Here they are, they’re wristlet key fobs:
How cute are those? And how easy?
Key Fob Tutorial
Here’s what you need:
Key fob hardware
Cotton Webbing (in the same width as your key fob hardware)
Ribbon
All supplies, even thread, can be purchased right here at The Ribbon Retreat for amazing prices and quick shipping.
My hardware was 1.25″ wide, so I got webbing to match the size.
Here’s my hardware:
Cut your cotton webbing to be about 10 inches long. Cut your matching ribbon the same length.
Now simply stitch on either side of the ribbon the full length of it onto the webbing:
Now, fold your webbing in half matching up the two raw edges. Stick them down into the hardware “mouth”:
And squeeze it shut with pliers.
And really, that’s it. SO easy! I want to make a million of them! Which one’s your favorite? (Oh, and see how the white I used 2 more narrow strips of ribbon-get creative!)
For more crazy little projects visit me on facebook, RSS, Twitter, Pinterest or visit me at Crazy Little Projects!
Thanks Amber! I have been wanting to make one of these for years and now I can! I will also be making tons of gifts at Christmas time for everyone I know. And with the hundreds (if not thousands!) of options of ribbon at The Ribbon Retreat, they will all be unique!
Amber has great projects and simple tutorials. Visit Crazy Little Projects to see more!
And if you’re a craft blogger who’d like to submit a tutorial of your own, visit our Project Submission Page to see all the details. We love our contributors!
Have a great day! ~ Shirley, The Ribbon Retreat Blog Editor
25 Comments
very nice thank you so much
happy nice day ^_^
Hi – I can see the webbing is 1 1/4 inches wide, but can you tell me the width of the ribbon you used in these examples please? Thanks
Can you do this same thing with a lanyard except no webbing?
Hi Amy! Yes you can! I would just suggest making sure the ribbon you choose is the same width as the key fob. We have a great selection of jacquard ribbon which would be great for lanyards. Click the link to see them. Hope this helps! – Shirley 🙂
do you need a special needle in your sewing machine to handle the thickness of the webbing and ribbon?
Hi Becky! I’ve always used a regular needle to handle that thickness. If your sewing machine does have trouble with it, you might consider using a denim needle since those are for more heavy duty sewing. Thanks! – Shirley 🙂
I think those key fobs are darling! However, I have some questions to ask about these. Other than sewing the ribbon onto the cotton webbing, can you recommend another way to attach the two together? (Can you glue them together?) I too would like to know the width of the ribbon you used in these examples. (I see the webbing and the hardware width are both the same size – 1.25″ .) Can you please tell me what type of ribbon is best to use? Can you tell me with your “mix of ribbon” selection (the 5 rolls /20 yds. of mixed variety of ribbon) what type of ribbon is part of the mix and what is the width of each roll? Thanks!
for those of you who can’t/don’t sew, use Heat & Bond tape! put it between the ribbon and the webbing, iron the ends first to help keep it in place, then go down the three strips, and finish as suggested above!
Hi Michele! Awesome! Thank you so so much for the suggestion. That is so awesome to have a no sew option too! You are awesome! Thanks again Michele!
Hi. Great tutorial. I’m just wondering if you use heavy weight cotton webbing or medium heavy weight? I see on Etsy they sell both for these keychains but I didn’t know if there was one that was best to use over the other. Thanks!
Hi Tina! Thank you so much for your question. I personally prefer the heavyweight webbing. I have a key fob made out of the heavyweight and love how stiff it is and how well it has held up. I hope this helps. Thank you again Tina! Have a wonderful rest of your day! Michelle 🙂
Mine come undone when I pull on them.. even though we squeezed super hard, even my had had a go at it. The side without the teeth slip out.. any suggestions?
I also am having trouble, when I pull on the webbing it pulls out of the holder, any suggestions?
Maybe I have the ribbon down too far?
Hi Jackie! I am sorry that you are having trouble with creating your Key Fob. When you put your ribbon and webbing into the hardware, you will want to make sure they are both pushed up all the way, so the ends are touching the inside of the hardware. And, when you are closing the hardware and securing the ribbon, you will want to use pliers or something similar to make sure the ribbon and webbing will not come loose. I really hope this helps, and I apologize again for the issues you have been having with your Key Fob project! Good luck and thank you for stopping by! Michelle 🙂
To prevent the webbing from pulling out of the hardware/holder, I zigzagged back and forth across the ends before putting them in the hardware. It seems like that gives a little extra stability and prevents fraying and the ends coming out.
Hi Jeanette! Thank you so much for this awesome comment! Your way of keeping the webbing from pulling out of the hardware is awesome! Thank you so so much for sharing your tip and trick! You are awesome Jeanette! Thank you again and have a wonderful night! Michelle 🙂
A little bit of e6000 along the inside of the metal piece also helps secure it. Before clamping.
Hi Kelley! Awesome, awesome! Thank you so much for your tip! Have a wonderful day! Michelle 🙂
Hi, I love this key fob information. Is it best to use gross grain ribbon, or can you use any kind of ribbon?
Hi Vickie! Thank you so much for your question! I am so glad you love this key fob! They are so much fun to make! You can use whatever ribbon you choose! If you use a fob hardware that has teeth, just be careful that the teeth is not going to rip through your ribbon. For example, you would want to be extra careful with a satin ribbon. Thank you again and good luck making your Key Fobs. Michelle 🙂
Your key fob hardware has two teeth, don’t they? What other kind is there?
Thanks, Vickie
Hi Vickie! Thank you for your question! Yes, our Key Fob hardware has two teeth on one side and they come in silver. That is the only Key Fob hardware that we carry. Thank you again and good luck with your Key Fob! Have a great day! Michelle 🙂
You are very creative &stour ideas are wonderful
Love you
Hi Noora! Thank you so very much! I am so glad you love this fun Key Fob! Thank you again and have a wonderful day! Michelle 🙂
In order to stop being able to pull the ends out using downward pressure on the fob, use pliers to slightly crimp the hardware and the fabric together then place into a bench vice to really ensure that the hardware is pushed in. I currently have some weight testing going on and have a key fob hanging with a 5 kg weight in a plastic bag and it shows no sign of letting go.