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Learn how to make this Faux Leather Lemon Keychain using faux leather, heat transfer vinyl, and your Cricut!

Lemons are so trendy right now in accessories and home decor, so this bright and sunny keychain is perfect for Spring.

You can make this project with any of the Cricut Maker, Explore, or Joy machines with just the regular fine point blade.

The SVG file is available in my shop if you want to make this project!

Ready to get started with this beginner friendly Spring Cricut craft tutorial?

Let’s dive into the materials and steps!

Step 1: Get the SVG Template

Step 2: Shop the Supplies

This page contains some affiliate links (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you). Read my full disclosure policy here.

Compatible Machines✅: Cricut Maker, Cricut Maker 3, Cricut Maker 4, Cricut Explore Air 2, Cricut Explore 3, Cricut Explore 4, Cricut Explore 5, Cricut Joy Xtra, Cricut Joy
Not Compatible Machines❌: none
Blade Used: Standard Fine Point Blade
Cut Setting Used✂️: Faux Leather (Paper Thin) with “More” pressure

• Faux Leather & Heat Transfer Vinyl
  • Solid Yellow faux leather, Yellow Gingham print, and Siser Glitter HTV in Light Green
  • For the print, I ordered a 9×12 sheet, Portrait Orientation, and Regular Scale
• Other Project Supplies
  • Craft or fabric glue (like Beacon Fabri-Tac)
  • 1 inch Wristlet Hardware with Nylon Jaw Pliers
  • Faux Suede Tassels, I used 1.5 inch size (optional)
  • 10mm Jump Rings
  • Blue Painters Tape
  • Small Curved Scissors
• Other Cricut Supplies
  • Purple Strong Grip Mat
  • Green Standard Grip Mat
  • Cricut EasyPress Mini
  • Cricut EasyPress Mat, 8×10 size
  • Weeding Tool like a Pin Pen or like the one in the Cricut Basic Tool Set

🛒 To shop many of these supplies below in my Amazon storefront, click here. 🛒

Step 3: Make the Project

Set Up Your Design

1. Open a new canvas in Cricut Design Space.
2. Upload the SVG file for the Lemon Keychain to your canvas.

Prepare to Cut

1. Click Make It.
2. Mirror your mats since you’ll be cutting the faux leather and heat transfer vinyl face down.
3. For the faux leather mat, choose the Faux Leather (Paper Thin) material setting with More pressure for the faux leather mat.
4. Trim a piece of faux leather just slightly larger than the size shown in the mat preview screen for the lemon shapes.

Cut the Faux Leather

1. Place the faux leather pretty side down on a Strong Grip (purple) mat.
2. Secure all edges with blue painter’s tape.
3. Load the mat into your Cricut.
4. Press the C button to begin cutting.
5. When the cut is complete, without unloading the mat, use a sharp tool to gently lift the edge and check the cut.
6. Repeat the cut if necessary by pressing the cut button again.
7. Once the cut is complete, unload the mat and remove the keychain and lemon shapes.

Cut & Press the Heat Transfer Vinyl

1. Cut the lemon leaves from heat transfer vinyl using a green standard grip mat and the manufacturer’s recommended cut settings for your brand & type of HTV.
2. Weed away the excess HTV.
3. Preheat an Easy Press to 265 degrees or set an Easy Press Mini to the Low setting.
4. Layer the first leaf layer on top of the faux leather lemon shape. Cover with a Teflon sheet or cover sheet and press for 5-7 seconds at a time.
5. Remove the Teflon sheet and try to peel away the clear vinyl cover sheet. If the vinyl lifts up with the cover sheet, place it back down and press again.
6. Repeat with the second lemon.
7. Place the pressed faux leather shapes underneath your heat pressing pad for a minute or two it can cool flat.

Glue the Lemon Charm

1. Spread fabric glue or craft glue on the back of one of the lemons, Press the other lemon on top and line up the sides.
2. Place the glued lemon keychain under a heavy book for an hour to let the keychain dry flat.

Assemble the Keychain

1. Fold the faux leather strap in half. Put the ends inside the jaws of the key fob hardware.
2. Use rubber tipped pliers to clamp the jaws closed onto the ends of the faux leather strap.
3. To attach an optional tassel, use flat nose pliers & a 10mm jump ring.

Your Faux Leather Lemon Keychain is complete!

Answers to your questions about making a Faux Leather Lemon Keychain with a Cricut

Q: Which Cricut machines will cut faux leather?
A: You can cut faux leather with any of the current Cricut machines because they all cut faux leather with the standard fine point blade included with each machine. For this project you can use the Cricut Maker, Cricut Maker 3, Cricut Explore 3, Cricut Explore Air 2, the Cricut Joy Xtra, or the Cricut Joy.

Q: What glue do I use with faux leather?
A: I like to use Beacon Fabri-Tac for gluing faux leather because it spreads thinly and evenly without clumps and it doesn’t absorb into the faux leather. It also cleans up easily with just a finger wipe or a paper towel. It dries nice and flat for a very smooth finish. However you can also use a good craft glue like Bearly Art Glue – however you will need to apply more than Beacon Fabri-Tac because Bearly Art Glue tends to absorb into the faux leather backing.

Q: How do I get the SVG template for this project?
A: Get the SVG file from my SVG Shop here.

Until next time… and happy creating!

Want to remember this project? Save this tutorial to your favorite Pinterest board!

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