Make a Taco Faux Leather Keychain with a Cricut

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In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to make a Taco Faux Leather Keychain using faux leather, heat transfer vinyl, and a Cricut! This keychain is an easy and fun summer Cricut craft.

funny faux leather taco keychain made with a Cricut

Learn how to make a Taco Faux Leather Keychain with a Cricut

I love using faux leather and heat transfer vinyl to make simple and fun summer faux leather keychains with my Cricut. This Taco Keychain is so easy to make with a Cricut Maker, Maker 3, Explore Air 2 or Explore 3, or even the Cricut Joy.

I have the keychain SVG template for sale in my SVG shop here.

Get the SVG for this project from my SVG Shop

This SVG is also included in my Summer Keychains Event SVG Bundle – you can learn more and get it here.

So if you’re ready to try making this Taco Faux Leather Keychain with a Cricut, let’s get started!

Want to watch a video tutorial on YouTube instead? Check it out below!

How to make a Cricut Taco Faux Leather Keychain Video Tutorial

You can watch this video now on my Youtube Channel


Printable Instructions for this Project

For printable instructions for this project, click here.

How to make a Taco Faux Leather Keychain with a Cricut Step by Step

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.

Materials you’ll need to make a Taco Faux Leather Keychain with a Cricut

Get all 12 Days of Cricut Summer Keychain SVGs!

Love this Cricut Summer Keychain project? It’s one of my 12 days of surprise faux leather keychain designs created just for my Cricut Summer Keychains Event. Get all 17 event keychain SVGs at once by purchasing the Instant Access SVG Bundle below.

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: Get the keychain SVG template for this keychain project

You can get the Taco Keychain SVG template included in the Cricut Summer Keychains Event Bundle here or individually from my shop here. You’ll receive an order confirmation email with a link to download the SVG after purchasing.

Save the zipped folder that downloads to your computer. You’ll need to unzip or extract the folder FIRST so you can upload the keychain SVG file to Cricut Design Space.

Step 2: Upload the SVG template to Cricut Design Space.

Click on Upload Image, then browse to where your unzipped file SVG is located on your device.

Click on it to upload it to Design Space. You’ll see a preview of the Taco keychain SVG on the screen. Click the UPLOAD button.

Then select the SVGs from your Recent Uploads row and click Add to Canvas. Your Canvas should look like this:

If you are using the Cricut Joy, you may need to resize the keychain layers down a bit to fit on the Joy sized mat. For any other Cricut machine, it isn’t necessary to resize the taco keychain. Click the green “Make It” button.

Step 3: Prepare to Cut the Keychain Shapes in Cricut Design Space

First, select “On Mat” for how you’ll upload your materials to Design Space.

IMPORTANT!!! Normally in these projects I MIRROR every mat because heat transfer vinyl and faux leather cut in reverse.

However in THIS particular project, you will NOT mirror the faux leather mat.

You WILL mirror all of the vinyl mats (if you are using heat transfer vinyl like I am).

After leaving the faux leather mat un-mirrored, click on each VINYL mat in the Mat Preview screen and toggle the MIRROR button to ON (green). If you are using permanent vinyl for this project, then do not mirror the vinyl mats.

Make a note of what size faux leather you need to place on your mat to cut the keychain base shape out completely with a little room to spare. For this project and cutting with a Cricut Maker, I need a piece of faux leather about 3 inches wide and 8 inches tall.

See the Layering Guide graphic below to know which layer will cut from what material and in what order to press the vinyl layers.

Repeat these steps with the vinyl mats.

Then click back on the faux leather mat to select it again. Click the green CONTINUE button to make the first material selection.

Step 4: Make Material Selections

Choose the material selections you’ll use to cut each mat. I always cut the faux leather mat first.

I use the Faux Leather (Paper Thin) setting with “More” pressure for the faux leather mat.

If you don’t have this faux leather material setting as a favorite, click “Browse All Materials” to search for it and select it.

Note for Explore Air 2 users:  Cricut Explore Air 2 users will need to turn the dial to “Custom” before choosing Faux Leather (Paper Thin).

Use the material setting recommended by your vinyl manufacturer for your vinyl.

I use the Vinyl or Washi Sheet setting with “Default” pressure for my regular vinyl mats, and the Glitter Vinyl setting with “Default” pressure for my glitter HTV mats.

Step 5: Cut the Faux Leather and Vinyl Mats

Cut a piece of faux leather just slightly larger than the size shown in the mat preview screen.

Place the faux leather pretty side down on a purple Cricut Strong Grip mat in the location shown on the mat preview screen.

Press the faux leather down to the mat well with your hands or roll over it with a brayer. Then put blue painter’s tape around on all sides.

Make sure the white “star wheels” on the roller bar are pushed off to the side so the wheels don’t make indentations in your material.

Load the mat into the Cricut and begin the cut.

Once the cut is complete, BEFORE unloading the mat, use a sharp weeding tool to check and see if the cut is complete.

If not, press the C button again to repeat the cut. You can repeat the cut as many times as necessary as long as you haven’t unloaded the mat.

When the cut is complete, unload the mat and remove the keychain shape. You can trim any stray fuzz with small curved scissors.

Repeat the cutting process on the Heat Transfer Vinyl mats using a Standard Grip green cutting mat and the recommended cut settings for your particular vinyl.

Remove the cut vinyl from the mat and weed away the excess vinyl.

Trim apart any shapes for the front and back of each side of the keychain.

When all of your vinyl layers are trimmed apart, it’s time to heat press the vinyl layers of the Taco Faux Leather Keychain.

Step 6: Assemble the Taco Faux Leather Keychain

Remember to refer to the Layering Guide for this project to see which layers to press in what order.

I press vinyl to faux leather using a Cricut EasyPress Mini on the “low” setting (one green bar). You can also use a traditional EasyPress set to 255-265 degrees.

Place the first vinyl layer onto the faux leather layer on a heat pressing pad.

Then cover with a piece of Teflon sheet, parchment paper, or butcher paper.

Press for about 10 seconds. After 10 seconds, remove the cover sheet and carefully try to peel up the clear vinyl cover sheet. If it peels up easily, remove it.

If the vinyl is pulling up, place the clear vinyl cover layer back down and repeat pressing for 5-7 seconds. Repeat this process until the vinyl adheres to the faux leather well.

Once the first taco layer is well pressed onto the faux leather keychain shape, repeat with the other taco layers in order.

PRO TIP: When both sides of the keychain have all the vinyl layers applied, place the warm faux leather keychain under your pressing pad or something flat for a minute or two to help it cool flat.

Thread a 1.25″ keyring onto the center of the connected taco faux leather keychain shape. You can do this step either before you heat press your vinyl, or after.

Now it’s time to glue the faux leather keychain together.

I’m using Fabri-Tac glue, but you can use any good fabric glue or craft glue that spreads easily and in a thin, even layer, like Bearly Art Glue.

Place the connected faux leather keychain shape pretty side down on your work surface. Spread glue evenly onto the back of one taco only, avoiding the center connector shape.

Fold over the top half of the keychain onto the bottom half. Carefully line up the front and back edges and press together. The edges will not stick together right now, and that’s ok!

The next important step will make sure we get a flat keychain with an almost seamless edge.

PRO TIP: Place the glued keychain under something heavy like a book for several hours to let the glue dry well.

After several hours, remove you keychain from the book.

Next, to attach an optional faux suede tassel, use flat nose jewelry making pliers to open a 10mm jump ring. Connect the jump ring to the tassel loop and then attach it to the keyring. Close the jump ring securely.

That’s it! Your Taco Faux Leather Keychain is ready to attach to your keys or hang on a backpack!

I hope you’ll enjoy creating different colors of this Taco Faux Leather Keychain with your Cricut. Let me know in the comments what your Taco keychain will look like!

funny faux leather taco keychain made with a Cricut

Will you make this project?

I would love to see what you have created! Please join my free jewelry making & crafting Facebook group and share your creations with me and all of my crafting friends!

For Printable Instructions, click the image below!

funny faux leather taco keychain made with a Cricut

Cricut Taco Faux Leather Keychain

Materials

  • See blog post for materials & links.

Tools

  • See blog post for tools & links.

Instructions

  1. Download and unzip the keychain SVG folder. Upload the SVG file to Cricut Design Space.
  2. It isn't necessary to resize the keychain SVG unless you are using the Cricut Joy. (For the Joy, use the sizing arrows to make the keychain shapes smaller until it fits on the Joy sized mat.)
  3. Click the MAKE IT button.
  4. When Design Space asks how you will load the materials for this project, select ON MAT.
  5. IMPORTANT: In the mat preview screens, click on every VINYL mat and toggle the mirror button to ON - but DO NOT mirror the faux leather mat. This is a tip for this taco keychain project only and relates to how the fold over keychain is assembled.
  6. Now return to each mat and drag the shapes apart from the edges and each other slightly. Make a note of what size material you'll need to cut to place on the mat and cut the shape completely.
  7. When you've done this for each mat, click back on the faux leather mat. Click CONTINUE.
  8. I like to cut the faux leather mat first. Choose Faux Leather (Paper Thin) as the material setting. If you don't have this setting selected, click "Browse All Materials" and search for it. (On the Explore Air 2, turn your dial to Custom so you can see the Faux Leather material choice.) Then choose "more" from the Pressure drop down menu.
  9. Trim a piece of faux leather to the size you noted in the mat preview screen. Place it "pretty" side down on a sticky purple strong grip mat. Tape the faux leather down on all sides with blue painter's tape.
  10. Load the mat into the Cricut and press the C button to begin the cut. When the cut is complete, BEFORE unloading the mat, use a sharp object like a weeding tool to lift up the corner of a cut to see if it went all the way through. If it did, unload the mat. If not, repeat the cut by pressing the C button again. On a Joy, you'll repeat the cut by clicking on "Rerun" on the screen in Design Space.
  11. Remove the cut shapes from the mat. Trim away any fuzz with small sharp scissors. Color the edges of the faux leather if desired with a color coordinated Sharpie marker.
  12. Return to Design Space and cut any vinyl mats using a green standard grip cutting mat. Place heat transfer vinyl shiny side down. I use the Vinyl setting or the Washi Sheet setting with "default" pressure for regular heat transfer vinyl. I use the Glitter Vinyl setting with "default" pressure for glitter heat transfer vinyl and I repeat the cut once if the glitter is thick (Siser brand). For permanent vinyl, I use the Vinyl setting with "default" pressure (make sure mats are NOT mirrored).
  13. Weed away the excess vinyl and cut the vinyl shapes apart.
  14. Using a Cricut EasyPress Mini set on the "low" setting or an EasyPress set to 265 degrees, press the heat transfer vinyl layers onto the faux leather base shape one at a time. Refer to the Layers Guide in the tutorial for the pressing order. Place the first vinyl layer onto the faux leather and cover with a cover sheet - Teflon sheet, butcher paper or parchment paper. Then press for 5-10 seconds. Remove the cover sheet and try to peel away the clear vinyl carrier sheet. If the vinyl lifts up, replace the clear carrier sheet and cover sheet and press again for 5-7 seconds.
  15. Repeat with the rest of the vinyl layers.
  16. Place the pressed faux leather keychain under something like book or your heat pressing pad for a minute or so after pressing to allow the keychain to cool flat.
  17. Thread a 1.25" key ring onto the middle section of the larger connected faux leather keychain shape.
  18. Using fabric glue, carefully apply glue all over the back of just one of the connected keychain shapes, being careful to avoid getting glue on the center connecter shape.
  19. Fold the connected keychain shape over so the keychain shapes are touching and the edges line up neatly.
  20. Place the glued keychain under something heavy like a book to dry for several hours.
  21. To attach an optional tassel, use a 10mm jump ring and flat nose pliers to connect the tassel to the key ring.

Recommended Products

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Until next time… and happy creating!

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

Q: How do I get the SVG template for this project?
A: The SVG template for this project is in my SVG shop here. It’s available with a Personal Use and Small Business Commercial Use option.

Q: Can I get all the Summer Keychain Event SVG templates at once?
A: You can purchase all the Cricut Summer Keychain Event SVGs (17 in total) as a Instant Access Bundle in my shop here.

Q: What Cricut is best for cutting faux leather?
A: The good news is there is no “best” Cricut for cutting faux leather. You can cut faux leather with any of the five current Cricut machines – the Cricut Maker, the Cricut Maker 3, the Cricut Explore Air 2, the Cricut Explore 3, and even the Cricut Joy. That’s because you can cut faux leather with a Cricut using the standard Fine Point Blade that comes with each of these machines.

Q: What setting on Cricut do I need to cut faux leather?
A: I use the Faux Leather (Paper Thin) setting with “More” pressure to cut faux leather with any of the five current Cricut machines. I use the standard Fine Point Blade and repeat the cut as needed before unloading the mat. For more of my best Tips, Tricks, and secrets to cutting faux leather with a Cricut, check out my blog post here.

If you loved this Cricut faux leather keychain project, you’ll love these projects too:

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

funny faux leather taco keychain made with a Cricut

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100 Comments

  1. Nikki Durnya says:

    LOVE THE 🌮!!!!

  2. Karla Clevenger says:

    OMG! <3 Love me some tacos! LOL! This is adorable!!

  3. Rita DeCook says:

    Another cute design. I’m going to make one for my daughter and son-in-law. They both LOVE tacos.

  4. Must remember not to mirror the faux leather. Lovely design

  5. I like extra cheese please! Thank you so much!

  6. Differently going to make these so fun

  7. I love tacos and I can see a lot of potential for gifting this, too!

  8. Thank you Amy for the Taco keychain file! Can’t wait to make it. Thanks for noting the top about NOT mirroring the faux leather.

  9. Heather Choquette says:

    I LOVE tacos so this is great!

  10. So cute cant wait for my next taco Tuesday event so I can wear the matching earrings.

  11. This is too cute!!! My grandkids love taco’s. This would as make great backpack pull.

  12. Christine says:

    Cute for Cinco De Mayo!

  13. Wicked adorable! Love how you come up with such great ideas!

  14. Toni Leli says:

    Almost looks real!

  15. Martha Burris says:

    Thank you. I can’t wait to make the taco keychain for my daughter

  16. Tracy Sperling says:

    Super Cute I Love It. Will Make This For My Daughter. She Will Love This. Thanks Amy!!!

  17. Fun. I don’t know if I like this one or the daisies better.

  18. Evelyn Harcourt says:

    Love it! So cute.

  19. Michelle Nelson says:

    Another super cute design!!!

  20. These just make me hungry lol

  21. This is the one was waiting for. It is so cute and different.

  22. Diana Santoni-Bell says:

    How do you keep coming up with all these wonderful ideas? Great job!

  23. I know a lot of people who will like this keychain!

  24. Linda Wall says:

    Love this keychain and love the layers

  25. So excited for this SVG! Thank you for another excellent video filled with tips and tricks! You are the best, Amy!

  26. Jones Amber says:

    Amy, each time you make a new keychain design I think it’s my fave one but no, really, THIS ONE IS MY FAVE!!! The layering guide is super helpful – thank you! I am craving tacos now, tho . . .

  27. This is a fun design that is made slightly different from the other keychains. The faux leather is folded over the vinyl and Amy’s instructions are clear and easy ro follow.

  28. Jamie Lechleiter says:

    The keychain to match your taco earrings. How exciting. If I did not have to work this weekend this would be something I would make. This will be on next weeks list. Man do I love tacos!!!

  29. Ahhhhh!!! So adorable!!

  30. Katie Guildner says:

    Tacobout adorable!! Thank you! Love the HTV on the inside trick!

  31. Love it. I will do the matching earings to have the set. Thank you.

  32. Liz Hodge says:

    Another adorable keychain, Amy!

  33. How fun! I will have to make this one for my taco loving daughter!!!

  34. Katherine Jordan says:

    This is so cute! I love tacos!

  35. Thank you for another cute one. Makes me want some tacos

  36. Thank you again for a great tutorial!

  37. Julie Stanton says:

    Another cute idea. I’m so glad I saw this event!

  38. Cute design. Thanks for sharing.

  39. Now we need to use the template for a smaller necklace!!!

  40. Martha Ward says:

    Love the taco design! Is it Taco Tuesday yet?!

  41. I love this taco but don’t think I’ll try it yet based on the experiences I’m having so far, but if I can manage to figure it all out this will be on my list to make. Despite my experiences making these, I absolutely LOVE watching your videos! You are so informative AND actually take the time to explain things…thank you!!

  42. Regina Huttelmayer Byerly says:

    Yay!! Love the Taco Keychain!! Thanks Amy!!

  43. Now i have the perfect keychain for my fiancé! He is obsessed with taco Tuesday and we don’t miss it lol. He will love this.

  44. This summer keychain event is amazing. All the keychains are great, including this taco.

  45. cute one, I know some teenager girls that would like this

  46. Tanya D Perry says:

    Its always fun to make these with you, I made the flip flops and it was cute!

  47. Lori Bernardi says:

    Taco Tuesday? With this keychain, tacos everyday!

  48. Ashley Cortez says:

    Too cute this would be a great gift with the taco earrings that you have in your shop I’m definitely going to make all of these keychains if or when I ever get a craft machine thank you

  49. Celeste Almonte says:

    Cant wait to try it! 🥰

  50. Helen J Roberts says:

    This is perfect. Will go great with the avocado. Just need a Margarita, now! Thank you for sharing.

  51. Love this keychain! Thank you for working so hard to share cute projects with us!

  52. Tina Hudson says:

    This is soooo cute can’t wait to get my supplies!! Thank you for sharing what materials you use.

  53. These are adorable!! I like that they match the earrings. Cute set for Cinco de Mayo.

  54. This taco keychain is very cute. It was good to see a different way for layering the vinyl and faux leather. Thanks for sharing.

  55. Sandra Dryer says:

    This is awesome!

  56. Amy, these keychains are all so cute1

  57. The taco wasn’t my favorite, but it is cute.

  58. Can’t go wrong with tacos.

  59. Milagritos says:

    Another great tutorial, video and gorgeous Keychain. Thank you for your generosity sharing with us your excellent projects.

  60. Millie Gagliano says:

    awesome fun project for sure. Can’t wait to make a taco keychain.

  61. Your directions make crafting these so easy! Thank you!!

  62. Love the taco keyring. thanks

  63. Stacey Hughes says:

    This has been so fun!!!!

  64. Adorable! Love the step by step instructions.

  65. Tacos are a favorite summer supper!

  66. Betsy Anderson says:

    I love your taco keychain! Another super cute design!

  67. Bonnie Jo says:

    I love all your super fun keychain designs!

  68. Taco ’bout cute? What a fun and delicious design!

  69. Taco Tuesday!! I really need to get to the craft store!

  70. Luanne Miller says:

    I didn’t think the mini press iron would really be that useful. Watching You showed me how wrong I was. It will be on my next list to get. Thank You for sharing your techniques with layering several pieces together.

  71. Cindy Dawkins says:

    So cute, gotta love tacos! Your instructions are amazing. Thanks so much.

  72. Love your taco keychain, it’s super cute!!!

  73. Goes right along with my dinner plans for tonight…TACOS!

  74. Very nice taco key chain. As always, I really like watching your videos.

  75. Robin McBride says:

    Yummy. Very cute.

  76. Holly Spink says:

    So cute! I’m from TX so I can understand why this is so popular!

  77. Jennifer Hobbs says:

    These are absolutely adorable- cant wait to make them!!

  78. Donna LaBrecque says:

    I love the detail you give for each tutorial, it gives confidence to new and experienced Cricuteers to make all your designs.

  79. Chris Jeffers says:

    Thank you for this terrific taco design! I can’t believe how much it really looks like a taco! I appreciate the thorough tutorial, and the pictures really make a difference in helping me understand each step. Thank you!! 🌮

    1. Lisa Senter says:

      I agree with Chris. The directions and photos were so helpful. Most the time, a first project never looks like it should, for me anyway. I was able to create this taco like a pro. Thank you for your clever and on trend designs. This is the second event I have joined and I absolutely love the reveal every day.

  80. Darla White says:

    Thanks for the tutorial and video for this oh so cute Taco keychain!! Once again your step-by-step tutorial provides the best breakdown of the project in so easy steps that anyone can be successful in completing the project. Thanks for all your hard work putting this event together. Lovin them all!!!

  81. Gayle Miller says:

    Who doesn’t love Taco Tuesday? This one is so cute I can’t wait to make matching earrings.

  82. Shelly Lisano says:

    Now you’re Taco-ing!!! Shall we Taco bout these amazing Designs??

  83. Carol Colvin says:

    This one looks fun, will have to try it.

  84. Jan Thomason says:

    Such a cute design. So well laid out, and the video is so easy to follow.

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