Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop - Fabric Lanyard

Hi and welcome if you are visiting from the Let's Get Acquainted Blop Hop! Today I have a tutorial for a handy fabric lanyard that could be used to hang a number of things - keys, id tags, and thread snips to name a few.

You will need: Basic sewing equipment - cutting mat. rotary cutter, acrylic quilters ruler, sewing machine, pins.
At least 4 x 42 inches of fabric - I am using some cute elephant fabrics similar to the Daiwabo ones, in a white on navy, and a red on white.

And some key ring hardware - such as a large lobster clasp key ring, a swivel or a snap hook, or a split key ring. I found the ones I have used in the bag making section at the craft store.

1. Start by squaring up the edge of your fabric by lining it up with the selvedge and repeatedly folding up the flat bottom edge to meet up with the selvedge until it is wide enough for you to be able to lay it on your cutting mat with one of the marked lines on your quilters ruler lined up with the lower straight edge of the fabric.

2. Cut a width of fabric (WOF) strip about 2.5 - 3 inches wide. Trim off the selvedges so that you end up with a strip about 3 x 42 " wide.

3. Fold the trip in half lengthways and iron flat.

4. Open the strip out again and fold one side so that the raw edge meets the crease in the centre, and press.

5. Repeat for the other side.

6. Fold over so that the raw edges are enclosed in the fold. 

7.Press and pin along the length of the fold. 

8. Lay the folded strip out flat and slide your key ring or clasp onto it, moving it a little way along.

 9. Open out the two ends of the folded strip and pin them right sides together without twisting the strip of fabric.

10. Pin and stitch the ends closed with a half inch seam - you should now have a joined loop/ circle of fabric.

11 . Press the seam open and fold raw edges back in. Press again and repin.

12. You should have a loop about 42 inches long and 1/2 inch wide.

13. Stitch along each side of the lanyard close to the edges, moving the clasp along the strip as you sew so that it isn't in the way.

14. Press again if needed, and your lanyard is ready to use!

15. I made another patchwork version by cutting some 2.5 inch pieces of fabric,

and joining them together with a half inch seam to make a strip approximately 2.5 x 40", then proceeding from step 3 above.

Hope you enjoyed this tutorial! These would make great gifts for teachers, party favours, stocking stuffers, and even for school fetes or stalls.
Kirsten.