DIY: Needlepoint Key Fob

Happy Sunday everyone! Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend!

 

As I was browsing through the pictures on my phone today, I came across pictures of a needlepoint project I worked on a few months ago and wanted to share!

 

A while back, NMC told me he wanted a needlepoint key fob with his initials done in signal flags. I thought "Hey! If I made a needlepoint belt, I'm sure I can make a key fob!!"

 

The finished key fob. NMC in Signal Flags.

 

Supplies:

 

-Size 5 Pearl Cotton Thread in your choice of colors

-14 Count Aida Cloth

-Size 2 Tapestry Needle

-Fabric of your choice to finish back side

-D-ring

-Thread for attaching Needlepoint Canvas to Backing Fabric

-Leather

-Thread to match leather color

-Piece of leather

-Paint to match the colors you are using

-Paintbrush

-Scissors

 

Painted canvas.

Instructions:

 

1.) The first step is to figure out how big you want your key fob. Keep in mind, you will be folding your finished needlepoint canvas in half so you will want to double the length. (See Picture Below)

 

2.) Trace the shape of the key fob, and the design you want onto the canvas.

 

3.) Use paint to color in the background and design, making sure you extend the background color about 1/4" around the whole thing. If you don't, the white canvas will show through the thread, and trust me, you don't want that to happen!

 

4.) Start stitching! I like to fill in the designs first and then work on the background color. 

Completed canvas!

 

5.) After you have stitched the whole thing, cut it out, leaving about 4 rows of canvas.

 

6.) Fold over the extra and do a finishing stitch around the edge in the same color you used for your background.

 

7.) Cut out the fabric you are using as backing and sew onto your needlepoint canvas. I used a sewing machine, but just make sure to be careful, as it can easily snag your needlepoint stitches! (Tip: Use a thread color to match your needlepoint canvas and a bobbin color to match your backing.)

 



I took apart one of NMC's old leather wallets for my leather piece.



 

8.) Now you will need to cut out a piece of leather to attach your D-ring. (I used an old wallet for this). You will want a shape that looks like a rectangle with rounded ends, and it should be big enough to hold the D-ring and wrap around the needlepoint canvas as shown above.

 

9.) Fold your needlepoint canvas in half, making sure the ends match up. I put a couple of stitches through the end to hold it in place.

 

10.) Slip the D-ring over the leather, making sure the D-ring is in the center of the leather piece. Using a sturdy needle, attach the leather to the canvas. And voile! You now have your very own, handmade, needlepoint key fob!

 

Hope you all found this helpful! Let me know if you make one of these, I would love to see it!

 

Julia