How to Sew a Lanyard | Sew Simple Home
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How to Sew a Lanyard

I started teaching high school when I was 21 years old.  I graduated college, got my first teaching job and started on the grand adventure of teaching 14-18 year olds how to cook, sew and take care of children.

It was exciting and slightly terrifying, but I learned a lot.  And one of the things I learned was that in the "real world" people truly do wear lanyards.
Follow along with this tutorial and learn how to make a lanyard.
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I know that sounds a little silly, but it's true.  For years I wore a lanyard every single day with my ID badge and a set of keys around my neck.  

My first lanyard was given to me by my school admins.  But it snagged on EVERYTHING.  It was constantly getting caught and it had a little snap that caused it to pull off my neck and it drove me nuts.


how to make a lanyard.


Plus, it wasn't all that cute.  That is when I figured out that it would be great fun to learn how to sew a lanyard.  That way I could create my own designs and pick my own fabrics and have the cutest lanyard of anyone.

It became a fun little game.  I could have different lanyards for different holidays or a lanyard full of cute buttons.  I even had lanyards made for our family Disney vacation.

Now, I almost always bring my own handmade lanyard to any conference I attend.  

And with face masks being a thing, and simple lanyard can keep your mask nice and clean while to take time to eat or when you can social distance.


how to sew a lanyard

Let me show you today how easy it is to make your own lanyard.



How to Sew A Lanyard




how to make a lanyard.

Step 1

Cut a piece of fabric to be 36 x 2.5".  Cut a piece of interfacing 32 x 2". Fuse interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric.

 

how to sew a lanyard

Step 2

Fold fabric in half with right sides together.  Match the long side. Stitch at 1/4" all the way down the long side.

 

how to sew a fabric lanyard

Step 3

Turn the strap right side out.  You can use a safety pin or a bodkin to turn the fabric.  Press.

Topstitch a straight line down each side of the lanyard.

 

how to make a lanyard.

Step 4

Place a key ring on a flat surface.  Loop the bottom raw edge around the key ring and up about 2".  Pin or hold in place. Match the top raw edge to the bottom.  Overlap the two pieces about 1".

Stitch the bottom and top edges together with a straight stitch.

how to sew a fabric lanyard

Step 5

Cut a 2.5" piece of ribbon.  Wrap the ribbon around the stitch you just made so it covers all sides of the lanyard strap. Pin in place.



how to sew a lanyard  how to sew a lanyard

Step 6

Sew a box around the ribbon to keep it in place.  


BAM!  Wasn't that easy?!  I love quick and easy sewing projects.  Especially when they are super useful.

fabric lanyard

Want some other simple keychain projects?  Check out the easy DIY Fabric Keychain or the fast Leather Keychain.






keychain bundle







Follow along with this tutorial and learn how to make a lanyard.


6 comments

  1. Thank you for this! I can’t wait to make some of these as gifts for Christmas. Now to find some Wizard of Oz fabric. And so many others. I’m so excited.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm not understanding the purpose of the ribbon. Why not just stitch the lanyard together where you positioned the ribbon? Unless you are considering it a design element?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The ribbon covers the raw ends if the straps. That way they don't fray or get caught while in use

      Delete
  3. OK, it's too dark to see that it is hiding the ends. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm thinking in Step 2 you meant to say RIGHT sides together?
    I read the words before looking at the pictures. LOL

    ReplyDelete

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