How to make a ribbon keyring

1. Materials & tools

Materials (one keyring, standard size)

• Main fabric (satin or cotton print) — about 25 × 35 cm (scraps are fine)
• Lightweight fusible interfacing — the same
• A swivel clip or key ring — 1
• Sewing thread

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Fandom” → “Ribbon keyring” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter the bow width, the bow length, the tail length and the length of the wrap that goes through the hardware. Presets cover small, standard, large and no tails.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Trace the pattern
   Every piece is a rectangle; you can rule them straight onto the fabric.
2. Cut the pieces
   One bow body, one wrap strip, and two tails if you want them.
3. Fuse the interfacing
   To the bow body, so it holds its shape.

4. Sewing

4-1. Sew a tube

1. Fold the bow body right sides together and sew the long edge into a tube.
2. Leave about 4 cm open for turning.
3. Pressing the allowance open before turning gives a straight line.

4-2. Turn and close the ends

1. Turn right side out and press flat.
2. Turn the allowances at both ends inwards and topstitch closed.

4-3. Gather the middle

1. Pinch the bow vertically at the center notch.
2. Whip a few stitches by hand to hold it.
3. Catch the tails underneath here if you are using them.

4-4. Thread the hardware and finish

1. Fold the wrap strip in four and topstitch.
2. Thread it through the hardware first, then wrap it round the middle and stitch on the underside.
3. Wrap and stitch it before threading and the clip will not go on.

✏️ Thread the wrap strip through the clip before you wrap it round the bow. Stitch it down first and neither a swivel clip nor a key ring will pass through, and there is nothing to do but unpick it. It is only a matter of order, but getting it wrong always costs a step.

5. Tips & variations

• A row of colors: small enough that several can hang together.
• Interfacing keeps the shape: without it the bow goes limp with use.
• Name tags: write on a tail and it marks your belongings.