I’ve been wanting to come up with quick and fun give ideas, that are also easy and super cute – and I thought I’d make something that was inspired by all things Kate Spade. These Kate Spade Inspired DIY Key Fobs fit the bill perfectly – they are quick to sew up, (you can totally do this as a beginner project) and they are so sweet!
They are bright and colorful and they have the cutest little gold bows!
Maybe you don’t love all the glitter and stuff – that’s totally ok. I think they’d be great with an aztecy feel, or maybe something geometric! Any little print that you love will be perfect.
These little babies are so fast to sew up too. You can make one up in 15 minutes easy.
You could sew up a key fob for mom, one for you, and a few for your girlfriends in just an hour or so. Key Fobs for everyone!
So let’s get to the easy tutorial!
How to make these Easy DIY Key Fobs:
Materials (per key fob):
- Fabric – 3″ x 10″
- Fusible Fleece – 2″ x 10″
- Gold Bias Tape
- Thread to match fabric
- Needle
- One 1.25″ Key Fob Clamp and Ring (I found mine on Etsy)
- Pliers
- Sewing Machine & Iron
Begin by ironing your fusible fleece to the wrong side of your fabric. Center it in the middle of the fabric piece.
Fold the long sides of the fabric strip in 3/8″ on each side. Press these folds in place.
Fold the fabric in half so the long edges are together. Press in place.
Create a small bow about 1″ wide from the gold bias tape. Sew it together by hand.
Cut a length of gold bias tape about 4″ long. Measure down on the fabric strip 1 1/2″ and place the strip so the ends will fold into the open section of the fabric and the tape will wrap around the fabric. Sew the bow in place on top of the bias tape.
With the bias tape tucked into the center of the fabric, pin the opening closed. Sew down the edge of the fabric strip, sewing the opening closed at the same time. Turn the fabric piece and sew up the folded edge as well. Make sure you move the bow as you sew so it’s not sewn down.
Fold the fabric strip in half, bringing the two short ends together. Tuck the ends into the key fob clamp.
Clamp the hardware closed. You can use a key fob clamp, or regular pliers. If you use regular flat nose pliers, wrap some felt around the pliers to protect the hardware.
Now you have a super cute little floral Bow Key Fob!
These are so addicting and quick – you will be wanting to make up more before you know it.
I’d love to see a photo if you make some up!
Jennie @ Little Girl Designs says
Oh my goodness, these are so pretty! I am definitely in the ‘beginner’ category when it comes to sewing but I think could actually make these. :) I love the gold bows!
Joelyn Fortin says
Kate spade committed suicide several years ago. DavidSpade is her brother.
Tina G. says
I’m a beginner, also and this looks fast and easy.
Can’t wait to make these – I need some cute graduation gifts, and these will be perfect.
Great tutorial – THANKS!!
Lovin’ the bows. :)
Lynne Tilley says
These are just too sweet! Thanks for sharing the tutorial!
Wolfgirlhere says
Oh I have to make these. They are awesome a simple. I can’t see but I think I can make these. Thank you for sharing such cool crafts.
[email protected]
Wolfgirlhere says
Sorry my iPhone changed my spelling. It was suppose to say I can’t sew.
Salma Sheriff says
Wow. These are so beautiful :) Will definitely try. Thank you so much
Hugs,
Salma
http://made-in-craftadise.blogspot.in/
Anne says
These are sooo cute! And I spy the one you gave me! As soon as I can drive again I’ll be carrying it with me everywhere. I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for this morning that links to your tutorial: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/?p=82360
–Anne
Beverly McCullough says
Thank you sooo much Anne!! You’re the sweetest!! :)
katie says
Could you please say where you found the gold key fob hardware? I’ve looked everywhere and can only find silver nickel or brass. Love these so much. The gold really makes them
Beverly McCullough says
Thanks Katie!
The Etsy shop I bought mine from is here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/bagladyofsc I also found the clamp tool there.
chris webber says
I LOVE this!! I know just enough about a sewing machine to be dangerous :-) Even though your instructions are clear, to most people, I have re-read over and over the part about this bias tape. I understand the piece is no longer folded in half – ok. So, are you tucking the ends of the tape under the edges of material and gathering until the tape is taught? I would take the tape off in order to sew the bow on, right? I know I’m making this more difficult than it is, but I can’t for some stupid reason get past this part! I feel so dumb and I’m sorry to ask such a dumb question – maybe I should just move along? LOL Seriously though, I would love to make these. What an awesome idea!! Thank you very much for your help!!
Beverly McCullough says
Hi Chris,
It’s not a dumb question at all! Let me try and make it more clear. You want to make the bow first. Email me if you need help with that part. Then cut another piece of the bias tape off the package – about 4″. You’ll take that piece as it is (don’t open up the tape) and lay the tape over the folded fabric so it overlaps the open side about 1/2″ and the folded edge about 2 1/2″. You’re making a “t” with the tape and fabric. You’ll open up the fabric a bit and tuck that 1/2″ into the opening. Then you’ll wrap the 2 1/2″ around to the back of the fabric and tuck the 1/2″ that is left over into that same open section. Basically you’re just wrapping the bias tape, without opening it, around the fabric piece and tucking the two ends into the side of the folded fabric that is still open. You’ll sew the bias tape in place when you sew the sides of the fabric.
Please let me know if that doesn’t seem clear enough, I’m happy to help! Feel free to email me at [email protected]. Thanks!
Erin Nicole says
I had this very same confusion so THANK YOU for clarifying!!! The idea is super cute! Do you have a tutorial on how to make the bow?
HELEN says
I love the key fobs but I can not sew at all. Is there anyway I can purchase them from you. I do not own a sewing machine and my high school sewing class did not work out well for me. These fobs will make great birthday gifts for my granddaughters and girlfriends.
Beverly McCullough says
Hi Helen, So sorry, I just don’t have time to make them up to sew! I hope you can find someone to help you out!
Bev
Haley says
These are adorable!! Fun patterns? Bows? Gold? Right up my alley. Thank you for sharing this easy (enough) tutorial!
<3 Haley @ http://www.beautyinthischaos.com
Cheryl says
Hi Bev! Thanks for sharing this tutorial! I’m wondering if you used 1 inch or 1.25 inch fob clamps. Thank you!323
Beverly says
Hi Cheryl,
I used 1.25 inch clamps. :) Thanks!
Borei Design says
LOVE the à la Kate bows! I’m with you. I’m a total Spade head! ;)
Kimberly says
These are so flipping cute! I have most of this in my sewing room right now and I want to make one immediately! Thanks for posting this! Repinned!
Claire says
Love these and love your tutorial, great instructions and photos. Thanks
Errolyn says
Hello! Visiting from JAG link party. What a darling gift idea!! Now I want to make one (or more!!) for me and some for my sisters and friends. I love the Kate Spade inspired details–you nailed it :)
Lisa @ Fun Money Mom says
I LOVE Kate Spade and these are so cute!!! Thanks so much for sharing at Share The Wealth Sunday!
xoxo
Lisa
Michelle says
Oh these are totally gorgeous! Such great gift ideas. Definitely on my must make list. :)
Tanya says
I love key fabs! It helps me find my keys in my purse. I will have to try making one of these.Small Victories Sunday Link Up!
Stephanie R says
I absolutely LOVE this! This totally makes me wish I could sew!
Akaleistar says
The key fobs are darling!
Leslie says
I’m so making these! They do look really simple but they are so cute! I’m loving the little bow. I’m stopping by from the Sunday link up!
Katherines Corner says
I love these! The little gold bows are the perfect bit of something special to make them absolutely perfect. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. Watch for your feature on Monday xo
Michelle James says
These are really fun. I love the fabrics you used. I always have scraps of fabric laying around!
Tenns says
These are super cute! I’m overdue for a new addition to my keychain. Pinning these for later when I have time to be crafty. Thanks for sharing!
Shirley says
These are so cute. Thanks for sharing
Christie says
These are beautiful, and would make excellent gifts! Thanks for sharing with us at Totally Terrific Tuesday Link Party. Be sure to stop by Sparkles of Sunshine tonight to see your feature!
Heather G says
Gorgeous material patterns. Did you use 1.25″ key fobs? Thanks.
Beverly says
Thanks so much! Yes, they were the 1.25″ fobs. :)
Jennifer Dawn says
Gorgeous! The fabric! The gold finishes! I simply adore these! Just wanted to let you know that they are being featured at this week’s link party. http://www.thelifeofjenniferdawn.com/2015/07/a-little-bird-told-me-weekly-link-party_29.html
Lexi Michelle says
Wow these are soo cute!! And you can totally use any fabric design! Love it!!
Lynne says
Can you please share your supplier for the gold key fob hardware? I was not able to find it anywhere etsy, Amazon or eBay. These are so cute and & I want to start making them for Christmas gifts.
Beverly says
Hi Lynne,
Thanks so much! This is the shop I bought them from – I purchased the brass hardware but it has a gold color to it. :)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/bagladyofsc
rebecca lopez says
I just love these so much! They are so cute!
Stephanie @ Casa Watkins says
SUPER CUTE! I adore these key fobs. I will be including them in a roundup of Kate Spade inspired projects on my blog.
Lynne says
Can you offer any advise on making those tiny bows! I’m pretty crafty but I’m struggling with these little bows
Kathy says
Yes, there really is a Kate Spade. She has a very interesting story to tell on how she first got started. She made her first mock up handbags out of burlap and sold the designs to a big fancy department store in New York, where she got her first order (yes, all they saw were the “burlap” mock ups)! Her and her husband run the company.
Maureen says
I just made this using your pattern, I extended it to 12 inches so it would fit around my wrist. Thanks!
Shelly says
These are ridiculous!!!! That’s how good they are! I am slightly, I mean completely obsessed with Kate Spade and her cute bows. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Definitely a home run <3
Jessica says
I LOVE these!! They are so adorable. Where did you get your fabric? It’s so pretty!
Beverly says
Thanks Jessica! These fabrics all came from Jo-Ann a couple years ago – I’m not sure if those prints are still there or not! They are fun though aren’t they?
Diane says
Very nice work! What is the best way to make the gold bow? I’m challenged when it comes to making nice neat bows… Thanks!
Sabrina says
Yes there is a real Kate Spade! Sadly she died by suicide at age 55 in June
Paula says
These are so cute !!
Crystal says
I always love all your stuff and I’ve been making key fobs for over a decade and never thought to add a bow!!! Love it!! It really makes it super chic! Would love any tips or tricks you have for making your bow so perfect!