Free Pattern: The Loopy Lanyard

I'm a college professor who possesses quite a collection of keys. My office is in one building and I teach in two other buildings - and I have keys to the buildings and the rooms. The easiest and safest way for me to transport them is on a lanyard. My first one was ugly - black and red (school colors) - and I mean ugly because I wear neither black nor read. I lean toward the pinks and pastels. So I made my own. And you can, too. 

This isn't your typical lanyard. I've created a simple technique for joining the ends that creates a loop and reduces bulking seams. Follow along!

Cut various pieces/scraps that are 2 1/2" wide. Cut enough to make the lanyard long enough: when you sew these together, the total length will be about 42" - but, it will depend on how long you like your lanyard. I'm almost 5'9" and prefer them a little longer.

Using a 1/4" seam, sew them RST along the 2 1/2" ends.

Do a quick test to see if you like the length. Add more if necessary.

Press in half, wrong sides together. You can see the crease here where I pressed.

If you are stretching the fabric a bit, try some spray starch to stiffen the fabric. It really helped mine!

Open back up and fold outer edge into the crease. Press. Do this for both outer edges.

Fold together and press. The raw edges should be tucked inside.

Open up one end, wrong side up. Fold back the end about 1/2" and press (WST).

Refold the entire lanyard.

Slide on a swivel hook (3/4") and a key ring.

Place the fabric flat on a table (wrong side up) and open up the ends.

Take the end that is unfinished and place it on top of the end that is folded over. Make sure the lanyard isn't twisted. This is the joining seam (well, I'm calling it that!)

Refold and flatten. Use your fingers to hold this in place.

Head to your machine.

Place the lanyard in your machine so the needle is about 1/2" before the opening/fold that you just created. The open edge should be sewn first (so it's to the right).

I'm using an edgestitch foot with the needle moved over.

Sew all the way around the open/right edge of your lanyard until you've reached your starting point. Stop there with your needle down.

Lift your foot, turn the lanyard. and sew across the fold/joining seam.

Then lift your foot, pivot and sew along the other side of the lanyard.

 

Take your lanyard out and find the joining seam. Move your hook and key ring down to the seam. 

You are now going to sew across the lanyard to hold the swivel hook and key ring in place. The secret to doing this well is to run the right side of your foot up along the ring/hook, move your needle to the right (if you can), and start sewing IN THE MIDDLE. Sew forward to the edge, then in reverse, then back to the middle. Starting and stopping in the middle hides the thread tails .

Repeat for the key ring.

And here is what it looks like! The Loopy Lanyard.

I've used this loopy technique for detachable handles on little clutches. It works great.

Good luck and have fun! This is a fast and fun project.

And here's a free pattern for a zippered coin purse! It's easy to make...no cutting circles!