Handmade Spool-inspired Key Fobs

I always love when Sedef Imer shares a guest post with us - they're always so beautiful and creative - and this handmade spool-inspired key fob is no exception! Wouldn't these make a fun gift for sewing friends?

Hi, it's Sedef Imer here, from Down Grapevine Lane . I'm back again as a guest blogger on Amy's blog and today I will be showing you how to make these rather special spool shaped key fobs!

This is a great little project for your favorite fabric scraps, and they make lovely gifts too.

MATERIALS

2" square print fabric (spool middle)
3" square light brown fabric (spool wood parts)
3" x 3.5" sturdy wool felt (spool backing)
3" x 5" fusible web
3" cotton tape
1" diameter split ring
Black thread and thread to match the color of the felt
Pilot Frixion (or other removable ink) pen

STEPS

1. Find the PDF template to print from here and print to A4. Make sure you save it to your computer and open in Adobe Acrobat to print - if you print it straight from your browser this can cause size problems. Cut out the two spool parts in the template along their outlines.

2. Apply fusible web to the backs of the 2" square and 3" square fabric pieces, following the manufacturer's instructions. Place the larger template piece (wood spool shape) on the back of the 3" square brown fabric and trace around the template, then cut the shape out along the traced line. Repeat for the small template and the 2" square of print fabric.

3. Fold the cotton tape in two and place onto the top half of the felt, with the raw edges pointing downwards towards the center of the felt as shown. Peel off the backing paper on the brown fabric piece and place on top of the tape, with ½" of the bottom of the tape covered by the web backed fabric. Press with hot iron.

4. Peel off the backing paper of the print fabric piece and place on top of the brown spool, in the middle, as shown. Press with hot iron.

5. Using the Frixion pen draw some details onto the spool by hand, as shown.

6. Thread your sewing machine with black top thread, and with bobbin thread matching the color of your felt. Carefully sew along the outline of the spool and the lines you've drawn by hand TWICE. Don't worry if your two stitch lines don't overlap precisely - the finished piece will have a more authentic 'hand-made' look if the two lines aren't directly on top of each other. Press your finished piece to remove the pen marks.

7. Cut out the spool shape from the felt background - be careful not to snip the tape when you are cutting behind it. Insert the folded end of the tape into the split ring.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and use it to make your own spool key fobs. Please come visit me over on my blog Down Grapevine Lane and you can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram for free tutorials, patterns, and general sewing inspiration. Happy sewing!