Make your own Needlepoint Key Fob

Updated June 25, 201.
Needlepoint Key Fobs are really cool and while there are great kits including painted canvases out there, you might want to make your own. You could finish your recent Summer SAL as a key fob in this style.

Typically the fob hardware is about the width of a belt, but measure it to be sure. To make an original fob, you’ll want to trace a rectangle on your canvas about 6″-8″ inches long and two threads more than the width of your fob hardware. Here’s a link to a Google Shopping search for key fob hardware.

Once you have stitched your design, here’s how to finish it.

Make the key fob needlepoint the correct width for your hardware plus 2-4 threads on each side and block if needed.

Trim canvas to five threads beyond the edges of the needlepoint and turn down the long sides.

Turn under the unstitched margins of the canvas so that the outside stitches rows are covering the edges.

Find a grosgrain ribbon or piece of Ultrasuede (so it won’t ravel) the width of the stitched needlepoint. Sew it to the back of the fob along the edges, being sure to catch the turned under margins and catching a bit of the back of the stitching.

Fold the stitching into a loop and fit the fob hardware to the unstitched ends. If needed trim those ends so no unstitched canvas will show before attaching the fob hardware.