keyfobdirections

THIS WORKS FOR ME: If you do craft shows or sell as a business and need some generics made up without specific monograms, you can do quite a few at one time. I tend to be able to keep my ribbon straight, etc., on a piece of webbing no longer than about 5 feet, after that it becomes unmanageable for me. I'll do a strip 5 feet in length. Roll it up and store it in my little "to do" box. When time permits, or I'm in the mood, or someone orders one out of my "generic" pre-made rolls, all I have to do is cut proper size, sew up ends, and apply the hardware. If I'm doing this, I'll probably go ahead and cut a few and sew up the ends since the machine is ready to go anyway. I've been know to have about 40 or 50 of these all ready except for the clamps and will put them on while watching TV, etc. This is all fine and dandy for me, but have to admit kind of annoying to the person I'm watching TV with!!! Also if you've got a few rolls already made up and you decide to make a tote, you've got your straps all made ahead of time, that is of course as long as the colors are right!

Also, if you do get an order for a monogram on one of your pre-made strips, test it out. I have put monograms on the pre-made strips and have had no trouble at all. It might depend on your machine or font used, but it worked out fine when I tried it..

Before attaching the clamp I normally put a little bit of glue inside the clamp. Then I push the webbing into the clamp as far as it will go and let it sit for a minute or two before closing the clamp. I find this helpful when attaching the clamp as it helps keep the webbing from shifting.

Decide on the length you want your loop to be. I wanted a loop coming out 6" so my actual strip was 12" since it's folded in half. Years ago I started off making these with a 10" strip but like using 12" for that little bit of extra length if I decide to actually use it on my wrist. I have also seen these with the loop small enough just to actually hold it.

If you're putting embroidery, monogram, etc., on your ribbon, do that first and then sew your ribbon to your webbing. If you're using printed ribbon you might decide to discard the embroidery. Or, if you're using a plain color ribbon you might want to try some of those decorative stitches on your machine.

Using a hammer, pliers, whatever method you are comfortable with, close up your clamp, make sure your webbing stays lined up properly. You might want to put a piece of fabric, etc., on top of the clap before closing it to help protect your hardware. That's it!!!! Can be as simply or as elaborate as you want.

The hardest part for me was to find the right tool to close up the clamp. I have tried pliers, upholstery hammer, duck bill pliers, just about everything, and even though I covered the clamp before using whatever tool I was using at the time, I ALWAYS, ALWAYS ended up with a dent here or there. I found a very inexpensive little hammer the other day which I literally could not MAKE IT LEAVE A DENT. This is now my tool of choice. Think it was $4.99 from A.C. Moore and you can probably find it anywhere jewelry parts are sold. It's called a jewelry mallot. One end is plastic and one end is rubber. I banged and banged testing out both ends and never did get a dent and that was without covering the clamp with fabric.