Tutorial: How to Make a Lanyard with Fabric Scraps
Trying to figure out what to do with those small pieces of leftover scrap fabric? Try making a scrap lanyard. It’s really quite simple to make, and lanyards are really great for helping you keep track of your keys, or making sure no one runs away with your wallet. Pick out some of your favorite scraps, and get started with this quick 30-minute lanyard tutorial.
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Supplies Needed:
(all of my patterns include 1/2″ seam allowance)
Step 1
arrange your scrap fabric
Lay out your fabric scraps and start lining them up however you like. Make sure the scrap collage is long enough for your lanyard pattern to fit (remember it needs to be twice as long as the pattern so you can cut it on the fold). Remember to overlap the fabric pieces to account for seam allowance.
Note: This is easier with straight edges, so I recommend cutting straight lines and right corners on your scraps.
Step 2
sew your scraps together
One-by-one sew each of the scrap pieces together. Make sure to press each of the seams as you go.
Step 3
cut out your lanyard pattern
Overlay your lanyard pattern on top of the collage. Then cut it out (you can use scissors if you want, I just find it easier to use a rotary cutter).
Rather than folding the scrap collage in half and cutting the scarf pattern, I decided to cut one layer at a time. I left the shorter edge uncut and shifted the pattern to the other side to cut the second layer. If you mess up and accidentally cut the center, don’t worry, just sew it up the same way you did for all the other scraps.
Step 4
apply interfacing to the back of the lanyard
Make sure your seams are nice and flat before applying the interfacing so you can avoid weird puckers in the fabric.
Step 5
fold the lanyard in four, like double fold bias tape
Fold the outer edges to the center (above). Then fold the fabric in half (below). Press this in place, but do not sew it closed yet.
Step 6
slide the clip onto the lanyard
Step 7
open and sew the ends of the lanyard together
Unfold just the ends of the lanyard and sew them with right sides together. Then refold and press the lanyard closed.
Step 8
sew the lanyard closed
Sew the lanyard closed all the way around the edge. Keep sliding the hook out of the way as you go.
Step 9
sew above the clip to secure it
Fold the fabric around the hook and sew it to keep the hook in place.
Finished!
