Learn to make this chic and easy DIY leather tassel keychain in just 6 simple steps! Check out ideas for substitutions, customizations, and a fully linked supply list.
These pretty leather tassel keychains are one of my favorite projects ever!
It checks all the DIY boxes for me — it’s beautiful, it serves a purpose, and it is a sturdy project that will withstand lots of wear and tear.
I also love that it makes a perfect DIY gift. You can easily make these DIY tassel key rings in a big batch so that you can gift them to friends and family.
They’d be perfect gifts for Galentine’s Day, wedding or baby showers, teacher holiday gifts, or even to make and sell at a craft fair.
Psst — if you like this project, be sure to sign up for my VIP group below so that I can send more of my very best DIYs straight to ya!
DIY Tassel Key Rings
You may have seen other tutorials for tassel keychains floating around the web, but you can rest assured you have arrived at the original!
Yep, I will boldly claim to have been at the forefront of this DIY trend back in 2013! It’s been often duplicated, but I spent lots of time figuring out this project to make it as simple as possible with the best outcome.
Every material was tested for ease of use and a beautiful, useful final product.
In fact, I used the first DIY tassel keychain that I created for a good two years before it came apart! I consider that a solid, sturdy make in my book.
Supplies You’ll Need
This one is as easy as can be. If you want to make one (or seven, like I did because I just couldn’t stop), gather your materials:
- leather (or faux!)
- scissors
- pen
- ruler
- E6000 or another extra strong glue
- key ring
- binder clip or clothes pin
- rubber band
Try These Substitutes for Keychains with TAssels
You can always switch up some of the materials or techniques to customize these keychains with tassels!
If genuine leather isn’t your scene, try a faux leather, vegan leather, or even substitute a thick fabric material.
Experiment with the length of the fringe to make a larger or smaller tassel (here’s an example of a smaller one).
You can also experiment with the thickness of the fringe. Try cutting thinner fringe for a more feathery-looking tassel.
I’ve even added some gold leaf to the leather before fringing it to create some extra visual interest. This post can talk you through my favorite gold leaf products.
How To Make A Leather Tassel Keychain
- Start by cutting two strips of leather — one that measures 3″ by 1/4″, and one that measures 10″ by 3 1/2″.
- Fold the smaller strip in half, through the keyring. Apply glue to the ends of the strip and affix them to each other. Hold with a clip until they’re dry.
- Cut 1/4″ fringe into the other piece of leather. Leave a 3/4″ strip uncut on one long side.
- Starting at one end, apply glue and affix the short strip with the keyring.
- Begin rolling the fringed piece tightly around the smaller strip, applying glue approximately every inch or so.
- Glue the end of the fringed strip down onto itself. Secure with a rubber band until the glue is dry.
More Ideas for DIY Keychains
Go keychain crazy and try some of our other best ideas! I took a moment to round up the very best of my keychain projects from the archives so that you can test those out too.
- Make a Monogrammed Keychain with Liquid Polymer Clay
- DIY Leather Shape Keychains
- DIY Leather Shamrock Keychain
Such a simple project, right? And I love how put-together and expensive it looks.
I had a little fun experimenting with different lengths and sizes, so feel free to mix it up! And this little guy is now part of my daily essentials. Have fun! xoxo
Easy DIY Leather Tassel Keychain
Learn to make this chic and easy DIY leather tassel keychain in just 6 simple steps! Check out ideas for substitutions, customizations, and a fully linked supply list.
Materials
- Leather or faux leather
- E6000
- Rubber bands
- Pen
Tools
- Ruler
- Scissors
- Clip
Instructions
- Start by cutting two strips of leather -- one that measures 3" by 1/4", and one that measures 10" by 3 1/2".
- Fold the smaller strip in half, through the keyring. Apply glue to the ends of the strip and affix them to each other. Hold with a clip until they're dry.
- Cut 1/4" fringe into the other piece of leather. Leave a 3/4" strip uncut on one long side.
- Starting at one end, apply glue and affix the short strip with the keyring.
- Begin rolling the fringed piece tightly around the smaller strip, applying glue approximately every inch or so.
- Glue the end of the fringed strip down onto itself. Secure with a rubber band until the glue is dry.
Notes
You can always switch up some of the materials or techniques to customize these keychains with tassels!
If genuine leather isn't your scene, try a faux leather, vegan leather, or even substitute a thick fabric material.
Experiment with the length of the fringe to make a larger or smaller tassel (here's an example of a smaller one).
You can also experiment with the thickness of the fringe. Try cutting thinner fringe for a more feathery-looking tassel.
I've even added some gold leaf to the leather before fringing it to create some extra visual interest. This post can talk you through my favorite gold leaf products.
These would make a great bridal shower gift one day because they truly do look expensive!! =) Beautiful!
Thanks for sharing!!! =)
Love it Chelsea! Is that yellow leather up there? So so pretty!
I never would have thought this was so simple!! Can’t wait to make one!
Amazing! Love how professional this looks! Makes searching for keys all that more glamorous!
x Elena @ Randomly Happy
I love this!
Love this! It would help me find my keys in my purse – ha. I can never grab onto them. I’m going to have to make a few of these.
So cute! What a great idea!
Whoa.. love it. I really want to do this one. Great gift item.
Is the superglue really strong? Do you find it soaks through and doesn’t hold or…?
I experimented with superglue, Liquid Nails, and Gorilla Glue, and for me the superglue worked the best. It didn’t soak through the leather and so far my tassel has held up perfectly — I’ve been carrying my keys on it for a few weeks now.
Thanks!
I can’t wait to try it out!
I love this great idea. I have some old pieces of leather from a real cow hide i had left over from a project two years ago. I can make key chains with it and have enough to give away as gifts.
Thank you so much for a lovely tute.
I will make these tomorrow.
Thanks for the tutorial! I just actually tried to make a tassle the other day but it didn’t quite owrk…your tutorial is so much better! Lol x
I love this! Pinning it.
A while ago, The Little Green Notebook blog posted a very similar project http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com/2011/12/diy-leather-tassel-keychain.html
Do you have any suggestions where to buy leather
Hi Liora,
Most fabric stores would have at least some faux leather that you might be able to work with. More extensive fabric shops would probably have the real stuff, and you can probably get online and do a search for an actual leather shop near your town. Good luck!
Thanks Chelsea! Can’t wait to make one… Or a couple 🙂
Love this idea. It’s so dainty and cute!
CrewandLU.com
Seems easy and looks great. Thank you for sharing!
Merci pour le tuto, vraiment bien expliqué.
Obrigada pelo tutorial! Eu acabei de fazer um chaveiro seguinte este tutorial! Deu certo! Gosto muito do seu site!
Muito obrigada Vanessa! (Did I say that right?)
Thank you so much for an awesome tutorial! I love playing with leather scraps. 🙂 I just used this on the zipper pull of my newest purse tutorial and will link to you when the post goes live. Thanks a bunch!
i just love this idea. We have a Dr appointment, and will be head to JoAnn’ right after to buy some leather, and make a bunch, for my family.
Thank you.
Love, love, love it. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for this! I LOVE fringe – who cares that most folks think I’m stuck in the 60’s! This project has endless applications, both retro and current.
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