Looking for a chic and practical accessory that you can easily personalize? Leather key fob keychains are the perfect solution! These stylish items are not only functional for keeping your keys organized but also serve as a fashionable statement piece. If you’re a fan of DIY projects and own a Cricut machine, you’re in for a treat. This guide will walk you through creating your own stunning leather key fob keychains using faux leather and your Cricut, complete with a free keychain template.
Have you ever found yourself with an abundance of beautiful faux leather scraps, wondering how to use them beyond the usual hair bows and earrings? I was in the same boat! My craft supply collection was overflowing with gorgeous faux leather sheets, just waiting for the right project. That’s when the idea of faux leather key fobs sparked. They are quick to make, incredibly versatile, and a fantastic way to show off your personal style.
DIY Leather Key Fob Keychain Tutorial
This tutorial will guide you step-by-step on how to transform faux leather into eye-catching key fob keychains. Whether you’re making them for yourself, as thoughtful gifts, or even to sell, these leather keychains are sure to impress.
Materials You’ll Need:
Before you begin, gather these essential materials:
- Faux Leather: Choose high-quality faux leather sheets that are suitable for Cricut cutting. Ensure the sheets are large enough for your desired keychain dimensions. You can find a wide variety of colors and textures online, including options from Amazon.
- Key Fob Hardware: You’ll need key fob hardware sets or split key rings to attach to your leather pieces. These are readily available at craft stores or online retailers like Amazon.
- Masking Tape: Essential for securing the faux leather to your Cricut cutting mat.
- Cricut Cutting Machine: Any Cricut machine (Explore, Maker, or Joy) will work for this project.
- Optional Rivet Tool Set: A rivet tool set can add a professional finish and extra security to your keychains. Consider a set like this one from Amazon.
- Free SVG Template: Download the free SVG file template at the end of this tutorial. This template includes various key fob styles to get you started.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Leather Key Fob Keychain
Let’s get crafting! Follow these simple steps to create your own faux leather key fob keychains.
1. Prepare Your Design in Cricut Design Space:
Begin by uploading the downloaded SVG file into Cricut Design Space. This file provides pre-designed key fob templates in different shapes and sizes.
- Sizing: Adjust the size of the key fob design according to your preference. A common size is around 0.90 inches in width and 8 inches in height. Make sure the width is slightly smaller than the width of your key fob hardware to ensure a snug fit. You can customize the height to create wristlet keychains or shorter fobs.
2. Cut the Faux Leather with Your Cricut:
Prepare your faux leather for cutting:
- Mat Preparation: Place the faux leather, textured side up, onto a green Cricut StandardGrip cutting mat.
- Securing the Leather: Use masking tape to firmly secure all edges of the faux leather to the mat. This is crucial to prevent the material from shifting during the cutting process, especially with faux leather.
- Cutting Settings: In Cricut Design Space, select the “Metallic Leather” setting for optimal cutting of faux leather. If you don’t see this specific setting, you can also use the “Faux Leather (Paper Thin)” setting or experiment with custom settings for the best results with your specific type of faux leather.
- Cutting Process: Load the prepared mat into your Cricut machine and start the cutting process.
3. Assemble Your Leather Key Fob Keychain:
Once the Cricut has finished cutting, carefully remove the mat from the machine and peel away the excess faux leather, leaving your keychain cutouts. Remove the masking tape.
- Blade Maintenance Tip: After cutting faux leather, it’s a good practice to check your Cricut blade. Sometimes, small pieces of masking tape or faux leather fibers can stick to the blade, which can affect its performance over time. Clean your blade regularly to keep it in top condition.
For assembling the keychains, you can use key fob hardware sets, often called “key fob bars.” These are easy to use and provide a clean, professional finish. You can find these kits on Amazon or at craft supply stores.
- Attaching Key Fob Hardware: Fold your faux leather piece in half lengthwise, ensuring the edges are aligned. Insert the folded edge into the key fob hardware bar. Use pliers or the tool that comes with the key fob kit to securely crimp the hardware closed, clamping down on the leather and creating a loop.
4. Optional: Adding Rivets for Extra Detail:
For certain styles or for added durability, you can include rivets at the base of your leather keychains.
-
Creating Rivet Holes: If you want to add a rivet, ensure your leather is folded evenly and use a leather punch tool from a rivet kit like this one to create a hole through both layers of the faux leather at the desired rivet location.
-
Inserting Rivets: Place the post of the rivet through the hole from one side of the leather and place the rivet cap on the other side. Use the anvil and setting tool from your rivet kit along with a hammer to firmly secure the rivet in place.
5. Finishing Touches:
Once the key fob hardware and any optional rivets are in place, your leather key fob keychain is complete! Repeat these steps to create as many keychains as you desire.
These faux leather key fob keychains are incredibly versatile. They make wonderful personalized gifts, stylish accessories for yourself, or popular items to sell at craft fairs or online. With endless possibilities for faux leather colors, patterns, and textures, you can create a keychain for every style and occasion!
Download Your Free Key Fob SVG Files
Ready to start crafting your own leather key fob keychains? Download your free Key Fob SVG file template now and unleash your creativity!
These free files are for personal use. Please contact for commercial licensing.
