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Fat Quarter Make; Lanyard

A lanyard is one of those practical items that everyone can find a use for – whether it’s to hold your work pass, your keys or even your snips while you’re sewing! 

This project is super quick & easy – you can whip up a few in no time at all! They would make perfect end of term teacher gifts or an ideal stocking filler. 

Join us on Tuesday 30th August at 8pm for a live sew along on Hayley’s YouTube channel. We really hope lots of you can join us, the last one was so much fun! 

You will need:

  • 1 fabric fat quarter – iron this to get any creases/folds out
  • ¾” Swivel Clasp (I repurposed mine from an old lanyard)
  • Optional – side seam woven label (Mine is from Little Rosy Cheeks)
  • Sewing machine with a universal needle
  • Thread
  • Rotary cutter & cutting mat / Fabric scissors
  • Pins / Clips
  • Tape measure or ruler. I actually use a quilting ruler. 

Remember to back stitch at the start and end each time you sew – this is essential to secure your stitches. 

I’ll be using a 1/2” seam allowance throughout, unless specified. 

  1. If you are repurposing a swivel clasp, like I have, get this ready now by cutting it off the old lanyard/bag etc.
  1. Cut two strips of fabric, 19” x 3”
  1. Place the strips right sides together and sew along one of the short edges. Press this seam open. 
  1. Fold the strip in half lengthways (wrong sides together) and press. 
  1. Open out the fabric, then fold each long raw edge in to meet the central fold and press.
  1. Now fold your fabric in half lengthways, using the central fold you pressed in step 4, and clip to hold in place. 
  1. OPTIONAL EXTRA: I had the perfect side seam label to add here, so I pinned it where I wanted it to feature (Approx 4” from one of the short ends). 
  1. Top stitch down each long edge, close to the edge of the fabric – I like to use my edge stitching foot to do this. 
  1. Slide the swivel clasp onto the fabric strip. 
  1. Place the two short edges on top of each other, ensuring the strip isn’t twisted anywhere, and sew to secure. 
  1. Slide the swivel clasp along so that the straight edge of the D-ring part sits inside the seam you have just sewn (Hopefully the photo makes this clear!).
  1. Place your strip together to enclose this part of the swivel clasp and sew close to it in order to secure it in place. 

And there you go – how simple was that? You’ve made your very own lanyard to wear with pride. It was so simple, you could even make a different one for every day of the week!

If you get stuck on any aspects of the tutorial, please feel free to send me a message and I’ll help. 

Share your finished makes on instagram, using the hashtag #SewHayleyJaneFQ and tag me @sewn_on_the_tyne

See you next month,

Tamlyn xx