How to make faux leather keychains with Cricut? If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably eyed those trendy faux leather earrings and keychains at craft fairs and thought, “Wait…I can totally make those!”
I started making faux leather projects as a side hustle, and now they’ve become one of my favorite quick crafts. Whether you’re brand new to Cricut or just looking for easy leather projects that sell well, this tutorial is for you.
I get commissions for purchases made through some of the links in this post. There is no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.
Supplies You’ll Need
Before we dive into this easy faux leather project, gather these supplies:
- Cricut machine (Explore 3 or Maker)
- Faux leather sheets (paper-thin works best)
- Patterned iron-on vinyl
- Strong grip mat (purple)
- Cricut EasyPress (or household iron)
- Cricut Design Space
- Key fob hardware
- Swivel key rings
- Pliers
- Double-sided tape
- Fabric glue (optional)
- Faux leather keychain Cricut SVG (free or paid)
- Deep-cut blade
You can grab a faux leather keychain Cricut template from online SVG stores or make your own with Design Space.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Faux Leather Keychains with Cricut
1. Prepare the Materials and Mat
Trim your faux leather and patterned HTV to fit your Cricut mat. Use painter’s tape to secure the edges to the mat so it doesn’t shift while cutting.
Pro tip: Pre-cutting your strips to 1″ x 11″ will make the process much smoother.
2. Apply Patterned Iron-On Vinyl
Use your EasyPress or iron to attach the patterned vinyl to the back (or front!) of your faux leather strips. Preheat the material for 5 seconds, then press the vinyl according to the heat settings suggested in the Cricut Heat app.
Bonus idea: Use foil HTV for a glam finish!
3. Cut the Keychain Shapes
In Design Space, create a rectangle 1″ x 11″ for key fob bracelets or use a faux leather name keychain Cricut template for personalized designs. Set your material to Faux Leather (Paper Thin) and use More Pressure with a deep-cut blade.
Repeat the cut if it doesn’t go through completely before unloading the mat.
4. Assemble Your Keychains
For the key fobs:
- Fold the leather strip in half, pattern side in.
- Use double-sided tape to hold the ends together.
- Secure with the key fob hardware using pliers.
For the letter or 3D-style keychains:
- Cut mirrored designs and add a rectangle to connect them.
- Apply iron-on vinyl or glue a second faux leather layer.
- Attach to swivel keychains with jump rings.
Design Ideas to Try
If you’re looking for faux leather earrings Cricut templates or leather necklace ideas, you can adapt the same process. Add layered shapes, initials, or even tiny tassels for added flair.
You can even pair these with other handmade leather jewelry or check out these laser engraving projects to add names and quotes.
More Cricut Faux Leather Crafts to Explore
Want to keep the creative juices flowing? These posts are perfect if you’re hunting for more faux leather Cricut projects:
- Try these creative ways to make denim flowers for your home decor
- Add to your stash with these easy air dry clay projects every beginner must try
- Discover the most profitable crafts to sell for more ideas like this one
Final Thoughts + What to Try Next
Whether you’re whipping these up as teacher gifts or starting your own Etsy shop, faux leather keychains are an easy win.
I love how versatile they are—and how quickly you can make a batch in one afternoon. If you’re ready to make your own SVGs for custom keychains, check out how I create SVG files for Cricut right here.
