How to make a Key Fob (Snap Tab)

Key fob designs are basically a modified appliqué type design. When you do not not know what to gift a person key fobs can be a easy and fast gift to embroider.

Understanding and embroidering a good basic appliqué design first will be helpful to familiarise yourself with the basic steps. Check it out on our website by clicking here.

PROJECT NEEDS:

  • cut-away stabilizer,
  • vinyl, felt
  • spray adhesive
  • snap tabs or snaps,
  • a tool to attach the snaps,
  • awl or tool to make holes, and
  • a key ring.
  1. Cut a piece of tear away stabilizer slightly larger than the embroidery hoop. Hoop your tear away stabilizer and attach hoop onto the machine.

2. Stitch out the first dye line or outline (black thread). You can choose to make this a thread color close to the color of your fabric as this will not be visible when you have finished the embroidery.

*This stitch is done simply to help you find the placement for your vinyl/felt.*

3. Gently remove the hoop from the machine.

4. Cut 2 pieces of double sided tape and apply on the outside of the stitched dye line, making sure the tape does not overlap with the dye line. You do not want to stitch over the tape! 

*Alternatively: spray some spray adhesive to the back of your vinyl/felt you would like to stitch the design on. Place the vinyl/felt over the outline stitch in the hoop making sure it covers the stitching.*

5. Gently attach the hoop back in the machine.

6. Cut the fabric of your choice for the keyfob big enough to fit over dyeline. Secure it with the double sides tape to the stabilizer. Make sure it covers the dye line already stitched.

7. Embroider the actual design for the key fob. 

8. Stop before stitching the final stitches of the key fob.

9. Gently remove the frame from the machine and flip frame over. On the bottom side of the design, put double sided tape on both sides of finished design.

10. Place the second piece of fabric on the back of frame making sure it covers the tape and design outlines.

11. Change the colour of the bobbin thread. Use the same colour and embroidery thread you will use as top stitching. The top stitching is double stitching, so don’t worry that the stitches will hold break, it will not.

12. Stitch the final top stitching of the design.

13. Remove design frame from machine. Look at the back, only one stitch line should be visible.

14. Remove the design from the frame. Cut out the design. Cut close to the stop stitch and in-between the top stitch and original tack down line

15. Mark position for snap tabs

16. Insert the snap tabs. I prefer the male snap tab at the bottom and the female snap tab at the top of the key fob (figure15). But you can do whatever works for you.

17. Just add a metal key fob ring or lobster claw and you are done. Your very own key fob.

DESIGN USED

 

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