Keychain / keepsake

Super quick DIY gift

A small gift like these denim keychains or bag charms can be given not only as a very useful thing, but also as a keepsake, lucky charm or a “pocket hug”. This denim keychain is very fast and easy sewing project to make and can be decorated with a variety of ornaments. Add beads or buttons, lace or fabric scraps for a very original look.

DIY denim keychain from old jeans – awesome little craft project suitable for beginners. And upcycling side of it is very important too ;). Please enjoy this free sewing tutorial.

Preparation

To make this denim keychain you will need a piece of old jeans waist band, a jeans belt loop, a metal key ring and some decorations. You can also make the body of the keychain slightly puffed and for this you’d need some fluffy filling.

Try to choose denim that is medium thickness, too tough fabric can be difficult to sew through.

Prepare a piece of 7-8cm (2 3/4″-3″) long from jeans waist. You may ask why can’t we use just any piece of denim here. Well, the answer is – the jeans waist band has the worn/washed look that we all adore in denim items.

More about preparing the waist band piece you will find in the description of making cuff bracelets here >>>. You surely want to check it out, because it explains the easy and pain free way of removing jeans waist bands and belt loops showing it all on videos. It also tells you more details about preparing the waist band.

Sewing the denim keychain

Decide how you wish the keychain to look and arrange your design. Use lace, buttons, flat beads. Anything you think is pretty can go here, just don’t put it too near the edges, where you will stitch later. Sew everything on to one half of the denim piece. This way the back of the keychain will be neat and tidy.

It doesn’t matter if your open side is on the left or on the right. Once all your décor is stitched on, it’s time to add the loop. The loop can be made two ways. One is standard folded in half and the other is twisted. The second option is less bulky and could be better for your sewing machine to go through. Stitch 2-3 times at the top and then proceed to the open side.

If your are making your denim keychain flat, then go ahead and stitch up the bottom at the same time. But if you prefer to add some dimension to it, then add some fluffy filling through the bottom opening and then stitch it up.

To create a better finish, pull off some thread at the top and bottom edges and cut excess off. Rough it up a bit. Don’t pull off too many threads, usually jeans waist will not create a straight edge, it may then look lopsided.

Now you can add the metal key ring. I use a flat screw driver to do this in seconds 😉

Done!

Great job! Now when you have made one denim keychain / bag charm and know how easy that was, you can make so many more trying different embellishments. All your friends can have an awesome authentic gift this Xmas!

Check out more gift ideas with free tutorials you can make >>>

And with the left over waist band you can make some other cool stuff like a bracelet or a pin cushion, which I have free tutorials for also.