How To Make a Fabric Wristlet the Easy Way (10-Minute Scrap Busting Project!)
If you’ve got 10 minutes, a few fabric scraps, and some keychain hardware, you’ve got everything you need to make a super handy fabric wristlet.
They’re perfect for holding keys, earbuds, small zipper pouches—and they make awesome gifts or items to sell.
In this tutorial, I’ll show you an easy method for making a wristlet using fabric and webbing, plus share some handy sewing tips that will save you time and frustration.
This is also a great scrap-buster project if you’ve got leftover quilting cotton or bias tape lying around.
✂️ Supplies You’ll Need
- Fabric scraps (quilting cotton works best)
Cut into strips 1½ inches wide and 11–12 inches long - Webbing (1-inch wide, cotton or poly blend)
Cut to 11 inches (or adjust for your desired wristlet length) - Bias tape maker (1-inch size recommended, optional but helpful)
- Starch spray (like Faultless Heavy Starch – helps with crisp folds)
- Key fob hardware set (includes clamp and split ring)
- Key fob clamp pliers
- Fray Check
- Sewing machine & iron
- Scissors, rotary cutter, ruler
- fabric clips
🧵 Wristlet Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Webbing
- Cut the webbing to the desired length for your wristlet. An average size is approximately 11 inches.
- Trim the ends so they’re straight and square.
- Apply a small amount of Fray Check to the cut ends and let it dry while you prepare your fabric.
2. Cut and Press the Fabric Strip
- Cut fabric strip 1½” wide by at least 12″ long (add about 1 inch for some wiggle room).
- Spray the back side of the fabric strip with spray starch. A little starch spray goes a long way to keep the folds crisp and clean.
- Use a bias tape maker to press the strip into neat folds. You don’t need to cut it on the bias—straight grain works great here! *If you don’t have a bias tape maker, you can just fold the strip in half and then fold the edges over to meet halfway and press.
3. Attach Fabric to Webbing
- Center the folded fabric strip on top of your webbing.
- Use fabric clips to hold it in place.
- Topstitch along both long edges of the fabric using a coordinating thread. (1/8 inch from the folded edge of fabric).
- Trim the ends of the webbing and fabric.
🏷️ Want to add a custom label? Now’s the time to sew it in!
4. Apply the Key Fob Clamp To The Wristlet
- Line up the raw ends of your wristlet.
- Optional: Add a small amount of B7000 or E6000 glue to the inside front of the clamp to keep things extra secure.
- Slide the clamp over the ends, making sure everything is centered and straight.
- Using pliers, gently clamp each side in place. Finish with one firm squeeze.
And that’s it! You now have a beautiful, functional fabric wristlet you can whip up in 10 minutes or less.
💡 Tips & Tricks
- These are great to batch sew for gifts, market booths, or fundraisers.
- Try themed prints for holidays or custom fabric for branding.
- Recycle old bag straps or trims for the webbing.
- Use up those little fabric strips you couldn’t bring yourself to toss!
Other DIY Projects You May Be Interested In
How to Make Your Own Bias Tape
DIY Fabric Labels – Easy Custom Tags
Easy Granny Stitch Crochet Bag / Beginner-Friendly Step-by-Step Tutorial
2 Comments
I love this project.
Thank you!