Keychain Class part 1

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04-22-2010, 11:29 PM

Rhonda

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Welcome to the Keychain class part one!

There are lots of way to make keychains but here I am going to show you how to make them using my cut down method.

I make what I call "Blocks" or units which are made with my cut down shortcuts.

If you are not familiar with my “Blocks” you can see them on my free teaching web site. http://www.bitsnpiecesworkshop.com

You will need:
A 1 1/2" long shoestring section or other loop
Fabric swatches- size will depend on what you decide to make.

I make most of my keychains with 1" HSTs or Boston Blocks(directions on my Bitsnpiecesworkshop web site) Or I use 1 1/4".

My most common ones are a 4 block across by 4 block down or a 16 patch block. Finished size is 2". There are tons of this type of design online. Cardtrick or Ohio Star or any others that fit this description.

However you can make them with a 1 1/4" and the 4 x 4s and the finished size will be approx 3".

You can also make a 9 patch such as Shoofly or Hole in a Barn door. The picture shown here - the blocks are made with a 1 1/2" template.

If you want to go a bit less complicated you can use a 4 patch.
The one I show here -the b"Blocks" are made with a 1 1/2" template.

Here I have pics of some ideas for you. Some are made with HSTs and one is a Star Point and the 4 patch is a Boston Blocks.

4 x 4 made with 1" HSTs

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26210[/ATTACH]

4 x4 made with 1 1/4" Bostons

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26364[/ATTACH]

4 patch made with 1 1/2" Bostons

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32309[/ATTACH]

4 x 4 made with 1 1/4" Star Point Blocks

[ATTACH=CONFIG]35997[/ATTACH]

3 x 3 or 9 patch made with 1 1/2" HSTs

[ATTACH=CONFIG]36067[/ATTACH]

Attached Thumbnails

04-22-2010, 11:37 PM

Rhonda

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Ok now for piecing the top. This is not my favorite part but necessary to get to the finished product!! LOL

Four sections sewn together

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26367[/ATTACH]

Two halves

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26429[/ATTACH]

Keychain top all put together

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26430[/ATTACH]

Here are all my flags

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32226[/ATTACH]

The layout of the top - this is made with a 1" template

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32310[/ATTACH]

Sew two blocks together.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32311[/ATTACH]

Continue to sew all the blocks together into pairs

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32312[/ATTACH]

Then tack or pin two pairs together

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32373[/ATTACH]

I like to use the flag or assembly line way of sewing

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32374[/ATTACH]

Attached Thumbnails

04-22-2010, 11:53 PM

Rhonda

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Now you will need to sew on the loop.

Shoestring loop

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26655[/ATTACH]

Fold the shoestring in half. Sew through the ends of the folded shoestring a couple of times to anchor the thread

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26876[/ATTACH]

wrap the thread around the ends several times

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26878[/ATTACH]

Take the needle through the end again to center the needle

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32451[/ATTACH]

Center the loop in the middle of the top on one side.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32452[/ATTACH]

Attached Thumbnails

04-23-2010, 12:00 AM

Rhonda

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Ok the last section now is to back and finish the keychain.

Work the rest of the corners through the opening until you have it all turned right side out.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26879[/ATTACH]

find the side with the loop

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26880[/ATTACH]

I stick my finger inside and using my thumb push the fabric up through the opening.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26881[/ATTACH]

The keychain right side out

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26882[/ATTACH]

Here you can see the opening

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26883[/ATTACH]

Fold the opening in and straighten the edge so it is even

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26886[/ATTACH]

Starting with the side where the opening is sew around the edge til you get back to where you started Backstitch

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26917[/ATTACH]

The finished keychain is about 2" finished

[ATTACH=CONFIG]26930[/ATTACH]

Lay the top face down onto the back fabric

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32453[/ATTACH]

Trim the back even with the top

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32454[/ATTACH]

The top trimmed

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32455[/ATTACH]

Use the side across from the loop side and fold back the back fabric to reveal the top. Sew along that edge to baste it so the seams won't come apart later

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32456[/ATTACH]

Here you can see the basting along the edge. When you turn it later this wil keep the seams from seperating.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32457[/ATTACH]

Start at the bottom(the side you basted) and sew around the edge til you get back to where you started. Leave a 1 1/2" opening

[ATTACH=CONFIG]32598[/ATTACH]

Attached Thumbnails

04-23-2010, 12:19 AM

Rhonda

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I didn't add any borders to this keychain but you can if you like and it will make the keychain a bit bigger.

You can use any size template you like and use any quilt block you want to to make these keychains. There is no specific size they have to be. So experiment and make all the keychains you need.

Next Friday I am going to show how to make a mini Bear's paw for a keychain and a mini Trip around the world.

04-23-2010, 04:32 AM

dsb38327

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Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: MS

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I love your sewing machine! What a beautiful member of the family.
I enjoy your method of instruction, I am a personality that has to know why I am doing what I am doing and you include that peace of mind in your instructions.
I appreciate very much and thank-you for taking your time to teach us.

04-23-2010, 08:30 AM

Rhonda

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Thanks Dorothy I bought my Singer at a yard sale for $25 in 1980. It is in the original cabinet. It is a 1950s reproduction of an 1850 model. I use it everyday. It is simple with only a straight stitch but that way I can't get confused! LOL My mom has been an antique collector all my life and had her own antigue shop for a couple of years. actually we turned the shop into an home for DH and I. So I am drawn to old things.

Thank you for the compliments. It is nice to know if what I write works or not. I guess I feel you need to understand the process not just follow directions to be able to learn the process.

When I went to college my goal was to teach. I quit college and got married. So now I am realizing my goal in a differant way! I love it!

04-23-2010, 10:17 AM

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Join Date: Feb 2010

Location: MA

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Received my templates in the mail today and have just reviewed the "Keychain Lesson" Part 1. Can't wait to try my hand (though it probably won't be until Monday). Will try to post picture of my first attempt.

Thanks so much for sharing.

04-23-2010, 10:39 AM

Rhonda

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Everyone - Please remember - practice will make your efforts better with time!

04-23-2010, 11:10 AM

#10

Melinda in Tulsa

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Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma

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I got my templete's today too and can't wait to get started! Don't know if I can post pictures or not (probably not) as I have lost my camara and charger in all my messiness, LOL I AM NOT Miss Suzy Homemaker!!!