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Sewing a lanyard from a zipper: Perfect for scraps

17.01.2021 by Sabine Schmidt

Schlüsselband aus Reißverschluss nähen: Perfekt für Reste

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!

Sewing a lanyard from a zipper

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

Sewing a lanyard from a zipper: Important materials

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*.

Sewing a lanyard from a zipper

Help, my zipper is twisting!

Sewing a lanyard from a zipper

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.

Sewing a lanyard from a zipper

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

Sewing a lanyard from a zipper

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to sew a zipper lanyard?

You only need a fabric scrap, a piece of zipper with a pull, and a ribbon clamp the width of the zipper. And you're ready to go.

How do I sew a lanyard out of a zipper?

You just have to bind the sides of the zipper with fabric strips or bias tape and press the ribbon clamp together. Done!

Why should I sew a lanyard like this from a zipper?

The lanyard looks great and can be used closed like a normal keychain as well as open as a loop for hanging. Plus, sewing it is super quick, making it perfect as a last-minute gift.

Links marked with * are affiliate links: If you make a purchase through them, we receive a small commission. The price remains the same for you.

Step-by-step instructions

schluesselband-aus-reissverschluss-naehen

Sew a lanyard from a zipper

  1. Step

    Prepare the fabric strips

    We start by binding the sides of the zipper with bias binding or fabric strips pressed over twice to the inside.

    Fabric strips have the advantage that the finished lanyard doesn't twist as easily.

    To use cotton strips cut on the grainline (or at right angles to it), simply press the long edges over twice to the wrong side of the fabric.

    Prepare the fabric strips
  2. Step

    Place the zipper inside the strip

    To sew on the strip, place the edge of the zipper in the centre of the fabric or bias binding strip.

    Place the zipper inside the strip
  3. Step

    Stitch the strip in place

    Attach the zipper foot and edgestitch the binding in place. It's better to sew a little further away from the edge so that you also catch the underside in the seam.

    Stitch the strip in place
  4. Step

    Alternative: sew the strip on from the wrong side first

    You can also sew the bias binding (or the cotton strip) on from the wrong side first if you're worried it might otherwise go crooked.

    To do this, place the unfolded fabric strip, edges aligned, right side to wrong side against the zipper edge.

    Alternative: sew the strip on from the wrong side first
  5. Step

    Sew the strip in place and fold it over

    Now stitch the strip just next to the fold (i.e. a little closer to the fabric edge). That way this seam won't be visible later.

    Then you can fold the fabric strip around the edge and stitch it down.

    Sew the strip in place and fold it over
  6. Step

    Thread on the zipper pull

    Now you need the zipper pull. Thread the zipper pull onto the zipper. This works well if you cut away the teeth on one side and thread the long side on first.

    Alternatively, you can hold both sides slightly offset to slide the zipper pull on.

    Thread on the zipper pull
  7. Step

    Thread on both sides

    First thread one side on … and then the other.

    Thread on both sides
  8. Step

    Split the zipper for more zipper pulls

    Want to thread on more zipper pulls? Then split the back part of the zipper now.

    Split the zipper for more zipper pulls
  9. Step

    Thread on more zipper pulls

    Now you can thread on more zipper pulls. Make sure that the zipper teeth are evenly spaced from the first zipper pull and don't ripple.

    Thread on more zipper pulls
  10. Step

    Shorten and secure the zipper

    When everything is the way you want it, trim the end of the zipper neatly.

    If you want to make sure nothing slips, secure the zipper teeth with a wide zigzag stitch. Set the stitch width to the highest setting and the stitch length to zero.

    Shorten and secure the zipper
  11. Step

    Attach the clamp end

    Now you can slide the end of the lanyard into the clamp end and press the clamp closed.

    Attach the clamp end
  12. Step

    Done!

    The finished lanyard makes a perfect "quick" gift. The pretty zipper makes it look really high-quality.

    Done!

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About the author

Sabine

I come from Siegen-Wittgenstein, where I spent my childhood breaking in cows, jumping off haystacks and scraping a D- in needlework class.

Today, being creative feels like indescribable happiness to me – and it grows even more when I can share it with others. Since 2016 I have been celebrating my passion for sewing on this blog, and I love that sewing connects so many people.