How to Create Lanyard Keychains

Nylon is a smooth material suitable for customized lanyard keychains.

Lanyard key chains can be made with common household items and basic sewing skills. Creating a lanyard key chain from scratch also allows you to add a personal touch to your key organization. Because lanyard key chains are intended to be worn around the neck, allowing the user to carry and conceal keys without pockets, it is essential that the lanyard material be smooth and comfortable enough to be worn for hours against bare skin.

Things You'll Need

• Nylon shoe lace
• Scissors
• Lighter
• Sewing machine
• Keyring

Instructions

1. Cut the shoe lace to length with a scissors, making sure to cut off the plastic tips off the ends. To make a standard, 18-inch lanyard, you'll need a shoe lace at least 37 inches long -- 36 inches for the loop and a 1-inch overlap for the stitching.

2. Fuse the cut ends of the shoe lace with a lighter by touching a flame to the nylon fibers for a second or two to melt them together. Do not hold the flame against the fibers too long or they will burn and turn an ugly black.

3. Create a loop with the shoe lace by overlapping the ends by an inch. With a sewing machine, sew two parallel lines using a medium-straight stitch across the overlap. For added strength, sew two diagonal lines to form an "X" in between the parallel lines. The lanyard loop is now formed.

4. Lay the lanyard flat so the sewn overlap is on one end. Sew across the lanyard using the medium-straight stitch just outside the overlap to create a small loop approximately 1 inch long. Thread a keyring through this tiny loop to complete the lanyard.

References

• Dummies; Making Machine Stitches Work for You; Jan Saunders Maresh