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Cool DIY Fabric Key Fobs From Old Jeans Waistbands

These unique denim fabric key fobs are easy to make and can be personalized. They would make a great upcycled handmade gift for men.

I love to upcycle old clothes, especially the family’s jeans. Besides the fabric, a pair of jeans has so many wonderful, interesting elements. I love to incorporate the jean seams, waistbands, and pockets on a pair of jeans in my upcycles. They add so much character to any denim craft.

A couple of weeks ago, I used the seams from an old pair of jeans to make some fun denim coasters. This time, I used the waistbands from an old pair of jeans to make some cool fabric key fobs.

Making Upcycled Denim Key Fobs

Like with the coasters, this jeans upcycle doesn’t require any sewing. This is just as well, as jeans’ waistbands are thick and difficult to stitch. Each fabric key fob only takes a couple of minutes to make. Each can be personalized by stencilling an initial or number onto the fabric.

The key fobs were so easy to make that I made four in under an hour. I made one for each of my boys and one for my husband. I have a big stash of old jeans for upcycling, so I used the waistbands from a few pairs of jeans. However, you can make three to four of these fabric key fobs from the waistband of one pair of jeans.

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What You Need

denim-leather-screws

How To Make Denim Key Fobs

Step 1: Cut the denim waistband from the pair of jeans. Use scissors to cut as close to the waistband seams as possible.

cutting-waistband-off-jeans

Step 2: Next, cut a piece about 20 cm long from the waistband. I included the jeans button in the waistband piece to add extra interest to the denim fabric key fob.

If the jeans waistband has a nice label, consider including this. Remove any belt loops on the waistband piece using a seam ripper.

Also, cut a small piece of leather that is the same width as the denim waistband and about 4 cm long.

cut-waistband-and-leather

Step 3: Stencil an initial or number on the right side of the denim waistband. Stencil the figure just below the button on the waistband. I used a stencil ruler and a white acrylic paint pen for this.

I used acrylic paint pens before when stencilling my denim Dala horse ornaments. For my key fobs, I choose my son’s initial for the fabric key fob. You may want to stencil a house number instead.

Stenciling denim waistband

Step 4: Punch two holes into each end of the denim waistband. When the waistband is folded in half, these holes should match up.

Then punch two holes into each end of the leather strip. These holes should correspond to the holes in the denim so that when the leather strip is folded over the end of the denim waistband, all the holes match up.

Punching holes in the denim waistband.
punched holes

Step 5: Next, pass the leather strip through the D-ring clasp and fold it over the ends of the folded waistband. Then, use two Chicago screws to hold the leather strip in place.

Lobster Clip and Chicago Screws
Making a denim key fob
DIY Denim fabric key fob
Jeans fabric key fob
jean-fabric-key-fob-

Other Suggestions For Denim Key Fob

Check out this post for more ideas and tips on painting denim.

These fabric key fobs were so easy to make that I made four in total, one for each of my family’s boys. As I mentioned at the beginning, you could incorporate the jeans label onto the key fob to add character.

I stencilled the initials onto the denim; however, if you have more patience and time, embroidering the initials onto the fabric would look even better. I have embroidered letters onto denim pockets before, which looked good. Next time I make these denim key fobs as a handmade gift, I will embroider the initial on them to make them extra special.

Another way to make them different is to use different-coloured leather strips on the tops of the key fobs.

upcycled denim fabric key fobs

Don’t throw away the rest of the waistband; you can use it to make these wonderful Sashiko Denim bookmarks, making a great gift.

I have used the waistband of several pairs of jeans before to make a cool denim rug, and I’ve also used them to edge a repurposed sweater blanket. There is also a fun idea for a denim waistband pillow here.

For many more wonderful denim ideas, you should check out my complete A to Z guide to denim crafts and my A to Z of clever upcycling ideas. These denim key fobs are just one of the many upcycles you can make from a single pair of old jeans.

DIy-denim-fabric-key-fobs
Yield: Upcycled denim fabric key fob

Denim Fabric Key Fob

Denim Fabric Key Fob

A tutorial on how to make these cool DIY fabric key fobs from old denim. All you need is the waistband from an old pair of jeans to repurpose into a five-minute key fob that requires no sewing. They can be personalized with a stencil and would make a wonderful fathers day gift.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $1

Materials

  • Jeans waistband
  • Small scrap piece of leather
  • Lobster clasp d-ring
  • Chicago screws

Tools

  • Scissors
  • Crop-a-dile - hole punch
  • Letter ruler stencil
  • White acrylic paint pen

Instructions

  1. First, cut off the denim waistband from a pair of old jeans.
  2. Then cut the waistband into a 20 cm length
  3. Cut a strip of leather as wide as the waistband and about 4 cm in length.
  4. Using a stencil and the acrylic paint pen, stencil a letter of your choice onto the waistband strip, just below the button.
  5. Next, punch two holes into each end of the denim waistband strip.
  6. Then, punch two holes into each end of the leather strips. Make sure these holes match up with those in the waistband strip.
  7. Fold the waistband in half (wrong sides together).
  8. Next, thread the leather strip through the D-ring of the lobster clasp.
  9. Then fold the leather strip over the ends of the denim. Match up the holes in the leather and denim. Using the Chicago screws secure all the fabric in place.

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Donna @ Modern on Monticello

Wednesday 28th of April 2021

I want you to know that I recently wore a hole through a pair of jeans and kept them just to try out some of your projects. This may be the first one. Thanks for always sharing with us. #HomeMattersParty

Claire Armstrong

Wednesday 28th of April 2021

Thank you, I hope you got on well with the projects. There are so many wonderful things you can make out of one pair of old jeans.

Beth

Tuesday 27th of April 2021

Always fabulous projects, Claire! We will be featuring your Denim Key Fobs over at the Creative Crafts Linky Party this week!

Claire Armstrong

Tuesday 27th of April 2021

Aww, thank you that's awesome I look forward to seeing them.

NINA LEWIS

Monday 26th of April 2021

This is the best ever use for waistbands from old jeans! You are so clever!! I'm going to feature this at our Party in Your PJs link party tomorrow night on my Grandma Ideas site. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful idea!

Claire Armstrong

Tuesday 27th of April 2021

Thank you so much, I look forward to seeing it.

Cecilia

Sunday 25th of April 2021

How cute! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!

Claire Armstrong

Monday 26th of April 2021

Thank you so much, and thanks for hosting.

Rachelle

Wednesday 21st of April 2021

Claire, this is really a cute way to upcycle jeans. I have a bag that was going to Good Will, but will dig through it to see what can be used. Would love if you would share this idea at the Friday with Friends link party.

Claire Armstrong

Thursday 22nd of April 2021

Thank you so much, there are loads of nice things you can make from a pair of jeans.

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