Make a magnetic key fob - hang your keys in your purse!

Picture the scene: You are leaving the store loaded down with bags and the hungry, there tired, click toddler on your hip has lost his patience. You are happy to see the haven of your vehicle just yards ahead because your right biceps quakes under the weight of the extra-large Tide bottle and bag of groceries that swings from your pinkie. Finally, you reach your car, but your happiness is short-lived – where are the key??? In the bottom of your purse, of course! Never neatly on top! You put your child and groceries on the ground and your purse on the hood. With one eye on the child, you rifle through the bag pushing aside old crayons, the broken watch you still haven’t had fixed, and you wonder what a lone sock is doing in there. It starts to rain hail and the child starts to cry. Where are those keys!! your mind screams. In your frenzy, your hand grazes the snap of your wallet, releasing a flurry of reward cards and expired coupons. You do eventually find the keys, in the deep abyss that is your purse, but not before snapping off the fingernail of your right index finger (the hardest to grow – and just when all 10 where almost the same length).

Don’t let this happen to you!

Make a magnetic key fob and hang your keys on the inside of your purse! Your keys will hang serenely, as if floating, on the side wall of your purse waiting to be gently plucked whenever they are needed.

This tutorial will show you how to make a magnetic key fob and how to install the snap in your bag for the fob to hang from. These instructions illustrate installing the snap while you are in the process of making the purse. It’s a little trickier but you can install a snap in bag that is already finished, you will just need to open the lining, then follow these directions and sew up the lining when your done.

So. here’s what you do:

“Dig No More” Magnetic Key Fob Tutorial

Finished size 1 1/4 x 3 1/2″

Supplies

(1) 2 x 7″ fabric scrap for exterior key fob
(1) 2 1/4 x 7″ fabric scrap for interior key fob
(1) 1×7″, (1) 1 1/4×7″ & (1) 2×2″ pieces medium-weight, fusible interfacing (I used Craft Bond by Pellon)
(1) 2 x 2″ piece of plastic canvas (not pictured – sorry about that)
(1) 1/2″ Magnetic purse snap kit (comes with male and female sides, and 2 washers)
(1) 1 1/4″ key fob hardware
Basic sewing supplies
Pencil or other temporary marking tool
Pliers

Here we go: Center and apply the 1″ interfacing to WRONG side of the exterior piece and the 1 1/4″” interfacing to WRONG side of the interior piece following manufacturer’s instructions. When centered, there should be a 1/2″ margin on both long edges of the interfacing.

On the WRONG side of exterior, measure and draws a faint line 3″ from one short end and 1″ in from the long end.

Place a washer on the exterior so that the bottom edge of the washer is at the horizontal line and the slits in the washer are centered over the vertical line. Place a pencil into the slits and mark. Cut the slits with small scissors. I sort of puncture the fabric with my scissors more than cut but you have to be careful not to use too much pressure or the slit will end up too large. Insert the prongs of the male side of the snap into the slits from the RIGHT side of the panel. Fold the prongs down toward the center, overlapping one another.

Fold 1/2″ of both long edges to the WRONG side using the interfacing as a guide. Press.

Make it Pretty: On the RIGHT side, measure and lightly mark lines 1/2″ from top and bottom edges of magnetic snap. Topstitch along these lines. Topstitch 1/4″ from both long edges.

Topstitch parallel lines 1/8″ apart across panel between the seam lines from the previous step. Do not sew into the area surrounding snap as illustrated below. There should be a total of 6 lines. Set aside.

Attach Interior: Fold 1/2″ of both long edges of interior to the WRONG side using interfacing as a guide. Press folds. Stitch both long edges using a 1/4″ seam allowance.

With WRONG sides together, align the short edges of the interior and exterior. A 1/8″ margin of the interior panel should be visible around the long edges of the exterior. Stitch 1/8″ in from the long edges of exterior panel.

Fold in half, resulting in a 1 1/4 x 3″ long panel. The exterior fabric should be facing out. Sew the long edges using a 1/8″ seam allowance from the edge of the interior panel.

Position the raw, short edge of panel into the open end of the key fob hardware. Cover the key fob with a scrap of fabric to avoid scratching it and pinch closed with pliers. I like to position the side of the hardware with the holes on the same side as the snap (see picture below).

Ta Da!

Install the second snap:

The time to install the second snap is when you sewn the lining of your handbag but have not sewn it to the exterior. You will need to first decide where you want the keys to hang inside your purse. I like mine very near the top and by the handle. Keep in mind that you will need to allow for the seam allowance and that the snap is 1/2″ down from the top of the fob.

In the example below, I installed the snap 1 3/4″ from the top edge of the lining. I had a 1/2″ seam allowance and I wanted the top of the fob to start about 3/4″ from the top, so I installed the snap at 1 3/4″ from the top (1/2″ for seam allowance + 3/4″ for distance I wanted from the top + 1/2″ for the snap’s location from top of key fob). Once you have decided on placement, use the second washer to mark slits like we did to install the snap on the key fob.

To reinforce the fabric, fuse the 2″ piece of interfacing to the WRONG side of the lining over the slits marks. Cut the slits through the fabric and interfacing. Insert the prongs of the snap into the slits from RIGHT side of fabric. Place a 2″ piece of plastic canvas on the prongs and press to push the prongs through. Fold the prongs down. If you decided to install your snap very close to the top, you may need to trim down the plastic canvas.

Finish sewing your bag as usual and enjoy!

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