Sew a Pocket Monster Keychain from Hexatex Scraps

By Your Sewful Therapy is in Session... – Sewful Therapy | Published: 2026-10-31

Category: How-to Guides

Turn small Hexatex leftovers into a durable Pocket Monster keychain. Follow a simple cutting, stitching, and turning order with checkpoints that prevent fraying and bulky seams.

Quick answer

Sew a Hexatex scrap keychain by cutting two mirrored shapes with a 3/8-inch seam allowance, leaving a 1-inch turning gap on one straight edge, and backstitching at the gap and keyring tab. Clip corners, turn, press, and topstitch before adding the hardware.

Why Hexatex works for small keychains

Hexatex is a heavyweight, tightly woven fabric, so a small keychain made from it holds its shape better than one cut from quilting cotton. The trade-off is bulk: two layers plus a keyring tab can become too thick for a standard sewing machine needle if you stack seam allowances on top of each other.

This project is a good use for scraps that are too small for a bag panel but large enough for a 3-by-4-inch keychain shape. If your scrap has a printed pattern, plan the cut so the most recognizable part of the print sits inside the finished shape rather than under the seam allowance.

When to skip Hexatex and use a lighter scrap

If your only Hexatex pieces are smaller than about 4 by 5 inches, or if the fabric has already frayed heavily at the edges, choose a lighter woven scrap instead. Heavyweight fabric needs enough margin to trim frayed edges before cutting, and a keychain that is too bulky will not turn cleanly through a 1-inch gap.

Also skip the keyring tab if you do not have a keyring or swivel clip on hand. A keychain without hardware is just a small fabric charm, and the tab adds bulk that is only worth sewing if it will actually hold a ring.

Steps to sew the keychain

Cut two mirrored shapes: Draw or trace your pocket monster shape on the back of the Hexatex scrap and cut two pieces with a 3/8-inch seam allowance. Flip the pattern for the second piece so the right sides match when sewn. Check that both pieces are mirrored before cutting; two identical pieces will not align when turned.
Mark the turning gap and tab position: On one piece, mark a 1-inch gap centered on a straight edge. On the other piece, mark where the keyring tab will sit, usually at the top center, and baste the tab in place with a 1/4-inch seam. Keep the tab out of the turning gap; otherwise the gap will be too small to turn the keychain.
Sew around the shape with backstitching: Place right sides together and sew around the perimeter with a 3/8-inch seam, backstitching at the start and end of the turning gap and across the tab. Do not sew across the gap. Shorten your stitch length to 2.0–2.5 mm at corners to reduce fraying when you clip.
Clip corners and trim seam allowance: Clip the seam allowance at curves and corners without cutting through the stitching. Trim the seam allowance to 1/4 inch, leaving extra at the turning gap. Turn the piece right side out before trimming further; if it looks bulky, trim a little more from the seam allowance, not the fabric face.
Turn, press, and topstitch: Turn the keychain right side out through the gap, push out corners with a blunt tool, and press. Fold the gap edges inward and topstitch 1/8 inch from the edge all the way around, closing the gap as you go. Topstitching through the tab and gap reinforces the two weakest points of the keychain.
Add the keyring and test the hold: Slide a keyring or swivel clip through the tab and give it a firm pull. If the tab feels loose, add a second row of stitching across the tab base. Test the keyring before trimming any remaining threads; a loose tab is easier to reinforce now than after the keychain is finished.

Product facts

Pocket Monster Keychain Hexatex (YD): Pocket Monster Keychain Hexatex (YD) is sold as a by-the-yard fabric option at USD 12.80, with a catalog comparison price of USD 20.00. Buying a yard gives you enough Hexatex to cut several keychain shapes and still have scraps for a matching bag project.
Pocket Monster Keychain Hexatex (YD)