Here I will teach you an easy way to make a Leather Heart Keychain DIY, that will be perfect for your San Valentine’s Day sewing gifts for your friends.
This sweet keychain is the perfect sewing gift to make in bulk for a group of girlfriends or a loved one.
It’s pretty easily customizable, and you can make it under 20 minutes tops.
So take out your faux leather, and let’s make this project happen.
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I must confess that I am a last-minute gifter.
In fact, last week, I finally finished the Jewelry Travel Bag I made for my friend that I was supposed to give her on Christmas…
So, yeah. There is no surprise that there are only six days left for Valentine’s Day, and I still haven’t made the gifts for my friends yet.
I went over my list of Beautiful Sewing Gifts Ideas for Valentine’s Day, but I was in the mood for something new.
Also, I needed a sewing idea that was super quick and easy to make in bulk (as well as affordable).
You know, last week, I found many free leather sewing patterns, so I was in the mood for something related.
That’s how I came up with this cutie.
This Leather Heart Keychain DIY is perfect for a last-minute sewing gift.
It took almost one day to make because I had to do many experiments before reaching a pleasing result.
Nevertheless, once I got the technique nailed down, it took me about 15 minutes from start to finish.
So, if you want to make this adorable keychain keep reading!
How to make a Leather Keychain DIY.
To make this leather keychain, you will need a heart template. You can draw your own to a custom size or download our free sewing pattern at our shop.
Also, even though it is not strictly necessary, you can use a Teflon presser foot to sew vinyl (a.k.a. Faux leather) or your vegan leather.
In this post, I teach you how to use a Teflon presser foot to sew vinyl fabrics easily. It is a great tool that allows the fabric to feed without sticking through your machine.
Now that you know that, gather your materials, and let’s do this.
Materials:
- Half a Fat Quarter of Faux Leather Fabric
- Craft Filling
- Glitter Puffy Paint
- One keyring
- Matching Thread
- Leather Needle
- Teflon Presser Foot
1. Download the free Sewing Pattern.
Go to our shop to download the free sewing pattern.
Follow the steps and click on buy (you won’t be charged with anything).
Then you will be redirected to the download page. But you can also find the pattern link download in your confirmation email.
Print in actual size. And cut your pattern.
This pattern doesn’t have a seam allowance.
2. Cut your pieces.
Place the pattern over your fabric and cut two pieces of each pattern piece.
You should end up with two hearts and two strips.
3. Sew the loop.
Set your machine with a stitch length of 4.5 to 5 and a 5-tension.
Place one strip over the other with the wrong sides of the fabric facing together.
You can use sewing clips to hold the pieces together while you sew.
Sew a top stitch on each side at ⅛” from the edge.
If you struggle with your fabric getting stuck on the feed dogs, use my hack to avoid knit fabric getting puckers.
This hack is amazing for all sorts of things other than that. Sewing vinyl and leather included.
Optional* Once you have your topstitching, use puffy paint to “seal” the edges.
Left to dry.
4. Pin the loop into the heart.
You can place the loop on any area of the heart you like.
I have seen heart keychains with the loop on one side and others with the loop at the bottom.
My preference was for the center top. I place it here because I like my heart to be right side up when I hang it on my bag.
Your choice.
Once you decide on the placement, use sewing clips to hold your pieces together.
Place the loop inside the two layers of the hearts and align them with the wrong sides of the fabrics facing together.
5. Sew the heart.
Make a topstitch on the heart starting at one side.
Sew around at ⅛” from the edge leaving a space open of about ½.”
Leave the tails of the thread very long at the beginning and end of the stitch.
Pull one thread on the back of the seam to pull the chain and make the other side thread pass to the back.
6. Fill the heart.
Use the space we left open to insert the craft filling.
I like to use a pen or pencil to help me push the filling through the opening.
Make sure the filling is evenly distributed.
7. Close the open seam.
Place the heart under your presser foot.
Make sure the needle falls into the last stitch you made.
Close the opening.
Then pull the threads to the back of the heart.
Make a small knot by hand (pretty much like technique number 3 of this post).
If you want a cleaner look, use a lighter and place it NEAR (not very close) to the end tails, so they burn, and you end up with an almost invisible knot.
8. Add the keyring.
Finally, insert your keyring into the loop of the heart.
You are done with your Leather Heart Keychain DIY!!
Now you have an amazing detail to give as a gift for your friends, family, and loved ones this Valentine’s Day.
If you enjoyed this tutorial, I would love to know or read your comments. You can leave them in the comment box below.
Also, you might want to share a quick picture of your project on My Golden Thimble Sewing Club on Facebook to get a lot of praise and sweet words from our sewing friends.
Happy San Valentine’s Day!
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