Because this is a sewing blog, it might seem strange that we would recommend a Moore’s Gift Card as a wedding gift or a gift for a college graduate. Moore’s has the best selection of sewing machines and vacuums as well as ceiling fans at most of its store locations.

Supplies:
2 – 10 ¼” x 3 ½” strips of fabric – one from each of two coordinating fabrics
1 – 9 ¾” x 3” strip of light to medium weight fusible interfacing
½ yd of ½” wide grosgrain ribbon to coordinate with outside fabric
One split key ring
One color-coordinated hair elastic
One ½” – ¾” button
Fusible seam tape, such as Steam-a-Seam

Instructions:

1. Mark outside-fabric using a ruler and fabric marker. Place the ruler along the length of the fabric and mark a fold line at 4 ¼” and at 8 ¼”
2. Use the outside-fabric piece to measure the length of your ribbon. To do this start with one raw edge of the ribbon just barely beyond the top of the fabric piece. Run it down to the first fold line located at 4 1/4” and pinch a 1” loop (you need 2” of ribbon to create a 1” loop).

3. Carefully slip a key ring into the loop, then place a pin at the base of the loop to hold it in place. Continue running the ribbon down the middle of the fabric to just past the bottom edge. Trim the ribbon at this point.
4. Thread your machine with thread that matches your ribbon.
5. Stitch a horizontal line across the ribbon at the base of the loop – exactly where you placed your pin. Stitch back and forth once or twice to secure.
6. Pin the center line of the ribbon in place on the center line of the oustide-fabric piece, or you can use a fusible seam tape, like Steam-a-Seam to adhere it. Use a seam gauge to verify the ribbon is centered side to side. The fusible seam tape makes it easier to sew.

7. Carefully edge stitch the ribbon in place working from the outside-fabric bottom up to the ribbon’s seam line. When you get to the seam line, back stitch and cut your threads.
8. Fold the loop down and out of the way. Starting with a back stitch, continue to sew in the same direction to the raw edge of the outside-fabric.
9. Repeat the ribbon edge stitch process on the opposite edge of the ribbon.
10. Cut the hair elastic in half. Fold one piece in half, and center it at the top raw edge of the ribbon.

11.  The raw ends of the hair elastic should extend just beyond the raw edge of the ribbon and fabric. Painters tape works great to hold the hair elastic in place while you machine baste the hair elastic in place close to the raw edges.
12. Center the interfacing, and following the manufacturer’s directions, fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the lining,. There should be 1/4” between the edge of the interfacing and the raw edge of the fabric all around.
13. Place the finished front and the interfaced lining right-sides together. Pin in place. Leave a 1 ½  – 2” opening near the bottom of the holder along one side (marked in photos by the red butterfly pins).

14. If necessary, re-thread your machine with thread to match your outside fabric. Using a ¼” seam allowance and remembering to leave the opening, stitch the front and lining together. Backstitch at the top over the ends of the hair elastic several times to secure it.
15. Clip all the corners on a diagonal and turn the holder right side out through the opening.

16.  Gently push out corners using your finger or a long tool with a blunt end, like a chop stick.
17. Make sure the raw edges of the opening are turned in and flush with the sewn seam stitching, then press flat.

18. To locate where the button should be sewn, fold the fabric at the two fold lines. The button location should be approximately 1 ½” from the bottom edge. Mark this point with a pin or a fabric marking pen.

19. Hand stitch the button securely in place while the holder is flat.
20. Fold the bottom (with the button) at the nearest fold line again.
21. Edge stitch 1/8” – 1/4” along both sides of the two layer pocket portion of the strip (this also closes the opening left from turning the project right-side out).
Insert your gift card and close the flap.