How to Turn a Mini Plush Into a Bag Charm (Easy DIY)

In this post, I’ll show you how to make a DIY plush bag charm from a mini plush with just a needle and thread. It’s a budget-friendly way to craft for your inner child.

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I’m a big Disney fan. Disney is super nostalgic for me. I grew up watching the movies, and Disneyland is one of my favorite places to unwind.

So naturally, I love all the bag charms Disney has been releasing lately. But honestly? I don’t love the price tag.

The good news is that I already have a lot of Disney merch. So instead of buying more, I started turning the mini plushies I already own into a DIY plush bag charm. It’s budget-friendly, totally customizable, and really easy.

Why Make Your Own Plush Bag Charms?

The bag charms Disney has been releasing lately run about $15-20 each, and that adds up fast. If you already have a small plush you love (or can find one cheap), this is a great way to save money.

Some people might say bag charms are childish, and maybe they are. But I think they’re adorable! I love that you can accessorize with your favorite characters and add a little whimsy to your look.

What Kind of Plush Works Best for Bag Charms?

This works great with nostalgic little plush toys, like:

• Beanie Babies
• Disney plushies (I’ve even seen people use the build-your-own headband characters)
• Any small plush or stuffed animal you already have on hand

Smaller, lightweight plushies work best. A tiny plush will hang nicely from your bag, while a big, heavy one can weigh it down or pull on the stitching.

What You’ll Need to Make a Plush Bag Charm

You probably have most of this at home already:

• Embroidery floss (DMC embroidery floss is my go-to!)
• Embroidery needle
• Scissors
• A small plush
• Keychain hardware of your choice (a keyring, clasp, or carabiner all work)

Remember that we’re all about improvising and using what you have. I took the hardware for my Minnie bag charm from an old keychain I wasn’t using, so don’t feel like you have to run out and buy a bunch of supplies if you don’t want to.

How to Make a Plush Bag Charm (Step-by-Step)

This whole project doesn’t take long. Here’s how I do it.

Step 1: Prep Your Plush

Remove any tags you don’t want to keep. My Minnie plush had a long tag, but if yours doesn’t have one, or you want to keep yours on, you can skip this step.

Step 2: Prep Your Needle

Cut a piece of embroidery thread, thread your needle, and tie a knot at the end.

Step 3: Choose Where Your Hardware Will Attach

Decide where you want your keychain hardware to sit. Depending on the size and shape of your plush, this might be the top of its head or the tip of its mouth. This spot will be your top hole.

Step 4: Insert Your Needle

Insert your needle a little below the spot where you want the hardware to attach. For example, if your hardware is going on top of the plush’s head, the bottom hole might be somewhere along its back.

Here’s an example of where I put the holes on this plush. 

Push the needle into the bottom hole, then bring it up so it comes out right where the hardware will go.

Step 5: Attach Your Keyring

Thread your needle through the keyring, then push the needle back into the plush right next to that spot. For extra security, add a few loops around the keyring before you pull. This is what keeps your charm from pulling loose later.

Step 6: Secure It

Bring your needle back down to the first hole you made and pull tight.

Step 7: Repeat

Do the same thing once more. Push the needle up to the keyring, loop through, and come back down to secure it.

Step 8: Knot and Trim

Tie a knot at the bottom and snip off the excess thread.

That’s it! Seriously. It’s such a simple way to make something fun and whimsical.

Ways to Personalize Your Plush Keychain

Once you’ve made one, you’ll probably want to make ten. I’ve already made a few myself, and I’m planning to make a couple more! Here are a few ways to make each one your own:

• Switch up your hardware. Keychain hardware comes in all different colors, shapes, and sizes, so you can match it to your plush or your bag.
• Add extra charms. Beads, small charms, or a second keyring can take your bag charm from cute to really cute.
• Make a set. Pair a few plushies together for a bag that tells a whole story.

The best part is that you can move these from bag to bag whenever you want. So you can totally restyle your look without buying anything new.

A Quick Tip Before You Start

Work slowly and be careful with your needle. I poked myself a few times, and it’s not fun. 😅

Final Thoughts

Turning a mini plush into a bag charm is a really simple way to bring a little nostalgia into your everyday life. You don’t need fancy tools or a big budget, just a plush toy you love and a few minutes.

If you try this one, I’d love to see how it turns out!

Love this idea? Save this post on Pinterest so you can come back to it when you’re ready to craft!