Sewing a lanyard from a zipper: With these instructions, you can conjure up keychains from zippers and fabric scraps in no time at all.
The most important things at a glance
- The beautiful zipper lanyards are sewn using one side of a continuous zipper
- You only need 40 - 50 cm of zipper and a strip of fabric of the same length, plus a ribbon clamp and a zipper pull
- After binding the edges, the end of the zipper is secured with a ribbon clamp
- Sewing time: 15 minutes
Applause is guaranteed with this zipper lanyard!
Do you enjoy sewing lanyards for your loved ones? Then you are already familiar with my guide "Sewing the perfect lanyard", right?
However: Sewing a lanyard from zippers - an absolutely cool idea because it is something completely different. Not everyone has one, you can be sure of that!
The zipper lanyard is great for using up leftover zipper pieces. You only need one side of a continuous zipper, in fact.
That is, for example, what is left over when you sew my 15-minute cosmetic bag. If you then also have a few 4 - 5 cm wide fabric strips or some bias tape ready to go: Perfect!
But what is the zipper actually good for? Well, first of all, it looks great. And secondly, the loop formed by the zipper is super practical. Because you can use it to hang up the lanyard.
Simply pulled open, and presto, you have a handle that lets your keys hang neatly (and highly decoratively) on the key rack. :)
Sewing a lanyard from a zipper: Important materials
- 4 - 5 cm wide strips of cotton fabric* in the length of the zipper (alternatively: bias tape)
- one side of a 40 - 50 cm continuous zipper* (a "finished" zipper can, of course, also be split!)
- 1 - 3 zipper pulls (depending on your mood)
- 1 ribbon clamp* in the width of the zipper, which also matches the color of the zipper
- Sewing thread*
- Rotary cutter*
- Fabric scissors*
- Sewing machine*
- Pins*
- Iron and ironing board (feel free to read more about practical ironing aids)
- Fabric clips*
- Pinking shears*
- Pliers, possibly some TheraBand or paper towels for padding (so the pliers don't scratch the clamp...)
The vibrant marbled watercolor fabrics I used are, by the way, Spoonflower fabrics*, which are printed individually and freshly after ordering. A dream, right? But be careful: The quality is just as outstanding as the service and selection. A very problematic combination for me... Especially cool: At Spoonflower, you can have your favorite fabric design printed on any type of fabric you can imagine.
The marbled fabric is available in purple*, dark green*, light green* and orange tones*. Also in a beautiful ochre tone*.
Ribbon clamps are available in various sizes, colors, and widths; you should choose one here that is exactly as wide as your zipper.
For the copper-colored zippers, I used these 30 mm clamps*.
Help, my zipper is twisting!
If that happens, you have pulled the bias tape too tightly. Simply push the bias tape very loosely in front of the presser foot.
Is the tape still bunching up? Then try using fabric strips. They are firmer and don't stretch when there is tension on the outside of the zipper. You can also reinforce the fabric strips beforehand with some Vlieseline H250 if you like. Or you can use a nice, firm cotton fabric right away, for example, a Kokka or canvas.
Feel free to read my post about sewing with cotton fabrics.
Well, what do you say? Do you now feel like sewing a few of these elegant lanyards? Then get started. If you like sharing your photos on Instagram, you can tag me with @sewsimple. Then I will be automatically notified and can appreciate your work. :)
Happy simple sewing, your Sabine
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