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Make a Good Luck Rabbit Key Chain That Even a Rabbit Can Love

February 5th, 2009 in sewing, patterns & designs, memory making

kayte terry, contributor

22 users recommend

If you dont need another key chain, this project can be adapted to make Easter decorations or stuffed animals.

The little munchkin that inspired this project. Note all the chewed-up books in the background.

Your bunny key chain is also totally reversible!

If you don't need another key chain, this project can be adapted to make Easter decorations or stuffed animals.

Photo: Kayte Terry

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When Michaela told me that February was going to Pet Project month, I had a moment of panic. Not because I have something against pets or anything but because I have a rabbit. You see, rabbits don't really need anything, and they certainly don't want you messing with their stuff. Rabbits are very set in their ways and extremely territorial about their things. Potato (my little guy) doesn’t even like it when I sweep up the pellets he leaves on the floor in front of his cage, so I’m sure he would not appreciate a water bottle cozy or a spruced-up food bowl. Also, I think he would be mortified if I tried to put him in an outfit (although I have thought about making him a tiny top hat and bowtie on more than one occasion), so that’s out, too. The only gifts Potato really likes are ones he can destroy like phone books or old boxes.

Then I had a thought: While Potato doesn’t need anything, I (like many rabbit people) enjoy having rabbit things. Despite my better judgment, I have started to collect little rabbit figurines and, when I see a cute rabbit card or photo, it’s hard to resist the urge to buy it. So I started thinking about something I could carry with me to remind myself of Potato and the joys he has brought to my life. Over dinner with the CraftStylish team at CHA, I had a quick brainstorm. “What about a key chain in the shape of a rabbit?” I asked. Then Beth, our publisher, said, “Oh, I hope not like those lucky rabbit foot key chains!” Ack! I had forgotten about those! In response, I decided to make a fully cruelty-free, bunny-friendly key chain. I think that’s something that even Potato would appreciate. As long as I keep it away from his stuff. This is admittedly a pretty goofy project, so if you really don’t need another key chain, these would make cute decorations for Easter or enlarge the template and make stuffed animals.

What'll you need:

Small amount of cotton fabric (I used three different ones for the front and the back and the loop)
Fabric scissors
Water-soluble fabric pen or tailor’s chalk
Two small buttons or beads
Needle and thread
Iron
Straight pins
Small amount of cotton batting
Embroidery floss
Key ring

1. Print out the PDF template, and cut out the template. Trace it onto fabric, and cut out two rabbits. If you are using the same fabric for the front and the back, you can fold the fabric in half and cut through both layers. If you are using two different fabrics, make sure to cut a front and a reverse of the template.

Use a very small button or even a sequin for the eye.

2. With a needle and thread, sew a small button or bead on each side of the fabric bunny for eyes.

Fold both sides of the fabric piece into the center and press. Fold in half once more to make the fabric loop.

3. To make a loop for the ring, cut a 1-1/2-inch x 2-inch piece of fabric. Fold both sides in toward the middle and press. Fold in half again and press. Topstitch on both edges. Fold in half to make a loop and baste together at the ends to hold the loop together. Set aside.

Place your fabric loop in between the two bunny pieces as shown.

Pin all your layers together.

4. Place one bunny piece face down on a flat surface. Place the loop over the bunny piece with the loop side up as shown. Place the other bunny piece over this right side down. Pin together.

Start the blanket stitch just below where the bunny tail will be.

5. Thread a needle with sewing thread, then blanket-stitch around the bunny shape, leaving 1-1/2 inches open where the tail should be for stuffing. Push small amounts of stuffing into the bunny to fill.

Keep sewing loops with the embroidery floss until your bunny tail is good and fluffy.

6. Thread a needle with embroidery floss and knot. Insert the needle into the open part of the bunny (where the tail is) and hide the knot. Make small loops by sewing through both layers of the bunny over and over, also closing the open part. Do this until the tail is puffy enough, then make a small knot. Cut the thread and trim if necessary.

7. Slide the key ring onto the fabric loop and you're done!

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Pet Projects
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posted in: sewing, patterns & designs, memory making

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Comments (7)

Eternal_Clouds writes: awww thats so cute cant wait to try it
Posted: 10:46 pm on March 7th

sllvncookie writes: I love the little Bunny,I love all animals....Thanks ,,,,Cookie
Posted: 1:35 pm on February 7th

SewDanish writes: They are SO cute. Might have to make some for easter. Great way of using those accumulated scraps :-)
Birgitte
http://www.SewDanish.etsy.com
Scandinavian Textile Art, Unique Handmade Supplies
Posted: 3:19 am on February 7th

Aunt_Dolly writes: As an avowed "rabbit person" myself, I love this keychain! I have made stuffed animal rabbit dolls and decorations but hadn't thought about a keychain before. Kayte, I too have little rabbit figurines that I have collected over the years from all over the world - interesting that this is such a universal animal! I keep all of them in an antique bowed-glass fronted dish cabinet that belonged to my great-grandmother which my husband has nicknamed "the rabbit hutch"!
Thanks too for the pattern; I have previously used free hand drawings and even cookie cutters as templates in the past.
~ Aunt Dolly ~
Posted: 2:22 am on February 7th

elbowyoyo writes: Just adorable . . . I might make some for my niece's Easter basket this year.
Posted: 6:45 pm on February 5th

MichaelaMurphy writes: Haha! Brava Kayte! I remember those creepy rabbit's foot key-chains. My grandparents used to give them to us and when we would realize what it actually was they would hurry to reassure us that it was 'good luck.' But after years of hearing about what my Irish family considered to be 'good luck' (bird droppings, broken dishes, falling on your face) I consider myself lucky in general...
Posted: 6:14 pm on February 5th