Welcome to the Keychain class part one!

There are lots of way to make keychains but here I am going to show you how to make them using my cut down method.

I make what I call "Blocks" or units which are made with my cut down shortcuts.

If you are not familiar with my “Blocks” you can see them on my free teaching web site. http://www.bitsnpiecesworkshop.com

You will need:
A 1 1/2" long shoestring section or other loop
Fabric swatches- size will depend on what you decide to make.

I make most of my keychains with 1" HSTs or Boston Blocks(directions on my Bitsnpiecesworkshop web site) Or I use 1 1/4".

My most common ones are a 4 block across by 4 block down or a 16 patch block. Finished size is 2". There are tons of this type of design online. Cardtrick or Ohio Star or any others that fit this description.

However you can make them with a 1 1/4" and the 4 x 4s and the finished size will be approx 3".

You can also make a 9 patch such as Shoofly or Hole in a Barn door. The picture shown here - the blocks are made with a 1 1/2" template.



If you want to go a bit less complicated you can use a 4 patch.
The one I show here -the b"Blocks" are made with a 1 1/2" template.

Here I have pics of some ideas for you. Some are made with HSTs and one is a Star Point and the 4 patch is a Boston Blocks.

Ok now for piecing the top. This is not my favorite part but necessary to get to the finished product!! LOL

Now you will need to sew on the loop.

Ok the last section now is to back and finish the keychain.

I didn't add any borders to this keychain but you can if you like and it will make the keychain a bit bigger.

You can use any size template you like and use any quilt block you want to to make these keychains. There is no specific size they have to be. So experiment and make all the keychains you need.


Next Friday I am going to show how to make a mini Bear's paw for a keychain and a mini Trip around the world.

I love your sewing machine! What a beautiful member of the family.
I enjoy your method of instruction, I am a personality that has to know why I am doing what I am doing and you include that peace of mind in your instructions.
I appreciate very much and thank-you for taking your time to teach us.

Thanks Dorothy I bought my Singer at a yard sale for $25 in 1980. It is in the original cabinet. It is a 1950s reproduction of an 1850 model. I use it everyday. It is simple with only a straight stitch but that way I can't get confused! LOL My mom has been an antique collector all my life and had her own antigue shop for a couple of years. actually we turned the shop into an home for DH and I. So I am drawn to old things.

Thank you for the compliments. It is nice to know if what I write works or not. I guess I feel you need to understand the process not just follow directions to be able to learn the process.

When I went to college my goal was to teach. I quit college and got married. So now I am realizing my goal in a differant way! I love it!

Received my templates in the mail today and have just reviewed the "Keychain Lesson" Part 1. Can't wait to try my hand (though it probably won't be until Monday). Will try to post picture of my first attempt.

Thanks so much for sharing.

Everyone - Please remember - practice will make your efforts better with time!

I got my templete's today too and can't wait to get started! Don't know if I can post pictures or not (probably not) as I have lost my camara and charger in all my messiness, LOL I AM NOT Miss Suzy Homemaker!!!

I posted a Picture thread also so when you have something to show please put pics on the picture thread! Thanks!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-43661-1.htm#987129

I'm playing with an idea for a small zippered pouch to hold just my driver's license and a couple of credit cards with a clip to attach to my keys....for when I don't want to lug my purse. Couln't find tiny zippers; went to a thrift store and bought a pair of toddler jeans to recycle the zipper from....can't wait to get this done! Thanks for your lesson; I'll now incorporate a pieced block into my pouch instead of just choosing a fabric that I love! :)

Thank you so much for sharing. I have admired these keychains but never could guess how they were done. You are a true teacher!

Hi Rhonda, I have not even made my book marker yet. I have to many things I have to get done in a short amount of time. but I will get it posted as soon as I finish it, I promise. :? God bless you. Penny

I am planning on making bookmarkers for the ladies at church for Mother's Day( my mother and mother-in-law are both gone) I have your templates but right after I received them I had to have a cancer removed from the inside corner of my eye. Sure has tied me down. I get the stitches out tomorrow. Hope I can see better. I'm ready to get back at it!

I hope everything is better for you too!!

I really love your key chains they are great. I'm going to make one for my rear view mirror in my truck. Thankyou for the ideal. Tommye

Gorgeous pommie! I used to have a red pom years ago. We also had a black pom and a blonde pom who had pups one black and one blonde. Some day I would love to have another one. But we have two dogs now and I can't get another til they are not with us anymore. Maggie beagle is 11 and Molly german short haired pointer is only 6 so it will be along time before I get another dog. LOL

I start stressing just looking at this tute. Can't imagine working with such tiny pieces. Great job!!!

I will be posting the second half of this class in a little while!

God's blessings on your recovery. Best of luck with your Mother's Day gifts. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all of us who have lost our mothers adopted those mothers without anyone to remember them. Such a thoughtful thing to do. Just like the members of this board. You are all so generous.

thank you Rhonda

Rhonda, can I just buy one from you? I can't sew that small! Looks great!

Sure just let me know what you want and I will make it.

Going to play with the mini templates to make some of these. Very nice projects!! Thanks for teaching us, Rhonda.

I hope you post pictures of what you make!!

The keychain is so cute. Thanks for the tut.

Thanks klarina!

these are so darn cute!! i can't wait to make some!!

wow those are some tiny pieces

But you don't start out with such tiny pieces unless you consider 1 1/2" too tiny. With my cut down methods the tiny stuff just happens when you sew the squares together. And you can always make it a bit bigger if you want.