How to Make a Lanyard.....

Several of my quilting friends have asked me how to make a lanyard, similar to the one I made for my friend Paula for her birthday - so here is my first attempt at a tutorial!! Hopefully your finished lanyard will look similar to the one here on the left.....

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.....I started off with some scraps of fabric about 2½" wide which I sewed RS together with a ¼" seam. I pressed the seams open to reduce bulk. The finished length is about 36" - this can be made longer or shorter depending on your personal preference.....

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.....then I pressed the fabric with a hot iron, WS together along the length, then unfolded it, and pressed the raw edges into the middle and pressed again. I then slipped on the swivel clip and joined the two ends together, again RS together, sewing with a ¼" seam - I pressed the seams open, again to reduce the bulk.....

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.....then I sewed along both edges - it is really useful if you have an edge foot for this - I altered the needle position slightly to the left, and increased the stitch length - I have used a varigated thread for this too, which gives a nice effect. I put a few pins in to hold the edges together, moving the swivel clip along as I sewed.....

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.....once I had sewed along both edges, I sewed in the loose threads and then I sewed a few stitches to keep the swivel clip in place. These swivel clips are really useful - I normally get mine from U-handbag - along with all my other bag-making accessories. I have made a similar attachment with a swivel clip on the end that I sew into tote bags, for attaching my car keys on when I'm out shopping (that was a  top tip from my friend Hanne!).....

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.....drum roll please - here is the finished result!! What do you think?This swivel clip comes attached to a handy key ring too, which is really useful so you can add keys and other bits-and-bobs to it - it's also handy for attaching a small pair of scissors when you're sewing so you don't lose them!!

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