This is the full you tube tutorial Baby Lock Altair Tutorials | How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag https://youtu.be/VXdoxYZ8WsI
Cassie Cartmell – Faodail Creation
Table of Contents

If you have ever wondered how to embroider a key ring or luggage tag, this tutorial will show you how to create one from start to finish using an embroidery machine, vinyl and a built-in embroidery design. Baby Lock Educator Cassie Cartmell will guide you through each stage, from choosing and resizing your design to adding the vinyl and finishing your project.
For this project, Baby Lock Educator Cassie Cartmell is using the Baby Lock Altair 2 and IQ Designer to transform one of the machine’s built-in embroidery designs into a completely finished key ring or luggage tag.
The fun part about this technique is that you don’t need to start with a dedicated key fob embroidery file. You can take a suitable embroidery design already inside your machine and create the shape you need around it.
I chose a guitar design for mine. It ended up being a little larger than I originally intended, so it works particularly well as a luggage tag. I also made a smaller version using another built-in design, which was approximately 2ยฝ inches by 2ยฝ inches and was a much better size for a traditional key ring.
As Baby Lock Educator Cassie Cartmell, I love showing you how to use the creative features already built into your machine to make fun and practical projects. The technique is exactly the same whether you create a smaller key ring or a larger luggage tag.
Let’s look at how to embroider a key ring or luggage tag step by step.
How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag

Before beginning, choose your embroidery design carefully. If you want to make a small key ring, look for a design that can be reduced considerably without compromising the embroidery.
Some embroidery designs can be resized more successfully than others.
The guitar design I chose couldn’t be made quite as small as I initially wanted. This meant my finished project was better suited to being a luggage tag rather than a small key fob.
That’s part of experimenting with the designs already available in your embroidery machine!
Supplies for How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag
You will need:
- Embroidery machine
- Embroidery hoop
- Cutaway stabilizer
- Thin vinyl
- Embroidery thread
- Matching bobbin thread for the final satin stitching
- Masking tape
- Sharp scissors
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
- Chicago screws or your preferred key fob hardware
- Suitable embroidery design
I am demonstrating how to embroider a key ring or luggage tag using the Baby Lock Altair 2, but you can adapt the basic technique depending on the features available on your embroidery machine.
The ability to create and edit shapes directly on the machine makes IQ Designer particularly useful for this project.
Step 1: Choose a Design to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag

The first step in how to embroider a key ring or luggage tag is choosing your design.
On my Baby Lock Altair 2, I went into the embroidery section and looked through the built-in designs.
I wanted to use the guitar, which can be found within the novelty designs.
Select your chosen design and press Set.
How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag – Resize Your Embroidery Design
Next, go into Edit and select the resize option.
When resizing the design, I use the option that recalculates the stitches. This allows me to reduce the design considerably while the machine recalculates the embroidery stitches for the new size.
I reduced my guitar as far as the machine would allow.
The smallest size was still approximately seven inches by two inches. That is larger than I would normally choose for a key ring, but I decided to continue with it.
This is an important thing to consider when learning how to embroider a key ring or luggage tag.
Not every embroidery design will reduce to the ideal key ring size.
What Size Should an Embroidered Key Ring Be? – How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag
There isn’t one required size, but think about how the finished project will be used.
A smaller design is generally more practical for everyday keys, while a larger design can make a fun luggage tag or bag tag.
I made another version using a different built-in design that finished at approximately 2ยฝ inches by 2ยฝ inches. That was a much more practical size for a set of keys.
Step 2: Create a Stamp Around the Embroidery Design – How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag

The next step in how to embroider a key ring or luggage tag is creating the shape that will eventually become the outside of the project.
Position the embroidery design where you want it on your screen.
Next, create a stamp of the design.
I made my stamp slightly wider than the original guitar. You need some additional space around the embroidery because this becomes part of the shape surrounding your finished design.
I set mine approximately 0.10 inches away from the embroidery.
Once you are happy with the stamp, save it into the machine’s memory.
This saved outline can now be brought into IQ Designer.
Step 3: How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag – Open the Design in IQ Designer

Now we can use IQ Designer to continue creating our key ring or luggage tag.
Open IQ Designer on the Baby Lock Altair 2.
Select the shape/stamp option and locate the stamp you created in the previous step.
When you bring it onto the screen, you should see the outline of your original embroidery design. In my case, I can see the guitar shape.
This outline gives us a guide for creating the outer portion of the project.
How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag – Add a Rectangle for the Key Ring Strap
Next, add a rectangle.
This rectangle will eventually create the tab or strap where the key ring hardware will be attached.
Resize the rectangle until it is approximately the width you want for your strap. I brought mine down to approximately one inch wide and then adjusted its length.
Position the rectangle so that it overlaps the top of your main design.
When learning how to embroider a key ring or luggage tag, this overlap is important because we want the tab and main shape to become one continuous design.
Step 4: How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag – Erase the Unwanted Lines

Zoom into your design so you can clearly see where the rectangle and the main design overlap.
I like to enlarge the image considerably for this part because it makes it much easier to see exactly what needs to be removed.
Select the eraser tool.
I prefer using the square eraser for this.
Carefully erase any unwanted portions outside the shape of the guitar so that your rectangle and guitar create the outline you need.
Take your time.
The cleaner you make the outline in IQ Designer, the easier the next stages of how to embroider a key ring or luggage tag will be.
Check the Key Ring Shape – How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag
Zoom back out and look at the complete shape.
Make sure:
- The tab connects to the main design.
- There are no unwanted lines.
- The outline follows the embroidery design.
- There is enough space around the embroidery.
- The tab is wide enough for your chosen hardware.
Once you’re happy with it, you’re ready to create the first stitching line.
Step 5: How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag – Create and Save the Running Stitch

The running stitch is an important part of how to embroider a key ring or luggage tag because it gives us our initial placement and stitching line.
Change the outline you created to a straight stitch.
I changed the colour on screen to blue so that it was easy for me to identify.
Select the fill bucket and apply the change to the entire outline.
Save this version into your machine’s memory.
I always like to save my work as I go rather than risk losing the design after spending time creating it.
Go to Next, preview your design and save it into the embroidery machine’s memory.
Why Save Your Embroidery Design as You Work?
Creating a custom design involves several stages.
Saving each important stage gives you a backup and makes it easier to return to the design if you accidentally exit a screen or need to make changes.
I often leave IQ Designer after saving and then bring the design back in again just to make sure everything has saved correctly.
Step 6: How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag Create the Satin Stitch Outline

Now we need another version of the outline.
This time, change the outline to a satin stitch.
I left this version red on the screen so I could easily distinguish it from my running stitch.
Use the fill bucket again to apply the satin stitch to the complete outline.
Before saving, I like to adjust the satin stitch so that it is slightly wider.
This final satin stitching will create the beautiful finished edge around your key ring or luggage tag.
Save the satin stitch version.
Go to Next, preview it and save it into the embroidery section of your machine.
At this point, you should have the elements needed to assemble the final embroidery design.
Step 7: How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag Assemble the Key Ring or Luggage Tag Design

Now return to the main embroidery screen.
The next stage of how to embroider a key ring or luggage tag is assembling all the different pieces in the correct order.
First, bring in the running stitch outline you created and press Set.
Select Add and bring in your original embroidery design.
For me, this means returning to the novelty designs, selecting the guitar and pressing Set.
Resize the guitar again so that it fits correctly within the outline you created.
You can use the fine adjustment controls to make small changes until everything lines up properly.
Press OK when you are satisfied.
Add the Satin Stitch
Select Add again.
This time, open the satin stitch outline you previously saved and press Set.
The satin stitch should sit over your design and create the final outside edge.
You can now change the thread colours for the embroidery design.
I chose a combination of black and red for my guitar, but this is where you can personalize your project.
Choose colours that coordinate with your vinyl or create something completely different.
That’s one of the best parts about learning how to embroider a key ring or luggage tag you can use the same basic technique to create many different versions.
Step 8: How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag Hoop the Stabilizer and Stitch the Design

Now we’re ready to start stitching.
Hoop a piece of cutaway stabilizer in your embroidery hoop.
Start by stitching the running stitch outline.
Once the placement line has stitched, position a piece of thin vinyl over the outlined area.
I like using relatively thin vinyl for this type of project because we will eventually have layers of vinyl, stabilizer and satin stitching.
Make sure the vinyl completely covers the placement area.
How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag Stitch the Embroidery Design
Return the hoop to the machine.
If the machine has automatically moved forward to the next part of the design and you need to repeat the running stitch, use your stitch navigation controls to return to it.
Run the running stitch over the vinyl.
Once the vinyl is secure, continue stitching the different components of your embroidery design.
For my version, I stitched all the individual sections of the guitar.
Take your time and follow the colour changes shown by your machine.
Watching the original embroidery design become part of your custom key ring is where this project really starts coming together.
Step 9: How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag Add Vinyl to the Back and Stitch the Satin Edge

Before stitching the final satin edge, we need to finish the back.
Take another piece of vinyl and place it on the reverse side of the hoop.
The vinyl should completely cover the design.
Secure it using masking tape so that it cannot shift when you return the hoop to the embroidery machine.
How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag – Match Your Top and Bobbin Thread
This is particularly important when learning how to embroider a key ring or luggage tag.
For the final satin stitching, use the same colour thread in the bobbin as you have in the top thread.
Why?
Because the back of the key ring or luggage tag will be visible.
If you use a completely different bobbin colour, you’ll see it around the back of the finished project.
Using matching top and bobbin thread gives the front and back a much cleaner appearance.
Return the hoop to your embroidery machine and stitch the final satin outline.
The machine will stitch all the way around your custom shape, joining the layers together and creating the finished edge.
Step 10: Trim and Finish Your Embroidered Key Ring or Luggage Tag

Once the satin stitching is complete, remove the hoop from the embroidery machine.
Take the project completely out of the hoop.
I first use my rotary cutter to remove some of the larger pieces of excess material.
Then switch to a pair of sharp scissors for the detailed trimming.
Carefully cut around the entire design.
You want to cut close to the satin stitches without cutting into them.
Do not rush this step.
Careful trimming makes a big difference to the final appearance of your embroidered key ring or luggage tag.
Add the Key Ring Hardware – How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag
Once everything is trimmed, fold the tab in half.
Make a hole through the tab where you want your hardware to sit.
For this project, I used Chicago screws.
I like using Chicago screws because one side simply screws into the other. This means I don’t need to use a rivet press to secure the tab.
Insert the Chicago screw through your hole and screw the two pieces together.
Your project is finished!
How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag in Different Sizes
Once you understand how to embroider a key ring or luggage tag, you can use this same method with many different embroidery designs.
The main thing to consider is size.
My guitar design came out larger than I initially wanted. Because of that, I think it works better as a luggage tag than a traditional key fob.
That’s perfectly fine.
Rather than abandoning the project, think about another way the finished design can be used.
I created another version using a different design already available on the Baby Lock Altair 2. That design could be reduced to approximately 2ยฝ inches by 2ยฝ inches, which made it an excellent size for a set of keys.
Choosing Designs for Embroidered Key Rings – How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag
When choosing a design, consider its finished proportions as well as its appearance.
Look for a design that:
- Can be resized successfully.
- Has a recognizable outer shape.
- Isn’t overly complicated at a small size.
- Gives you room to add a tab.
- Works well with the width of your vinyl.
- Can be trimmed without cutting into important embroidery.
You don’t have to use a guitar.
Once you know how to embroider a key ring or luggage tag, try experimenting with the designs already built into your embroidery machine.
Why Use Vinyl for an Embroidered Key Ring or Luggage Tag?

Vinyl works particularly well for this project because it doesn’t fray when you cut around the finished satin stitching.
It also gives the finished key ring structure without requiring lots of additional finishing.
I prefer using a thinner vinyl for this technique.
Remember that the embroidery machine will eventually be stitching through the front vinyl, stabilizer and backing vinyl.
A bulky material can make the final satin stitching more difficult.
Can You Personalize an Embroidered Luggage Tag? – How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag
Absolutely.
The technique in this tutorial gives you a starting point for creating your own designs.
Once you’re comfortable with how to embroider a key ring or luggage tag, you can experiment with different embroidery designs, vinyl colours, thread combinations, shapes and sizes.
You could also explore adding initials or other personalization using the lettering features available on your embroidery machine.
How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag Successfully
The most important part of this project is taking your time while creating the outline.
Check your design carefully before stitching.
Make sure your placement line, embroidery design and satin outline are properly aligned on the embroidery screen.
Save your work at each major stage.
And when you’re trimming the finished project, don’t rush. Cutting into your satin stitching can damage the finished edge.
My Top Tip for Making an Embroidered Key Ring
Test different built-in embroidery designs.
One design might not reduce enough for a small key ring, while another may be perfect.
That’s exactly what happened with my guitar.
It was larger than I wanted, but the technique still worked beautifully. Instead of a small key fob, I ended up with something much better suited to a luggage tag.
The smaller design I tested was much more suitable for everyday keys.
How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag: Final Thoughts

Now you know how to embroider a key ring or luggage tag using an embroidery design, IQ Designer, vinyl and your embroidery machine.
This is a fun way to take the designs already available inside your machine and use them in a completely different way.
The guitar may have turned out a little bigger than I originally planned, but that’s part of creating and experimenting. The finished design works really well as a luggage tag, while my smaller version makes a great key ring.
Once you’ve created the running stitch and satin stitch outlines, you can start experimenting with other designs and see what you can turn into your next key ring or luggage tag.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and that it inspires you to explore more of the designs and creative tools already available on your embroidery machine.
If you try this project, let me know what design you choose for your key ring or luggage tag!
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