This is the full You Tube Link : How to Sew a Cord Keeper | Beginner Sewing Machine Tutorials https://youtu.be/YOvvNCAJZvI
Cassie Cartmell – Faodail Creation
Table of Contents
How to Sew a Cord Keeper is a simple sewing project that is perfect for using up fabric scraps while creating something genuinely useful. This little cord keeper helps keep charging cables, sewing machine cords, electronic cords, and other small cords neatly organized. As a Baby Lock Educator Cassie Cartmell, I love finding practical sewing projects that are quick to make and help you get the most from your fabric scraps.
If you have ever wondered how to sew a cord keeper, don’t let the button or buttonhole scare you. This project is quick, beginner-friendly, and a great way to practice making a buttonhole on your sewing machine. As a Baby Lock Educator Cassie Cartmell, I also want to show you that using some of the features on your sewing machine can be much easier than you might expect.
For this How to Sew a Cord Keeper tutorial, I am using a 5-inch fabric square from my scrap box, a small piece of fusible fleece, and a button. The finished cord keeper is small enough to keep in a sewing room, desk drawer, purse, or wherever you need to keep cords organized.
The best part is that you can make several cord keepers from your fabric scraps. They also make inexpensive handmade gifts or useful additions to craft fair displays. I love projects like this because, as Baby Lock Educator Cassie Cartmell, I can share simple techniques that help you build confidence with your sewing machine while creating something useful.
In this tutorial, I will walk you through how to sew a cord keeper step by step, including preparing the fabric, adding fusible fleece, sewing the pieces together, turning and topstitching the project, making the buttonhole, and attaching the button.
How to Sew a Cord Keeper Materials You Will Need
Before learning how to sew a cord keeper, gather your supplies.
Fabric and Sewing Supplies – How to sew a cord keeper
You will need:
- One 5-inch square of cotton fabric
- One piece of fusible fleece measuring approximately 2 ½ x 5 inches
- One button
- Sewing machine
- Regular sewing machine foot
- Buttonhole foot
- Button foot, if your machine has one
- Thread
- Scissors
- Seam ripper
- Iron and ironing surface
- 90/14 sewing machine needle
You can use coordinating fabrics for the front and back or use two completely different fabrics to create a fun scrappy look.
A 5-inch fabric square is all you need for the main fabric pieces, which makes this an excellent scrap-busting project.
Baby Lock Educator Cassie Cartmell Tip – How to sew a cord keeper
As a Baby Lock Educator, I recommend keeping small fabric scraps instead of automatically throwing them away. Projects like this cord keeper are perfect for those smaller pieces that are too good to discard but too small for many larger sewing projects.
This is also a great project for experimenting with different fabrics, colors, and buttons.
How to Sew a Cord Keeper in 7 Easy Steps
Now let’s get into how to sew a cord keeper.
This project comes together quickly, but I recommend reading through all seven steps before you begin. The buttonhole may be the part that feels unfamiliar, but your sewing machine does most of the work for you.
Step 1: Cut the Fabric for Your Cord Keeper
The first step in learning how to sew a cord keeper is preparing your fabric.
Start with one 5-inch square of fabric.
Cut the 5-inch square directly in half.
You will now have two fabric pieces measuring approximately:
2 ½ x 5 inches
These two pieces will become the front and back of your cord keeper.
Next, cut one piece of fusible fleece measuring approximately 2 ½ x 5 inches.
The fusible fleece gives the cord keeper a little structure without making this small project too bulky.
Choosing Fabric for Your Cord Keeper
Cotton quilting fabric works particularly well for this project. Because the cord keeper is small, you can have fun with your fabric choices.
Try:
- Floral fabric
- Christmas fabric
- Halloween fabric
- Sewing-themed fabric
- Scrappy quilting cotton
- Baby-themed fabric
- Solid colors
- Coordinating prints
Learning how to sew a cord keeper is also a great opportunity to use leftover fabric from previous projects.
Step 2: Add Fusible Fleece to the Fabric – How to sew a cord keeper
Take one of your two fabric pieces.
Place the fusible fleece on the wrong side of the fabric.
The pretty side of the fabric should be facing down while you position the fusible fleece.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular fusible fleece and press it into place using your iron.
Take care not to shift the fleece while pressing.
Once it has been fused, allow the piece to cool according to the manufacturer’s instructions before moving it.
Baby Lock Educator Cassie Cartmell Tip
When working with fusible products, always pay attention to which side is adhesive. It is easy to accidentally put the adhesive side against your ironing surface.
If your fusible fleece has specific temperature or pressing instructions, follow those instructions rather than relying on the settings used in this tutorial.
This little step makes a big difference when learning how to sew a cord keeper, because the fleece gives the finished project enough body to hold its shape.
Step 3: Sew the Cord Keeper Pieces Together – How to sew a cord keeper
Place your second fabric piece on top of the fused piece.
Make sure the right sides of the fabric are facing each other.
You are now going to sew around the outside edges.
However, there is one very important thing to remember:
Leave an opening for turning.
Do not sew completely around the rectangle.
At the sewing machine, I am using a 90/14 needle and my regular sewing foot.
For this project, I reduced my stitch length to approximately 2.0 mm.
Start sewing and reverse at the beginning to lock your stitches.
Continue sewing around the project, carefully pivoting at the corners.
If your sewing machine has a pivot function, this is a great time to use it. On my Baby Lock machine, the pivot function automatically raises the presser foot when I stop sewing, making it easy to turn the fabric at the corners.
Continue around the cord keeper until you reach the area where you left your opening.
Reverse again to secure your stitches.
Why Leave an Opening?
The opening allows you to turn the cord keeper right side out.
Without this opening, you would not be able to turn the sewn piece after stitching around the perimeter.
This is one of the most important things to remember when learning how to sew a cord keeper.
Step 4: Trim, Turn, and Press the Cord Keeper – How to sew a cord keeper
Remove the project from your sewing machine.
Trim away the excess thread tails.
Next, carefully trim a small amount from the corners.
Be careful not to cut through your stitching.
Removing a little bulk from the corners will help them turn more neatly.
Now locate the opening you left in the seam.
Carefully turn the cord keeper right side out through this opening.
Take your time when pushing out the corners.
You can use a suitable blunt turning tool if necessary, but be careful not to push too hard and damage the fabric.
Once the cord keeper is turned right side out, take it to your ironing surface and press it flat.
Pay particular attention to the edges.
Make sure the fabric around the opening is neatly folded toward the inside.
Baby Lock Educator Cassie Cartmell Tip
Small sewing projects can sometimes be more fiddly than large projects simply because there isn’t much fabric to hold onto.
When learning how to sew a cord keeper, don’t rush this stage. A few extra seconds spent pressing the edges neatly will make your final topstitching look much more professional.
How to Sew a Cord Keeper With a Professional Topstitch
Step 5: Topstitch Around the Cord Keeper
Now that the cord keeper has been turned right side out and pressed, it is time to close the opening and finish the edges.
Set your sewing machine to a longer stitch length.
For my project, I increased the stitch length to approximately 3.5 mm.
Begin sewing around the outside edge of the cord keeper.
The topstitching will close the opening you used for turning while also creating a neat finished edge.
Remember to reverse at the beginning and end to lock your stitches.
Try to maintain an even distance from the edge as you sew.
Because this is a small project, it can be tempting to rush. Instead, sew slowly and carefully around the corners.
This topstitching is an important part of how to sew a cord keeper because it gives the finished project a clean, polished appearance.
Topstitching Tip
If you are new to topstitching, practice on a scrap piece of fabric first.
A slightly longer stitch can make decorative topstitching more visible and attractive.
You can also coordinate your thread with the fabric or use a contrasting thread to make the stitching stand out.
How to Sew a Cord Keeper With a Buttonhole
Step 6: Make the Buttonhole – How to sew a cord keeper
Now we get to the part that might make you nervous.
The buttonhole!
If you are learning how to sew a cord keeper and you have never made a buttonhole before, don’t be scared.
Your sewing machine is designed to make this much easier than you might think.
First, choose a button that works with the size of your cord keeper.
Place the button where you want it to sit when the cord keeper is folded closed.
You can use the actual button to determine the appropriate buttonhole size.
Attach the Buttonhole Foot
Remove your regular presser foot and attach your buttonhole foot.
Many machines have a buttonhole foot with a section designed to hold the button.
Place your button into the buttonhole foot so the machine can determine the size of the buttonhole.
Depending on your sewing machine, there may also be a buttonhole lever that needs to be lowered.
On my machine, the buttonhole foot and lever work together to tell the machine how long the buttonhole needs to be.
Select an appropriate automatic buttonhole stitch on your machine.
Place your fabric in position.
Your machine may have a marking showing where the buttonhole will begin.
Lower the presser foot and start sewing.
The machine will stitch one side of the buttonhole, create the end, stitch back along the other side, and finish the buttonhole.
Baby Lock Educator Cassie Cartmell Tip
Automatic buttonholes are one of those sewing machine features that can seem intimidating until you actually use them.
Before starting on your finished project, test the buttonhole on a scrap of fabric that has the same layers.
This lets you check the buttonhole size and stitch settings before sewing the final one.
For this How to Sew a Cord Keeper project, I also like to stitch over the completed buttonhole a second time for additional reinforcement.
If your machine allows you to repeat the buttonhole, this can add extra security.
Carefully Open the Buttonhole
Once your buttonhole is complete, remove the buttonhole foot.
Take your seam ripper and carefully place the point inside the buttonhole opening.
Slowly cut through the center of the buttonhole.
Be extremely careful not to cut through the stitches at either end.
Open the buttonhole gradually rather than trying to cut through everything at once.
Now you have a finished buttonhole.
Step 7: Attach the Button – How to sew a cord keeper
The final step in learning how to sew a cord keeper is attaching the button.
Fold the cord keeper into its finished position.
Determine exactly where the button needs to go so that the buttonhole fits over it comfortably.
You can mark the button placement with a fabric marker or another suitable marking tool.
Attach your button foot to the sewing machine if your machine has one.
Place the button into the button foot and position the fabric underneath.
Select the appropriate button-sewing stitch on your sewing machine.
On my machine, I use the stitch setting that corresponds to the distance between the buttonholes.
Lower the presser foot and sew the button into place.
I like to sew the button several times to make sure it is securely attached.
If your button has four holes, move the button so you can sew through the remaining two holes.
Once the button is secure, remove the project from the machine and trim your threads.
Now your cord keeper is finished!
How to Sew a Cord Keeper and Use It
Now that you know how to sew a cord keeper, it is time to try it with an actual cord.
Take your charging cable, sewing machine cord, electronic cord, or another small cord.
Wrap the cord neatly.
Place the cord keeper around it.
Pull the buttonhole over the button.
The cord keeper should hold the cord together without being excessively loose.
For the best result, the cord keeper should be slightly snug around the cord.
If it is too loose, the cord may slip out.
If it is too tight, you may have difficulty fastening the button.
This is another reason testing the placement of your button before sewing it permanently is helpful.
Baby Lock Educator Cassie Cartmell Tips for Sewing a Cord Keeper
As a Baby Lock Educator, here are a few additional tips I recommend when learning how to sew a cord keeper.
Test Your Buttonhole
Always consider testing your buttonhole on scrap fabric first.
This is particularly helpful if you are unfamiliar with your machine’s automatic buttonhole function.
Use the Right Needle
A 90/14 needle works well for the fabric and fusible fleece combination used in this project.
Make sure your needle is in good condition before beginning.
Don’t Rush the Corners
The cord keeper is small, so slow down when sewing around the corners.
Using your machine’s pivot function can make this much easier.
Press as You Sew
Pressing is one of the easiest ways to improve the appearance of a handmade project.
Press the fusible fleece carefully, press the turned project before topstitching, and make sure the edges are flat.
Reinforce Stress Points
The button and buttonhole will receive repeated use, so reinforcing these areas is worthwhile.
This is especially important if you plan to use the cord keeper every day.
Why This Cord Keeper Makes a Great Scrap Sewing Project
One of my favorite things about learning how to sew a cord keeper is how little fabric you need.
You only need a 5-inch square, which means you can make these from leftover fabric from other sewing projects.
They are also quick enough to make several at one time.
You could create a collection of cord keepers using coordinating fabrics.
They would make useful gifts for:
- Sewists
- Quilters
- Teachers
- Students
- Travelers
- Family members
- Coworkers
- Anyone with lots of charging cables
You could even coordinate the fabric with the person receiving the gift.
For Christmas, try Christmas fabrics.
For a sewing friend, use sewing-themed fabric.
For children, choose colorful novelty prints.
This is also an inexpensive handmade item that could work well for a craft fair or handmade market.
How to Sew a Cord Keeper: Troubleshooting Tips
If your cord keeper does not look exactly as you expected, don’t worry.
My Corners Look Bulky – How to sew a cord keeper
Make sure you carefully trim away a small amount of fabric at the corners before turning.
Do not cut into your stitching.
My Buttonhole Is Too Small – How to sew a cord keeper
Test the buttonhole size on scrap fabric before making another one.
Your machine’s buttonhole settings may allow you to adjust the size.
My Cord Keeper Is Too Loose – How to sew a cord keeper
Check the button placement.
Moving the button slightly can create a tighter fit around the cord.
My Topstitching Is Uneven – How to sew a cord keeper
Slow down.
Because this project is small, you don’t need to sew quickly.
Use the edge of your presser foot or another machine guide to help maintain an even distance from the edge.
How to Sew a Cord Keeper A Quick Recap
Learning how to sew a cord keeper is a great beginner sewing project because it combines several useful sewing skills into one small project.
You will practice:
- Cutting fabric accurately
- Applying fusible fleece
- Sewing right sides together
- Leaving an opening for turning
- Turning and pressing a small project
- Topstitching
- Making and opening a buttonhole
- Attaching a button
And you end up with something useful at the end!
The buttonhole may be the part that initially makes you nervous, but automatic buttonhole functions make this process much easier.
Once you have made one cord keeper, you may find yourself looking through your scrap box for more fabric so you can make another.
How to Sew a Cord Keeper Final Thoughts
I hope this How to Sew a Cord Keeper tutorial has shown you just how quick and easy this little sewing project can be.
You only need a small amount of fabric, a little fusible fleece, and one button to create a practical way to organize your cords.
Don’t let the buttonhole scare you. Take your time, test the buttonhole on scrap fabric if needed, and let your sewing machine do the work.
The finished cord keeper is useful, inexpensive to make, and perfect for using fabric scraps.
Once you know how to sew a cord keeper, you can make them in different fabrics for yourself, give them as handmade gifts, or add them to your craft fair collection.
If you enjoyed this sewing tutorial, be sure to check out more sewing, quilting, appliqué, and embroidery projects from Faodail Creation.
And remember don’t be afraid to try something new on your sewing machine. Sometimes the projects that look intimidating, like making a buttonhole, turn out to be some of the easiest ones once you give them a try!
Read this next How to Sew a Coin Pouch with Snap Fasteners – An Easy and Useful Sewing Project https://faodailcreation.ca/2026/09/11/how-to-sew-a-coin-pouch-with-snap-fasteners/
- How to Sew a Cord Keeper Easy and Quick Project for Beginners
- How to Sew Fabric Napkins Amazing Easy Sewing Tutorial Two Ways
- How to Embroider a Christmas Towel
- Halloween Table Runner – A Fun & Easy Reversible Sewing Tutorial
- Owl Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners – A Fun & Easy Fall Wall Hanging
