How to Finish a Brass Key Fob

Step-by-step instructions for finishing your brass key fob canvas kit from Keepsake Stitch Co.
Materials Needed
  • Your stitched canvas
  • Needle and matching thread

Step One

Before we start, use the fob hardware to measure your canvas on BOTH ENDS.

This bare canvas will go into the fob later.

Step Two

We will be stitching RIGHT to LEFT.

Turn your canvas over and secure your thread to the back.

Flip your canvas over and come up through the front at the mark you made, around 4-5 holes from the corner of the design.

Step Three

Fold the canvas, and go TWO holes down and ONE hole to the left, stitch your thread through.

Step Four

Move ONE hole to the left and stitch.

Step Five

Now, count back TWO holes and stitch. This will create a cross with your thread in the canvas.

Step Six

Move to the next open hole on the LEFT and stitch, repeating the pattern. Keep repeating the pattern the length of the canvas.

Step Seven

If you run out of thread, stitch through the canvas and bury your thread in the back to secure it.

Start a new thread by securing it to the back and coming up through the canvas in the next open hole to continue the pattern.

Continue repeating the pattern down the length of the canvas.

Step Eight

Keep stitching until you reach the end of the canvas.

To finish, stitch through the canvas and bury your thread at the back.

Now you’re ready for step two; finishing the back and applying the hardware.

Materials Needed
  • Your stitched canvas
  • Key fob hardware
  • Scissors
  • A smoothing tool (I used the flat end of a bodkin, a sewing tool)
  • Heat n' Bond adhesive
  • Twill Tape
  • Needle/thread or sewing machine
  • Small screwdriver (often found in eyeglass kits)

Step One

To start, cut some of the bulk off your canvas, leaving 1/4" to 1/2" on the inside of the fob. Snip both ends, making sure to leave a full intersection so the thread doesn’t unravel.

Step Two

Take your fob, strip of Heat n’ Bond and twill tape. Layer together with the Heat n' Bond strip between the back of the fob canvas and the twill tape.

  • Preheat iron to medium heat, no steam.
  • Place iron on layered canvas/tape and hold with firm pressure for 8-10 seconds on each section, slightly overlapping. Allow to cool.

Step Three

Using either a sewing machine* or a needle and thread, run a stitch down each side of the fob, making sure both the front and back are caught in the stitch.

*I sewed my fob with the twill tape face up, and used invisible thread in my bobbin and white thread in my needle. Going slowly, I kept the stitch as close to the edge of the twill tape as possible.

Step Four

Insert the folded fob into the brass hardware, adjusting it until all of the bare canvas is covered. Using a smoothing tool, poke any loose threads into the hardware to secure them. Take your time and only move to the next step when you’re happy with the placement.

Step Five

Next, grab the two tiny screws included with the fob hardware, and a small screwdriver. Insert one screw first with a couple turns, then the second.

Once both are in place, tighten both to secure the hardware.
A Few Extra Tips

✦ If you have some handy, using fray check along the cut ends of the fob helps to keep the canvas from unraveling while you're working it into the hardware.

✦ Once finished, if you see any spots of canvas at the top of the hardware, take an acrylic paint marker (or a dab of paint) in a matching color to your binding thread and apply it to the bare canvas to hide it better.