DENIM UPCYCLE: RETRO ALPHABET KEYRINGS

Sew a whole alphabet of Jessica Entwistle’s retro letter keyrings for quick personalised gifts.

YOU WILL NEED

Denim scraps: to fit your template twice

Felt: red, to fit your template twice Bondaweb: to fit your template twice

Denim ribbon: 8cm (3in)

Split ring

Pencil/erasable pen

Matching thread

Basic sewing kit

NOTE

You will find the alphabet templates needed to make this project on the pull-out pattern sheet provided.

CUTTING OUT

Step one Enlarge your chosen letter template to the size you want using a photocopier and print out two copies.

Step two Pin one template to the felt and cut out one letter. Flip the template over and cut another so it’s the mirror image of the first. Step three Take the other template and cut away the outer black letter line to leave the white line outlining the black letter inside. This is for the denim fabric.

Step four Cut two pieces of denim, each just 2cm ( in) bigger than the template, then press Bondaweb onto the wrong side (WS) of each of the pieces.

Step five Using the trimmed denim template, draw around it on to the Bondaweb on one denim piece. Flip the template and draw around it onto the Bondaweb on the other denim piece.

STITCHING THE DENIM LETTERS

Step one Peel the paper backing off the Bondaweb and press both of the denim letters onto the two felt letters (so you have a pair of mirror image felt backed denim letters). Make sure the iron isn’t too hot or it could melt the felt – using a cloth under your iron will help. Step two Thread your machine with white thread in the top and dark blue in the bobbin. Step three Sew roughly around the letters outline twice on each piece.

INSERTING THE RIBBON LOOP

Step one Place the two letter shapes with felt sides facing.

Step two Fold the denim ribbon in half to make a loop and place the two ends so that they are sandwiched between the front and back pieces of your letter at one top corner. Pin this into place.

FINISHING OFF

Step one Thread your machine with red thread in the top and bobbin.

Step two Starting at the top where your ribbon is pinned, carefully sew the letter together all the way around through the felt, just outside the denim fabric.

Step three Snip off the threads and slide a split ring onto your ribbon, and you’re done!